Read the book: «Her Rocky Mountain Hope»

Chapter Two

Daniel may have been blindsided when he first saw Blythe McDonald, but by the next morning, he was ready for her.

When he tugged open the door to the chow hall, he had his plan all worked out. After breakfast, he’d take her over to Adventure Haven and show her all the outdoor events. He’d get the staff to demonstrate each one, and then she could try them out for herself. Well, if she chose to, anyway. He kind of doubted she would, but he’d at least give her the opportunity.

After that, he’d sit down with her and answer any questions she might have. Of course, how he’d handle the rest of her two-week stay, he had no idea. He hoped she wouldn’t be a thorn in his side, annoying him and every other staff member as she observed every detail of the camp.

The aroma of bacon awakened his appetite as he stepped inside the large space where staff and volunteers had gathered for their morning meal. Dressed in his green Camp Sneffels polo shirt along with a pair of khaki shorts, he ran a hand through his short hair as he searched the group. Throw in his clean-shaven face and he was looking and feeling more like a professional. A professional camp director, anyway.

After giving Blythe a tour of the camp yesterday, he’d shown her to the small, private cabin that would have been his had he not needed a place for her to stay. Then he promptly excused himself and hightailed it into Ridgway to the barber. Yet, while he’d given Blythe instructions that dinner was at six, her car was gone when he returned. And by the time she again rolled up the drive, he was too involved in a meeting with his adventure staff to check on her.

However, the fact that he didn’t see her here this morning had him wishing he had checked in. Or, at least, introduced her to some of the staff in case she encountered any problems.

She’s a big girl. And it’s not like you won’t be seeing her today.

True. But if she didn’t show up for breakfast, he’d be forced to knock on her door. And that was something he really didn’t want to do. Blythe McDonald struck him as a woman who appreciated her privacy.

Scanning the chow hall with its old stone fireplace, buckskin-colored walls and wood accents that stretched from the rafters to the wainscoting, he saw his old adventuring-buddy-turned-adventure-director, Levi Chapman, looking all kinds of weird as he drew closer.

“Dude, what happened to you?” His horrified gaze moved from the top of Daniel’s head to his hiking shoes and back again. “You look so...official.”

“Yeah, maybe you should try it sometime. Might help you find that special woman you keep looking for.”

“You got a woman?”

“No.” Daniel shot an annoyed look at his friend. “And I’m not looking, either.”

Levi peered past him. “Speaking of women, who’s that?”

Daniel turned as the door closed behind Blythe. Her light brown hair was again in a tighter-than-tight bun that practically screamed control freak. Was that how she always wore it? Kind of intense, if you asked him. And her bright pink cardigan over a white T-shirt with trendy jeans had her looking like she was ready to hit the mall, not the adventure course.

Leaning toward his friend, he responded, “Someone neither of us would ever be interested in.”

He watched her for a moment, noticing that she looked kind of lost, tugging her sweater around her midsection as though she was uncomfortable. Her gaze moved past him, then quickly returned as recognition dawned. Why had he not noticed how strikingly beautiful her eyes were? Not brown, not green, not blue. But an interesting blend of each.

Giving himself a shake, he moved toward her. “Good morning.”

She lifted her chin. “Good morning.”

“I was just about to grab some breakfast,” he said. “Care to join me?”

“Thank you.”

They continued toward the kitchen at the far end of the room.

“For now, we’re keeping things simple,” he said. “But once the campers arrive, meals would be served family style, with platters and bowls of food being delivered to the tables.”

“That’s good.” She considered the space. “Avoids making anyone stand out if they have trouble walking or managing a tray.”

“Exactly.”

Inside the commercial-style kitchen, Juanita, the camp’s cook, waited beside a warming table to serve them. “Good morning, Mr. Daniel.”

“Juanita, I’d like you to meet Blythe McDonald. She’s going to be visiting with us for a couple of weeks.” He groaned inside. Two very long weeks.

“Oh...” Juanita hurriedly wiped her hands before extending one toward Blythe. “I’m so happy to meet you, miss.”

