The waves rocked them back and forth but everyone seemed to be handling it fine. No seasickness so far. Jilly tried not to fidget as she waited for Ollie to sort her thoughts, decide if she was done with the conversation, or just be.
“Is he going to live with us?”
Ollie was still staring straight ahead and Jillian’s heart felt like someone was squeezing it. “Ollie. Look at me.”
Ollie turned her head.
Jilly took her hand and she realized Ollie must really want an answer because she let her. She even stayed still. “Nothing huge is going to happen without you and I talking. Levi and I have been friends for a long time and we realized we care about each other as more than friends. No one is moving anywhere.” Hopefully that was true. She meant Levi wasn’t moving in, but her parents’ plans were still on standby.
Ollie nodded. “Okay.” Then, like the passing of a sudden summer shower, her smile came back and she sat up. “I’m going to go tell Ginny my mom has a boyfriend.”
Before she could suggest that didn’t need to be said, her kid was gone to find her friend. It could have been worse. At least she liked Levi and things seemed to be going well. The worry side of her brain, which often felt like it took up more than three-quarters, wanted to say “for now.” But she was trying to quiet that part of herself and try something new: letting herself go with the flow and just enjoy. So far, so good.
“Okay, campers,” Jillian said once they’d arrived at the spot they were pitching their tents. She looked around the group of energized kids, indulgent parents, and Levi. After he’d unloaded supplies in the kitchen and made the kids a snack of fruit tacos—mixed berries inside of pancakes with a choice of Nutella or Cool Whip as a topping—Ollie asked him to come help. Jillian wasn’t the only one surprised by the impromptu request. Gray sent her a questioning glance but Jilly was just happy Ollie was happy and connecting to him.
It’ll be fine. She can get attached to a man who has already told you he’s not going anywhere.
“We’re going to break into teams for our first challenge. There will be three teams. The first team who gets all of their tents up, bedrolls made, and gear stowed, gets to have dinner first tonight.” She paused so the kids could cheer and share their own little version of trash talk. “I’m pulling names from this paper bag. Those will be your teams. Being in the wilderness often means relying on the people next to you and acting like a team. If you finish before someone else, your job is to help your team. Parents can offer suggestions and advice but can’t physically help unless absolutely necessary.”
They’d hiked a short distance to a small clearing that was shaded by tall, gorgeous trees that made Jillian feel like they were lost in the middle of nowhere instead of just over a hundred feet from the lodge. Beckett’s small stake in a local sporting goods store came in handy once again. The majority owner, Beckett’s former boss, Brian, had offered “kids’ camping kits” for publicity and a small fee. It was a great deal and the hoop tents were super easy and portable. Once the kids unzipped the canvas bag, the tent sort of burst to life.
She called the names and was really pleased that none of the kids complained about their group members. This had been a great school year for Ollie. She might not be super close to every kid but they were a good bunch overall.
Each of the groups had two parents helping them. Jillian would oversee and watch the time. Grayson went back to the lodge to work. With the success of the last group they’d hosted, he was growing more intrigued by the possibilities of alternate income. If there were flaws, there were no better critics than kids.
Smiling at the way most of the kids couldn’t stand still—some of them literally bouncing on the spot waiting for Jilly to say “go”—she drew out the moment. Ollie stared at her, posed in a runner’s lunge.
“Go!”
The campers got started, first with their own tents. In between harried chatter, laughter, and a few surprised sounds when the tents sprang up, the parents cheered them on, giving them instructions.
Jilly took pictures with her phone, laughing at one of the parents who was so invested that she was on her knees, calling out instructions while miming every step with her hands.
When all three teams finished—team two winning the dinner first prize—everyone clapped and stood by their tents. “Great job, everyone. Are you sure you haven’t all camped before?”
The kids laughed and started talking about different camping adventures. Levi caught her gaze as Ollie took his hand and showed him her tent, just like her friend Christopher was doing with his dad.
Jilly bit her lip, watched her daughter look up at Levi and smile. Something hitched in her heart.It’s okay.Why was letting Ollie grow attached to a man Jilly was becoming increasingly attached to scarier than letting her go overnight to sleep at a friend’s house or ride a skateboard without Jillian beside her?
“Can we have s’mores?” one of the kids called.
Jilly laughed. “Not until tonight. But don’t worry, we have lots more fun in store.” The good thing about having so many little guests was she wouldn’t have a ton of time to dwell.
Twenty-four
Levi laughed when one of the kids asked if his biscuit was a good shape. The kid—Christopher—had so much flour on his face, he looked like a ghost.
“Looks great. Wait until we put butter on them fresh out of the oven.”
“They’re so good we can even eat them for breakfast,” Ollie said, taking time to gently transfer her biscuits from the counter to the tray.
Levi couldn’t believe how many amazing activities the teacher and Jillian had organized for these kids. He was doing dinner with this group of six, breakfast with a second group in the morning, and lunch with a third group before they left. All of them would get a chance to cook, make bracelets with Lainey, who was bringing Levi’s dad over, and make birdhouses. That was on top of today’s multitude of activities that included a scavenger hunt, relay races, and practice tying knots.
Though they’d sleep outside, they were eating at the lodge, utilizing the long, live-edge wood table that Levi coveted. He definitely needed to grab some furniture from his parents’ storage unit and maybe think more seriously about finding a long-termplace. Jillian poked her head into the kitchen, and the timing, with him thinking about longevity, made him all too aware of how quickly he was falling. For her and her kid.
“How are we doing on time?” she asked as she came all the way in and took some photos.
“Mom, look!” Ollie held up her tray.
