Paradise (23 page)

Any moonlight that could have guided their way was blotted out by a dense cloud cover. “I hope you’re right about the rain. You know, the odds are against you. It’s poured every night.”

“Don’t worry. Like you said, I’m a trained professional. Just sit tight and enjoy the show. I’ll paddle.” With a snap, the flashlight flicked off.

“Hey, Tarzan, how am I supposed to enjoy the show if I can’t see anything?”

“Don’t get smart with me, little girl.” The smile in his voice was as audible as the low timbre of his words. “You don’t have to see to experience something. Concentrate on the motion of the canoe, the smells of the water and the trees, the sounds of the frogs, the insects, your heartbeat.”

He cast off the platform, aiming into the black velvet night. So this is what it was like to be buried alive. It was one thing to be in total darkness inside a tent with a Crocodile Hunter within easy reach, but quite another to be in an open canoe, leaving the small circle of light cast by the lantern. A huge nothing stretched out forever in front of her.

The swamp was alive with sound and yet unexpectedly tranquil. The croaks of a tree frog created a pattern not unlike the beat of a bass drum. From there, other frogs joined in at different intervals, lending their talent to the little swamp symphony.

“Did you know there are over two dozen different species of frogs out here?”

“Thanks, that tidbit is sure to come in handy at my next cocktail party.”

Eddie was right. An entertaining show played all around for her enjoyment if she only concentrated. They glided through the water at a leisurely pace. No point in hurrying when there was no destination. A loud splash to the left instantly brought her back. All romantic notions of amphibian orchestras vanished.

“Eddie? Eddie? How come you’re not talking? This is really weirding me out.” If ever she wanted his protective arm around her, it was now. “I’m feeling totally isolated up here. A severe case of the heebie-jeebies is settling in. Say something.”

“What do you want me to say?” came a husky voice, taking her completely off guard.

Oh my goodness. Was this escapade turning him on? That was the low raspy voice, the one he’d used earlier.

“Anything. Just say anything to let me know you’re back there and a monster hasn’t made you his entrée.” The rhythmic dip of the paddle and a soft chuckle reassured her he was firmly situated in the back of the canoe.

“I told you, there’s nothing to be afraid of. You’re perfectly safe. The flashlight is directly behind you. Turn it on. You’ll feel better if you can see.”

She groped behind her, located the light and flicked it on. He was right. Seeing where they were did ease a bit of her anxiety. That was until several logs with eyeballs floated passed the canoe. “Oh my God! Are those what I think they are?”

“If you’re talking about our traveling companions than yes, we’ve got company. Just remember,
Georgia
pecan brains. They’re not going to bother us.”

“How do you know where we’re going? How do you know we’re not going to bump into them?”

“I’m a professional, remember? We’re not more than forty yards from the platform. Look back over your shoulder and you’ll see it.”

Still fearful of tipping the canoe, she took his word about the platform and remained facing forward. Eddie’s paddle thunked on the floor of the canoe and their forward motion slowed.

“Why are we stopping? Won’t that make us an easier target?”

Another soft chuckle met her ears. “I’m just taking a break.”

She panned the flashlight beam across the water. Dozens of unblinking eyes gleamed back. Her muscles clenched. Beads of perspiration formed on her upper lip. The eyes slid closer, some disappeared beneath the water. Wiping her palms on her jeans in a useless effort to dry them, she scanned the surface.

“Are you sure they’re not planning a sneak attack? Ah, could we keep moving? I don’t like sitting here.” Two beady eyes not six feet from the canoe stared at her.
Hal
fway submerged, the gator’s long snout drifted closer. Did that monster have three inch teeth?

“All right. I guess that’s enough adventure for one night.” The canoe swayed and she dropped the heavy flashlight. It bounced and rolled under her seat.

“Eddie!”

“It’s okay. Just reach back and grab it.”

The beam shifted as the light rolled to the middle of the canoe. The hypnotic eyes disappeared, but they were still there, measuring her. She kept her gaze on the spot in the darkness where she last saw them. Bracing one hand on the bench, she flailed her other arm behind. Where was that stupid light?

“Turn around and look. You can’t miss it.” Unwilling to avert her eyes from where the gator had last been, she again waved her arm behind her.

“Whoa, you’re going to tip us over. Just sit there, I’ll get it.”

She continued her air search until her wrist connected with something hard. With a loud splash, the soft glow of the receding light winked out.

“Shit! Robbie hold on!”

Eddie’s curse tore through the night air. Frenzied splashing, roars and ripping flesh reverberated in her ears. The total, unforgiving blackness of the swamp at night closed in around her. The canoe swayed and bobbed. She grasped the sides to keep from falling out.

Water sprayed, drenching her. The screaming frightened her the most until she realized her lungs heaved, and the sound was her own. The growls and bellows circled the canoe. They were everywhere. She slid off the bench to her knees and huddled in a puddle in the bow of the canoe.

“Dammit! We’re in for it now!”

Eddie scrambled back to his seat and a second later, the canoe zoomed forward.

Don’t let me be a snack. Please don’t let me be a snack.