Blythe smiled as she shook the woman’s hand. “The pleasure is mine, Juanita. And please, call me Blythe.”

“Juanita is one of the best cooks on the Western Slope.”

The middle-aged Hispanic woman with short black hair and compassionate dark eyes waved a hand through the air. “You flatter, Mr. Daniel.”

“No, I tell the truth.”

With a wink, she added two extra pieces of bacon to his plate of scrambled eggs and white toast, and handed it to him before addressing Blythe. “What you like, Miss Blythe?”

“Scrambled eggs are fine. Do you have any whole wheat toast?”

“Yes. I’ll have it ready in just a minute.”

“Perfect.” Accepting her plate, Blythe followed him to an empty table. “What a sweet woman.”

“Yes, she is.” He set his plate on the wooden tabletop. “And her food is amazing. We’re blessed to have her.”

“How did you find her?” Blythe eased into her chair.

“She was a friend of my mother.” He sat, too.

“Was?”

He set his paper napkin over his lap. “My mother passed away four years ago.” He met that stunning hazel gaze. “Breast cancer.”

“Oh.” She looked down at her food. “I’m so sorry.”

“Your toast, Miss Blythe.” Juanita set the small plate with two slices on the table, saving them from what could have been an awkward moment. All anybody ever said when they learned a loved one had died was “I’m sorry” or “Sorry for your loss.” And while he knew it was out of respect, it just felt...weird.

Blythe looked up then. “Thank you, Juanita. Thank you very much.” After the woman scurried away, Blythe eyed him, one perfectly arched brow raised in question. “Has she always called you Mr. Daniel?”

“No, that’s something new. I guess because I’m her boss. She never used to do th—”

“Excuse me, Daniel.” Teri, one of the female counselors, or camp companions as he preferred they be called, looked from him to Blythe. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I thought you should know that Felicia is sick.”

“Oh, no. What’s wrong?”

“Nausea. Vomiting.” Teri glanced at their plates. “Sorry.” She wrinkled her nose. “The doctor is with her now.”

He looked at Blythe. “I need to go check on her.”

“Yes, of course.” She set her napkin on the table. “I’ll go with you.”

Not exactly what he’d had in mind, but he wasn’t about to argue.

He burst out the door into the cool morning air and half jogged across the grass, heading in the direction of the cabins, until he noticed Blythe couldn’t keep up. Yes, she was speed walking, but her legs were considerably shorter than his. Though those heeled booties weren’t helping.

He slowed his steps to match hers.

“What if she’s contagious?” Blythe glanced his way as they continued onto the tree-lined path. “We can’t risk any of the kids getting sick. What if she has to leave? Do you have backups? Someone you can call on to fill in for her?”

Now he wished he’d kept running. “You sure ask a lot of questions.”

“The board needs to know how you intend to handle these sorts of issues.”

“Fine, then, I’ll let you know after I find out what’s going on with Felicia.”

Blythe didn’t respond, and he wasn’t about to look at her to see her no doubt annoyed expression.

Fortunately, Felicia was in the nearest cabin.

He knocked, waiting until they were invited to enter. When they did, it was Joel Brandt, the camp doctor, known to everyone as Dr. Joel, who met them.

“Daniel, the good news is she isn’t contagious.” The doctor looked down at Felicia who was lying on the bottom bunk, her face pale against her dark blue pillow case. “She’s pregnant.”

The young wife sent Daniel a sorrowful look. “I had no idea. I mean, we’re not even trying.”

“Based on her symptoms, we did a test.” Dr. Joel turned Daniel’s way. “The bad news is that this morning sickness is apt to keep her down for a few weeks. I’d recommend you find someone else to fill her position.”

“Yes, of course.” Daniel smiled at Felicia. “Don’t be upset. This is happy news.”

“I know.” She pouted. “I guess I should call my husband.”

“For sure.” Daniel stepped forward, reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “You concentrate on yourself and that baby, and don’t worry about us. We’ve got you covered.” Or they would just as soon as he made some phone calls. Then whoever took her place would have to be brought up to speed and undergo a crash course with the medical staff, but he wasn’t about to tell her that. She’d only feel worse.

