Family Camp (Daddy Dearest, #1)(41)

There was a fire in the camp.

From this angle it looked like it might be part of the main lodge or something beyond it. Oh no.

A few campers were walking past their cabin, making their way to the scene. There were several cop cars at the lodge and a big fire engine had just pulled up.

Dread wrapped a squeezing hand around Geo’s throat. The logical part of his brain told him he should stay put. He and the kids weren’t in any danger; the fire was too far away. Best to keep the kids inside and safe.

But Geo had no idea where Travis slept at night. Was there a cabin for counselors? Or did they have a room in the main lodge? There was also a bigger house-type cabin over in that area that belonged to the Mayhews. Did he stay there? Was that the building that was on fire? What if Travis was hurt? What if he was still inside?

Please God, let Travis be okay. I’ll give up my right arm.

Geo turned from the window, fear making his movements shaky. He’d left his clothes from last night folded on the floor next to his bed, trying to be as quiet as possible so as not to wake the kids when he’d come in. He pulled on his shorts and T-shirt hurriedly, slipped into his trainers.

“Jay, I’m gonna run out for just a minute. Would you—”

But Jayden was already at the door. He opened it and slipped out.

Goddamn it! Geo couldn’t leave Lucy alone. He quickly put on her sandals and layered a jacket on over her nightgown, all the while reassuring her that everything was fine. Lucy was quiet and tense, her gaze distant. He led her by the hand from the cabin.

Jayden hadn’t gone far, thank God. He stood there, staring toward the fire as if he was entranced. The glow of flames and the smoke from beyond the lodge was more evident. The night smelled caustic, like burning plastic, like the ruin of summer dreams.

“Jayden, stay close to me,” Geo said firmly. He wasn’t going to fuck around with this.

Jayden started to walk.

“Jayden, I mean it! Hold my hand or go back into the cabin. Now.” Geo used his badass teacher’s voice. He’d never used it with the kids before.

Jayden stopped, turned back, and took Geo’s hand.

Geo refused to move until they looked at him. He met Lucy’s gaze, then Jayden’s. “Okay. Look, we don’t want to get in the way of the firefighters and police, and I don’t want either of you anywhere near the fire. So we’re going to walk over there slowly, and when we get close, we’re going to stay back where it’s safe. And you are not going to let go of my hand. Got it?”

Lucy nodded.

“Jayden?” Geo pressed.

“Got it,” Jayden muttered, but he was looking toward the fire again, intent and closed-off. It was probably just the excitement, Geo thought. What twelve-year-old boy wasn’t fascinated by fire engines and police cars?

A warning niggled in Geo’s brain, something about Jayden. But then a guy ran past him in a hurry, sending a fresh tendril of dread down Geo’s spine. He had to make sure Travis was okay, and the Mayhews, and, well, everyone.

They started walking. Lucy’s hold was light in his left hand, like she herself was smoke, like she could float away. Jayden’s hand was limp. Geo knew he wanted to take off, but that wasn’t going to happen. It seemed to take forever to walk there.

By the time they drew level with the lodge, and were able to see the area beyond it, a small crowd of campers had formed. Parents held sleeping toddlers or their older kids by the hands. The mood was somber and worried. A few police officers stood nearby, keeping people back along an invisible line. The firefighters had the hose working and were spraying down a building that was engulfed in surly flame.

It wasn’t part of the lodge that was on fire, Geo now saw with relief. It was a large garage-type structure of knotty pine situated behind the lodge. He tried to get a look at the Mayhew’s cabin, to make sure it was untouched, but he couldn’t see it through all the smoke. Black billows rose thick in the night air. The particles stung Geo’s nose and coated his throat.

Lucy’s hand was in his left, Jayden’s in his right. They were safe, he told his pounding heart. He held them tight. Now if he could only find….

His gaze roamed the crowd. Please. He saw James Mayhew talking to a fireman. He wore gray sweats, his white hair awry. He looked unhappy, but he didn’t look grief-stricken or panicked.

That had to mean no one was hurt. Right?

“Geo.”

Geo drew in a sharp breath and turned. Travis strode up to them, his arms crossed over his chest, mouth etched in a deep frown. The firelight reflected in his eyes, turning them an eerie topaz.

“Oh, thank God you’re all right,” Geo murmured. He wanted to hug Travis, feel his solid weight. It was the most natural thing in the world to express his care and his relief with a touch. But he still had the kids by the hand. And anyway, they couldn’t hug here. He had to be content to just look, see for himself Travis was all right.

Travis gave him a quizzical look. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s the storage unit that’s gone up. Our ATVs, lifejackets, oars, lawn mower, arts-and-crafts stuff, tents. Everything.”

“Oh, God. I’m sorry. That sounds expensive.”

“No kidding. Fortunately, dad has insurance, and no one was hurt. But it’s bad. My dad’s trying to act calm, but I know he’s upset.” Travis was obviously upset too.