Chapter 14

Rich blanched, and the teen continued, “Actually, a statement. Thanks, mister,” she said with a big smile on her face, “for everything.”

Rich and I waved goodbye from a distance as the chopper hovered for a second and then launched out of the Canyon. We helped Jake and Katie load a few things into the raft and made sure that they were gonna be okay on their own.

“Yeah, the remainder of the trip is the easier part. We’ve made this trip before on our own,” said Katie. “We’ll move fast now and be home for dinner and, hopefully, dessert.”

Rich went over and shook Jake’s hand as Katie hugged me, whispering in my ear, “I like you, Mr. Dessert!” and then moved off to hug Rich, with Jake and I exchanging fist bumps. They waited a few more minutes until we saw another chopper come over the ridge, and then they set off.

When the helicopter landed, we moved over to it, ducking, of course, and the pilot opened the door. She looked at first glance to be in her early 30s and attractive.

“Wanna climb aboard and ride?” she asked with a smile. Rich and I just looked at each other, bemused, and then climbed aboard.

Back at the hotel, I wanted food and sleep in that order, in quick fashion. I only wanted to nap, though, because if I went to sleep in the late afternoon I’d be up at midnight.

So after taking a hot shower, I trudged down to the dining room. Rich was there, and so was Loni. Son of a gun! I didn’t bother to join them and instead went to the bar where I knew I could order food.

One delicious steak and dressed baked potato later, eaten quite slowly as I was watching a baseball game on television, I was getting ready to leave.

After I paid the bill, with half an inning left, Katie sat down right next to me.

I guess it was the look of surprise on my face. “You’re gonna’ catch flies doing that,” she said, smiling.

“How did--”

“Really? And exactly how many places do you think people were dropped off after an adventure like the one we had today?”

She had a point. “There was a chopper waiting for us after our run.” I yawned.

“Poor baby is tired?” she chided. “So, when do you head back?”

“We’re driving back to Phoenix tomorrow, staying overnight down there, and then heading back East the next day.”

“So, your plans for tonight?” I yawned again. “Other than sleep,” she added.

I thought about it for a moment, then reached into my pocket and pulled out the magnetic swipe card, put it on the bar, and then pushed it toward her, hoping I wasn’t being too forward.

“Dessert.”

She smiled once more, took it, and said “I will see you later!”

When I left and then entered the stairwell, I heard muffled voices above. The high-priced hotel was unique in that it didn’t have elevators to service the three floors. I quietly moved up the staircase and looked around the corner.

Yep, I mused, just as I thought. It was Rich and Loni, heading to his room.

Good for you, Mr. Hero, good for you!

Having stopped off at the front desk for another key, I entered my room, put my stuff on the dresser, and then went into the bedroom, looking forward to a nice, long nap.

Like Santiago, I saw the lions in my dreams.¹ Then I smelled the wonderful scent of an aromatic candle and felt movement around me.

When I opened my eyes, I was greeted with the sight of that familiar man in the canoe. Katie was naked and crouching down right over my face, facing my feet.

I tried to come up with something witty but I had nothing, so I reached up with my hands to her legs and pulled her down to my face. A moment later she had the blanket off me and we were locked in soixante-neuf.

Later, laying back in bed with her, we chatted about insignificant stuff, where she was originally from, how did she get to giving rafting tours, what I did for a living ... the kinda’ stuff that new lovers discuss, except that we both knew the chances that we’d ever see each other after tonight were slim to none.

The conversation slowed. She looked at me, then came closer and kissed me, softly, on the lips.