Roman followed at his heels. “Hey, I got sucked under, too. Shit, I was more than a little disoriented when I came up. The reporter and brother-in-law were both floating downriver and didn’t appear to be in any distress. I assumed my…uh, the congressman was somewhere ahead of them and out of sight.”
“So you didn’t see him go under?”
“No, of course not. What do you take me for?”
Sawyer ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath. “Sorry. We got Walton breathing again, but he doesn’t look so good.”
“After I got my bearings, I swam back to the rock. By the time I got the raft stable and looked around, you were already working on him. He couldn’t have been in the water more than a few minutes at the most.”
“Christ, let’s hope he wasn’t deprived of oxygen that long.” Fear strung his nerves tight as they reached Walton.
Devin glanced up, worry shadowing her eyes. “He answered a couple of basic questions. That’s good, isn’t it?”
“Very good.”
Shaking out the silver folds, he spread the blanket over his patient then felt the pulse at his neck. Steadier now, and his color was better.
“You hanging in there, Walton?”
His godfather blinked a few times then gave a slight nod. “Yeah.” His chest rose and fell on an exhale that turned into a wracking cough. Nearly a minute passed before he was able to speak. “God, what happened?”
“You all took a header into the river.” Sawyer tucked the blanket tighter as chills shook the man. “What do you remember?”
Glazed eyes sharpened and focused. “Floundering in the water.” A shudder rippled through him. “Something was holding my ankle. I couldn’t move.”
“Your leg was caught between two rocks.”
“Jesus, it felt like fingers.”
Devin rested a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “I noticed a lot of moss and weeds growing near those rocks. Maybe a few strands wrapped around your ankle.”
“Must have.” He let out a sigh. “After that, everything’s a blank until I came to with the pair of you hanging over me.” He lifted a shaking hand. “My chest aches.”
“I hope I didn’t crack a rib.” Sawyer rose to his feet. “The good news is you’re coherent. I have to believe you weren’t trapped underwater for long before we reached you.”
“I guess I got lucky.” Walton pushed up on one elbow to glance around and then frowned. “Where’re the others?”
“Your brother-in-law and Kennedy floated downstream. They looked fine to me.” Roman crossed his arms over his chest then turned toward Sawyer. “You want me to try to drag the raft up here?”
“It’d be easier to carry Walton downriver.”
His godfather struggled to a sitting position, leaning heavily on Devin’s arm. “Help me up, and I’ll get there under my own steam.”
“We’ll see about that.” Sawyer pulled off the blanket then ran a hand slowly down his patient’s legs, pressing at regular intervals. “Anything hurt?”
“Few bruises. I tell you I can walk.”
“What about those ribs.”
Walton winced as he shifted. “I’m sore as hell, but I’m not an invalid.”
“If you’re sure, we’ll ease you to your feet. I want to get the air pumping through your lungs, anyway. Roman, get on his other side.”
Devin rose and stepped out of the way as the guide moved into position. On Sawyer’s count, they lifted him upright. Walton swayed, his face losing what color he’d regained. When his legs crumpled, Sawyer braced him against his side.
“Maybe a little too soon for walking. We’ll carry him between us.” He glanced over at Roman. “You ready?”
At the younger man’s nod, they locked hands beneath Walton’s thighs and hoisted him up. Watching where he stepped to avoid twisting an ankle, breath coming in pants as his arms strained beneath the weight, they headed toward the raft.
Eyes closed, Walton leaned back. “Sorry, I thought I could do it.”
“No need to apologize, but, dude, you should seriously lay off the cookies.”
A snort of laughter turned into a grimace. “You sound like my wife.”
“She’s a smart woman.” At least his joke had eased some of the tension tightening Walton’s lips. As they reached the raft, they carefully lowered him over the side. “We made it.” Turning, he took the blanket Devin handed him and tucked it around his patient. “Sit tight and relax. You need time to regain your strength. That was a hell of an ordeal you went through.”
“Maybe I’m not as tough as I thought.” His voice was gruff.
“You’re plenty tough.” Sawyer backed away then met Devin’s worried gaze. Resting a hand on her arm, he gave it a gentle squeeze. “He’s doing remarkably well, all things considered.”
She let out a long breath and nodded. “What can I do?”
“Untie the rope then help me and Roman drag the raft deeper into the water.”
A few minutes later they’d maneuvered back into the current and rode the short set of rapids down to where they’d left Alex. With a grunt, Sawyer dug hard with his paddle to send them toward the shore.
Charles jumped up from the rock where he was sitting and ran to meet them. The late afternoon sun shone mercilessly on his bald spot as he reached out to grab the rope Roman tossed his way.
His face creased. “You okay, Walton?”
He gave a faint nod then winced. “I will be.”
Sawyer eyed the middle-aged man up and down, noting a bruise discoloring his jaw. “Did you and Kennedy make it out of the river all right?”
Charles shrugged. “I hit the side of my face on a rock when I fell into the water, but a couple of aspirin took the edge off the pain.” He lowered his voice. “Liam’s none the worse for wear, except for breaking his glasses, though you wouldn’t know it to listen to him complain.”
“It’s been quite an afternoon.” Sawyer forced a tired smile. “Do you mind taking Roman’s place in the front so he can guide the other raft to our takeout site?”
“Of course not.”
The two men swapped positions, and once Roman waded ashore, he gave the raft a shove. “I’ll stay close behind just in case…” He jerked his chin toward Walton then met Sawyer’s gaze. “You might need help.”
“I don’t anticipate any problems.” He glanced toward the two waiting on shore and noted the speculation shining in Kennedy’s eyes behind the cracked lens of his glasses. “Hey, Roman, no need to elaborate on what happened back there just yet. Okay? Let’s keep it to ourselves.”
“Sure.” He turned away. “See you in a few.”
“Let’s hope we don’t have any more problems,” Devin muttered under her breath before shifting on her seat to efficiently back paddle without any prompting.
Sawyer adjusted course slightly to avoid a boulder as they rode the current through the last of the rapids. “You’re becoming quite a pro.” His voice carried over the roar of the river.
She glanced over and smiled. “I’m decent at most sports.”
“I