“Yes, this is Rex, and I’m Dennis. No ‘Mr. Olmstead’ while we’re here. It makes me feel like I’m back in school.”
“Are you vacationing with your family?” Rachel tugged Daisy away from the boy.
“Just with Rex. I’m divorced. Oops, there he goes again. I’d better catch him before he gets into more trouble.” He smiled, making his ordinary features more attractive. “Maybe we can talk again later.” He sprinted after his son.
Lark rolled her eyes. “I think Mr. Olmstead likes you, Mom. Believe me, he was never that animated when I had him for seventh grade math.”
“He’s probably lonely. He sounded sad when he said he was divorced, and he obviously has his hands full with Rex.”
“I bet he bored his wife into a stupor. He used to go on and on about the dumbest stuff.”
“That’s not very nice, Lark. Just because math isn’t your favorite subject doesn’t mean it’s dumb.”
“I know, I know—if you can’t say something nice...” She turned away. “Hey, there’s Kevin and Lauren. Can I go sit with them?”
“I guess so, but find us when you’re ready to leave. I don’t want you walking back to the cabin alone in the dark.”
“Fine. Whatever. I’ll see you later.”
Rachel sat down on a log with Jade and Ivy. A minute later Kane appeared.
“I think Ozzie’s handing out marshmallows. You’d better go get some before his supply runs out.”
“Can we?” Ivy bounced up and down.
“Sure.”
Both girls shot off to join the group of kids surrounding the elderly man.
“We have quite a crowd tonight.” Rachel scooted over to make room for Kane on the log.
He sat next to her and stretched his legs toward the fire. “The big group over there is some sort of family reunion. The parents are George and Rita Dawson from Nebraska.” He pointed to a dark-haired, older woman and a heavyset man. “They have two married daughters who came with their husbands and children and one unmarried son who brought along his girlfriend. The son lives somewhere in the Bay Area, and I don’t think Mrs. Dawson is a big fan of the woman with him.”
“Why not?”
“The rest of the family looks like an advertisement for middle America, but check out Tiffany the Temptress.”
Kane put his hand on her chin and turned her head toward the right. For a moment the touch of his warm fingers against her face made her forget why he’d placed them there. When she finally focused on the woman in question, she gaped.
“Do you think they’re real?” His whisper tickled her ear.
“They can’t possibly be. Oh, my.”
“Fake or not, I’m looking forward to seeing her in a bathing suit tomorrow.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
Rachel punched his arm lightly. “So is every guy here. Wow, I can see why his mom is upset. Having a Playboy centerfold as a prospective daughter-in-law would be tough.”
“It should make for a few interesting conversations this week. All the cabins are full now, so you may as well get to know your fellow campers if you’re feeling sociable.”
“Let’s see if I can remember them all. There’s Greg and Mimi Andrews and their kids, Dennis Olmstead and Rex the human torpedo, Chip and Bob who might or might not be a couple, the Dawson group and us.”
“I don’t think Chip and Bob are gay. Chip’s eyes popped out of their sockets when Tiffany walked by in a tank top earlier.”
“Not surprising. Did I remember everyone?”
“You did. Then there’s me and Jed and Ozzie and Jason. Hillary was away today, picking up supplies. She’ll be back in the morning. You’ll like her. She’s a tiny little thing but full of energy.”
Jade and Ivy raced back, carrying sticks and marshmallows. Jade dropped to her knees and poked her treat toward the flames. The marshmallow crackled and burned. Ivy sat back and toasted hers to a golden brown.
When she finished cooking her third treat, she offered it to Kane. “Would you like one? I’m full.”
“Thanks, but maybe your mom wants first dibs.”
Rachel waved her hand. “It’s all yours.”
Kane dropped the oozing glob of sugar into his mouth then licked his lips. “That was delicious. Thanks, Ivy.”
Her daughter giggled.
“I’m going to go get another marshmallow.” Jade stood. “My last one fell into the fire, and Daisy ate the first one. She seems to like them burnt.” She rubbed the dog’s ears.
“You can have another one, but Daisy can’t.” Rachel grimaced. “The last thing I want is a sick dog.”
Kane nodded. “Especially since you really should keep her inside the cabin at night. We have bears around here, and she’d probably bark her head off if one wandered through the camp.”
Ivy’s eyes grew wide. “There’re bears?”
“Don’t worry. They won’t try to get into the cabins if you don’t keep any food in there. We lock all the supplies in bear-proof bins.”
“Do you think I’ll get to see one while we’re here?”
“You might. They’re pretty common in this area. Keep your eyes open while you’re hiking.”
Jade returned in time to hear the end of the conversation and sat on the other side of Kane, holding her marshmallow above the flames. “Cool. Maybe we can go looking for bears in the morning. I want to take a picture of one. Can we, Mom?”
“We’ll see. I have zero interest in meeting a bear up close and personal. Anyway, there might be other activities you’d prefer.”
“Yeah, like what?”
“I think Hillary is planning an art walk.” Kane stroked Daisy’s head when she rested her chin on his knee. “She mentioned taking anyone who’s interested up to a meadow full of wildflowers to paint. Jed is planning some kind of game day with races for the kids.”
Ivy dropped her marshmallow stick. “I want to go on the art walk. Please, Mom.”
Jade snorted. “The races will be way more exciting. I want to do that.”
“As far as I’m concerned, you can each choose the activity you prefer. We might have a problem, though, if I need to supervise you both.”
“Nope. The staff will handle it.” Kane turned, his knee bumping hers. “You and I can go for a hike while they’re busy.”
Rachel’s gaze met his. “That sounds like fun.”
“Then it’s a date.”
“What about Lark?” Ivy pointed at her sister sitting on the other side of the fire. “She’s not going to want to paint or be in a race.”
“She never wants to do anything fun.” Jade wiped her hands on her jeans.
“Lark can hike with us if she wants, or she can hang out with Lauren and Kevin. Looks like they’re ready to start the music. Your sister is warming up on her guitar.”
Jed clapped his hands for attention. “We thought we’d have a sing-along this evening. Feel free to join in. I’ll play the fiddle, and tonight we have a special treat. These two beautiful young ladies have agreed to accompany me. Lark is playing her guitar, and Lauren the flute. Give them a round of applause, folks.”