Page 44 of You Know You Wanna

“He won’t make me feel that way.” She tilted her head at me. “Mostly because I won’t overthink the situation the way you are. Who cares if he wants to invest in the resort? A little modernization and some extra cash could go a long way. Alan might be set in his ways, but Remington and Declan are probably open-minded. Besides, even if it’s true, that doesn’t mean he was using you to get to Alan. He might just be using you for your body.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “And that’s a good thing?”

“That’s a great thing if he’s doing it right.”

I dragged my fingers through my hair and nodded. Then I drummed out a beat on my thighs and stood up. “You’re right. I’m not going to overthink it anymore. I’m going to the Kids Camp to see how Jenna is doing with the trip preparations and then I’ll come pack my things.”

“That’s my girl,” she encouraged, following me to the door and out to get on with her own day.

As I walked to the Kids Camp, I focused on my breathing, using it to clear my head and trying to focus on the day ahead. It was a big day. A day I usually looked forward to. The day we took the kids camping, living up to the literal promise of our name.

But this time, instead of feeling the excitement buzzing through me like a live wire, all I felt was uncertainty. Talking to Gracie had helped me gain some perspective, but I couldn’t say I was convinced by what she’d said.

I would take some time to think while I was away with the kids, but right now, I just felt betrayed. A lot of what my friend had said made sense, but ultimately, Remington hadn’t been completely honest with me. Now I had to figure out if what he’d neglected to tell me had been any of my business.

I wasn’t the owner of Blue Pines or even officially part of management. It was possible he’d simply not told me because whether or not he wanted to invest in the resort had nothing to do with me. It didn’t feel that way, but logically, it was possible.

I reached the Kids Camp entrance and drew in one more deep breath, exhaling it slowly through my nostrils before I opened the gate and pasted a smile on my face. Putting one foot in front of the other became easier once I started hearing the little ones squealing with joy from inside and the excited chatter of a few older kids huddled near the door.

My insides unclenched a bit and my lungs seemed to open up, my breathing evening out as I walked up to them. “Hey, guys. Are we ready to set off later?”

Cassidy, a girl I knew from town, turned to grin at me. “Are we ever! It’s good to see you, Birdie.”

“You too, Cass.” I gave her a quick hug, glad she was joining us.

The girl was something of an institution around here. Her parents owned the best bakery in Bluebell Hollow and it supplied the resort. Cassidy made the deliveries on her bicycle sometimes and she almost always stuck around to hang out in the summer.

I returned her grin as I released her. “I need to check in with Jenna, but I’ll see you soon.”

She nodded. “See you soon.”

I turned to see Jenna trying to get ready for the trip. Even from across the indoor play area, she seemed frazzled. Toddlers clung to her legs and held their arms up to her while she tried to take inventory of the supplies we had, and she cooed to them, trying to get them to clap hands and sing songs in order to distract them, but it didn’t seem to be working very well.

A toddler wanting attention was probably one of the most insistent, determined people on this planet, though. I raced over to see what I could do to help, hoping to relieve her so she’d be free to settle the tiny ones.

“Where’s Josie?” I asked, referring to the camp assistant who was supposed to have been here helping Jenna. “What can I do?”

“She called in sick,” Jenna said as she scooped up the girl with the pigtails who only seemed happy when she was in Jenna’s arms. “She was going to come with us, but she’s got some kind of stomach flu and the doctor told her she definitely wouldn’t be okay to go on a hike today, let alone an overnight camping trip.”

My brow furrowed. “I’m so sorry. That sucks for her, but you and I can make it work, right?”

She shook her head and took a pointed look at all the toddlers clamoring around her feet. “This family with three kids under three just checked in. Margie here still only wants to be on my hip and there are two preschoolers in the ball pit insisting on doing arts and crafts. I’m slammed. I have no idea how I’m going to get away.”

“I can go alone?” I offered. I was more than capable and more than experienced enough.

This wasn’t a difficult, roughing-it style trip either, and there weren’t so many kids going as far as I knew. We’d have access to public washrooms in the park, running water, and it didn’t get cold at night.

Worst case scenario, if we had to get back, I had a walkie-talkie and it wasn’t even such a long hike out. Jenna’s eyes widened, but I saw the gratitude and relief shining from them. “Are you sure? I’d never stop owing you for this, but if you’re not up to it, that’s okay.”

I waved her off. “I’ll be fine. We’ll keep in touch, but honestly, I think your job here is going to be much harder than going on a walk with some preteens, helping them set up their tents, and then making s’mores and singing campfire songs.”

She eyed the toddlers again, watching as one tried to forcibly remove a toy from another’s hand. “You might be right about that. Billy, your brother had that first. It’ll be your turn soon.”

I grimaced. “I’m definitely right. Just tell me the details and I’ll make sure everything is ready.”

“Thank you,” she rushed out as she tried to coax Margie from her hip when Billy’s brother decided to retaliate by trying to bite him. Margie started crying when her feet touched the floor. Billy was wailing as he smacked his brother’s head, and the brothers let out a battle cry.

He was about to launch himself at Billy when Jenna caught him, picking him up and giving him a stern look. “No, Bobby. Brothers don’t tackle or bite brothers. It’s not nice.”