16. Chapter 16
Chapter sixteen
“I guess I still have it after all.”
Wes was in the process of roasting the perfect marshmallow when Bailey came over and sat next to him. She laid the crutches on the ground next to her.
“Stupid crutches.”
“How’s the ankle feel?”
“It hurts. But it’s not too bad.”
“Well, the crutches may be stupid, but the ankle will get better faster if you keep using them.”
“I know. That’s what Mom says, too.” She watched Cassandra for a moment as she talked with some of the kids on the far side of the fire pit. “Speaking of Mom.”
“What about her?”
Bailey smiled. “You and her.”
“Um…there’s no me and her.”
“Right.”
“Really.”
“She’s happy.”
“Are you saying she hasn’t been happy?”
“I thought she was until…now I know she wasn’t as happy as she could be.”
“I think she’s enjoying the camp life.”
“I think she’s enjoying the camp leader.”
“Bailey.”
“I know. I know. Don’t worry, I’m keeping it to myself like everything else. For a couple of people who preach being honest and truthful, I’m sure keeping a lot of stuff to myself.”
Wes turned to her. “I’m sorry we put that on you, Bailey.”
“It’s fine. I get it.” She pointed at his marshmallow. “Your marshmallow is on fire.”
“Oh, crap.” He pulled it out of the fire and shook his head at the charcoal coating.
Perry came up next to him. “Are you going to eat that, Mr. B?”
“No.”
“Can I have it?”
Wes held the marshmallow out to him, and he pulled it off the stick and stuffed it in his mouth, then licked his fingers before giving Wes a thumbs-up and wandering off.
Bailey wrinkled her nose. “Why are guys so disgusting?”
“Fortunately, some of us grow out of it.”
“Every time I think a guy is cute, he does something like that.”
“Wait until you’re in college.”
“They’re worse?”
“No. Their maturity level jumps quite a bit.”
“Well, that’s good to know.”
“Have you made a decision on where you want to go?”
“No, but I have time.” She smiled. “Anyway, back to you and Mom.”
“Bailey.”
“I was wrong about the whole father thing.” She picked up her crutches. “But having you for a step-dad wouldn’t be so bad.” She stood and limped away.
The flames danced around the split pine logs, with a layer of coals beneath them, and a light show of mini-explosions launching embers up into the night sky.
But the crackling of the fire could hardly be heard over the hum of multiple conversations around the perimeter of the fire pit, interspersed with the occasional raised voice or laughter.
As Wes soaked the comfort of it all in, Cassandra came up to sit next to him. “I don’t suppose you’d roast me a perfect marshmallow?”
“After the last one, I’m not sure.”
“I have faith in your ability to get it flawlessly toasted on all sides.”
Wes looked at the girl passing out marshmallows. “Hand me two of those, Tessa.” She handed him two, and he put them on the end of his stick and held it over the fire.
“So, what were you and Bailey talking about?”
“How gross boys were.”
“Sounds about right. I’ve been blessed with a daughter who is very particular when it comes to boys.”
“That’s good. She shouldn’t be in a rush.” Wes cleared his throat and lowered his voice. “She has the notion that I make you happy.”
Cassandra smiled. “She’s not wrong.”
He turned the marshmallows over. “I’m not sure how much longer I can fight this, Cass.”
“So, stop fighting it.”
He finished roasting the marshmallows, then pulled the stick away and put them in front of her. “I guess I still have it after all.”
“Oh my gosh, perfect.” She pulled one off and put it in her mouth, then put her hand up while she chewed it. “Goodness.” She laughed. “That was a mouthful.”
The firelight bounced off her cheeks as she ate the second one, and Wes was reminded of the young girl he’d loved. The only girl he’d ever loved. He turned back to the fire and melted the remaining marshmallow from the end of the stick.
“Do you want another?”
“No. Two is my limit. Those were perfect, though.” She licked her lips, then wiped her mouth with her hand. “Am I clean?”
“You’re perfect.”
“What is the plan for tomorrow? It seems you’re keeping these kids busy.”
“Tomorrow is the overnight camping trip.”
“With everyone?”
“No. There will be ten kids going along with me and two counselors.”
“Was Bailey supposed to go?”
“Not if you didn’t sign a permission slip for her.”
“Hmm. I never even saw one for that. What do the rest of us do while you’re away?”
“Lester will keep everyone busy.”
“Where are you camping?”
