Family Camp (Daddy Dearest, #1)(7)

“Not. Girls are gross. Can I go look around now?”

By Jiminy, the kid was almost eager.

“Yeah, bud. Just don’t go too far until we get our cabin assignment and can unpack the car.”

Jayden opened the door and hopped out. Geo felt a little thrill of happiness at being able to give this to Jayden. Hopefully, they’d have a great week.

Geo went around and let Lucy out of her car seat, helping her down. She was small for five years old, and her frailty worried him. He’d been working to find foods she’d happily eat, though the doctor said her small size was at least partially genetic.

“Let’s get your new backpack.” Geo unzipped the bright pink bag and held it out. “You can put all your stuff in it so you don’t lose anything. There’s already a juice box in here and some fruit strips. Want to put your dolls in here so they’re safe?”

In answer, Lucy clutched her dolls to her chest.

“Or not. That’s fine. Here, hold out your arms, sweetie, so we can put it on.”

She held out her arms and he worked the straps over the dolls in her hands and got it situated on her back.

“Hi there!”

Geo straightened up to see a red-headed woman approaching him. She was slender with a loose shag that fell to her shoulders, blue eyes, and a cute face with a turned-up nose. Her gray silk shorts and nubby green tank top were on the hippy-cool side.

“Hi,” Geo said.

“I’m Bridget.” She held out her hand. “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”

“Geo Anderson.” He shook her hand. “It’s our first year.”

She bent over, hands on her knees, to greet Lucy. “Hi, cutie pie. What’s your name?”

Lucy ducked her chin back like a turtle, her eyes wide.

“This is Lucy,” Geo said.

“Hi, Lucy! I’ve got a little girl too. Her name is Aimee. See the girl in pink over there?” She pointed out a girl of about seven. She had a pink tank top, pink capris, pink sandals, and pink barrettes in her red hair. She was holding hands with another little girl and they were going around in circles, giggling.

“Oh my God, we’re in such a pink phase,” Bridget said woefully to Geo. “I keep praying she outgrows it, but it’s been a year now. Let them be who they are, right? But God, I’m so sick of that color, I could puke.”

Geo grinned. “It could be worse. It could be black.”

Bridget laughed. “True.”

“She looks sweet.”

“Eh, she’s all right.” Bridget shrugged, but a glow of maternal pride lit her face. “Are you guys excited for Family Camp?”

“Oh, boy, are we!” Geo took Lucy’s hand. “Are you with Camp Evermore?”

“Me? Nope. Just a mom. And a buttinski. So are these two yours?” she asked, as if unable to help herself. She tilted her chin toward Jayden, who was lurking near the car hood. His hands were stuffed in the pockets of his baggy, low-slung jeans, and he looked out over the crowd with a mix of wistfulness and self-consciousness.

“Yup, they are.” Geo squeezed Lucy’s hand. “Huh, Luce Goose? We’re in this family camp thing together. For better or worse!” He gave her a wide-eyed “scared” face to make her laugh.

She didn’t laugh, but her nose crinkled up, an expression that might have been enroute to a smile.

“Well, you guys are gonna love it here,” Bridget said. “This is our third year. Aimee adores this place. For the past month it’s been ‘how long ’til we go to camp?’ I can give you the inside scoop. Which activities fill up quick. And more importantly, which bathrooms to give a wide berth.”

“My hero,” Geo said.

Another woman with two boys exited a red car and she and Bridget squealed as they saw each other. The other woman came over and they hugged. The newcomer was short, maybe five-one, and a bit chunky. Her long brown hair was kept back in a headband. She had on a bright-red T-shirt and navy knit shorts. She looked like the moms at Geo’s school.

Bridget introduced him. “Van, this is Geo. It’s his first year. Geo, Van.”

“Hi, Geo, I’m from Riverside. How about you?” Van said, shaking his hand firmly.

“Fresno,” Geo admitted. “Don’t be jealous.”

Van and Bridget both laughed.

“Hey,” Van said. “Riverside isn’t exactly St. Moritz. Why am I not surprised to see Bridget chatting up the hot new single dads by—” She looked at her phone. “Wow. Before nine fifteen. I think that’s a record even for you, Bridge.”

Bridget waved a hand. “I’m just being friendly. Though he is pretty cute.” She winked at Geo.

Jayden was watching Van’s boys and biting his lips, so Geo waved at him. “Jayden, come meet Bridget and Van.”

“Hey,” Jayden said, not moving closer.

Van looked around. “Where are my two? Boys, get over here!”

The boys came right over. They both had dark hair and tan, lively faces. One of them looked to be about Jayden’s age and the other one was a few years younger. Otherwise, the boys could have been twins.

“Jayden, this is Stryker and Aiden. Guys, this is Jayden. This is his first year at camp. Wanna show him around?”