Chase rounded the corner to the facilities building and paused. Sarah sat on a plain wooden bench adjacent to the staircase leading up to Chase’s temporary sleeping quarters, which she’d yet to use.
“Morning.” Chase sat down beside her, cradling the cup of coffee she’d snagged from the kitchen, and waited for Sarah to say her piece. She’d been a player in a scene like this, in various forms, since her mom had died and Sarah had changed her life to come home and take care of her.
“I saw your Jeep,” Sarah said, “when you came in an hour or so ago.”
“Yeah,” Chase said, wondering which direction Sarah was about to go in. Reminding her that she’d been notably absent for the first week of camp? Even though she had good reasons for it, Sarah might consider it suspiciously convenient. Then again, there might be other topics on Sarah’s mind.
“Nat said you had a run-in with a bear last night,” Sarah went on in a quiet voice that didn’t give a hint as to where she was going.
Chase let out a breath. Why did she ever think anything would get past Sarah with her network of informants? Okay, maybe informants was a little strong, but really, she wasn’t ten years old anymore. “I wouldn’t call it a run-in. More like she was just running in her sleep.”
“You can’t always laugh away the things you don’t want to talk about,” Sarah said, staring down toward the lake.
“Why don’t you say what you have on your mind, Sare—it’s been a long night.” Chase held on to her temper, barely. No one could get to her like Sarah, and she ought to know that by now.
“I don’t suppose you had it checked out at the hospital.”
“Jerry Malloy was out with us,” Chase said, although Nat had undoubtedly told Sarah that also. “He’s a paramedic, remember? He looked at it.”
“Right, in the field. Wounds like that—”
“Sarah,” Chase said gently, because after all, her sister was just worried about her, “I’m fine. But if it makes you feel any better, Lily checked it out a little while ago. Shot me full of antibiotics, and she’ll keep an eye on it.”
“Lily.” Sarah slowly turned her head and met Chase’s gaze. “Lily seems to be your first stop whenever you turn up here.”
The reins on Chase’s temper unraveled just a little more. “Right. Lily. You know, the camp medic. The emergency room physician from the big New York City hospital with credentials probably as long as both my arms? She’s more than qualified to handle a big scratch.”
“I won’t even point out that bear claws leave more than a scratch,” Sarah said with the first hint of a bite in her voice, “and I know all about Lily’s credentials. She’s a superstar, you’re right. Top of her class, every class. Destined, I’m sure, to head the ER at that big city hospital. She’s also…fragile right now.”
If Chase had had hackles, they would’ve been standing up three inches high along her spine. A red cloud of anger suffused her. She’d heard this kind of thing from Sarah before. Keisha’s a nice girl, don’t lead her on. Josie’s on the rebound from a nasty breakup and she’s likely to fall hard for the next person who pays any attention to her. Juanita is a lot more sensitive than you think, and…
“I don’t think Lily needs anyone to stand up for her, Sarah,” Chase said before Sarah could include Lily in that long list of warnings.
Sarah said, “Lily is one of the smartest, strongest, most accomplished women I’ve ever met. And she wouldn’t be here if she didn’t need healing of some kind.”
Chase shot to her feet. “I’m not going to discuss Lily with you. And maybe it’s time you started giving me a little bit of credit. I’m not the kid you came home to take care of anymore.”
She expected Sarah to shoot back at her, but instead, Sarah just shook her head. “I know that. But sometimes, Chase, your ten-year-old is awfully close to the surface. Like every time you head out on a call that isn’t yours because you don’t want to miss out on something. Whatever the action might be, it’s never enough for you. Just like none of the women has ever been enough.”
“You only know what you see, Sarah. That’s true for all of us.” Chase tossed the dregs of her coffee out onto the grass. “Lily sees something else.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. Lily is good at taking care of other people’s wounds.” Sarah rose. “Maybe not so good at taking care of her own. That’s what I was trying to tell you.”
“And you think I’m going to hurt her.”
“I think one of you will get hurt if you keep heading in the direction you’re going. If one of you doesn’t walk away.”
Chase had to walk away right then. “I’m scheduled to take kids up the mountain this morning. I’m going to grab a couple hours’ sleep.”
“I wouldn’t say anything if I didn’t love you both,” Sarah called after her.
“I know,” Chase said and kept going. Nothing she could say would ease Sarah’s worry, and anything she did say would only make it worse.
