Twenty-three
For some people, embarking on a two-day overnight trip with eighteen nine-year-olds, their teacher, and six parent volunteers wouldn’t be fun. Jilly wasn’t one of those people. She was ready for bad knock-knock jokes, campfires, and sticky s’mores. In fact, in between ordering supplies for the lodge, helping Lainey log her inventory into the new system she’d installed on her computer, and cataloging Pete’s memorabilia for the museum, Jilly was ready to head to the lodge and enjoy the fun and frivolity that came with third graders. And Levi. She was almost giddy that he’d decided to spend the night since he wanted to be up early cooking for the kids.
Jill glanced over to where he stood chatting with one of the moms, his arms crossed over his chest in a way that emphasized the muscles of his biceps and the light tan he was already sporting from a few days outside.
“You won’t be the only one staring at him all weekend,” Allison Shriever, a happily married mom, said, bumping Jilly’s shoulder.
Jilly gripped the clipboard she was holding tighter. Grayson stepped off the passenger boat that would carry all of them to Get Lost. The twenty-foot cruiser wasn’t new, but they kept it in good working condition.
Allison sighed. “Speaking of men to stare at.”
“We weren’t,” Jilly muttered.
Allison laughed. “I was. Your brother is gorgeous. Both of them. So is Levi. I love my husband but I’m not blind.”
Jill laughed and felt like a fool for wanting to go plant a kiss on Levi’s lips and shout “he’s all mine.” She settled for smiling at him when he looked her way.
“Could I have everyone’s attention?” Grayson called to the group.
Gray didn’t love speaking to large groups, but he had a great voice for it that commanded attention. As a former general manager for a string of pharmacies, he was more used to overseeing staff, making sure stores were running efficiently, and ensuring that everything added up at the end of the day. Sort of like what he did at the lodge in a much more personal and smaller capacity. One that brought him great joy. It was nice to see her big brother carry less weight on his shoulders.
The kids and parents quieted down and formed a half circle around Grayson on the dock. Gramps was unhooking the rope for their departure and would see them off. Several others milled about farther down this dock and on some of the boats in the harbor. Jilly was so happy that Levi’s dad was coming out to build birdhouses with the kids tomorrow. Small steps.
Grayson smiled at all of them. “Anyone ever not been on a boat?” He went through the rules and all of the adults worked together to help the kids into life jackets. Jillian arched her brows at Levi when Ollie insisted he help her when one of her classmates asked him. Interesting, since her little girl usually took pride in doing things herself. Looked like she wasn’t the only one falling.
When they were loaded onto the boat, everyone sitting, Jilly sat at the back, watching the kids and the parents, excited for what lay ahead. The team-building weekend for Eva had gone so well they’d booked another in the fall. This would be drastically different but give them a really good idea of what they could handle and what they were already naturally set up for. She wanted to fill gaps, add to what already existed, not pile on more work.
Ollie led Levi over by his hand and they sat down beside Jilly, Ollie between them. She glanced at Levi over her daughter’s head. His gaze was equal parts lust and affection. She didn’t know which appealed to her more.
“Did you make biscuits?” Ollie asked, craning her head to look at him. Her reddish-brown curls could not be contained lately but they’d tried by braiding them down her back.
Levi tapped her nose. “I did. But we’ll be baking fresh ones, too.”
“Bet the ones you made aren’t as good as when we made them together,” she said with a grin.
He laughed, stretching his arm across the back of the seat, his fingers touching Jillian’s shoulder. “I’ll sneak you one and you can let me know.”
She liked the easy vibe he seemed to have with Ollie and vice versa. Ollie tended to be more adaptable to new situations than Jillian. Or, at least, it felt that way.
“Are you excited, honey?”
Ollie turned her head toward Jillian. “Yes. I wish you’d tell me what we’re doing. I could help set up. Uncle Gray told me about the ropes course. I can’t wait to do that!”
Jillian nudged Ollie’s leg with her own. “You’re a guest camper, not a Keller this weekend. No sneak peeks for you.”
She looked back at Levi. “Levi’s giving me one.”
Levi’s mouth dropped open. “Hey. Don’t throw me under the bus.”
Ollie giggled, making Jillian laugh as well.
“Hmm. You’re right. Well, that’s because he’s a softie. Not me.” She poked Ollie in the belly teasingly but kept her tone firm. “And no one goes on the ropes course without adult permission and supervision.”
Ollie sighed and sank back against the padded seat, flopping her hands down onto her lap with a dramatic flair. “I know, Mom.” The weariness in her tone made Jilly’s lips twitch.
When Jilly looked at Levi, his were doing the same. His fingers had drifted up to the side of her neck, and even though the breeze was cool, it wasn’t the cause of the shivers running through her. He held her gaze a moment and she realized she’d never had this: a man looking at her like there was nowhere else he’d rather be, with her little girl between them. The quiet sweetness of it was something she hadn’t known she was missing until this moment. And she wanted more.
“I’m going to go chat with Gray,” Levi said, giving both of them a little wave.
Ollie was quiet for a moment. Jillian almost teased her about it, as her daughter wasn’t known for her silence, when Ollie asked, “Is Levi your boyfriend?”
