The Summer Place

CHAPTER FOUR



PRANCING AROUND IN PADUCAH, Kentucky, dressed up in fairy garb was one thing, but here where the kids were supposed to be learning new skills while roughing it and getting in touch with nature? The woman was out of her freakin’ mind. Even Neil seemed to validate Rick’s reaction as they watched Summer and Tara approach.

The assistant counselor pushed his glasses back on his nose and leaned forward for a better look. “What in the hell?”

“Fairy princess.”

Neil looked at him with a “you’re kiddin’ me” glare and burst out laughing.

She’s not gonna like that.

Rick could see he was right when the dim bulb illuminated Summer’s stern expression.

Their first day was coming to an end, and he was determined to get a fresh start with her tomorrow. He opted for a light mood. “So Toto didn’t run off with your wand this time.”

“Peewee,” she corrected.

“Right.”

“You’re gonna keep this fairy princess crap confined to the girls’ side of the camp, right?” Rick wondered the same thing, but it was Neil who spoke. “’Cause the boys aren’t gonna go for it.”

“Actually, even the boys could benefit from some fairy prince training,” Tara answered.

The defensive tone that resonated in her voice told Rick he had to do something before this became an us-versus-them issue. “I’m sure they could—whatever that means—but we have a full day ahead of us tomorrow and that’s what I’d like to talk about right now.”

“Yeah, about that six-thirty nature hike.” Summer sat down across from Rick, and he tried hard not to think about the way the silver wings enhanced the golden waves of hair lying on them, or the big blue eyes that were so pretty when they weren’t flashing with anger. Well, actually, they were even pretty when they flashed with anger—like right at that moment.

He fumbled with tomorrow’s activity sheets, keeping his gaze away from her eyes. “What about it?”

“Are we going to do those every morning? Because they’ll have to get up at six o’clock to be ready by six-thirty and that just seems awfully early.”

Rick looked back up, but Summer leaned her elbows on the table and the pressure pushed her cleavage against the round neckline of her dress. He dropped his gaze and fumbled with the activity sheets again. “We have to go early. That’s when the animals are moving and feeding. Dawn and dusk.”

“Well, we’ll go tomorrow, but I don’t think we’ll want to do that every day.”

Rick couldn’t believe his ears. “Learning about the animals and experiencing nature is what the kids are here for.”

“That’s only part of what they’re here for.” Summer cocked her head. “They’re also here to have fun. And having to get up at six o’clock every morning for a hike sounds more like basic training than fun.”

Rick glanced down at the girls’ activity sheets for the next few days. The one-o’clock activity for Thursday caught his eye. “Oh, right. I forgot how much more important things like cookie baking are when compared to something trivial like seeing a bald eagle catching its breakfast.”

His sarcastic tone raised Summer’s chin like he’d caught her with an uppercut. Her body followed and, when she stood, she leaned forward to get her leg across the bench. The view Rick was treated to caused one of his own parts to rear its head.

“The cookies are...” she said through gritted teeth. “Never mind.”

“Well, as the assistant director of the camp,” Rick emphasized the words, “I’m going to pull rank on you. The hikes will remain at six-thirty each morning. Tara and Neil can alternate mornings and have a few hours off duty, not reporting until ten.”

The fairy princess’s face turned so red, it took on a purple hue. Rick waited for the gasket to blow. Instead, she pinched the bridge of her nose and gave a long blink. “Is there anything else you wanted to talk about? I’d like to get out of this costume.”

Rick gave a long blink of his own to try and rid his brain of the image that comment aroused. He looked to Neil and Tara. “Does anybody have any concerns we need to address?”

They both shook their heads.

“Anything else?” Summer asked.

“Nope,” Rick answered.

“Then I’ll see you at six-thirty, assistant director.”

Summer turned on her heels and left, followed by Tara.

Neil waited a minute and then made a “reowr” sound that perfectly mimicked a mad cat. “Marines, one. Fairy princess, zero.”

“Got to show her who’s boss,” Rick growled, frustrated he’d let the woman get to him. “She acts like she already owns the place, but Mommy and Daddy hired me to run this show. She was a last resort and probably whined her way onto the staff.”

Neil swept his hand through the air as if he could see headlines hanging there. “The Last Resort. Catchy title.”

Rick shook his head and chuckled. “I see Kenny’s making his rounds. Want a beer? I’ve got some cold ones in my fridge.”

“Now you’re talking.” Neil clapped his hands. “I’m pleased you remembered to bring the necessities.”

“Actually, you can thank Charlie. He’s the one who stocked them, saying I’d probably need them. I think he was right.” Rick paused, then grinned. “Of course, they’re nonalcoholic, but we can pretend.”