“Thank you.”

With that, he escorted Blythe outside.

As they started up the path in the direction of the chow hall, he could feel Blythe watching him. Wait for it...

“Do you have someone who can take her place?” she finally asked.

“We have a list of alternates, yes.” Overhead, wind blew through the trees as he looked down at her. “I’m going to have to make some phone calls, though. So, if you’ll excuse me—”

“I can do it.”

Call him clueless. “Do what?”

“Serve as counselor in Felicia’s stead.”

He knew it was wrong to judge, but Blythe didn’t strike him as the outdoorsy type. On the contrary, she came across as a city girl through and through.

Clearing his throat, he said, “Actually, I prefer to call them camp companions, not counselors. And each companion is assigned to two campers.”

“All right, then, I’m willing to serve as a camp companion.”

Blythe as a camp companion. Just the thought made him cringe, making him eager to find a way out of this dilemma.

“Are you allowed to do that? Wouldn’t it be a conflict of interest or something?”

“I don’t see how. I’m here to make sure Camp Sneffels is worthy of the Ridley Foundation’s ongoing support. Serving in this new capacity would only expand my knowledge. I’ll simply tell Jack you were short a couns—companion, so I’m stepping in.” As if it were that simple.

“Do you realize what that will entail? Campers will be arriving in three days. Everyone else has already completed extensive training. You’ll be looking at an intense couple of days just to get caught up.”

Her steps slowed, her gaze narrowing on him. “You think I can’t handle this?”

While he had no doubt she was smart, how would she manage all of the adventures? After all, there was no spa at the camp.

“I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” He started to walk away, then thought better of it.

“But you’d better get the okay from Jack first.” And if the man happened to nix the idea, then that would be fine with Daniel, too.

Minutes later, Blythe directed a satisfied grin in Daniel’s direction. “Great! I’ll see you in a few weeks. Thanks.” Ending the call, she glanced at the ruggedly handsome camp director standing nearby. Daniel Stephens was definitely not a bum. On the contrary, he looked more like one of those action heroes in the movies. The type that managed to maintain his good looks even when the bad guy was getting the best of him.

Not that Daniel’s appearance had anything to do with her decision to step in and take Felicia’s place as a camp companion. No, it had been an image of her younger self that did that. The one of the girl who couldn’t wait to go to camp, try new things and make new friends. If she’d had a counselor who was as determined to see to it that her charges had fun, then maybe Blythe’s camp experience would have turned out differently.

While she couldn’t change the past, she could make a difference in another young girl’s life.

“We are good to go.” Satisfaction filled her as she tucked her phone into the back pocket of her jeans. Serving as a companion would make her privy to all of the goings-on here at Camp Sneffels. Meaning it would be tough for Daniel to hide anything from her. Her goal, after all, was to make sure this camp was for the kids and that they were having fun. Daniel might clean up well, but he still had to prove himself and the camp worthy of continued funding.

Returning to the chow hall, she and Daniel finished their breakfast in silence. A couple of surreptitious glimpses at the man had her deducing he was lost in thought, though she couldn’t help wondering what those thoughts might be. Was he contemplating his next move or whether or not she was cut out to be a companion?

The latter had her steeling herself as they made their way to his office.

“There’s some paperwork you’re going to need to fill out. I’ll also need your driver’s license so I can run a background check. And I’ll want to introduce you to the staff and volunteers. It’s important you know who to go to and for what. Then we’ll get you moved over to Felicia’s cabin later today. Companions lodge with their campers. Oh, and I still plan to give you a full tour of Adventure Haven.”

“Sounds like we’ve got a busy day.”

He held open the screen door to the camp office and waited for her to enter. “Yes, but nothing compared to when the campers get here.”

Hmm... He was on point there. If the camp fulfilled its promise, anyway.

The wood-paneled office was small with only a desk, a couple of tall metal file cabinets and four side chairs lined up against the wall to the right of the door. A long, green gingham curtain covered a doorway to her left, making her wonder what was behind it. A separate office, perhaps.