How could one word make her giddy at her age? “Yes.” She looked down at Ollie, who was looking at her, a serious expression on her face, a little divot forming between her brows. “Is that okay with you?” She wouldn’t let her daughter dictate her choices but she also didn’t want her to feel unheard. Nothing, so far, had suggested Ollie had any problem with the way things were going.
She shrugged and turned to stare straight ahead. “I guess so. Is that why you and Levi kiss sometimes?”
Jillian bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. They didn’t kiss nearly as much as they wanted to. “It is.” This was new territory, but she figured this was one of those less-is-better situations. Keep it simple. “It’s new. He really likes hanging out with both of us.”
The waves rocked them back and forth but everyone seemed to be handling it fine. No seasickness so far. Jilly tried not to fidget as she waited for Ollie to sort her thoughts, decide if she was done with the conversation, or just be.
“Is he going to live with us?”
Ollie was still staring straight ahead and Jillian’s heart felt like someone was squeezing it. “Ollie. Look at me.”
Ollie turned her head.
Jilly took her hand and she realized Ollie must really want an answer because she let her. She even stayed still. “Nothing huge is going to happen without you and I talking. Levi and I have been friends for a long time and we realized we care about each other as more than friends. No one is moving anywhere.” Hopefully that was true. She meant Levi wasn’t moving in, but her parents’ plans were still on standby.
Ollie nodded. “Okay.” Then, like the passing of a sudden summer shower, her smile came back and she sat up. “I’m going to go tell Ginny my mom has a boyfriend.”
Before she could suggest that didn’t need to be said, her kid was gone to find her friend. It could have been worse. At least she liked Levi and things seemed to be going well. The worry side of her brain, which often felt like it took up more than three-quarters, wanted to say “for now.” But she was trying to quiet that part of herself and try something new: letting herself go with the flow and just enjoy. So far, so good.
“Okay, campers,” Jillian said once they’d arrived at the spot they were pitching their tents. She looked around the group of energized kids, indulgent parents, and Levi. After he’d unloaded supplies in the kitchen and made the kids a snack of fruit tacos—mixed berries inside of pancakes with a choice of Nutella or Cool Whip as a topping—Ollie asked him to come help. Jillian wasn’t the only one surprised by the impromptu request. Gray sent her a questioning glance but Jilly was just happy Ollie was happy and connecting to him.
It’ll be fine. She can get attached to a man who has already told you he’s not going anywhere.
“We’re going to break into teams for our first challenge. There will be three teams. The first team who gets all of their tents up, bedrolls made, and gear stowed, gets to have dinner first tonight.” She paused so the kids could cheer and share their own little version of trash talk. “I’m pulling names from this paper bag. Those will be your teams. Being in the wilderness often means relying on the people next to you and acting like a team. If you finish before someone else, your job is to help your team. Parents can offer suggestions and advice but can’t physically help unless absolutely necessary.”
They’d hiked a short distance to a small clearing that was shaded by tall, gorgeous trees that made Jillian feel like they were lost in the middle of nowhere instead of just over a hundred feet from the lodge. Beckett’s small stake in a local sporting goods store came in handy once again. The majority owner, Beckett’s former boss, Brian, had offered “kids’ camping kits” for publicity and a small fee. It was a great deal and the hoop tents were super easy and portable. Once the kids unzipped the canvas bag, the tent sort of burst to life.
She called the names and was really pleased that none of the kids complained about their group members. This had been a great school year for Ollie. She might not be super close to every kid but they were a good bunch overall.
Each of the groups had two parents helping them. Jillian would oversee and watch the time. Grayson went back to the lodge to work. With the success of the last group they’d hosted, he was growing more intrigued by the possibilities of alternate income. If there were flaws, there were no better critics than kids.
Smiling at the way most of the kids couldn’t stand still—some of them literally bouncing on the spot waiting for Jilly to say “go”—she drew out the moment. Ollie stared at her, posed in a runner’s lunge.
“Go!”
The campers got started, first with their own tents. In between harried chatter, laughter, and a few surprised sounds when the tents sprang up, the parents cheered them on, giving them instructions.
Jilly took pictures with her phone, laughing at one of the parents who was so invested that she was on her knees, calling out instructions while miming every step with her hands.
When all three teams finished—team two winning the dinner first prize—everyone clapped and stood by their tents. “Great job, everyone. Are you sure you haven’t all camped before?”
The kids laughed and started talking about different camping adventures. Levi caught her gaze as Ollie took his hand and showed him her tent, just like her friend Christopher was doing with his dad.
Jilly bit her lip, watched her daughter look up at Levi and smile. Something hitched in her heart. It’s okay. Why was letting Ollie grow attached to a man Jilly was becoming increasingly at tached to scarier than letting her go overnight to sleep at a friend’s house or ride a skateboard without Jillian beside her?
“Can we have s’mores?” one of the kids called.
Jilly laughed. “Not until tonight. But don’t worry, we have lots more fun in store.” The good thing about having so many little guests was she wouldn’t have a ton of time to dwell.