Neil threw a thumb over his shoulder in the direction the women had gone. “Sounds like something the fairy princess would say. She’s not rubbing off on you, is she?”

“Hardly,” Rick grunted as he tried to focus away from the image that phrase invoked.

* * *

“WOULD YOU LIKE SOME LEMONADE before you go back to the girls for the night?” Summer asked as she and Tara strolled the path to the bunkhouse. “I have some fresh-squeezed in my refrigerator, and it’s still pretty early.” Rick Warren had her so keyed up, sleep was going to be an impossibility for a while. She needed to walk or chat or drink heavily, which wasn’t an option—anything but go to bed with him on her mind.

“That sounds great.” Tara sounded relieved at the offer. “I’m a night owl, so I’m not at all sleepy.”

They eased into the dormitory and made a quick round to check on the girls, who all were sleeping soundly. They eased out just as quietly and made their way to Summer’s cabin.

In the vast darkness, away from the lights of any town, the Milky Way spewed boldly across the sky. The sight swept Summer back across the years to her first time at Camp Sunny Daze and her first sight of her home galaxy. She felt the same awe she’d experienced all those years ago and it warmed her heart. She was so happy to be back here. Even Rick Warren couldn’t change that.

The night was warm, not hot, but Tara and Neil had decided to run the air conditioners for the duration of the camp lest the night sounds keep the kids awake. Summer, however, chose to leave hers off. Tree frogs, bullfrogs, cicadas and an occasional heron’s call from the lake mixed in a pleasant cacophony while she slipped out of her costume and into a top and shorts. It was music to her ears.

“You squeeze your own lemonade?” Tara eyed the bits of lemon pulp floating in the glass Summer handed her a few minutes later. “I didn’t know anybody did that anymore with all the packaged stuff available.”

Summer broke an organic chocolate bar into pieces and set it on the couch between them. “I eat fresh and organic all I can. One of the degrees I worked on for a while was in nutrition.”

Tara squinted. “One of the degrees? How many did you work on?”

“Several.” No point rehashing all of her failed attempts now. They were behind her, and Summer intended to keep them there. “This chocolate is seventy percent cacao and organic, so it’s full of antioxidants and good for you. It’s perfect with a good pinot noir. ...” Her sigh completed the thought.

Tara eyed her carefully over the rim of her glass. “It’s sexual tension, you know.”

“Dark chocolate and pinot noir?”

“This thing between you and Rick. It’s classic sexual tension.”

“Oh, please. Pfft!” Summer tried to dismiss the subject by taking a long drink, hoping the cool liquid would cool her now-heated face.

“No, it’s true.” Tara pressed on, unmindful of or ignoring Summer’s discomfort with the subject. “Have you seen the way he looks at you when you’re not bickering? Well, I mean, you probably haven’t, since you’re always challenging him, but sometimes he looks at you like you just looked at that chocolate.”

Summer snorted as she became keenly aware she’d just closed her eyes in ecstasy at the sensation of the bittersweet chocolate melting on her tongue.

“He’s obviously a man who’s used to calling the shots, and he doesn’t know how to handle someone who questions his authority.”

His authority—an authority that should have been mine.

Summer chomped down hard on another piece of chocolate. “I want the kids to have a great time so they’ll want to come back next year. And I want them to tell all their friends.”

“They seemed to enjoy today...mostly.” The side of Tara’s mouth twitched. “The boys as well as the girls.”

“I hope so, but I feel like he’s got the boys in military training.” A breeze reminded her of the open windows. She lowered her voice. “Did you hear any grumbling? It’s important for me to preempt any negativity.”

Tara hesitated, gnawing her bottom lip. “A couple of boys were complaining.”

“About Rick?” Summer’s breath hitched. If Rick did a poor job, the camp’s success could be jeopardized. If he did a great job, she wouldn’t be able to show off her leadership skills. She wasn’t sure what she wanted anymore. His presence seemed to assure she was screwed either way.

Tara took a slow drink, eyeing Summer over the rim of the glass. “About having to line up to do everything when the girls don’t have to.”

Condensation from the glass mixed with the nervous sweat on Summer’s hand. She set the glass down and wiped her hand on her leg. “That’s the kind of thing I’m talking about. All that lining-up business makes them look like soldiers.”

“I don’t know.” Tara shrugged. “A lot of schools have the kids line up to move from place to place. Kids like to know their boundaries. They appreciate having limits drawn.”

“But this isn’t school.” Summer paused. Was she off base in her reasoning? “Am I the only one who feels this way...that this is where they should be able to spread their wings and fly without being held back by boundaries we place on them? As long as they’re safe, obviously.”

“Not at all. I totally see where you’re coming from.” Tara’s lips pursed as she gave it some thought. “And maybe Rick will come around once he sees how the girls responded to the fairy princess stuff.”

