Page 5 of Let's Go To Camp!

Apparently, the realization that he was saved caused Andrew’s fear to melt away. Because, as he was being pulled up toward the hovering chopper, he yelled, “This is awesome!”

Declan couldn’t help but smile. He’d never lost anyone yet and he didn’t ever plan to, either. Still, he knew the ocean could be unpredictable. There was only so much a person could do in the face of a behemoth like that. It was beautiful, endless, but also terrifying. Sometimes he wondered if perhaps mankind hadn’t been made to explore it too much.

That was above his pay grade, though.

The truth was, no matter what his feelings on the topic were, people got into trouble out in those waters all the time. And it was his job to save them.

Not just a job.

It was his calling.

That being said, a guy needs a break even from his calling sometimes. That’s why he was glad vacation started tomorrow.

Three months of vacation!

Though it would be a working vacation. Still, way different than the daily grind he’d done for the past fifteen years with the Coast Guard. And before that, he did a four-year stint in the Navy.

He wasn’t the type to complain. But the way he figured it, he was long overdue for a little break. If he didn’t recharge soon, he wouldn’t be any good to anyone.

Yeah, a break was needed.

And what better place to take that break than Camp Mountainville?

He took one last look at the angry ocean while the pulley system drug him back up to the awaiting helicopter.

“Three months with no waves. No sharks. And no near-death experiences,” he said aloud. “I hate to say it, Pacific. But I won’t miss you.”

“What was that?” Petty Officer Bowman asked as she pulled him back into the bird.

He chuckled. “Just talking to myself and daydreaming about vacation. Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

He looked at Andrew who appeared to be in a bit of shock now that the adrenaline of the situation was wearing off. He had a blanket wrapped around him, but the poor guy was still shivering. His face was green, too, and Declan was quick to hand him a barf bag just in case.

There would be a medical team waiting for them upon landing. The sooner they got there, the better.

Declan shut the door and the chopper took off toward the beach, carrying them closer to land and his vacation.

And maybe, just maybe, to a Little to call his own.

Chapter Three

“Good afternoon, campers! Welcome to Camp Mountainville!”

The greeting came from a pretty, matronly woman of about 45. She was full-figured, had long brown hair, and big, brown eyes that shone when she smiled.

The crowd of Littles cheered as they all gathered around, some coming from cars they’d parked in the front lot, and others being dropped off by friends or a Greyhound bus that had just pulled away.

Maisie had driven her own car in from Denver. It wasn’t a terribly long trip, but she was thankful it was over. At long last, after months of dreaming and planning, she was finally where her heart had longed to be.

She eagerly kept her focus on the woman who stood on a raised platform in front of the main office building, overlooking the grassy parade grounds where the campers were assembling.

Using a microphone to speak, the woman continued, “My name is Chloe Edwards, and I’m the camp’s director. I’m so glad you’re all here.”

The crowd applauded again before the cheers and murmurs died down, allowing her to continue.

“As many of you know, the camp has a new name, new ownership, and a new director. We are now affiliated with that special town down in Texas.”

Maisie cheered again along with the crowd, the mere mention of the fabled Mountainville of the Lone Star State drawing delight from everyone.

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