“That reminds me...” Daniel stopped beside the old metal desk and gave her a once-over. “About your clothes.”

She looked down at her outfit, self-consciousness tangling with annoyance. “What’s wrong with them?”

“Nothing. I’m just not sure how appropriate they are for running around camp with a bunch of kids. We’ll provide you with camp T-shirts that all of the volunteers are required to wear, but did you bring any jeans that aren’t so...nice? Maybe some shorts, comfortable footwear? Things you don’t mind getting dirty.”

She wasn’t sure she had anything in her wardrobe that she considered play clothes. Either here or at her apartment in Denver. For the most part, business casual was her modus operandi. However, she had brought some workout clothes. Yoga pants and leggings should be all right. And she had a couple of pairs of casual shorts and her running shoes.

She gave herself a mental high five. “Yes, I have suitable clothing, so that won’t be an issue.”

“Great.” He opened one of the desk drawers and pulled out a small stack of papers held together with a binder clip. “Then once you fill out these forms, you can change, and we’ll head over to Adventure Haven.” He handed her the documents.

“For a tour.” She skimmed the first page, pleased to see it wasn’t much more than a job application.

“Yes. And maybe a little fun.”

Fun? Looking at Daniel Stephens she had a pretty good idea that his version of fun and hers were miles apart. Still, she wasn’t doing this for him; she was doing it for the kids.

A little more than an hour later, she met Daniel back at the camp office, although this time she was wearing a pair of black leggings and a poppy-colored tunic that matched the colorful swoosh on her black running shoes.

“Ready?” He slung a small backpack over one shoulder.

“Yes, sir.”

He led her onto a wide path blanketed with pine needles that seemed to muffle their footsteps. Aspen and pine trees stretched to their left and right with little to no undergrowth, and the forest floor was dappled with sunlight.

“How far of a walk is it to Adventure Haven?” Blythe had to take two steps for every one of Daniel’s just to keep up with those long legs of his.

“A few hundred yards. Far enough to be separate, but close enough for the kids to manage without wearing themselves out.”

She could certainly appreciate that. As would the kids.

“However, I think I’d like to give you an overview first.” His steps slowed as the corners of his mouth tipped up into a silly grin.

“What does that mean?”

“You’ll see.” The glimmer in his eyes did not inspire a lot of confidence.

He led her onto another path that veered to their left and before she knew it, they were climbing. Nothing drastic, just different. The trail became rockier, dust replacing pine needles as they rose above the trees.

The path went straight for a time before making a sharp right turn. Then straight again, followed by a U-turn left.

She wasn’t a fan of switchbacks. Or hiking, for that matter. And even though they hadn’t gone that far, she found herself huffing and puffing.

“Do you need to take a break?” Daniel called over his shoulder.

“No.” She gasped for air. “I’m—” another breath “—fine.”

He stopped and faced her. “No, you’re not.” Lowering his pack, he unzipped it, pulled out a bottle of water and handed it to her. “Sorry, I failed to consider how the altitude might affect you.”

“How high are we?” She unscrewed the cap.

“The camp itself sits at just over eighty-five hundred feet.”

She almost choked on her water. “A little higher than I’m used to.” By more than three thousand feet.

“The good news is, it’s not far. Here.” He motioned for her to take the lead. “Why don’t you go first?”

Why would she do that? She had no idea where they were going. Yet she did it anyway, assuming he would stop her if she was about to lead them off a cliff.

With few trees to provide shade, she began to sweat. How unattractive was that?

Not that she was concerned about being attractive. Except it annoyed her that Daniel was still as cool as a cucumber. He wasn’t huffing. Nor puffing. And he definitely wasn’t sweating.

At the next turn, she reached to steady herself on a spindly tree. “Ouch.”

“Are you all right?” He was at her side in an instant, something she found rather sweet.

“I broke a nail.” She stared at her ragged index finger.

“Hmm, that is unfortunate. I have good news, though.”

She looked up at him.

