Stephen’s lover Emmett accuses him of being boring and way too predictable. To prove him wrong, Stephen plans a surprise romantic getaway to a cabin on the river. But Emmett has plans of his own for romance -- ones that don’t include Stephen anymore. Depressed at yet another break-up, Stephen wonders if it isn’t time to give up hope. But finding that elusive man he longs for -- the one willing to risk everything to be with him -- would take a miracle. So Stephen travels alone to the cabin in search of a new perspective. Resolving to be more adventurous, he tries kayaking for the first time in his life. It’s great until he dozes off and wakes in the middle of a raging flood. Terrified, he fights for his life, nearly losing his battle with the river. On the edge of surrender, he’s rescued by an unusual stranger who might not really exist. Nothing makes any sense after that. Mystical explanations seem no less likely than rational ones. But does it matter? Because if Stephen wants an adventure, taking one last chance on love might turn out to be the best one of all.

A Pebble in the Water

He wiped his face and stared wide-eyed at the chaos around him. Where the hell was the gently flowing river he’d started out on? He was riding the back of a monster, swollen three times the width it had been. He scrambled for his phone only to remember it was stashed in a drawer in the cabin. He was all on his own. Panic was rising in him. Even over the roar of the water, he could hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears.


How could he have fallen asleep? What kind of idiot falls asleep on a river? He swallowed hard. The answer was clear—an idiot who was in serious trouble. Like a flood. A huge flood. And he was a helpless captive, tumbling along in the middle of it.


A spear of lightning lit up the murky afternoon. He cringed at the explosion of thunder chasing it. The skies let loose a downpour of fat, icy raindrops.


Chapter 5