Because Lily would have to be the one to turn and walk away. It wasn’t going to be her. Lily pulled at her like a magnet, dragging her closer with every breath. No matter where she was, she thought about Lily, replayed every conversation, no matter how ordinary, looking for any sign that Lily wanted her the way she wanted Lily. Remembered every single touch, even the ones that Lily would have given to anyone. Lily’s hand on her shoulder that morning was consoling and warm, but that’s not what Chase’s body had registered. Lily’s scent had been all around her, the timbre of her voice and the gentleness of her touch had wrapped her in arms that were anything but comforting. Hell, she was still vibrating, still turned on. She needed a shower because she was too tired for anything else.
Maybe if she was lucky, she’d dream of Lily. Again.
* * *
The campers were supposed to meet on the parade grounds, at least that’s what Marty called the common area in front of the lodge, at oh-ten-thirty hours. They were one of the first to arrive, but most of the other kids showed up soon too. Of course, Ford and Shannon were the last to arrive a couple of minutes after everyone else. It was like they had to be late, and Marty couldn’t figure that out either. Their dad always said being on time showed you were prepared and fit for duty.
Chase Fielder came out of the lodge along with the counselors and Dr. Davenport.
“All right,” Chase said, “let’s everybody gather around.”
Marty hung back just a little while everyone shuffled into a loose circle, then found a spot in the crowd with a good sight line to the leaders. They’d learned—after needing to change schools a lot when their dad got assigned to a new base—how to fit in without really drawing much attention. That really helped recently—until they got here. Marty shrugged off the distracting thoughts they couldn’t do anything about and concentrated on the briefing.
“So today,” Chase said, “we’ll take a short hike up to Blueberry Pond—it’s about three miles. Temperatures are projected to be in the low seventies. You’re not going to feel particularly hot, but you will be sweating, so you need to drink every fifteen to twenty minutes. Once we get there, we’re going to set up camp using only what you brought in your backpacks.”
“What’s the point of that,” one of the older guys from cabin two said with just a hint of derision in his voice. A few of the other campers laughed. “If you’re gonna camp, you’d bring everything you needed.”
“If you planned to camp,” Chase said calmly, “you’re right. Although chances are you’d forget something.”
A couple of other kids laughed. Marty smiled, because that’s what lists were for. You didn’t forget things then. That was another thing they’d learned early—their dad always posted lists all over the house, lunch lists, grocery lists, first day of school lists, checklists for camping. Lists just made sense.
Chase went on, “But this isn’t about the planned outing. This is to show you what to do if you find yourself out overnight without having planned to be there.”
One of the younger girls from cabin seven squeaked a little and blurted, “We aren’t staying out overnight, are we? Because I don’t think I have the right things.”
Chase shook her head. “No, not this time. This is just a trial run, so you can learn how to do this if you have to with just what you have today. We’ll be back by dinner.”
The younger girl looked relieved. A few campers grumbled, but most everyone looked excited. Except not Ford or Shannon, who both had the same bored expressions. Marty’d overheard them talking about how their parents had forced them into coming. Blackmailed into it, Shannon had said—camp or no new car for college. Ford had announced she’d had to choose between this and the summer with her grandparents on a farm. Shannon and Ford seemed to want everyone to know they thought the camp was definitely not lit.
Marty focused on the ranger and put Shannon and Ford out of their mind.
“All right then,” Chase said, “first, gear check. Let’s make sure you’ve all got what you need to start out with. Anyone who doesn’t have all their gear will have to go back for it and come up with the rearguard. Which means you will have all the cleanup detail when we get ready to leave.”
Quite a few campers grumbled, mostly good-naturedly, though. Marty laughed.
Alisha called out, “Let’s line up by cabins. Shouldn’t take long.”
Reluctantly, Marty joined the other campers from cabin eight, some of whom, they noticed, sent wary glances in Shannon and Ford’s direction and shifted away from them in the newly forming line. The staff spread out, each one taking a cabin to check on what the campers had packed.
Dr. Davenport came over to their group and stopped in front of Marty.
“Want to show me what you’ve packed?”
“Sure.” Marty pointed out the items in the outside pockets and then opened the top. They held it open and verbally ran down everything inside.
“Good. Nice job.”
Someone snorted.
“Thanks.” Marty didn’t look around. They shouldered their bag and waited. They were used to that too.
“Shannon?” Dr. Davenport said, moving down the row. “Ready?”
Shannon, looking bored, held out her bag. “Whatever.”
After a minute, Dr. Davenport said, “I think you might have forgotten a couple of things.”
Shannon sighed. “Really?”
“Your water,” Dr. Davenport said, “which you’ll definitely need, and the snakebite kit. You have one, don’t you?”
