Chapter 22 A Scary Experience

The canoe spun out of control, round and round with the current. Julie and Elizabeth were hysterical as the canoe was drifting downstream. Lucas ran to the bank. " Elizabeth, Julie use the paddles." He yelled.

"Daddy save momma!" Jack screamed as he started crying scared at what was happening.

Lucas knew he could not leave the boys alone. He grabbed them each throwing them over his shoulder and took off running downstream as fast as he could go carrying two almost four year olds.

His arms were tired and his legs weak, but the thought of anything happening to Elizabeth gave him the strength to press on. He had to get ahead of them. He had the canoe in his eyesight the whole time as he ran through the woods. Jack and Michael were both crying hysterically as they listened to Elizabeth and Julie screaming.

He ran ahead of them and put the boys down at a narrow path in the river. He thought it was narrow enough he could catch them and bring the canoe to a halt. He grabbed hold of a strong branch and waited for the canoe to come. He had it in his sight he reached down and grabbed the string of the canoe pulling it to the side where Elizabeth and Julie got out. He tied the canoe to the branch and then he pulled his wife deep into himself rubbing his hands through her hair and assuring her she was safe. Jack ran to her and threw his arms around his momma as if he was never going to see her again.

"I suppose we will walk from here. I'm guessing you two don't want to get back in the canoe." He said teasingly.

Elizabeth slapped him on the shoulder as she was still trying to get her breathing under control. "Never again."

Julie was a little bit calmer but also refused to get back into the canoe. The walk back was going to be rough with two little boys. It was all uphill and Lucas was already worn out from running down the hill to catch the canoe while carrying Jack and Michael. He had never wanted to be back at the cabin so bad in his life. This adventure had been a total failure and he prayed that the rest of the trip would make up for the disaster that canoeing had turned out to be.

Lucas held Elizabeth's hand, but Jack was clinging to her like chewing gum stuck on her shoe. It was clear he had some anxiety about the whole thing. He would not let go of her other hand. Michael walked with Julie holding her hand. It took several hours for them to get back to the canoe rental shop where they rented the canoe. Lucas explained what happened and told the man where he could find the canoe. He helped all of them back in the carriage and they headed back to the cabin.

They opened the door and immediately everyone went to their rooms to nap. Lucas sat down on the bed and removed his shoes. His feet were blistered and sore from the high speed chase through the woods.

"Oh darling, that looks like it feels awful. I have not had a chance to tell you how thankful I am that you were there. You truly are my hero." She took his foot in her hands and began to massage them making him groan. She sure knew how to give a foot massage.

"I would die for you Elizabeth. You are so wonderful. Thank you for the foot massage, it feels amazing." He said as he kissed her and pulled her closer. "Now it is my turn."

Lucas took off her shoes and returned the favor. It was amazing how in sync they were together. Nothing made each of them happier than making the other feel special. He felt exhaustion settling in and he gathered his wife into his arms and they lay down for an early evening nap as he ran his fingers through her hair until he fell asleep pressing a gentle kiss into her hair.

Elizabeth felt the warmth of her new husband nestled up next to her. There was no greater feeling. She was blessed that the events of the day had turned out okay. At one moment she thought she was never going to see her son or husband again and she was extremely grateful for how it ended. "I love you darling! Thank you for saving my life."

"I love you!" He responded as he draped his arm over her and took her hand in his.

Jack and Michael crashed in the carriage on the way back to the cabin and Lucas and Julie had put them in their bed. Everyone had been so worn out that they hadn't even thought about doing anything else that evening. Even dinner seemed to exhausting to worry about.

They were all so exhausted they had managed to sleep clear through the night until morning. Elizabeth woke up first and decided to check on Jack and Michael, but when she opened the door Michael was not there. She had looked all over the cabin and couldn't find him. She went to wake up Lucas. "Lucas darling wake up. Michael is missing."

Lucas jumped out of bed. "What do you mean he is missing?"

"I can't find him anywhere. I don't know what else to do or where to look."

Soon everyone was looking for Michael. They had gone outside to see if he had ventured out and heard him sniffling in the bushes outside the cabin.

"Michael, what is wrong?" Lucas asked concern in his voice.

"I miss my mommy."

"Why don't we go write her a letter? Would you like that?"

"Yes." He mumbled as Lucas took him by the hand and guided him inside to the table.