Page 5 of The Even Odder Couple

“My goodness.” Mrs. Lockhart pats her updo. “That boy is certainly in a hurry. But I’m glad I’ll have time to speak with you, Tess. Your being here is quite fortuitous.”

Jill pokes her head around Mrs. Lockhart. “What does fortuitous mean?”

“Kind of like lucky,” I say.

“We’ve got an enormous problem.” Mrs. Lockhart purses her pink lips, and my stomach twists like a wrung-out rag.

“Huh.” Jill screws up her face. “That doesn’t sound very lucky.” She glances at the picnic table. “I think I’ll grab that Gatorade after all.”

Spencer clears his throat. “Mrs. Lockhart? I’ll go ahead and move your car to the shop.”

“Well, aren’t you gallant.” She lays a hand on her chest. “Quite the gentleman, hmm?”

“Of course, ma’am.” He flashes me a look, almost like he wishes he could stick around. Instead, he says, “Happy to help.”

As he retreats across the car wash, the muscles of his back flex. If my insides weren’t in knots, I might appreciate his outsides more. But I’m alone with the mayor, melting like an ice cream cone in the sun. Meanwhile, she’s cool as a cucumber.

A pink cucumber with a white leather purse.

“So what did you need to talk to me about?” I choke out. This is hard to do with my heart in my throat. “Have I done something wrong? If this is about my old job at McCoy Construction, I’ve officially given leave. My brother knows I’m not covering for Nash Hendrix anymore. In fact, they’ve already found a replacement for me. So there’s zero conflict between my family’s company and the commitment I made to you. And to our town. And to the camp. And… etcetera.”

“I wish that were my concern.” Mrs. Lockhart sighs, and it’s a long one. Like air leaking from a tire. “I’ve just discovered something far more serious.”

My heart is an elevator, plummeting. “What’s going on?”

“I’m afraid I have to pull the plug on our dear little Sunny Camp this year.”

“What?! No!” My shriek splits the air, and I quickly survey the area to see who else might’ve heard me. Jill is over at the picnic table with a pair of AirPods in her ears. Spencer averts his eyes and climbs into Mrs. Lockhart’s car.

“This brings me no joy,” she says grimly, “but our camp directors are no longer available to manage their positions this summer.” Her nose twitches like she smells something bad. “Hunter Nelson and Bella Wicker.”

“Yes, I know who the directors are.” I shake my head, trying to make sense of what Mrs. Lockhart is saying. “We spent the past few weeks together training the camp staff. They’re a good, solid couple. Dating since middle school.”

“Precisely.” She hoists her purse higher on her shoulder. “I believed them to be solid too. They had big goals for their future. Unfortunately, they hastened toward their proverbial futures sooner than anyone expected.”

“I don’t get it,” I say. And not just because Mrs. Lockhart sounds like she’s delivering a political speech.

The mayor clicks her teeth.Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. “Alas, Hunter and Bella have answered the siren song of holy matrimony.”

This explanation isn’t much better, but IthinkI understand. “Why can’t the camp directors be married?”

“Ahhhh. It’s not that simple.” Mrs. Lockhart sighs again. “You see, Hunter’s parents refused to give their blessing to a wedding before he finished college, so…”—she pauses for dramatic effect—“he eloped with Bella last night!” When the mayor throws a hand up to her forehead, I’m afraid she might keel over. “They left a note claiming they have no plans to return, and since our camp was set to open next week, I simply don’t have time to locate a new set of directors!”

Oof. Now I get it.

“I know you’re disappointed, Tess.” Mrs. Lockhart drops her arm, apparently recovering from her near faint. “As am I. Desperately disappointed. But I pledge to keep the money allocated for this summer’s budget and try again next year.”

The mayor smooths her hands down her pantsuit, gathering herself. Meanwhile, my lungs feel like two smashed water balloons. This means yet another job change to add to my growing list. But forget about me. What about the campers? McCoy Construction and the Devlin-Dodd House were sponsoring dozens of scholarships this summer. Most of those kids were going to experience camp for the first time. Not to mention, we’re already fully staffed.

We have trained counselors. Lifeguards. A cook. Those people need jobs too. I can’t let this happen. I’m not just fighting for me.

I’m fighting for everyone.

“I’ll be the camp director,” I blurt. “You already trusted me to be the assistant. I promise I can step up, Mrs. Lockhart.”

“That’s a lovely offer, but it simply will not work.” Mrs. Lockhart’s lips thin into a tight line. Maybe she’s worried I’m unreliable too. After all, I don’t exactly have the greatest track record, and my resume reflects quite a few job changes. But whether or not my reputation precedes me, I’m determined to turn over a new leaf. At least I will be ready, if I’m given the chance.

But first I need the chance.

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