“I love you too, Viktor.”
“Ready for breakfast?”
“Definitely,” she agreed.
They walked back to the campsite where Emily and Julia were already eating breakfast. James and Austin handed them each a plate with scrambled eggs, toast and bacon along with fresh cups of coffee. They were joined a few moments later by the rest of their group. Peter and Tiffany didn’t look quite as put together as they did the day before and Tiffany didn’t look entirely thrilled by it.
“You think they would at least have well water or a generator,” she complained. “Who can live like this?”
Amanda was afraid Viktor would respond so she quickly turned to him and asked, “How’s your food, babe?”
“Good,” he answered with a slight grin, knowing what she was doing. “And yours?”
“Excellent,” she said loudly. “James and Austin are fabulous cooks.” She gave them a smile.
After breakfast everyone returned to their tents to pack up. Henry and Evelyn were the last to finish. First they argued about how to pack their bags, then they argued about how to dismantle the tent. Everyone else had finished and stood around listening to them argue until Austin and James offered to help them take down their tent and pack it up.
They were soon back on the water, heading to their next destination. Everything was going well and everyone was having a good time until Evelyn and Henry started back up again. They complained about how the other was paddling, each accusing the other of doing it wrong.
“If we do this again, I’m going to buy out the whole tour,” Viktor said as Evelyn declared she was too tired to paddle anymore because Henry wasn’t doing it right.
Amanda laughed. “I won’t stop you.”
They got to the next campsite just before dusk, leaving everyone only a little bit of daylight to get their tents up, which wasn’t a problem for most of the group.
“I can’t believe they’re still arguing,” Amanda said as she sat on her cot.
“I don’t understand how they’re not embarrassed to be doing that in front of everyone.”
“I’m not even sure they realize what they sound like. Can you imagine living that all the time?”
“No,” he firmly replied and then sat in his cot facing her. “Being with you is effortless.”
“You sure?” she asked sarcastically. “Today felt pretty strenuous. I’m not sure I’ll be able to move tomorrow.”
“You know what I mean,” he replied.
“I do.” Her lips broke into a broad smile. “I must say, I feel the same way about you.”
“Would you like to watch the sunrise tomorrow?” he then asked.
“That would be wonderful. We should go catch the sunset.”
He jumped up. “Yes. Let’s go.”
They left their tent and Viktor led the way to a quiet spot far away from the camp where they could enjoy the peace and quiet. They found a giant rock that they couldn’t sit on but could lean against as they watched the sky change colors. Amanda leaned back against his body as he held her in his arms. As the sun descended below the horizon Viktor remembered something.
“I forgot my headlamp,” he declared.
“Oh no. So did I.”
“I have my phone though.”
“Thank god. I left my phone in the tent.”
He kissed her cheek. “At least one of us is prepared.”
She laughed. “I’m not sure I’d call that prepared but it’s something.”
He kissed her cheek again and then her neck. She turned to face him and kissed his lips. They spent the next few minutes engaged in a long, affectionate kiss.
“We should probably get back,” he said, as darkness enveloped them.
“Yeah,” she agreed, though reluctantly.
“Uh oh,” he said.
“What?”
“Umm. Looks like my phone is dead.”
“Don’t joke like that!”
“I’m not joking,” he said seriously. “My phone must have died sometime after we set the tent up.”
“Why did you let your phone die?!” she shrieked.
“I didn’t do it on purpose! I meant to charge it after we set the tent up but I got distracted.”
“I can’t believe this,” she said in disgust.
“Why are you acting like it’s all my fault? You didn’t even bring your phone!” he shot back. “And it was your idea!”
“You’re the one who brought us all the way out here!”
“So it’s my fault you forgot your phone?!”
“I didn’t say it was your fault!”
“You’re implying it!” he angrily insisted.
They both suddenly stopped as if having the same realization at the same time.
“Oh no, we’re them,” Amanda said.
“I don’t want to be them,” Viktor quickly added.
“I’m sorry,” Amanda said. “I was blaming you and it’s not your fault.”
“Thank you for the apology. I’m sorry I raised my voice.”
She chuckled. “I think under the circumstances, you were entitled.”
He kissed her forehead. “We’ll make it back if we stick close to the river. We’ll just take it slow.”
“Sounds like a plan,” she agreed.
When they made it back to camp, Austin and James were conferring with the other guides about what to do to find them.
“There you are!” Austin exclaimed. “We were getting worried.”
“Sorry. We forgot flashlights,” Viktor apologized.
“Took us a while to navigate in the dark,” Amanda added. “Didn’t mean to worry you.”
“It’s okay,” James replied. “We are glad you’re safe. Dinner is ready if you are hungry.”
“I’m starving,” Viktor responded.
“Same,” Amanda said.
When they got to their site, Peter was telling everyone about the time he paid someone to sail his yacht from Miami to Newport and then flew first class to Rhode Island to spend a few nights on his boat off the coast with some important clients. He then alluded to the clients being members of a mafia, as if that would impress anyone there. It did not. Everyone wanted the story to end and they were so grateful for the interruption of Viktor and Amanda that they all began excitedly greeting them upon their return.
Peter was visibly irritated by the intrusion. Like a spoiled toddler, he liked being the focus of attention and resented anyone who took center stage from him.
“So Viktor, your girlfriend said she works in IT but you never said what it is that you