Summer picked up her drink again and leaned back, relaxed to be once more in a familiar area of conversation. “I wasn’t sure about this age group. The younger ones take well to the magic wand idea, so I thought I’d experiment a little and see how this group responded to it.”

“I know what I’d wish for if I had a magic wand.”

The wistful sound in Tara’s voice held an edge that piqued Summer’s curiosity. “And what would that be?”

Tara opened her mouth, then closed it again and shrugged. “Maybe an adventure? My life’s nothing if not predictable.”

The sweet and tangy flavors played on Summer’s tongue as she took another sip. “Predictable’s not so bad. Maybe it means you’ve found your equilibrium.”

“I’m a preacher’s kid from Taylor’s Grove.” Tara hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin on her crossed arms. “I’ve dated the same guy all the way through high school and college. He’s studying theology. Plans to go into the ministry, too.”

“And...what?” Summer prodded. “He’s too much like your father? You regret being with only one guy?”

“No. It’s not that. I mean, I love him. It’s just...” Tara took another sip and gave her head a shake. “It’s nothing. I’m being silly.”

There was more to the story, Summer was sure, and the serious look on Tara’s face said it wasn’t silly at all. She tried a different angle. “Are you two planning on getting married?”

Tara shrugged, and her glance darted away. “He’s in Honduras on a mission trip, due home anytime. We’re supposed to talk about it when he gets back.”

If Summer expected excitement at the announcement, she was wrong. Tara seemed decidedly undecided on the issue. Summer made a hasty choice to share something she rarely admitted to anyone. “Well, take your time and don’t rush into anything. I ran off to Vegas with my boyfriend to get married the day after high school graduation.”

Shock registered momentarily on Tara’s face, but she recouped quickly, eyes dancing with interest. “Really?”

“Yeah, my dad found out what we were up to and followed us out there and stopped everything.” Summer could still see the hurt and anger in her father’s eyes when he found them in that sleazy hotel. It was a memory she’d give anything to forget, so, of course, it was one that remained etched on her brain. God, she’d put her dad and mom through a lot.

“What happened to the guy? Are you still with him?”

“He dumped me a month later.”

Tara gave a knowing snort. “Even smart girls make dumb decisions, huh?”

“Ah!” Summer pointed a philosophical finger skyward. “But we learn from our mistakes, and fairy princesses are born.”

Tara’s infectious laugh drew Summer in. By the end of camp, they were going to be close. It would be nice to have someone on the premises to confide in. Phone calls to best friend Kate wouldn’t always be manageable.

“To fairy princesses everywhere,” Tara declared, and they clinked their glasses together in a toast. Tara swigged down the last of her lemonade in one gulp.

“Want some more?”

“No, I better get back to the girls.” Tara stood and stretched her lanky frame.

“Yeah, I guess it’s time to call it a night.” Summer didn’t try to hide the sarcasm in her voice. “I didn’t actually realize five-thirty in the morning existed.”

“Five-thirty?”

“I’ll come to the dorm at six and get the girls up so you can sleep a little later.”

“That will endear you to me forever. And by the way—” Tara stopped at the door “—I’m an expert on sexual tension, so just remember what I said.”

Summer laughed as she picked up Tara’s glass and sniffed. “Now I’m gonna worry about what you’ve been drinking when I thought I served you lemonade.”

* * *

THE CHILD WAS SPRAWLED IN THE muddy field close to the building, her body contorted, a hideous mass of bloody tissue and bone extending from where a leg had been. She didn’t scream. Didn’t even cry, really. Just whimpered like a puppy rooted away from the litter. The sound laid Rick’s heart wide-open.

There had to be a special section of hell for anyone who would place mines so close to an orphanage. The children had no supervision...spent their days wandering these fields in search of anything they might sell or trade for food.

He watched Dunk lift the child with tender care, staggering under the additional weight that should have been an easy carry.

“Can you make it?”

Dunk nodded, his face etched in determination as he turned and fled.

Another lap around the burned-out shell of a building turned up no survivors, and with every step, a sickening realization coiled Rick’s muscles tighter. The child had been left behind to die. A decoy, most likely.

Rage fueled his movement as he sprinted to catch up.

He could hear Dunk’s labored breathing.

“Let me have her, Dunk.”

Dunk nodded, eyes glassy with fever. “I’ll cover you.” His words were barely discernible. Rick shook his head, clearing his ears of the sweat that had pooled and filled the cavity like being underwater.

His insides roiled in anguish for the child as they made the switch, a gnarled tree their only protection. He felt eyes watching them out there somewhere in the maddening, stony silence. But she was in his arms, and the choice was made. He ran, determined to get her to the medics...determined not to let her die as a pawn in some merciless bastard’s game.

