Family Camp (Daddy Dearest, #1)(14)

“Max likes me,” Lucy said with a bit of a lisp, never taking her eyes off the dog.

“Can I borrow him for a bit? He and I need to go take care of a few things. But we’ll see you this afternoon. Okay?”

She met Travis’s gaze. Her dark eyes had the longest lashes and way too much doubt for a little girl. “Pwahmis?”

“Yeah, sweetheart. I promise. You can see Max after lunch. Okay?” He couldn’t resist reaching out to brush back her long hair. She wore barrettes, but they were mostly falling out.

Lucy nodded solemnly and pulled back from Max.

Travis whistled and, fortunately, Max came. He hurried out the big screen door and into the fresh, pine-scented air. He didn’t think he could stand to look at Geo for another second. His chest was tight with stress. Something about the guy really got under his skin. The guy. The kids. All of it.

And, damn it, that wasn’t at all the way this week was supposed to go.





Chapter 7




“Can I go with Stryker and Aiden? Pleeeeease?”

They were standing on the shore with a crowd, waiting to take their place in a canoe. The three counselors going with the group, Travis included, had handed out lifejackets and said everyone had to wear them, parents and kids. Geo had gotten Lucy into hers and Jayden had put his own on without complaint. In fact, he’d shown up for the canoe ride in his swim trunks and a plain blue T-shirt Geo had bought him, though he was still wearing his huge black Nikes and black tube socks.

“Can I, Geo?” Jayden asked again.

Geo finished putting on his own life jacket and looked around. Van was nearby with Stryker and Aiden. There were several dozen canoes lined up on the shore and at least fifty people milling about, parents and kids ranging from tots to teens.

Geo sighed. “Come on, Jayden. Come with me and Lucy. It’ll be fun.”

“But I want to go with Stryker! You want me to make friends, don’t you?” Jayden bounced up and down, grimacing anxiously, pleading with his entire body. Geo had been a teacher for eight years, and he could spot manipulation at twenty paces. But recognizing it and being able to stand up against it were two different things, at least when it came to Jayden.

“I guess. If Van says it’s okay. I’m not sure how many people are supposed to be in a canoe.”

“Well, some families have, like, two adults and two kids,” Jayden argued. “And they’ve only got—”

“Okay, campers!” Travis’s voice boomed out. “We’re paddling out to Devil’s Island, where you’ll have time to explore before heading back. And there might be a snack if you’re super lucky. Or I might just keep it all for myself.”

The other two counselors, who Geo thought were named Joe and Cindy, made nom-nom sounds and pretended to eat with both hands.

People laughed. These guys had quite a shtick going, Geo thought. He wondered if the other teachers at his school would be willing to coordinate responses. It was kind of fun.

“The trip will take around four hours total,” Travis continued. “Each canoe needs two to four people and at least one adult. So pick yer shipmates and line up by your craft, mateys! Argh.”

“Argh!” said the other counselors.

“See, Geo?” Jayden jumped up and down. “It’s four people, so I can go with Stryker and Aiden and their mom.”

Geo sighed. “Go ahead. But don’t think you’ll beat me and Lucy to Devil’s Island. ’Cause we’re gonna paddle like the wind. Right, Luce?”

Lucy scrunched up her face and eyed the canoe warily. Jayden, unimpressed, ran off to line up with Van’s canoe.

“Looks like me and Max are with you guys.”

The deep voice raised the hair on Geo’s neck. He turned to see Travis, those damn sunglasses hiding his eyes.

Really? Geo looked around, wondering how they rated. Then he figured Travis just thought he was a hopeless cause who would drown himself and Lucy without a he-man’s help. Which was annoying.

That didn’t stop Geo’s pulse from picking up or the nerves from fluttering in his stomach. This whole family-camp thing would be a hell of a lot simpler without Travis Mayhew, who ran hot and cold so much it was giving Geo whiplash. He had no idea what the guy’s deal was. He clearly had a problem, so why didn’t he just bugger off?

And why did he have to be so goddamn good-looking, anyway?

“Uh…if you want,” Geo said. “But I’m not sure what this is.” He picked up an oar and turned it over in his hands with an exaggerated expression of perplexity. He looked at Lucy, hoping for a laugh, but she was busy staring at Max with shy adoration.

“Oh, you’ll know what that is by the end of today, trust me.” Travis chuckled.

When everyone was lined up, and the other counselors had picked their canoes, Travis said loudly, “We’ve got room for one more in my canoe. Anyone want to go with me?”

A dozen hands shot up, including Bridget’s. She looked at her daughter, and her two little girl friends who were in Bridget’s canoe and lowered her hand guiltily, making Geo laugh.

Stryker’s and Aiden’s hands were also up. Stryker stretched it to the sky, his expression desperate. Jayden looked at them and then slowly raised his hand too.

“Jayden, bro, come on,” Travis said brusquely.