“Would you look at that?” Rogue breathed.
“I’ve never been this close to one before,” Seth replied in a reverent whisper.
“Me neither,” Rogue said.
His hand tightened around her waist when one of them lowered its head toward the boat. It studied them with timeless patience, and its warm breath washed across their faces.
Rogue didn’t know if she should be happy or scared and settled on a mixture of the two. She drank in each minute detail of its wrinkled hide, huge nostrils, and soft warm gaze. The sheer size of its chest was awe-inspiring, each lungful of air it took like the expansion of gigantic bellows.
Her insides quivered when the Alamosaurus plunged its mouth into the river right next to the boat. Seconds later, it emerged, and water cascaded across the deck. She shrieked and jumped backward, laughter bubbling from her throat.
Within seconds, Brittany and David joined them. Together, the four of them danced around the boat like kids splashing in the rain. It was a joyous occasion, one not to be forgotten. But all too soon, the moment passed. The boat continued its slow progress upriver, and the beach faded from view.
“That was… I don’t know what that was,” Brittany said.
“I know what you mean,” Rogue said, wiping the moisture from her face. “I’m soaked.”
“We all are,” Seth said.
“I guess we don’t have to worry about bathing tonight,” David quipped.
“Let’s head in and dry off,” Seth suggested. “It wouldn’t do for any of us to get sick.”
His words had a dampening effect on their spirits, and the euphoria from earlier faded away. Groans arose from Brittany and David, and they were reluctant to follow his suggestion.
Seth was right, however. It couldn’t all be fun and games. Darkness was approaching fast and with it the chill of the evening. With summer on the way out, the nights were growing colder. Soon, the temperatures would plummet, and winter would descend on the land.
Rogue didn’t look forward to it. She preferred the warmth over the cold, but she knew it was a time for renewal. A time for nature to reset itself. There was a balance to all things, even if she couldn’t see it.
“Come on, guys. Seth’s right. We’ll catch our deaths out here,” Rogue said in a coaxing tone.
Brittany and David gave in with reluctant sighs, and they trooped toward the cabin. Along the way, Rogue spotted Jessica and Bear standing off to the side. They were in deep conversation, oblivious to the spectacle that had just occurred.
Rogue threw Seth a look as they walked past the duo. He met her gaze and shrugged. Deciding it was a matter for another time, she let it be. Of more concern to her was Paul’s conspicuous absence. “Where’s Paul?”
“Moping about Sandi,” David said. He pointed toward the back of the boat, and Rogue notice Paul standing in the far corner. He looked lonely. Defeated.
“He shouldn’t have come on this trip,” Brittany whispered.
Rogue silently agreed.
As they trooped past Tony, he flashed them a grin. “Have fun, did you? That was quite the sight, and I bet we’ll see more fantastic things on this trip.”
“I hope so,” Rogue replied, slightly embarrassed that he’d witnessed their child-like display.
Inside the cabin, they toweled themselves off and took turns to get dressed. Guys first, girls second.
“That’s better,” Rogue said, her shivers abating once she pulled a sweater over her head. She tied her damp hair into a knot and hung up her wet clothes to dry.
“Yeah, you’re right,” Brittany said, donning a purple long-sleeved shirt. Her bright blonde hair shone in the lamplight, the envy of girls everywhere. “I’ll tell you what, though.”
“What?” Rogue asked, tucking her backpack away.
“This has been the best day of my life,” Brittany said. “No lies.”
“It’s in the top five for me,” Rogue said with a grin.
A knock on the door turned out to be Seth. “Are you ladies hungry?”
“Starving,” Rogue said, and her stomach growled on cue.
“Well, I made coffee, and I’m about to start on dinner but could use a couple of extra hands.”
“We’re on our way,” Rogue said.
“I’m game as long as I don’t have to chop onions or garlic,” Brittany said.
“Cheater,” Rogue said, exiting the cabin.
They joined Seth in the tiny kitchen, jostling for space. Between the three of them, they produced a semi-decent stew served with rice and beans. It was a hot, filling meal, the kind that would fuel them through the days to come.
Darkness stole over the river while they cooked, and Tony dropped the anchor. He lit a couple of lamps, and they cast a warm, golden glow over the deck. It didn’t take long for the insects to show up. Beetles dove against the glass lamps kamikaze style, while moths as big as dinner plates fluttered around the light. Crickets sang from the riverbank, their signature chirps melding into a symphony of song.
Once the food was done, Rogue dished up and handed out the plates and cutlery. Afterward, she joined them on the deck and sat with her back against the railing. She took a big bite and groaned with pleasure. “Yum.”
“Not bad,” Tony said, digging into his plate with gusto.
“Yeah, you three can cook any night,” Jessica agreed.
“Wait until you try my fried fish fillets,” Tony said.
“How about tomorrow night?” Seth said.
“Not a bad idea. I’ll even teach you all how to catch fish,” Tony said.
“I can fish,” Seth protested.
“Not as well as I can,” Tony said.
“How would you know?” Seth asked. “You’ve never seen me fish before.”
“I just know,” Tony said with a grunt. “I’m better at everything than most people. That’s how I know.”
“Really? We’ll see about that,” Seth said.
“Challenge accepted,” Tony replied with raised eyebrows.
“Are we taking bets?” Jessica asked. “I feel like we should be taking bets.”
“I’ll bet you Tony wins,” Rogue whispered to Brittany.
“Hey!” Seth cried out. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I am. I’ll dry your tears after you lose,” Rogue said with a wink.
He snorted. “So much for having a loyal girlfriend.”
Everyone laughed, and
