Wilde Side. Jannine Gallant

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СКАЧАТЬ for president, but I honestly think he might pull it off.”

      “Presidential aide sounds a lot better than congressional aide. I imagine you’re almost as anxious as he is about the election’s outcome.”

      Her nose scrunched up. “You’d think, but if he wins, I’ll probably quit. I’d never be able to take the kind of pressure that revolves around the White House.”

      Sawyer adjusted their course to avoid a boulder. “You seem pretty competent to me.”

      “Oh, I am. I guess I should have said I don’t want that kind of pressure. Honestly, after four years, I’ve had about enough of DC. All this travel for campaigning is getting old fast.” She sighed. “It was exciting at first, but at this point, I’m tired of living out of a suitcase. And I miss my dog.”

      He shrugged. “I don’t mind a nomadic lifestyle, but then I only live this way for a few months each summer. What do you do with your dog when you’re on the road?”

      “Tiny hangs out with my parents in Vermont. He’s been up there for a few months now. God only knows when I’ll be able to reclaim him.”

      Digging in with the paddle, he sent the raft cruising into the main current. “Tiny? What is he, a Chihuahua?”

      Devin snorted with laughter. “Hardly, but he was the runt of the litter, hence his name. Tiny’s a Harlequin Great Dane. Outweighs me by about thirty pounds.”

      “Good God.”

      “You can understand why I don’t travel with him.” Another sigh slipped out, and her eyes darkened. “The problem isn’t just my schedule. Most of the people I’ve met in Washington aren’t as genuine as Walton. After November, I may just bow out no matter what the outcome of the election.”

      “To do what?”

      She shrugged. “It would depend on where I find work. I grew up in Small Town, USA, first in Iowa, then later in Vermont. Thank God I escaped my podunk roots to go to college in New York City.” Her sober gaze met his. “I’ll admit I was struggling to make ends meet when I met the congressman. The job with Walton happened kind of by accident, and while I’ve enjoyed the challenge of the last few years, I’m ready for a change.”

      “Nothing wrong with small towns.” Sawyer dipped his paddle into the current and leaned into the handle to straighten the raft. “They’re a hell of a lot less stressful than cities.”

      “You sound like my dad.” She rolled her eyes. “Small towns might be more practical for dog walking, but they don’t have a lot to offer in the way of culture. Or nightlife. Or decent restaurants. Or—”

      “I get your point, or points…but we’ll have to agree to disagree. A few days spent in a city makes me want to run screaming back to the woods. Tell me about your meeting with Walton. A job by accident? I bet an interesting story lurks beneath that statement.”

      A smile curved her lips. “Maybe I’ll give you the in-depth version sometime.” She straightened and frowned then hooked a strand of hair behind one ear. “If that roaring means what I think, right now I may need all my concentration to stay in the raft.”

      “You’ll do fine.” He poked the congressman’s son with a sandal-clad foot. “Dwight, wake up. Rapids ahead. You might want to hold on.”

      “Rapids?” The journalist’s voice quavered as he, too, straightened and stared. “Oh, God.”

      The raft jostled and bounced as they entered the whitewater. With a strong grip on his paddle, Sawyer steered to the right, taking the easiest route. “Of course, rapids.” He raised his voice to be heard over the thundering water. “What did you expect on a Class IV river?”

      “Not this raging torrent!” Kennedy dropped his paddle in the raft and clamped an arm around the inflated side. “Oh, shit!”

      They dipped and bobbed while Sawyer and Devin paddled hard, careening off rocks and swirling through an eddy. A spray of water shot up, drenching all four of them before the raft settled into calmer waters.

      “Whoo-hoo!” Devin pushed wet hair out of her eyes. “That was crazy fun!”

      “Fun?” Dwight turned and scowled. “Are you insane? I’m soaked.”

      “You’ll dry.” Sawyer returned Devin’s grin. “You liked that?”

      She let out a sigh. “What a rush.”

      Kennedy crawled up out of the bottom of the raft and readjusted his glasses. “I’m just thankful we’re all still alive. Is that the worst of it?”

      “Hell…er, heck, no. We’re just getting started.” Sawyer met Devin’s bright blue gaze. Despite his clammy T-shirt and wet hair, a tingle of heat shot straight through him. He released a long breath. “The best is still to come.”

      Chapter 2

      Devin tossed the chicken bone onto her plate next to the remains of her potato salad and licked barbecue sauce off her fingers. If she wasn’t careful, she’d gain weight on this trip. The food, prepared by a guy named Gregor who had flaming red hair and tattoos covering every square inch of exposed skin, was excellent.

      Her gaze strayed toward Sawyer, elbow deep in dishwater as he cleaned up after their meal. Obviously the owner of the rafting company wasn’t above pitching in to do the dirty work. They were an odd team but seemed to work well together. The older man, Jon, with his quick wit and ready smile, gathered dirty plates beside the tattooed cook. The youngest member of the company, Roman, who’d told her he’d been hired temporarily to replace an injured crew member, dried the pot his boss handed him then dropped it into a rubber tub. His hands fisted on his hips as his attention strayed toward the congressman’s son who sat alone down near the water on a large rock. When the boy swore and shoved his phone back in his pocket, the blond guide grinned.

      Devin didn’t blame him for his uncharitable attitude. Dwight was irritating as hell ninety-five percent of the time.

      Next to her, Walton let out a sigh. “I was hoping my son would enjoy this week, that the trip would bring us closer.”

      “Only having sporadic cell service and no Wi-Fi is already taking a toll on him.”

      “Damn kids can’t survive five minutes without all their devices.” The congressman stretched his legs out in front of him. “Honestly, I’m enjoying the freedom of being disconnected.”

      Devin smiled. “I am, too. No ringing phones. No emails to answer. No Syd barking orders. I think I’m in heaven.”

      “You can bet my campaign manager will be in touch the second we have service again. But, I agree, maybe we are in heaven.” Walton waved toward the thick pine and spruce forest surrounding their camp on the river’s edge. “Looks like God’s country to me.”

      Devin glanced toward the river. Gathering dusk cast long shadows across the water. “This place is beautiful in a primitive sort of way. I don’t imagine the land has changed much in the last millennium.”

      “Probably not.” Hands pressed to his thighs, her boss rose to his feet. “I promised that weasely reporter I’d answer СКАЧАТЬ