Crouching low to remain below the rim of the canoe, she made promises no one could keep. The terrifying sounds receded with the distance, although an occasional roar reached her ears.

Labored breathing from the rear of the canoe caught her attention. “Faster, Eddie, faster! Forget about breathing! Paddle!”

They shot through the water like an arrow to its target. After an eternity and a half, their pace slowed. The horrific grunts and bellows disappeared into the night. The other swamp residents, initially silenced by the battle, resumed their nocturnal activities. It was as if the melee never happened.

A bizarre sound came from behind her, and it took a long minute to identify it. Disbelief crowded out the gripping fear of moments before. “Don’t you dare laugh, Eddie McGraw. This is
not
funny!”

“Hot damn, woman! You sure know how to liven up a party. That was great. We’ve got to do this more often!”

“No question about it. You are insane! We’re almost eaten alive and you’re getting off on it? This is
not
fun!”

Slowly, her pulse returned to a mere thousand beats per minute, but the chill in her bones now had another source. Her jeans were soaked from kneeling on the wet bottom of the canoe and her shirt reeked of swamp water where the gators had splashed her. The condition of her hair was another matter altogether. It would take at least a dozen washings before she’d touch it again.

“And here I thought the fireworks you lit in my sleeping bag were hot. You’re exciting wherever you are.”

“Turn back. Right now, Tarzan. That’s it for tranquil journeys through the swamp.”

“As you wish, milady.” His voice held more than a hint of amusement. “Why don’t you sit up? It can’t be comfortable crouching in the bow like that.”

She made a feeble attempt to return to the bench, but her legs, arms and brain rebelled. “I’m fine. I’m perfectly happy to tremble where I am. Thank you very much.”

She took a deep breath, wondering if she was overly cautious. Maybe most people did think this was a great way to spend an evening. Obviously, gator attacks were mundane to her Crocodile Hunter.

“By the way, Tarzan, so sorry I almost got you eaten alive. Oops, my bad.”

* * * * *

Hot damn! Caught up in the moment, Eddie had forgotten Robbie’s idea of a walk on the wild side was wearing white shoes before Memorial Day.

What a ride! If that flashlight had landed a foot closer, they would have been in serious trouble. Hmm, no need to share that piece of information.

“I guess we’ve communed with nature enough for one night.” He chuckled, catching his breath. When all hell had broken loose, his only concern had been getting far away from the melee. A few swats from those powerful tails and the canoe easily could have capsized. Not caring about direction, he’d paddled like his life depended on it -- it had.

Luckily, he could make out the distant glow of the lantern on their platform. Without the flashlight to identify landmarks, they could have been stuck out here all night. And he thought her anxiety meter had maxed out with the gators.

The canoe glided slowly over the water. Eddie studiously avoided any more contact with their floating neighbors. His measured actions were in total opposition to the adrenalin coursing through his veins. That couldn’t have been more fun if he’d planned it. He rolled his shoulders, relieving some of the tension.

Reaching down, he figured his boots were submerged in about three inches of swamp water and held back a groan. She was kneeling in it.

“You sure you don’t want to sit on the bench?”

“No, no, I rather like this perspective. I’ll be fine.”

Her voice quivered. “Eddie? Would you talk? I’d feel better if I could hear you.”

The night sounds of the swamp brought it to full life. “Well, you’ll be happy to know I’ve got my stamina back. By the time we get back to the platform, I think we can come up with an interesting way to spend the rest of the evening. If you look up, you’ll see we’re not far.”

The first droplet hit him square in the eye, the next, his nose. From there the skies opened up. No thunder, no lightning just an old-fashioned downpour. He increased his strokes and waited for the sarcastic remarks that would undoubtedly follow.

“You sure know how to show a girl a good time. Here I thought attacking gators and swamp slime were the extent of the evening. This is a great finale.”

The canoe rocked, and he assumed she’d pushed herself onto the bench. “So tell me.” She giggled. “How
did
you get it to rain, too?”

“It took some doing, but I knew if I set my mind to it, I could make this the most miserable night of your life. It worked, didn’t it?”

“You win the prize, so you can stop trying now. Banish any thoughts you may have of dunking me in the water when I get out of this boat.”

“Canoe,” he corrected.

“Canoe, boat, whatever, as long as it doesn’t pull a Titanic, I’m good.”

Making long, no-nonsense strokes, he soon had them back at the platform. As was their routine, he disembarked first to secure the canoe before helping her up. He was pleased with the way she clung to him. Her knees wobbled and she leaned heavily against him.

“You were never in the slightest bit of danger,” he lied, nuzzling her hair. “You know that, don’t you? I’d never let anything hurt you.” Gently, he grazed his hand up and down her back.

She hid her face in his shoulder and a shudder ran the length of her body. Graceful fingers twisted tightly in his shirt, caressing his chest beneath. He could stand like this forever. He shifted her and angled his jutting erection between her thighs. Holding her was almost as good as sleeping with her -- almost.

“I’m okay. For a moment there, I got a little unglued thinking about that attack. I know I’m safe with you. Let’s get out of this rain.”