“Why should I have to worry about that?” Shannon said. “You’re the doctor. Isn’t that what you’re here for? In case one of us gets a mosquito bite?”
Marty took a quick glance at the two of them. Other campers were watching too. They wondered if Shannon liked the attention. The doctor seemed unbothered by Shannon’s snide tone.
She said, “I will be carrying emergency supplies, yes, but should you be separated from the group, or if for some reason I am, and you need any of the gear, especially the snakebite kit where time matters, you would not want to wait to find me. You’ll have to go back to your cabin and get that and your water bottle.”
“Oh, for fu—” Shannon almost snatched the bag back from Dr. Davenport, spun around, and stormed toward the trail leading back to the cabins.
Ford, who was next, held out her open backpack expressionlessly.
Dr. Davenport waited while Ford pointed out all the items, and then said quietly, “You’ve got everything on the list, but where’s your EpiPen? Remember we talked about you needing to always have it with you.”
“I don’t really need it,” Ford said quickly. “There was only that one time, and all I had was a little rash.”
Dr. Davenport shook her head. “When you have any kind of allergy, the reaction can vary from one time to the next. No matter where you are, it’s not something to take a chance with, and definitely not when we’re in the mount—”
“Oh,” Marty said, “sorry to interrupt, but I think I saw you put it in the side pocket of your backpack back at the cabin.”
Ford frowned at her. “I…” She spun her pack around, slipped her hand into one of the many exterior pockets, and came out with her EpiPen. Her eyes narrowed on Marty before she quickly said, “I guess I did stick it in there.”
“Good,” Dr. Davenport said and moved on.
Ford muttered, “What the fuck, Marty,” but just then Chase called out, “Let’s form up in twos and head for High Meadow Trail.”
Marty hesitated, expecting everyone to pair off with friends. Ford glanced toward the trail where Shannon had disappeared, and sighed. “Um. So, I guess we should go.”
“Okay,” Marty said.
As they fell into line, Ford said, “Why did you do that? Take my pen and stick it in my backpack.”
“I don’t know,” Marty said. “I saw it there after you left, and I figured it might be something you should have with you. I just grabbed it.”
They didn’t know how to explain that they’d been taught that everyone on the team had to look out for everyone else. Ford, for sure, wouldn’t think of Marty as any kind of teammate.
“You could’ve said that instead of bailing me out.”
“That wasn’t much of a bailout.”
“Well…thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Marty said softly.
They walked on in silence, but Ford didn’t hurry off to join any of the others when she had the chance. Marty trod along enjoying the views, the scents of pine and fertile soil, and the unexpected company.
* * *
Lily enjoyed herself more than she’d imagined she would. She’d learned more than she’d ever need to know—Fates willing—about finding shelter, constructing a windbreak, preserving body heat if temperatures dropped unexpectedly, and finding safe sources of drinking water if she ever found herself lost in the wilderness. Mostly she’d enjoyed watching the campers tackle the challenges of solving those problems. Some formed teams and divvied up tasks—others, like Marty Riley, worked alone, efficiently establishing a neat little area where Lily could envision Marty comfortably riding out a long night or even more in the wilds. Shannon, she also noted, showed no interest in participating, although Ford watched several others, including Marty, and eventually did a reasonable job. Now that they were all on their way home, Lily registered a pleasant hum in her muscles along with a nearly forgotten sense of contentment.
“How are you doing?” Chase asked as she joined Lily in the line wending down the trail in pairs and small groups.
“It’s been fun,” Lily said, then laughed. “And I really do need to get hiking boots. Three miles didn’t sound like very far this morning, but you didn’t mention it was three miles straight uphill over a goat path strewn with boulders.”
Chase chuckled, an amused sound that for some reason stirred a tremor in Lily’s chest.
“When’s the last time you hiked three miles?” Chase asked.
“That would be…precisely never? I spent my free time on a sailboat.”
“What the hell made you decide to spend the summer up here?”
“Your sister.”
“Yep, that would do it. She’s always been persuasive,” Chase said with just a hint of long-suffering in her voice.
“That’s true,” Lily said, “but she balances it out with a generous heart.”
Chase nodded, her expression serious. “That she does. And lucky for me.”
“It seems that Sarah has done well by both of us. She was a great friend to me in college and ever since. And this job, I think, is exactly what I need.”
“Just the job? Because, you know, all work and no play…”
Chase gave her a look that Lily couldn’t possibly misinterpret. She glanced around, but the kids were either trudging wearily along in silence or chatting. No one appeared to be paying attention to their conversation.
