The world around her blurred, the river and the sky merging into one angry, relentless force. The smell of wet earth and the metallic tang of the water filled her senses as she pushed forward, determined to conquer the river, to prove to herself that she could still control something, anything.
The raft careened toward the rocks, and for a moment, the world tilted dangerously. Bodhi’s shouts grew more frantic, but Capri’s focus was razor-sharp. She wasn’t just fighting the river—she was fighting everything. The loss of her stepfather, the way her life was spiraling out of control, the fear that she was secretly losing herself.
She’d ridden through so many changes lately. Her close-knit group of girlfriends, once inseparable, seemed to be moving forward in ways that left her feeling unmoored. Charlie Grace was deep into a new relationship with talk of a possible wedding ahead. Reva had thrown herself into a new relationship, along with motherhood, and Lila, despite her struggles, had found love again. They were all evolving, their lives shifting like the currents of the river, while Capri felt stuck—caught in some invisible undertow that she couldn’t name.
It wasn’t just about the loss of her stepfather or the sudden weight of caring for her grieving mother; it was a deeper, gnawing sense that while everyone else was forging ahead, she was trapped in a place where she couldn’t even see the path forward. She was surrounded by change, yet rooted in the same old patterns, unsure of how to break free from the trap inside her head.
The raft scraped against a jagged boulder, the impact jarring Capri to her core. But she held on, her knuckles white, her teeth gritted. The water surged around them, wild and unforgiving, and for a heartbeat, Capri thought they might actually make it through unscathed.
But then the river reared up again, a massive wave crashing over the side, nearly flipping the raft. Capri was thrown forward, barely holding on as the water tried to rip her away.
“Capri! We need to bail out! Now!” Bodhi’s voice was desperate, but Capri was beyond reason.
She tightened her clutch on the paddle, her jaw set in grim determination. “I’m not quitting,” she hollered, directing the path of the raft with all the strength she could muster, her muscles burning with the effort.
The roar of the rapids drowned out everything but the pounding of her heart as she fought against the surging water. “Not now, not ever,” she added, her voice fierce as she steered the raft toward the wildest part of the current, refusing to be overpowered by the river—or by the chaos in her life.
The river thundered in response, the final rapid ahead looming like a monster. The water foamed, the rocks below just waiting to tear them apart. But Capri didn’t care. She was going to ride this out, no matter what.
As the raft plunged into the final descent, Capri felt a twisted sense of calm. The danger, the adrenaline, the sheer force of nature—it all mirrored the chaos inside her. She might not be able to control her life, but she could control this moment. She would face the rapids, the danger, the pain, and come out the other side, even if it tore her apart in the process.
And then, with a final, bone-jarring crash, the raft burst through the last rapid, the water calming around them as they drifted into the slower current. Capri was drenched, her heart pounding, but she was still there. Still fighting.
Bodhi was panting, his face pale. “You’re crazy, you know that?” His anxiety-stricken expression softened into a faint grin as he shook out his soaked hair.
Capri didn’t answer. She just stared at the river, her breath coming in ragged gasps, the chaos inside her still swirling, but quieter now.
The river’s fury had taken its toll, but she’d won this one.
She turned to Bodhi. “Yeah, I might just be.”
5
Reva adjusted her glasses, peering into the computer camera from her recently renovated mayor’s office, the faint scent of fresh paint still lingering in the air. The glow of her desk lamp illuminated the room, casting a warm, inviting light that did little to hide her determined expression. “Okay, ladies, can everyone hear me?” she asked, her voice slightly distorted by the less-than-perfect Zoom connection. Small mountain towns had their advantages, but internet service wasn’t always one of them.
Lila nodded, the loose ponytail she wore a rare sign of relaxation amid her usually hectic schedule “Loud and clear, Reva. What’s up that couldn’t wait for our Friday night get-together?”
Charlie Grace appeared next on the screen, her backdrop the rustic wooden walls of the lodge out at Teton Trails. She was holding a clipboard in one hand and a pen in the other. “I’m here, but only because I promised to be. The guests are about to head out on a trail ride, so let’s make this quick.”
Reva’s gaze darted to the last empty square. “We’re just waiting for Capri.”
Just as Reva finished speaking, Capri’s image popped onto the screen. Her expression was one of pure annoyance, her background a blur of outdoor scenery as she sat in the cab of her truck. “You know I hate this online nonsense. Couldn’t we have met in person? Maybe catch a beer down at the Rustic Pine or something?”
Reva studied Capri’s image, then frowned with concern. “You okay, Capri? You look like you just climbed out of bed.”
Capri quickly waved off the comment. “No, just came in off the river, that’s all.” She tucked a damp hair strand behind her ear. “I’m fine.”
Charlie Grace’s expression filled with alarm. “This early? But the water’s running really high right now.”
Capri simply shrugged off the comment. “Yeah, I noticed,” Capri said with a nonchalant grin. “Nothing I couldn’t handle. You know me—I like a good challenge.”
Reva stifled her own concern and continued, focusing on the issue at hand. “Well, I know you’re all busy, so let me move on to the reason for this meeting. As you know, I am heading up this summer’s Vacation Bible School and need your help to finalize the details.” She grinned. “Nearly two dozen kids have registered, and more are expected. With the event less than ten days away, there’s still a long list of items to do to get ready. Pastor Pete and Annie are counting on us.”
Capri rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why you roped me into this, Reva. You know I’m not the ‘arts and crafts’ type.”
Charlie Grace laughed. “You’re definitely not the ‘sit still in front of a screen’ type either, judging by how much you’re squirming.”
“I’m on my phone,” Capri protested, holding up the device for proof.
