Shoe Strings

do the Opachee.”
    “The Opachee?   Where’s that?”
    “Just a few hours drive.”   He watched the surprise on her face turn
to anger.  
    “Hours?   I’ve got
to ride in this open-air tin can for hours?   How many hours?”
    “Two and a half, maybe three if they haven’t finished the
construction between here and Marshall.”
    She scowled and furiously rummaged through her purse.   Within minutes, she’d tied a scarf
around her head.   She should have
looked ridiculous with her hair pulled back in a bright red scarf, but she
managed to look sexy, like the retro movie stars Cal swooned over on late night
TV.  
    “What are you laughing at?” she screamed over the roar of
the wind.   Jesse foolishly thought
she hadn’t seen him snicker.
    “Nothing.   You’re
beautiful when you’re angry.”
    “Then I must be damn near stunning.   I thought the whole trip wouldn’t take
more than an hour or two.”
    “You got a hot date you’re rushing back for?”   He began to question whether or not
she’d forgive him for the overnight stay he’d planned.  
    She only rolled her eyes and slipped a pair of sunglasses on
her face.   Even with her eyes covered,
he could tell she was fuming.
    “If you want to go back and do a class two, I’d be more than
happy to turn around.”   He knew that
would shut her up.
    “No,” she said, a little too quickly to mask the fear that
danced along her skin.   “I have to
assume I’m safer in this car than I would be in class two waves on a raft.   Despite the fact that you can’t seem to
drive the speed limit.”
    “Oh, please, you’re from Atlanta.   No one there drives the speed limit.”
    They snaked along the curvy mountain roads silently enjoying
the scenery.   At least Jesse
was.   He could tell Angelita’s
nerves were calming.   Her hands
rested comfortably in her lap and she’d relaxed her rigid back enough to sink
slightly into the seat.   Jesse
wasn’t unnerved by her lack of conversation.   In fact, he quite enjoyed a woman smart
enough to live with her anger before letting it go.
    ***
    Lita had never seen anything like it.   The soaring peaks, the breathtaking
views around every corner.   She
couldn’t hold onto her anger at being manipulated by Jesse while surrounded by
such astonishing beauty.   It seemed
every turn they made led them higher and deeper into the forest that engulfed
them.   The wind that wreaked havoc
on her hair now felt like a caress against her skin, an invitation to
experience the cool air and outrageous wonders of nature.   She had to fight the urge to throw her
hands in the air and laugh out loud.
    She’d wanted to get away from her life, her troubles, and
the stress she faced every day back home at the boutique.   Staring out at the landscape around her,
she realized she’d fully succeeded.   She stole a glance at Jesse.   He’d turned his ball cap backwards and the ends of his hair curled
around the bill.   He’d shown up at
her door, all smiles and smelling so good, freshly showered and gorgeously
rumpled.   Lord, it’d be a miracle if
she could keep her hands to herself for the hours they’d spend together in the
confines of a raft.  
    Even as he’d told her they were headed hours away, she’d
been secretly thrilled.   The anger
had been born of frustration at his easy announcement of a change in
plans.   She liked to know where she
was headed at all times.   There were
never any detours in her life; her plans were always laid out and executed
precisely as she’d arranged.   That
was part of the reason why her father’s threats had thrown her for such a
loop.   No matter what her decision,
dealing with him in business had never been a part of her plan.
    Lita had just decided to break her silence and ask questions
about the types of trees and terrain they’d traversed when Jesse slowed down
around a sharp bend as they encountered a long line of cars.   He turned the stereo down and looked
over at her, a satisfied smirk on his face.
    “Looks like it’ll be more like three hours.”   He let his eyes roll over her from head
to toe.   It wasn’t the rising sun
that had her suddenly sweating and squirming in her seat.   Damn him for using his easy charm on
her.   He had to know how vulnerable
she was, especially after the other night.   “I’ve got snacks in my bag if you’re hungry.”   He jerked his head toward the back seat.
    Lita absently looked in the back.   The