Page 28 of His Texas Claim

“Karst geology. Limestone dissolved over time, water carves through it.” I followed the line of the rock, looking for anything darker than shadow. “If there’s a cave mouth, it’ll be low, probably half-hidden by brush.”

We found it twenty minutes later—a narrow gap behind a curtain of ferns and vines, barely wide enough for one person, cool air rolling out.

“Natural AC,” I breathed. “It’s right here.”

Stetson crouched at the opening, flashlight already out. “Careful. Don’t know how deep it runs⁠—”

“I’m fine,” I said. “I just need to…”

I wedged myself through the gap, popped out on the other side⁠—

Fell face first into the water.

“Shit,” Stetson said, his voice echoing through the gap. “You okay?”

“It’s only about a foot deep,” I muttered back. “But…obviously watch your step.”

He came in after me a moment later, following Buck—who seemed thrilled to have found an exciting new place, bless him. The dog splashed in the water, ruining any chances I had of catching the frogs by surprise.

But…I guess I did that when I fell in myself.

Couldn’t blame the dog.

“Damn it, Bryn,” Stetson said, reaching out to help me up. I took his arm and got to my feet, soaked in cold spring water. “You’ve gotta stop doing that. Is it your ankle?”

“No, I’m just clumsy,” I said, shaking my head. “My mother always said my own carelessness would be the death of me.”

He chuckled. “Smart woman.”

“You don’t say.”

We both went quiet, looking around the cave. It was mostly dark inside—the only other light coming from a hole in the ceiling up above, where sunlight filtered through a layer of dripping ferns. The sound of flowing water filled up the whole space, bubbling from multiple sources in the limestone, the water perfectly clear.

“This is…” Stetson paused. “Never even knew it was here.”

“It’s amazing, isn’t it? The little nooks and crannies of the world, miracles hiding in plain sight.” I glanced over at him. “If you’re ever looking—the cypress trees and the ferns are a dead giveaway.”

“For what?”

I grinned. “Amphibians.”

I grabbed the flashlight clipped to my belt loop and and switched it on, shining the beam around the cave. A snake shot off into the darkness when the beam found it, slithering in a fluid S on top of the water.

“Guess we need to watch for reptiles too,” he muttered.

“Most are harmless—and even if they’re venomous, they don’t want anything to do with us,” I said. “We’re the ones in their house, remember?”

“Right…” He swallowed hard. “Don’t like snakes.”

“Very Indiana Jones of you.”

“I try.”

We waded deeper, me leading the way, Stetson watching his steps a little more carefully—with one hand on my back, ready to grab me if I went down. Buck wagged his tail the whole time, eager for the great explore.

“Anything else we should be watching for in here?” he asked.

I shrugged. “Not a lot of danger along this creek system, or at least not much more dangerous than coral snakes or cottonmouths.”