Wes tossed the stick into the fire. “On the island.”
“Island?”
“Yeah. It’s about a two-mile canoe trip.”
“So, an actual island?”
“Yes.” He looked at her for a moment. “Do you want to come?”
“Oh goodness. Um…how back to nature will it be?”
“No tents, cooking over a fire, sleeping under the stars.”
“Interesting.”
“Too rustic?”
“Would Lester be okay with me leaving him here with thirty kids?”
“He can handle it. He’ll have the rest of the counselors to help him.”
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course.”
“Can I be in a canoe with you?”
“Yes.”
One of the boys approached them with a guitar. “How about a song, Mr. B?”
“I thought I’d turn it over to you guys tonight.”
“Come on. One song. It can even be something from your generation. Like…American Pie.”
Wes laughed. “American Pie came out in 1971.”
“Oh, right. That would be…your parents’ time?”
“More like my grandparents'.”
The boy shrugged. “Will you sing it?”
Wes took the guitar. “One song.” He adjusted the tuning, then began playing the Don McLean classic.
After a few more songs by some of the campers, Wes ended the evening and sent everyone to their cabins. When Lester offered to put the fire out, Wes shook his head.
“I got it.”
“Okay, you two have a good night.”
Wes glanced at Cassandra. “Do you mind spending a few more minutes out here?”
“Not at all.”
He picked up a stick and poked the fire, which had burned down to mostly coals. “Lester thinks I’m clueless. Or I guess he used the word, dense.”
Cassandra laughed. “About what?”
“Women.”
She turned to him. “And what do you think?”
“I think…” He glanced toward the cabins, then took her hand. “I’m done running.”
“Meaning?”
“You know what I mean.”
“So…”
He sighed. “So…once we get back, maybe you’d go out to dinner with me.”
“Dinner? Like a date?”
“Yeah. Like a date.”
“I’d like that.”
“Okay. Good.” He let go of her hand and turned back to the fire. “So would I.”
“I think I’d like to go on the overnight camping trip with you.”
“I’ll let May and June know to pack food for fourteen.”
They stayed by the fire for another thirty minutes. When only a bed of coals remained, Wes poured water over them, then covered them with dirt. “That should do it.”
They walked side by side on the way to the cabin, not holding hands, but close enough that their fingers brushed several times. When they reached the cabin door, Wes smiled. “I feel like I’m in high school again.”
“Would you have taken a girl into your cabin for the night in high school?”
“No. I was never that confident.”
“So, you wanted to?”
“No. But if I had, I wouldn’t have had the guts to ask.” He opened the door and followed her inside.
“And if I still had my own cabin?”
“I’d walk you to the door and say goodnight.”
“Because we’re at camp with forty seniors?”
“That, and the fact that we haven’t gone on a date in seventeen years.”
“So we’re going to start at the beginning.”
“Yes. Are you okay with that?”
She smiled. “Of course. I’m just glad we’re starting someplace.”
He moved closer to her and took both her hands. “One day at a time. We’ll see how it goes.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
He looked at her for a moment, then started to kiss her. He stopped himself, let go of her hands, and took a step back. “Yeah. That can’t happen. I know how that will go.”
Cassandra laughed. “Old habits?”
“Old memories.” He moved further away. “I’m going to take a nice long shower. Do you need to get in the bathroom first?”
“Yes, please.”
Wes paced around the room for a moment while she was in the bathroom, then gathered his pajamas and a T-shirt. She came out wearing her pajamas, her face shiny and her hair damp around the edges, and the hitch in his chest surprised him.
“All done?”
“It’s all yours.”
She smelled like lavender as he walked by her, and he hesitated a moment as he passed.
When he got into the bathroom, he leaned against the counter and muttered, “One day at a time. You can do that.” He turned around and looked in the mirror.
“You so can’t do that.” He blew out a breath, then turned on the shower and undressed.
He stayed in the shower until the water ran cold. Before he opened the door, he gripped the doorknob and took a breath to steady himself. Cassandra was lying in bed, propped against the headboard. She looked up from the book she was reading.
“That was a long one, all right.”
“I should’ve gotten out a little sooner. The water got cold, and now I’m chilled.” He took a blanket from the end of the bed and wrapped it around his shoulders. Then he sat in the chair.
“Weston?”
“Yeah.”
“I promise to keep my hands to myself.”
He smiled. “I’m not sure I can make that same promise.”