“You’ll live.” He urged her forward.

Annoyed with both him and her fingernail, she forced herself to pick up pace. Dust puffed beneath each footfall. Then she stepped on a rock, losing her footing. She slipped, her whole body tightening as she prepared for impact.

Yet before she hit the ground, Daniel’s strong arms caught her. “I gotcha.”

Staring up into his mega-blue eyes she swallowed hard. “Yes, you do.” She righted herself. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He glanced left then right. “Stand by. I think I can help.” Next thing she knew, he started back down the trail.

Where was he going? He’d already helped her, now he was leaving her?

A minute later he returned with a long, rather substantial stick. “Here. Use it as a walking stick. It’ll help you keep your balance.”

Looking up at the towering adventurer, she simply blinked. The fact that he’d gone out of his way to not only protect her, but to help her, warmed her heart. Perhaps he wasn’t such a brute, after all.

“Thanks.”

“We’re just about there,” he said. “But I promise, it’ll be worth it.”

Strange, but she actually found herself believing him. Quite a feat for someone who was prone to pessimism.

His words kept her going. And only a few minutes later, they came to an outcropping.

“Oh, my.” She held a hand to her chest as a view of the entire camp stretched out below her. “It’s so beautiful.”

“Isn’t it, though? From here we can see both Mt. Sneffels—” he pointed to their left “—and the Cimarron mountain range.” He moved his hand to the right.

Eyeing the jagged peaks, she said, “This is stunning.” She lowered her gaze again to check out the camp. “I can see the cabins and the chow hall. Look—” she pointed “—there’s a lake.”

“That’s where the fishing and canoeing will take place.”

“What’s that over there?” She homed in on an area just east of the lake, tucked within the trees. There seemed to be a lot of stuff going on, though she couldn’t tell exactly what.

“That’s the zip line and challenge course.”

“In the trees? How is that even possible? And is it safe?”

Daniel laughed. “Safety is our biggest concern here. And yes, everything has been inspected and approved.”

He really had thought things through. Too bad she hadn’t. Could she really pull off being a camp companion? She wasn’t exactly the outdoorsy type. And her black running shoes were now covered in dust. This was so not her.

Lord, how am I going to do this?

Chapter Three

The early afternoon sun was high in the sky as Daniel loaded a cooler full of bottled water onto the golf cart Saturday. He still wasn’t sure what to make of Blythe. Or why God had chosen her to meet Daniel’s need for a camp companion. Yet that was exactly what had happened. So, whether he understood it or not, he had to trust God’s word that all things would work together for good.

After all, it wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate Blythe’s willingness to step up and take on the rigors of being a camp companion. What he wasn’t sure of, though, was if she could take it. She was a city girl, after all.

Moving back inside the kitchen, he retrieved the picnic basket Juanita had filled with chips, cookies, granola bars and other snacks before returning to the cart to settle it beside the cooler. While the other female companions embraced the outdoor events, Blythe had been much more standoffish when he’d walked her through Adventure Haven Thursday. As if she was afraid of getting dirty or breaking another fingernail. And that didn’t bode well for the kids.

Yet yesterday, when he’d decided to steer clear of any outdoor activities and concentrate on all of the classroom training, she was fully participatory and offered up all sorts of great ideas.

He shook his head. Who knew what today would hold? He and Levi had planned an afternoon of fun for the staff and volunteers with some team building exercises over at Adventure Haven, along with a little free time. If Blythe was half as excited about those as she had been about sharing ideas yesterday, he’d be a happy camp director.

He climbed into the cart and stepped on the gas. Continuing around the circle drive, past the camp office, he spotted Blythe and Teri heading in the direction of Adventure Haven.

Hitting the brakes, he said, “You ladies care for a ride?”

They looked at each other and smiled before hurrying to the cart, which kind of made him feel like he was back in high school.

Wearing gray yoga pants and a green Camp Sneffels T-shirt, Blythe scooted in beside him while Teri sat on the outside. It didn’t take him long to catch of whiff of something tropical emanating from Blythe. Her shampoo, maybe? Whatever it was, its sweet scent reminded him of the Amazon Lilies he’d seen on one of his white-water rafting trips in Peru.

