26
1115 Words
The kayaks finally scraped against the muddy bank, the soft thunk of plastic on wood signaling the end of the river run. Everyone let out a collective breath—sun-warmed, damp, and still buzzing from laughter.
“Land,” Del announced dramatically, bracing her paddle. “Sweet, non-murderous land.”
Rae swung her leg out first, steadying her kayak. “You say that like you weren’t personally attacked by a dog and gravity.”
“I was ambushed,” Del shot back. “There’s a difference.”
Aspen chose that exact moment to leap out of the water, soaking wet and vibrating with unspent energy. He shook violently, spraying all of them in a fine mist.
“ASPEN!” the girls chorused.
The wolfdog barked once, tail wagging so hard his entire back half swayed, clearly pleased with himself. Then—because chaos was apparently his life’s purpose—he bolted straight toward Del.
“Hey—HEY—” Del barely had time to react before Aspen barreled into the back of her knees.
She squeaked and pitched forward.
Elijah reacted on instinct, dropping his paddle and catching her around the waist just before she face-planted into the dirt. Del collided with his chest, hands gripping his vest as she gasped.
“Oh—wow—okay,” she laughed breathlessly. “That was… close.”
Elijah blinked once, then smirked. “You alright?”
Del grinned up at him. “Yeah. Guess I stuck the landing.”
“Lucky me,” he muttered, hands still firmly at her waist.
Before anyone could comment, Aspen ricocheted away like a furry missile and slammed into Remi next.
Remi let out a startled laugh as she stumbled sideways, boots sliding on damp earth. Will was already there—strong hands catching her shoulders, pulling her in before she could fall.
She collided gently against him, breath hitching for half a second as she looked up.
“Sorry,” Remi said automatically.
Will smiled, low and warm. “Don’t be.”
Aspen barked again, triumphant.
“WHY IS HE AIMING?” Rae shouted.
Too late.
Aspen skidded across the ground and slammed straight into Rae’s hip.
Rae yelped, arms flailing as she stumbled backward—right into Trey.
Trey caught her easily, hands gripping her sides as she landed against him with a soft thud. Rae froze for a beat, then groaned.
“You have got to be kidding me.”
Trey grinned down at her. “You okay?”
She glanced up, eyes narrowed. “You enjoying this?”
“Immensely.”
Aspen skidded to a stop in front of them, chest puffed out, tail wagging like a banner of victory.
Del burst out laughing first. “Did he just… line us up?”
Remi, still held securely by Will, covered her mouth, eyes sparkling. “I think he did.”
Elijah snorted. “That dog just executed a coordinated takedown.”
Rae pointed at Aspen accusingly. “You did that on purpose.”
Aspen barked once, unapologetic.
“Traitor,” Rae muttered, though she was smiling despite herself.
By the time they finally disentangled themselves—wet clothes clinging, hair a mess, laughter still bubbling uncontrollably—the sun was beginning its slow slide toward the treeline. Kayaks were hauled up, paddles stacked haphazardly, and Aspen trotted in victorious circles like he’d orchestrated the entire thing on purpose.
“Next time,” Del said, pointing a dripping finger at the wolfdog, “you’re riding in your own kayak. With a leash.”
Aspen barked once, tail wagging hard enough to knock into Trey’s leg, completely unapologetic.
“Sure,” Trey said dryly. “Because that’s going to work.”
They made their way up the path toward the cabin, still laughing and trading jabs. The air smelled like river water and pine, warm and familiar. Rae was mid-complaint about soggy shoes when Aspen suddenly took off again, cutting sharply across the trail.
“ASPEN—” Rae started.
Too late.
The wolfdog barreled straight through the group, shoulder-checking Del first. She yelped as she stumbled sideways—right into Elijah. His arms came up automatically, catching her around the waist before she could hit the ground.
“Whoa—got you,” Elijah said, laughing as Del blinked up at him, breathless.
“I swear,” Del muttered, gripping his shirt for balance, “that dog has a personal vendetta.”
At the same time, Aspen clipped Remi’s legs from behind. She gasped, tipping forward—only for Will to catch her against his chest, hands firm and steady at her sides.
“You okay?” Will asked quietly, amused warmth in his eyes.
Remi laughed, shaking her head. “I think so. Mostly embarrassed.”
“And lastly—” Trey began, already bracing.
Aspen slammed into Rae like a fuzzy missile. She stumbled back with a curse, straight into Trey’s arms. He caught her easily, hands settling at her hips as she laughed in disbelief.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Rae said, looking up at him.
Trey grinned. “He’s got impeccable timing.”
Aspen skidded to a stop a few feet away, turned, and barked proudly—tail wagging like he’d just won some epic, invisible competition.
The girls were deposited upright again amid groans, laughter, and mock glares aimed squarely at the wolfdog.
“I’m officially filing a complaint,” Del announced. “Against Aspen. For assault.”
“Denied,” Will said easily. “He’s too cute.”
Rae scoffed. “Traitor.”
Once everyone was steady—and Aspen had finally been distracted with a stick—they continued up to the cabin. Shoes were kicked off at the door, towels grabbed, and a quick round of changing and cleanup followed. The easy rhythm of it all felt natural, like this was exactly where they were meant to be.
Not long after, stomachs started growling.
Del poked her head out of the bedroom. “So… shack for dinner?”
“I’m starving,” Elijah said immediately.
“Same,” Trey agreed. “And if we don’t go now, Aspen’s going to eat something important.”
As if summoned, Aspen trotted through the room with a suspiciously proud expression and what looked like a napkin clenched in his teeth.
Rae sighed. “Yep. Shack. Now.”
They piled back outside, laughter trailing behind them as they headed down the path toward the old shack by the water, the smell of dinner already drifting through the air. The sun dipped lower, the day settling into something warm and full—and chaotic, in the best possible way.
- Writer
