Page 26 of Lady and the Camp
She stared at the label in horror. “This has chemicals in it.” Her voice lowered. “Restrictedchemicals.”
“Best stuff on the market even if three states banned it.” I nodded toward her legs. “Noticed yours were chewed up by the mosquitoes.”
Her cheeks reddened. “I was hoping the bites weren’t noticeable. Maggie gave me some lotion last night. Do I really need to put this stuff on?”
“Prefer to be eaten alive?”
Her skepticism turned to a pout. “Fine.”
Kind of cute, but I’d never admit it.
Chapter 8
Hudson
Thegirlswereontotheir third camp song as we marched into the woods.
I pressed back my annoyance at leaving the office so abruptly. I hadn’t yet gotten to access my social media on Twila’s computer.
I’d meant to take a peek last night, hoping to get a blip of connectivity out at the cabin, but, well, I’d crashed pretty early. Despite the lumpy mattress on the top bunk. I was out cold by nine-forty-five.
The girls excitedly chattered ahead of me, each walking single file behind teen counselor Amy. Leading the pack, our fearless grump, Lucas.
Each step on the trail offered a new lump or rock to step over or around. I was used to paved paths and sidewalks. I’d heard of great trail walking in Southern California, but I’d spent most of my time filming videos indoors or trying to get noticed in the club scene.
If only all those L.A. clubbers could see me now, a complete sweat fest who could barely walk without stumbling. Was that a tree root, sticking right out of the ground? What a hazard!
No, I could do this. If all these girls could manage this trail, so could I.
Moreso, I refused to let Lucas see me struggle. He already thought I couldn’t hack camp life.
A buzzing sounded in my ear followed by a light prick on my cheek. I slapped my own face.Ow.
“Are you okay Miss Hudson?” The group had stopped walking and the camper in front of me watched me with concern.
My palm served as a canvas for a mangled mosquito. “Ew. It bit myface.”
The camper rightfully scrunched her nose. “Gross. You’ll get used to it.”
I certainly wouldnotget used to mosquito face bites. And no way would I shellack any more of my skin with that industrial grade mosquito repellent. It was bad enough I’d coated my legs with the stuff. I could only pray the toxins wouldn’t seep too much deeper into my epidermis.Come on organic body lotion. Protect that moisture barrier like a champion.
“Alright, campers,” Lucas announced as we gathered in a semi-circle in a wooded clearing. “Who here can tell me what this is?”
“A tree stump,obviously,” one girl drolled, sending the others into giggle fits.
“What kind of tree?” he asked.
She shrugged. “I dunno. They’re all the same.”
Lucas visibly winced, but shrugged it off with a smile. “Come a little closer, everybody. See these rings? Anybody know why those are here?”
A girl with black braids raised her hand. “It tells how old it is.”
Lucas’ eyes lit with excitement. “Yes. Nice job. These are growth rings. Trees start out small and grow larger, just like you and I do. Some rings are lighter in color for wood that grew early in the year, and darker for wood growing in later seasons.”
While a few kids looked bored or distracted, most listened and asked more questions.
Lucas moved to another spot with a scraggly looking bush. He drew the campers in to tell them about the leaf shape and how to identify trees and shrubs by their leaves. He used scientific words couched in simple explanations. He cautioned to avoid eating any berries found in the wild until they learned to properly identify them. Many plants had medicinal or healing properties found by knowing their shape, texture, and color.