Once they were in, he maneuvered the vehicle into the woods, moving up the trail until they reached Adventure Haven where Levi and a couple of his assistants were waiting near the multi-tiered, wooden zip line platform.

Teri, who usually worked as a paralegal at a law office in Durango, leaped out of the cart as soon as it came to a stop and hurried toward Levi while Blythe didn’t move.

Hands clasped tightly in her lap, she stared straight ahead. “Teri tells me you’re planning to have some team-building exercises out here.”

“Yeah, kind of a time for everyone to have a little fun before the campers arrive tomorrow.”

She had yet to make any attempt to move. “What kind of exercises?”

“Oh, just some fun challenges, where everyone has to work together. Things like Build a Bridge, Up and Over the Wall, Follow the Leader. Fun stuff.”

With the sun filtering through the trees, she continued to watch Teri as Levi harnessed her for a go on the zip line. “I would prefer not to participate.”

Twisting to face her, Daniel said, “But you have to. I mean, you are part of the team, aren’t you?”

“I’m not comfortable with these sorts of things.” She moved to the other side of the seat and stepped out.

With one hand draped over the steering wheel, he continued to watch her. “Come on, Blythe. Everyone else is participating.”

Arms crossed over her chest in a defiant matter, she said, “I don’t want to.”

He studied her, trying to determine if she was fearful or just prissy. Whatever the case, it really chafed him that she would flat-out refuse.

Stepping onto the pine-needle-covered ground, he rounded the vehicle to stand beside her. “I don’t know how you expect to encourage the kids to do any of these things when you won’t do them yourself. This—” he swept his arm wide, indicating the complex matrix that was the zip line and challenge course “—is why most of them are coming to camp in the first place. They’re tired of sitting on the sidelines. They want to experience the game.”

“I want them to experience it, too. I want them to have fun and try new things.”

He looked down at her, hating that he was now questioning why God had put her in his path. “I see how it is. Do as I say, not as I do.”

Her glare darted to him.

“Well, forgive me,” he said, “but I’d prefer my camp companions to lead by example.”

She walked away as other staff and volunteers began to arrive.

Just as well because he needed to reel in his anger. How could she refuse to participate?

People waved, chatting as they passed him on their way in.

Still waiting for his anger to dissipate, he grabbed the cooler and hauled it to a nearby picnic table, then did the same with the snacks. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this upset. Even his brothers, who knew all too well how to push his buttons, had never succeeded in making him this mad.

When it appeared everyone had arrived, Levi gathered them to announce how the events would unfold.

Teri came alongside Daniel as he watched his friend. “Where’s Blythe?”

He glanced to his right, noticing the outline of her petite figure standing near the lake beside a row of canoes. “Over there.” He pointed beyond the edge of the woods.

Teri looked confused. “Is something wrong?”

“Why don’t you ask Blythe?”

With a shrug, Teri took off in Blythe’s direction.

Daniel immediately felt like a heel. This wasn’t Teri’s problem to deal with, it was his. Yet here he stood.

Lord, do You really want Blythe to be in this position of camp companion, or did I misunderstand You? After all, just because Jack said she could take on the role, didn’t mean God wanted her to.

Levi directed a question his way from the front of the group.

After answering, Daniel glanced toward the lake again. Teri and Blythe were talking, even laughing. Had she explained to Teri why she was over there and not with the group? And why did it bother him so much that they were laughing together?

Focusing on Levi atop one of the platforms, he tried to keep his attention where it needed to be. Yet a short time later, he saw Blythe coming toward him. And for some reason, that made him nervous. What if she decided to quit? Campers would be here in less than twenty-four hours.

She can’t quit completely—she’s the overseer.

Like that was a positive.

She stopped beside him, but didn’t say a word initially. After a moment, though, she leaned toward him, arms crossed. “I’m afraid.” Her voice was so low he almost didn’t hear her.

“What are you afraid of?”

