Page 45 of Mr. B

“Still.”

Wes shrugged. “I have a good memory when it comes to names.” He smiled at a couple approaching. “Afternoon, Dick, Macy, last child to attend camp, right?”

Macy smiled. “Yes, and Rick’s been talking about it since freshman year.”

Wes put a hand on Rick’s shoulder. “You’re going to have a great time.”

“That’s the plan.”

They moved on to the grassy field where parents were saying bye to the children. Cassandra nudged Wes. “You know the parents’ names, too?”

“Not all of them. This is the Parker’s fourth kid.”

“No wonder everyone likes you.”

He looked at her. “Everyone?”

“Yes, everyone. It was never a matter of my not liking you.”

“Right.”

“Wes.”

“I got to tell you, it sure felt like that when I was twenty and madly in love.”

Cassandra nodded, then excused herself and walked away. Wes watched her head for the cabin. “Dammit.”

Chapter eleven

“Ask me again in the spring.”

Wes remained at the drop-off area to greet the parents and welcome the kids. He stayed out as long as he could, but once everyone had arrived and was settling into their cabins, he had no other choice than to return to the cabin. Dinner was at five, so he had an hour to kill.

He went into his room and sat on the bed for a few minutes, then stood and went into the bathroom and knocked on Cassandra’s door.

Just when Wes was ready to give up, she opened it.

Wes put his hands in his pockets. “I ah…I’m sorry.”

She looked at the floor for a moment. “I suppose I deserved it.”

“You didn’t. Sometimes that hurt kid surfaces and… I don’t want to dwell on the past. I want to keep getting along with you. I think we’ve been getting along. We have, right?”

She smiled. “Yes.” She reached for his hand. “I’m sorry I hurt you so badly. I have no excuse other than that I was young and confused.”

“I will try to keep twenty-year-old Wes under control.”

“If he pops out once in a while. I’ll deal with it. I rather liked twenty-year-old Wes.”

“He was a little naïve.”

“He was sweet and always good to me.”

“So, we’re okay?”

“We’re okay, boss.”

“Technically, Stu is your boss since he hired you.”