Chapter Thirteen
It was after ten when Maisie and Declan arrived back at Camp Mountainville.
He parked his vehicle in the employee lot and then held her hand as they walked toward her cabin.
That part thrilled her. Actually, the whole date had thrilled her! Conversation flowed so easily. They’d even lingered long after they had finished eating, just chatting and enjoying each other’s presence.
Everything had been just perfect.
“I think tonight was the best date I’ve ever had,” she told him, squeezing his hand a little tighter as they walked along the tree-lined path. They’d left the paved part behind and now the trail was just smooth dirt, but there was plenty of light thanks to the well-positioned pole lamps. Besides, even if it had been pitch black out, she would have felt completely safe with Declan holding onto her.
She loved how small her hand seemed inside his massive one.
Mmm. The night was absolute perfection.
Until they rounded the corner and her cabin came into view.
“What’s going on?” she asked, eyeing Chloe standing out front along with the big, tall Black man she’d seen last night, and Naomi and Sophia.
Declan took the lead from there, waving and saying, “Marcus. Chloe. What’s up?”
The Bigs looked at him. Marcus was wearing an amused smile, but Chloe had a grave look on her face.
“We were just trying to sort some stuff out,” Chloe said.
“We didn’t do it! Honest!” Sophia cried.
“Didn’t do what?” Maisie asked.
“We received an anonymous tip tonight that these cuties stole eggs from the kitchen. So, we came here to see and…well, I’m afraid we found them in the fridge. Or some of them. The rest had been thrown at a couple of cabins between here and the cafeteria.”
Naomi shook her head, her eyes pleading with desperation as she spoke. “We saw someone take the eggs. Two women that had spoken with Derek and that Chad guy. Looked like Derek’s friends, the ones he’s been hanging out with all week. But it wasn’t us! I didn’t even think to lock the cabin door, either. They put them in here while we were out walking around!”
“So you say,” Chloe said. “But why didn’t you come tell me what you witnessed, as soon as you saw them steal the eggs?” The woman’s eyes darted from Naomi to Sophia, waiting for an answer.
“Because we…” Naomi trailed off and hung her head.
Chloe started filling in the silence. “The way I figure it, you either stole the eggs. Or, more than likely, you really did see those people take the eggs. But you didn’t want to report it, because you’re planning something…naughty.” Her suspicious eyes looked the Littles up and down.
They just hung their heads, their silence being all the answer needed.
“That checks out,” Marcus spoke up. “Just Littles being typical naughty Littles. But what really gets me is the fact that someone came into this cabin,” he jerked his thumb behind him, “while they were gone.” He looked at Naomi and Sophia. “That’s creepy. And enough to get someone’s ass kicked out of camp. And rightfully so. We can’t have people running around doing that sort of thing.”
Declan’s voice was full of resolve as he said, “Marcus is speaking facts. It pisses me off that someone did that. We need to find out who.”
Chloe nodded. Looking at the girls, she asked, “But you didn’t actually see Derek take the eggs?”
“He didn’t take them,” Naomi said.
“Yeah, it was the two women he and Chad stopped to talk to,” Sophia added.
“Can you tell us what they were wearing?” Marcus pressed.
The Littles did so.
“Doesn’t ring a bell,” he replied.
“Same,” Chloe said. “But we have a place to start. We talk to Derek and see if he’ll give us names.” She leveled a hard stare at Naomi, Sophia, and then Maisie. “In the meantime, let us handle this. Don’t take matters into your own hands and escalate this situation. Am I clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the three Littles said.
“This seems like just a prank, trying to frame you,” Marcus said. “But be sure and lock that door tonight and anytime you leave from now on. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” the women said.
“Good girls,” he replied with a smile.
Chloe and Marcus wished them a good night and then left. Naomi and Sophia went into the cabin, but Maisie stayed outside with Declan for a moment.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“You don’t think I’ll get kicked out of camp, do you?” she asked, unable to hide the worry in her voice.
“No chance of that,” he said. He brushed a strand of her blond hair back, causing her breath to catch in her throat as he looked deeply into her eyes. “You weren’t even here tonight. But your friends won’t be kicked out, either. Chloe bought the story about someone stashing those eggs here. You all are being framed. We’ll get to the bottom of it. You just be a good girl and lock that door like Marcus said. You have my cell. Call if you need me. I’ll be here fast.”
Maisie couldn’t believe it was happening, but it seemed as if Declan’s lips were moving toward hers.
Seriously? He was kissing her? He’d done so before, but that was just to shield her from Derek. This kiss was real!
Was this the best freaking night of her whole freaking life?
A moment later, their lips were locked in a sweet, tender kiss that turned more passionate as the seconds ticked by.
She wrapped her arms around him. He did the same to her. They held each other close, the kiss lasting nearly a minute, their tongues finding each other during that time.
She was breathless when he finally pulled away.
“Goodnight, little girl. Lock that door and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He kissed her again before walking off the porch.
“Goodnight,” she called out before slowly walking inside. It was only after she was in, with the door shut and bolted, that she added one more word.
“Daddy.”