She shrugged. “Embarrassing myself. Getting hurt...”

“Why would you—?”

She looked up at him then, and the genuine fear in her pretty eyes silenced him. He wondered why he hadn’t noticed it before.

“But Teri encouraged me to at least give things a try,” she added.

“How?”

Just then, Teri called Blythe’s name. And as Blythe turned to walk away, she smiled. “She said please.”

When Blythe volunteered to be a camp companion, she’d envisioned herself cheering campers on as they tackled the challenge course or took flight on the zip line. What she hadn’t counted on was being an active participant.

Obviously, she should have asked for all of the facts first, then made an informed decision. Instead, she’d jumped right in, eager to help the kids, never imagining something like Adventure Haven. The enormity of this place was unlike anything she’d ever seen.

Standing at the edge of the small lake earlier today, she’d wrestled with herself, torn between facing her fears and just giving up. Which, in turn, meant letting the kids down.

Then Teri came along and not only encouraged her, but helped her see that she wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Still, what Daniel had planned for her next might be pushing it.

With the team building stuff over and everyone back at camp, he’d been determined to familiarize Blythe with each of the outdoor events, something the other companions had already done. Never mind that her body was already sore from the team exercises. Though, she had to admit, it had been fun. Who knew that trying to get half a dozen people over a wooden wall in the fastest amount of time could be so enjoyable? She’d been the last one to make it, of course. And if her teammates hadn’t pulled her over, she’d still be there.

Perhaps she truly was an arts-and-crafts kind of girl. But that wasn’t about to stop Daniel. He’d started his instructional tour at the lake where canoeing proved to be quite a challenge for her and fishing had been a fiasco. If she never had to bait another hook, that would be fine by her.

Now, with the late afternoon sun dancing through the trees, they were at the zip-line tower, and the possibilities of what could go wrong here were too numerous to count.

Atop the wooden platform, she eyed the mountains in the distance. “Did I mention that I’m afraid of heights?”

“Blythe, you can’t allow yourself to be a prisoner of your fears.” Daniel rummaged through a plastic bin. “Life is an adventure. Besides, you’ll be wearing a harness.” He held one up before setting it aside and continuing to dig.

“How will that help me if the line itself loosens from the post and comes crashing down?”

He paused his search and gave her a matter-of-fact look. “Blythe, the cables are bolted into the posts. They’ve been inspected multiple times. They’re not coming down.”

She knew he was trying to make her feel better, but he wasn’t succeeding. “They said the Titanic was unsinkable.”

Hands on his hips, he blew out an exasperated breath. “Look, Blythe, I truly appreciate you volunteering to be a camp companion. There’s a lot to that role, and you’ve been a real trouper these last few days. But if you’re not cut out for this type of work, just tell me.”

Studying the intricate web of cables and platforms, she said, “I just don’t understand why the camp companions have to do all of these activities.”

“They don’t, actually.” He reached into the box again. “However, I want them to be familiar with every aspect of them.”

Indignation stiffened her spine. “You mean the other counselors didn’t have to do all of these things?”

“No.” Holding a helmet, he faced her once again. “They chose to.”

Her shoulders sagged. “Oh. So, what do you do if there’s a camper who doesn’t want to participate in something?”

“We give them a pep talk, the way Teri did with you. Encourage them to give it a try. But we’re not going to make them do anything, Blythe.” He handed her the helmet. “Here, put this on.”

“Why?”

“You need to know how to properly fit a helmet so you can assist the kids with theirs.”

“Oh.” She put it on.

“Make sure it’s seated forward, not on the back of your head.” He demonstrated with his own. “Then turn the knob at the back to tighten. It should be fitted, not loose.”

Despite her misgivings, she did as he instructed, because the kids’ safety was her top priority.

With his own headgear in place, he checked hers. “Good job.”

Next, he handed her the strappy looking thing he’d referred to as a harness.

“What am I supposed to do with this?”

“Put it on so you can help the kids. Simply step into it like pair of pants.” He showed her how, and she followed suit. “Then cinch the straps.”