“I’m flattered, but—”
“I haven’t made an offer yet.”
“Haven’t you?” Lily wasn’t about to be put off with that line. “I may not have had a lot of practice recently, but I can still read signals.”
Chase grinned. “Not rusty a bit? Because the mountain air is great for getting everything back in working order.”
“You do really like to live dangerously.”
“That’s what they’ve always said about me.”
Lily shot her a look. “Some things you never forget, but that’s not the point.”
“What is?”
“I’m here to work, we’re surrounded by teenagers, not to mention your sister, and…” She frowned. “That’s enough.”
“Could I offer a counterargument?”
“Could I stop you? Something tells me you’re not used to hearing no either.”
Chase held her eyes and shook her head. “Lily, if it’s a definite no, it’s a definite no, and I won’t bother you again.”
Lily should’ve said no instantly. She’d just made all the arguments why it was a no. Instead she said nothing.
After a few seconds, Chase said, “I happen to think you’re an extraordinarily attractive woman, and I like your style.”
“My style?” Annoyed to be drawn in, Lily couldn’t help repeating, “My style?”
That little flicker of a grin again. God, she was good-looking.
“You’re intrepid, or else you wouldn’t be here. You’re obviously smart, considering what you do. Sarah’s a good judge of character, and if you’re her friend, that automatically spells loyalty and honesty. And”—she paused and her gaze darkened—“I like the way you look at me, Lily.”
“I don’t…” Lily was not in the habit of lying to herself, and she certainly wasn’t going to start now. “All right, I’m living and breathing, and you are…”
Chase’s brow rose and, again, that little smirk Lily was beginning to find amusing as well as sexy.
“You know damn well you’re attractive.”
“I’m only interested in being attractive to you.”
Lily laughed out loud. “That is a terrible line. And I know damn well you like being attractive to women. Plural.”
“All right, I’m only interested in being attractive to you, singular, right now.”
“Better.”
“And,” Chase went on, “to continue why I want to see you…as in spend time with you and that includes sexually, I find you attractive and you find me attractive and we’re both single, I believe we’ve established, and adults, so why shouldn’t we enjoy each other? It’s only one summer, Lily.”
“That’s being optimistic. How do you know it wouldn’t only be for one night?”
Chase lifted a shoulder. “Fair enough. I don’t, but I can hope.”
“You are terribly smooth for someone so young.”
“Come on, I’m not that young.”
“A decade at our age is young. And what we experience ages us too,” she said more quietly.
“I know what you’ve been through, Lily,” Chase said, “and I know it was hell. But do me the favor of not assuming that you know all there is to know about me.”
Lily took a slow breath. “You’re right, and I’m sorry. I don’t know a lot about you, and that’s maybe the point.”
“Do you always know a lot about the women you sleep with?”
“I usually know them well.”
“Friends first, sex later?”
Lily paused, thinking about it.
“Friends, yes, but not friends like Sarah.”
Chase flinched. “Hell, hope not.”
Lily laughed again. “No. And as to the other women in my life…they were women I respected and enjoyed. Not all of them, or even most of them, are close now.”
“I don’t want to be your friend,” Chase murmured. “I want to be your summer love.”
“Don’t you mean summer lover?”
“Could be the same thing,” Chase said offhandedly, and Lily surprised herself with an unexpected surge of disappointment.
What had she expected? Chase was playing with her, and she’d invited the casual. Casual relationship. Casual sex. A fling. She’d never had anything close to what she’d call a fling. And if she was honest, she was enjoying every second of Chase’s unapologetic pursuit, and she didn’t have an argument against anything Chase had said. She couldn’t deny the attraction and couldn’t conjure a rational reason not to take the next step. Except…she couldn’t banish the memory of the voice whispering in the quiet of the night You’ll want her, and you’ll regret it. She’ll hurt you in ways you didn’t think you could be hurt. Don’t let her in.
“Lily?” Chase murmured with a question her voice. “What is it?”
The lodge came into view, and Lily said quickly, “Let’s just say we’ll see what happens, how about that.”
“I’d call it progress.” Chase slowed. “I’ve got to check my calls and go over a few things with Alisha and Philippe, but what do you say about a drive into town tonight for dinner and hiking boots. We ought to be able to find a place that’s open for the boots.”
Lily considered it. She had to eat, and she really needed boots. Chase was good company, and the idea of an evening away from four dozen teens and Chase’s older sister was hard to resist. “I could definitely work that into my extraordinarily busy schedule.”
Chase grinned. “Outstanding.”