Page 44 of Hammer and Hops

I wasn’t a big fan of camping, but it wasn’t like I’d never been before. I’d always had help setting up, but it couldn’t be that hard. I should have it all together before they arrived. I reserved the spot and gave Brock and Eddy the information. The plan was for them to get Cameron up there and then leave. The whole thing was about getting Cameron back.

They could camp if they wanted to, at a different site, but I doubted they would. Eddy, who hated camping—his words—was willing to go through with the charade because Cameron was being a big sour puss, according to Eddy, and Eddy didn’t actually have to camp. Brock agreed for the same sour puss reason and promised to take his indoor cat home immediately after dropping Cameron off.

Once I checked in and reached the campsite, I started laying out the equipment. I managed to get the tent about halfway up, but it sat cockeyed in its spot. One portion was way too low. I couldn’t figure out exactly where I’d gone wrong. I probably mixed up the poles, and that meant taking it apart and doing it again. I needed a break first.

I walked around the campsite, picking up small pieces of sticks and leaves for kindling, and piled them in the fire pit. I laid some bigger branches on top of them and stacked the nice firewood to the side to add once the fire got going. I lit a match and dropped it in the kindling.

Nothing happened.

Gently, I blew on the stack. Still nothing.

I struck another match and carefully lit some leaves on the edge of the pile, but it promptly went out.

At least there would be food and drink. And I even had wine in the cooler. We could get the rest going later. Or whatever. I opened up a couple of camping chairs and sat down to wait.

Chapter thirty-eight

This is the Camp? Cameron

We stopped to get checked in, and Eddy waited in the truck with me. After a few minutes, Brock came back. Using the campground map, he circled the main building and drove on a winding road up to another side road. “We’re looking for spot two-seven-nine.”

“Two-seven-four.” Eddy pointed to one of the little signposts. “Should be just up ahead.” He counted out the post numbers until he hit ours. “This is it.”

Brock stopped the truck along the road, and I peered down at the site. I couldn’t believe what I saw or help but laugh at Everett’s attempt. He didn’t have that tent set up right at all. And what was he even doing here? “Eddy? What have you done?”

Eddy waved me off. “Let’s just say I’m not even getting out of the truck. Unload whatever equipment you want, though.”

Brock chuckled. “Come on. I’ll help get you guys set up before we take off.”

I gave him a big hug. “This is going to work out, right?”

“You’ll have to ask him that.” He nodded toward Everett, who was sitting beside an unlit fire pit.

I exhaled loudly. If I stayed, I didn’t need everything we packed, but some of the things would be nice. We sorted through them and quickly found what I wanted to keep. Then Brock waved at Everett and got back in the truck.

Eddy hung his head out and shouted as they pulled away. “Have fun!”

I made it to the messed-up tent and set the rest of the gear down beside it. “Need some help here?”

“Maybe a little. If you’re staying.”

“I’d like to stay.”

“Good.”

I got started fixing the tent and finished setting up, including lighting the fire. “This is actually a great start.” I leaned close and kissed the side of his head, and Everett hummed his pleasure. “How’d you wrangle Brock and Eddy into this?”

“I had help.” He ticked off a finger. “Jackie, who was more than ready to help, plus Conroy Selzby, who works for me. He thinks I broke you so…”

I shook my head. “Not broke. Just…hurt and confused.” I decided to be more vulnerable with him. If we were going to work, we needed honesty. “And scared.”

“Scared? Of what?”

“Of you changing your mind and maybe going back to the city to start over. And breaking my heart.”

“Not going to happen. First, I left the city for good reasons. But even if I hadn’t. I love this place and you.”

“You love me?”