Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
INDY
The campers have enjoyed all the things we’ve planned so far, which is a relief. Kids can be hard to please, but this year, they’ve been so sweet.
We’re enjoying the lake today, it’s a scorcher, so all the counselors and campers are here. There’s a floating dock where River and Zaye supervise as the bigger kids swim out and jump off it into the lake, like a makeshift diving board.
The giggles, the smell of sunscreen, and squeals of happiness fill my heart with so much joy. This is why I fought so hard to keep this place afloat. This, right here, is worth all the sleepless nights, and the endless overtime working with the bees.
It makes the months my parents stopped going to town, and to church, worth all the heartache. They fell into such a deep depression it broke something in me, and I knew that I had to do whatever it took to put our ranch, and family, back into working order.
It was a slow process, and sometimes I still fear it could happen again. But I’ll do anything in my power to make their dreams thrive.
The water’s cool, and as the kids splash around I turn my body to keep them from splashing my face.
“You afraid to get your pretty face wet, Honey?” Summer’s voice is in my ear and the warmth of her body can’t be mistaken behind my back. The implication in that sentence has the hair on my arms rising and I have to fight to keep my face neutral.
“You’re shameless,” I admonish in a whisper and turn, finding her in a dark sports bra and shorts.
Her arms are crossed over her chest, muscles on full display, and I look down at the water where it kisses my waist. Which is a mistake, because her toned stomach is right in my line of sight, and God, I’m too fucking attracted to her.
“And you didn’t answer the question,” she pops a brow and smirks as some of the campers splash my back, soaking my hair.
I think the sun just got about ten times hotter, because as Summer watches the water droplets from my hair trail down my chest it’s like flames lick my body with the way her eyes burn. “The suit looks good on you.”
I have to bite my lip to keep from smiling like a fool. Did I put on my newest bikini in hopes that Summer would be here? Yes, and even though it’s fairly modest, I have a feeling Summer could make anything dirty.
“Play mermaids with us Miss Summer!” One of the littles shouts, effectively breaking whatever was brewing between us, and I take a deep breath as if I forgot how in the past few minutes.
She winks at the kid that asked and says, “Only if I get to be Ariel!”
My smile grows when she disappears under the water and reappears where the little girls are giggling and flipping around as if they’re the happiest mermaids in the world. Her red hair’s slicked back making her features sharper, almost impossibly beautiful.
“Miss Indy, you too!” Another little girl hollers, and I oblige until it’s time for lunch, and we’re drying off the kids before heading to the mess hall. Summer joins her group of kids at their table, and I can’t help but glance her way more than once.
“You like her,” River says, nudging their shoulder into mine.
I scoff, but River’s been working here for years, and I’m a terrible liar. They laugh, and we eat, listening to the kids talk about all the things under the sun. Sometimes kids say the funniest things.
After lunch, the groups split into various activities and I find myself drawn to Summer’s group. Rationalizing it’s because of the horses, and most definitely not because of Summer.
The kids learn about the gear we use on the horses, and are introduced to Burst and Beam. The horses do perfectly, allowing the kids to rub them as they oooh and ahh. They stand unbothered while the kids get their fill of pets.
“Hey boss lady!” Jare says, jogging over from the Harris’s house, pulling my attention away from the way Summer laughs with the kids, showing such patience.
“I’m heading to Reese’s for a bit, Mr. Harris is gonna keep an eye on the horses, but I’ll be back by the time the next reservation for the trails comes in.”
“Okay, give them my love!”
He promises he will and disappears up in the loft.
Summer’s eyes catch mine before I head out, and she winks.
I’ve been swamped since the moment I walked off Summer’s porch, and that was days ago. The little campers showed up and it’s like everyone’s been in go, go, go mode. I haven’t had a lot of time to do much of anything other than run the camp, and take care of the bees.
It’s campfire night, so the kiddos get to roast their own hotdogs and marshmallows while staying up past regular curfew. They’ve been really good, hardly any tempers have flared, and the kids seem to love all the counselors.
I’ve seen Summer smile more and more, River’s been an amazing team leader, and even I can admit I’ve gone to bed with a happy heart this past week too.
“Gonna stay for s’mores, boss?” River asks, tossing a pack of squishy sugar my way. I’m so tired, and even though the kids are going home soon, we still have to keep these youngin’s occupied.
“Only if I can have a late mornin’,” I laugh, mostly kidding.
“Deal,” they say, offering me a roasting stick.
Roasting a marshmallow, one of the kids pouts, “She didn’t have to eat a hotdog first!”
“Yeah! Why do we?” Another camper hollers.
The adults laugh, it’s a fair question, but they won’t like the answer. So I swipe a graham cracker and chocolate from River, and make a show of enjoying the s’more. All the kids “boo” and holler, only to fall into a fit of laughter when I inevitably make a mess.
Chocolate runs down my chin, marshmallow sticks to my teeth and the kiddos fall into hysterical giggles when I smile.
Someone offers me a napkin, and I turn my chocolatey smile up to thank them, finding Summer there.
My heart beats double time and I look away, but she turns my face back to hers with a gentle hand and wordlessly wipes the chocolate from my mouth using her thumb.
I swallow my s’more, and turn toward River.
“I’m gonna head home,” I whisper in their ear.
They’re busy talking to one of the youngin’s, but offers me a thumbs up.
“Where are you running off to?” Summer asks, following me toward the buggy.
“I’m not runnin’, I’m tired. It’s been a long week,” I admit, toeing the dirt.
“Yeah,” she chuckles, “it’s been a bit more than I thought it would be. That’s for sure.”
“Oh? Let me guess, you thought a kids camp would be easy.” I quip, “Just a little vacation with horses?”
“You got me, I thought it would be a cake walk,” she says, stepping closer and tucking a strand of hair that’s come loose from my braid behind my ear. “What I didn’t expect was you.”