More sweat. Down his face. In his eyes. Blurring his vision.

Sound waves vibrated against his eardrums, throbbing. Too close. Sniper. Oh, God, no! Dunk...down. The scream tore from Rick’s lungs.

“Dunk!”

He jerked awake into a seated position, panting, sweat beading down his back and chest. In a scenario he’d long grown used to, he took deep breaths, settling his heart into its regular rhythm, and wiped his face with the sheet, listening all the while for movement. How loud had he screamed this time? Had he woken anyone? Embarrassment flushed him momentarily, and on its heel came the familiar sadness.

The dream, which had lain dormant for a short time, had returned night after night this week, taking on different forms...always ending the same. Being with the kids here at camp must be triggering something in his subconscious—worry about keeping them safe under his watch, most likely.

A shudder ripped through his body and shook all emotion away, leaving a numbness he regretted and yet embraced.

The nightmares would end...eventually. When he learned to control them. And, damn it all to hell, he would learn to control them. “Ooh-rah!” The spirited grunt was all the reminder he needed. He was a marine.

The clock read 4:53. Going back to sleep would be impossible, but it was still early. He stretched out, the damp sheet sticking to his back. Think about something pleasant to start the day.

Summer Delaney aka fairy princess danced to the front of his mind. Beautiful? Yes. Pleasant? To everyone but him.

“Nightmares by night, Summer Delaney by day. Maybe Afghanistan wasn’t so bad,” he growled, pushing out of bed, his body suddenly demanding activity.

* * *

THE RADIO BLASTED A BURST of static, and Summer grumbled as she hit the button to turn it off. Five-thirty...three days in a row. Before Tuesday, she hadn’t gotten up at five-thirty since...well, never that she could recall. She’d ended a few days at five-thirty, but couldn’t remember ever starting one that early.

She shuffled to the bathroom, not coming fully awake until the spray from the shower hit her face. It was still dark outside as she dressed, but when she stepped out into the morning, the black was beginning to give way to a lovely shade of pink. A mist hung over the lake, giving it an ethereal quality that brought a sigh from her lips, just as it had yesterday and the day before. How had she gone her whole life without ever seeing the lake at this time of morning?

An odd, crunching sound broke through the quiet and she turned in time to see Rick Warren, running down the gravel lane. He wore only shoes and running shorts, which hung low around his hips, and he carried what appeared to be a T-shirt gripped in his fist. His broad chest tapered down to a narrow waist and every inch of exposed skin glistened with dampness of sweat or dew. Maybe both.

He surprised her when he didn’t veer toward his cabin, but ran past her and on down to the lake. Absorbed in what he was doing, he didn’t see her watching him, and she was relieved for that. She’d been gawking in a most unprincesslike manner. And it certainly wasn’t her pretty heart the sight had been appealing to.

He disappeared, lost in the trees, but soon she heard the splash. In her mind’s eye, she could see him cutting through the water effortlessly, the muscles in his back and arms rippling like the early morning waves on the—

“Morning, Summer.” Kenny waved from the path that marked the camp boundary, making his morning rounds.

“Morning, Kenny.” Her heart beat much faster than could be explained by the startle from Kenny’s voice.

“Enjoying the view?” He nodded toward the sliver of red sun barely breaking in the east, but casting a shimmering red reflection across the water.

“Um, yeah,” she admitted with more than a little self-deprecation. “But I’ve got to leave it soon to get the girls up.”

“It’ll be there again tomorrow.” Kenny nodded and continued his rounds.

“Not if Charlie comes to his senses,” Summer muttered under her breath as the Rick Warren irritations of the past few days streamed back into her consciousness. She’d had as little contact with him as possible, and he’d stayed out of her way for the most part except to correct her on anything that didn’t meet his standards. His enormously high standards.

But she’d awakened this morning with a glimmer of hope. Yesterday on the phone, Kate told her about Ron Smithey, who had been cut in the school layoffs and was looking for work. He was a P.E. teacher, would be perfect with the kids and would probably be thrilled to have two months of income this summer.

If Rick Warren did anything else to undermine her, she was going straight to Charlie with her suggestion, which would, of course, include making her assistant director like she should have been all along.

She glanced back toward the lake, soaking up a few more seconds of the beauty to carry with her through the day. Worry darkened her thoughts instead. Rick was swimming alone, and she couldn’t hear any movement on the water. He was an excellent swimmer; she’d seen that. Still, sometimes things happened...even to excellent swimmers.

She didn’t like the guy, but she didn’t want him to drown. That would be a waste of a fine physical specimen of manhood. Just a glimpse would assure her he was okay.

She got all the way to the beach before she saw him. And then it was just a wave of his hand before he disappeared under the water.