Page 39 of Lady and the Camp
She had grace enough to look a little ashamed. What was I talking about—Hudson was all grace. But she did look a smidge guilty.
“I think it’s twelve steps—not that I’m in a program.” She smoothed her already smooth hair. “I had Twila’s permission. It was a mistake, though. Nothing good came of it.”
“Oh.” I wasn’t sure what that meant, but it wasn’t my business. If she’d asked for my help, that would be different. She hadn’t. “Maybe I’ll tell you about the Trail Blazers someday over a cold beer.”
Her reaction was about what I expected. A little surprised tinged with disgust. She probably sipped martinis by hotel pools while I preferred the dusty bar in town.
One of the college-aged counselors came in. Becky, maybe. I needed to get better with names. “Everyone’s out,” she announced. “Is it okay for us to leave?”
“Did Maggie say you could go?” I asked.
She nodded. “You can radio her to confirm.”
“Naw, go ahead.”
The woman left nothing but a dust cloud and the door swinging shut behind her.
“They have a schedule worked out,” I told Hudson. “Some leave for the weekend, and the teens often cycle out, only here for a few weeks at a time. I imagine Maggie gave you the rundown.”
Twila buzzed around the office cleaning up. She approached the doughnut box.
I grabbed the trash bin and pointed inside. “Pitch ‘em.”
She huffed. “They’re perfectly good doughnuts.”
“They’re compromised. By the angry parent.”
Twila did as told and I cinched the trash bag to take on my way out. I paused by the table. “Are those lotion samples?”
Hudson tucked hair behind her ear. “I brought the last of my stash. I figured parents might want them as a freebie.”
“Well, that was…kind of you.” I nodded to Twila. “Put them away until next week.”
Hudson lingered. She had a calculating look about her which couldn’t be good. More marketing ideas, probably. Or she wanted weird stuff from town.
“Uh, you can go too.” In case she wanted permission. This boss thing took getting used to. “The next campers arrive Sunday afternoon.”
She kept doing that lingering thing when Maggie burst in. “Who’s up for a trip into town? I need a burger and a stiff drink. Drinks on me.”
Twila danced in place. “Happy hour!”
Hudson whirled toward me, practically glowing. Not a bad look. “Sounds perfect.” She plucked me by the arm. Her warm, delicate hands encircled my forearm sending heat hurdling through my veins. “Lucas, you’re coming with us.”
Chapter 12
Hudson
Atriptotown.With people. And places to be seen, heard, noticed.
I hadn’t left camp since I’d been abandoned, er, dropped off. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d stayed put in one place for days on end without so much as quickie trip to a corner Walgreens. The perennial social butterfly had essentially been caged. These wings were desperate for flight.
Thankfully, town was a nowhere blip on the map, so I could continue my lay-low lifestyle.
As a precaution, I pulled my hair up and tucked it beneath one of Maggie’s caps. A cute denim ball cap with nary a brand logo or sports team stitched on the front. Average, forgettable. I tossed on a Camp Junebug T-shirt a size above what I’d typically wear.
And a little fresh lipstick. I wasn’t a peasant.
We ended up at a pub-style joint where old-timey framed photos and wacky tacked-on things covered every inch of wall space. Lots of mounted fish and boat oars. The happy hour specials landed in front of us on a sheet of bright green paper with grease spots dotting the edges.
