Chapter 17
17
C apri tightened the last strap on the raft, giving it a firm tug before stepping back to survey her work. The sun was already high, casting long shadows from the towering pine trees that surrounded the transport vehicle. The sound of the river in the distance was a constant reminder of the day ahead, filled with eager tourists looking for adventure.
“Bodhi!” she called out, her voice cutting through the morning air. “Make sure you keep an eye on those new rock croppings around the bend after the second set of rapids. The earthquake shifted things a bit, and I don’t want anyone getting caught off guard.”
Bodhi nodded, his long hair falling into his face as he slung a coil of rope over his shoulder. “Got it, Cap. I’ll take it slow around that section.”
“Good,” Capri said, wiping her hands on her jeans. She tilted her head in the direction of the passengers standing several yards away. “Remember, safety first. If anything feels off, pull back and reassess. We don’t need any heroics out there.”
“Got it,” he said, the look he gave her a silent reminder of the run they’d made together—where Capri had pushed the limits a bit. He started to open his mouth to say more when she interrupted. “Let’s not go there,” she warned.
Bodhi responded with a simple grin as he moved to finish loading the rest of the gear, while Capri checked her clipboard, mentally ticking off the list of tasks still to be done. She walked over to the trailer, checking the oars, life vests, and helmets, ensuring everything was in place.
Just as she bent down to double-check the first aid kit, her phone buzzed in her back pocket. She pulled it out, seeing Jake Carrington’s name on the screen. Her heart did a small flip before she could stop it.
“Secured some supplies,” the text read. “They won’t be in for a couple of days, but I’ve drawn up some preliminary plans. Would like to review them with you.”
Capri stared at the screen, a rush of elation threatening to break through her carefully constructed defenses.
“Sounds good,” she quickly typed back. “Let’s meet out at the cabin later this afternoon. Say, four o’clock?”
A thumbs-up icon appeared.
She slipped the phone back into her pocket, her fingers lingering on it for just a moment longer than necessary. Taking a deep breath, Capri turned her attention back to the tasks at hand, her mind already beginning to plan out the rest of her day.
“Alright, Bodhi,” she called out, her voice steady and authoritative. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Just like that, the summer rafting season began.
After a whirlwind day filled with activity, Capri returned to her cabin, the noise of the day still echoing in her mind. She stood on the porch, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the yard as she watched Jake’s truck rumble up the gravel drive, a small cloud of dust trailing behind.
The place felt different now, quieter since her mother had moved out. While the looming renovations created a level of excitement, she admitted to herself she had mixed feelings. The prospect of changes to the home she’d always known left a knot of uncertainty in her stomach.
Jake parked and stepped out, a stack of rolled-up blueprints under one arm. He offered her a nod, his calm demeanor in place as if they were about to discuss something as mundane as the weather. Part of her appreciated that steadiness, even if it annoyed her at the same time.
“Afternoon,” he greeted, making his way up the steps to the porch.
“Hey,” she replied, folding her arms as she leaned against the porch railing. “So, let’s see what you came up with.”
Jake didn’t seem fazed by her brusque tone. He simply unrolled the first blueprint on the small outdoor table, using a couple of rocks to hold down the corners. “After our initial talk, I’ve got a few ideas for you,” he began, spreading out the rest of the plans so she could see.
Capri glanced down at the paper, trying to ignore the way her pulse quickened slightly. “What’s this?” she asked, pointing to a section of the layout.
Jake followed her finger, his voice steady as he explained. “This is the kitchen. I know you mentioned keeping it mostly the same, but I was thinking we could add an island here. It would give you more counter space and improve the flow.”
She frowned, shaking her head. “I don’t need an island. It’s been fine without one.”
“I get that,” Jake said, his tone calm. “But adding an island would make the kitchen more functional. It’s a small change, but it could make cooking and entertaining easier. Plus, it wouldn’t take away from the cozy feel you want to keep.”
Capri huffed, crossing her arms tightly. “Seems like a waste of money to me. As I said before, money is no object. But I don’t like squandering any of the budget, either.”
Jake didn’t argue. Instead, he nodded thoughtfully. “We can stick with the current layout if you prefer. I just wanted to present the option. Sometimes it’s worth considering a little extra functionality.”
She didn’t respond, simply gesturing for him to continue. He took out another sheet, this one detailing the living area.
“If you open up this wall, it will create a more open concept and allow more light in,” he said, tapping the blueprint. “You’d still have distinct areas for living and dining, but with a better, and more modern, flow.”
Capri immediately shook her head. “Absolutely not. That existing wall makes the space feel cozy.”
Jake was unflappable. “I understand. But think about it this way—by opening it up, you’d make the space feel larger, more welcoming. We could add a partial divider or bookcase to keep some separation if that’s important to you, without losing the benefits of an open layout.”
Her annoyance flared again. “I like the space the way it is, Jake. This isn’t some fancy showroom.”
Jake leaned back slightly, giving her room to breathe. “I hear you. But cozy doesn’t have to mean closed off. It’s about balance. This change could make a big difference in how the space feels, especially in the long run.”
Surprisingly, Capri felt herself growing more frustrated with each suggestion. “What else?”
Jake pulled out another drawing, this one showing the exterior. “The front porch—right now, it’s functional, but I think we could enhance it a bit. Maybe extend it slightly, make it a more inviting entrance while still keeping the original character.”
Capri studied the sketch, her fingers tracing the outline of the porch. “I don’t want it to look too new. This place has history.”
Never mind she’d originally suggested bulldozing the entire cabin. She had a right to change her mind, and all these alterations seemed daunting and unnecessary.
Jake nodded, his voice soothing. “Absolutely. We’d use materials that match the original as closely as possible—weathered wood, traditional fixtures. It would keep all the charm it has now, just with a bit more usability and appeal. A place where you could sit, enjoy the view, maybe entertain.”
She couldn’t help but feel a small tug of interest, despite herself. “It better not stick out like a sore thumb.”
“It won’t,” Jake assured her, his eyes meeting hers with a sincerity that was hard to argue with. “I promise.”
They went over more details—the structural changes, necessary updates to plumbing, and even a new paint scheme. Each time, Capri found herself resisting, questioning his choices as if testing his tolerance for compromise. But Jake never wavered. He explained everything clearly, patiently, as if her objections were expected, maybe even welcomed.
By the time they finished, the sun was dipping low in the sky, casting the yard in golden light. Capri let out a long breath, feeling both exhausted and strangely content. Despite all her pushback, she knew in her gut that Jake’s suggestions made sense.
Capri couldn’t deny that Jake had a steady hand and a clear head, qualities she valued in anyone she worked with. He wasn’t easily rattled, and that quiet confidence spoke volumes. He didn’t push his ideas arrogantly; instead, he presented them logically, leaving room for discussion.
It was also clear he knew his craft, and though she wasn’t one to hand out respect easily, Jake had managed to earn a bit of hers through sheer competence and unwavering resolve.
“Fine,” she said finally, with a touch of resignation. “We’ll go with your plans—all of them. But if I don’t like something, I’ll be voicing it.”
Jake’s smile was genuine, a soft curve that made something in her chest tighten. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
As she watched him roll up the blueprints, ready to head out, Capri couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, she was starting to trust him. And that, more than anything, was what made her nervous.