Chapter Four
Benson
I rise bright and early the next morning to make my rounds and welcome new guests to my campground. The weekend is always busiest, and this one is no different. From families to couples to groups of friends and people on their own, everyone here has a reason to pick my back-to-basics campground instead of Piper’s glamping resort next door.
Not that there’s anything wrong with different wants and needs, but come on… glamping ? Having access to luxury and comfort isn’t why people choose to go camping. I’ll never understand the hype. Still, Piper’s place is booked solid this summer, so there must be something about it that appeals to people. Maybe it’s the luxury rugs she placed in the tents or the posh sitting area with expensive couches and flat-screen TVs?
Around noon, I do another quick round to see if everyone is settling in okay and if anyone needs anything from me.
I spot a group of college-aged girls that I checked in over an hour ago struggling with their tents. It’s a sad sight. The tent looks more like a tangled mess than anything useful.
“Morning, ladies,” I call out as I make my way over to them. “Need a hand with your tents?”
One of the girls, with a ton of freckles on her face and a sheepish grin, steps forward. “Please, yes! We’ve been trying to figure this out forever. It’s the first time we’ve gone camping without our parents around.”
I nod, kneeling beside their jumbled-up mess of fabric. “No worries. This will only take me a few minutes.”
As I untangle the poles and start setting up the tent properly, the girls gather around, their chatter filling the air.
“You know,” the freckled girl says with a mischievous glint in her eye, “we were just saying that your name rhymes with something pretty cool.”
I glance up, puzzled. “Oh really? And what would that be?”
Her friend nudges her in the side with her elbow while her face turns red. “Leanne, shut up.”
Leanne ignores her and keeps staring at me. “Handsome. Benson rhymes with handsome!”
The girls burst into laughter, clearly proud of their clever observation. I can’t help but laugh too, shaking my head as I keep working on the tent.
“Well, I didn’t see that one coming,” I say with a laugh. “But I’ll gladly take the compliment. Now let’s get this tent sorted before you start handing out more nicknames.”
With a final adjustment, the tent is up. “There you go. All set. Hope you all have a fantastic camping trip!”
The freckled girl beams at me. “Thank you, Mr. Handsome. I mean, Benson. You’re the best!”
I tip my baseball cap as I walk away. “You’re welcome. If you need anything else, just give me or Jamie a shout.”
“Jamie?” Leanne asks.
I nod. “The guy helping me out for the summer. I’m pretty sure he’s your age.”
They start talking among themselves excitedly and I continue my round. After helping the girls set up their tent, I hand out a bag of marshmallows to a dad who’s camping with his son and lend a sleeping pad to a panicked mother who forgot to bring one for herself.
I then make my way over to the plot of land that’s for sale, surprised to see a woman standing in the middle of it, admiring the gorgeous view. She’s way overdressed for a camping trip. Her outfit is all high-end fashion and polished shoes—definitely not what you’d expect for a day in the woods.
My stomach drops. I hope she’s not here to take stock of things and bid on this land. One competitor with deep pockets is more than enough already.
I take a deep breath and approach her. I need to find out why she’s here. “Good morning. I didn’t expect to see anyone out here today.”
“Oh, hello. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was out here. I’m Claire,” she says, offering me a polite smile.
“Nice to meet you, Claire. What brings you here?” I ask, cutting right to the chase.
She seems momentarily taken aback by my directness, but then her expression brightens. “I’m actually here visiting my daughter. She runs Lakeside Serenity Glamping Haven. Do you know it?”
My mind races. So when Piper told me her mother was coming into town, she meant it… Literally. Still, I’m confused. Why wouldn’t she want me to meet Claire? The woman seems nice enough.
I nod. “I know it. I run the campground next to hers. The name’s Benson.”
Her eyes light up. “You are?”
“The one and only.”
She clutches my arm like I’m her long-lost son. “It’s so good to finally meet you. Piper can’t stop talking about how handsome and amazing you are. She made you sound so perfect that I was starting to think she had made you up, but here you are, in the flesh.”
I frown. “Really?”
“Oh, yes. She speaks very highly of you. Although, if I may say so, I think you work way too hard. It’s good to take a break every now and then.”
I’m not following. Piper told her mother I’m handsome and amazing? She speaks highly of me? I’d figured that if she ever talked about me with anyone, she’d have nothing but negative comments to share.
“What else has she been saying about me?” I ask, confused but utterly intrigued at the same time.
“Oh, you know, everything you expect a woman to say about her beau.”
My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline. “Her beau?”
“Don’t young people use that word nowadays? Anyway, you know what I mean. According to her, you’re the best boyfriend a girl could ever wish for. It makes me happy that my daughter has found her true love in you.”
“Well, that’s quite a statement,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m flattered, really. I didn’t realize I had such an impact.”
Claire gives me a conspiratorial wink. “Now, Benson, please be honest with me. When are you going to pop the question?”
“What question would that be?”
She laughs softly, as if I’m playing coy instead of plain confused. “The one where you slide a ring on her finger, of course. Don’t worry, I won’t tell her anything about your proposal plans.”
“My, my proposal plans?” I stutter.
She nods enthusiastically, her eyes twinkling. “Oh, I know you want it to be a surprise, Benson. But a mother always knows when something big is about to happen. And Piper deserves nothing less than a grand gesture from the man she loves, am I right?”
I force a smile, my mind and heart both racing. “Well, you know, I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.”
Claire pats my arm reassuringly. “I understand. Just remember, it’s the thought that counts. I’m sure whatever you plan will be perfect. Anyway, I’d better head back. Piper had an urgent errand to run, but I’m sure I’ll see you at dinner tonight, right?”
“Uhm, I guess?”
She gives me a friendly nod before walking away while I try to process the whirlwind of information Claire just threw at me. So, not only does Piper’s mom think I’m her perfect boyfriend, but now she’s expecting a proposal as well?
Once she’s out of sight, I burst out laughing—loud and long. My goodness, am I going to have a field day confronting Piper with this. The thought of her reaction when she finds out what her lie has spiraled into is just too good.
She’s going to be so flustered. I can already picture her adorable wide eyes and the way she might stammer out an excuse, maybe even tear up, or—if I’m really lucky—beg me to play along.
And I’m going to enjoy every second of it.