She watched him, then adjusted the belt around her hips.

“All right. Now we attach the lanyard by slipping the looped end of it through the anchor point on the front of the harness.” He pulled the hook end up while she copied him. “Then, we weight the harness.” He clipped his hook to the zip line and reached for hers.

Panic rippled through her. “What are you doing?”

“Teaching you how to weight the harness.” He clipped her lanyard to the line. “The staff will hook you to the line, then you’ll pretend to sit to put some weight on the harness. That way you can make sure everything is snug.”

After an initial hesitation, she did as he said and easily adjusted all of the straps. “Looks like I’ll have no problem helping the kids.” She looked at him. “Now what?”

“That’s it.” His grin was suddenly mischievous. “See you on the other side.” With that, he pushed off the platform and went sailing through the trees, leaving her sputtering in his wake.

What did he think he was doing? Because if he thought she was going to join him, he was sorely mistaken.

Great. She looked around, wondering what she was supposed to do now. She eyed the clip attached to cable. All she had to do was figure out how to undo that, then she could climb down off the platform. Problem was, Daniel had attached the thing so quickly, she hadn’t seen how it was done.

Standing on her tiptoes, she eyed the clip above her head. “That’s nothing more than a carabiner.” Not very secure, if you asked her. When she tried to open it, though, it wouldn’t budge.

“Problem?” Daniel hollered from the opposite platform some fifty yards away.

“How do I release this?” She motioned toward the carabiner.

“You have to—” A breeze blew through the trees just then, rustling leaves and pine needles and making it impossible to hear what he was saying.

“...twist the release,” she heard him say when the wind subsided. Something easier said than done. She couldn’t get the thing to turn.

Now she was getting annoyed.

“You could always join me over here,” he shouted.

“Or you could come back and help me.”

If you’re not cut out for this type of work...

Daniel’s words played across her mind, tormenting her. He thought she was a wimp.

Okay, so maybe she was used to playing it safe. But it wasn’t totally her fault.

Her parents had sheltered her, especially after her cancer diagnosis. And while it had initially bothered Blythe, she’d eventually come around to their way of thinking, choosing to push herself academically. Setting goals and doing whatever it took to attain them. Still, they were safe.

This—she stared at the ground some forty feet beneath her, then the expanse of cable that stretched between her and Daniel—this was way out of her comfort zone.

But it might be fun.

Where had that come from?

She recalled that summer she went to camp. The way she’d pored over the camp’s brochure prior to going. There had been one thing she’d wanted to try more than anything. But her dream of zip-lining had never come true.

Again, she stared across the expanse. Imagined flying through the trees. Could she really do it?

Life’s an adventure, Daniel had said.

She swallowed hard. She was not a wimp. And camp was about the kids.

She eyed Daniel across the way. She’d show him.

With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and pushed off the platform. Exhilaration and a strange sense of freedom overtook her in those moments. And she had a feeling she’d never be the same again.

Chapter Four

Daniel had waited a long time for this day to arrive. Years of planning, prayers and dreams were about to come to fruition with the arrival of their first campers.

Except in his dreams, it was always warm and sunny. While today was cold and rainy.

Taking another sip of coffee, he watched raindrops pelt the windows of the chow hall. This was insane. The whole region was in the middle of a drought. The county hadn’t had any measurable rain all year. Barely any snow the past winter. Yet today it rains.

His heart sank. He could imagine the campers’ dismay as they slogged across the wet ground to their cabins.

God, I don’t understand it, but I know You’ve got a reason. And though he believed that with his whole heart, he still wished he knew what that reason was.

He turned as the front door opened. To his surprise, Blythe practically bounded inside, looking more relaxed than ever in her green Camp Sneffels rain poncho. She brushed off the hood, revealing a sassy ponytail in the place of the pristine bun she’d worn since the day she arrived. Her smile added a definite sparkle to her extraordinary eyes.

Shaking his head, he puffed out a chuckle. Whatever had transpired on that zip line yesterday had brought out a side of Blythe that seemed to surprise even her. By the time she’d joined him on the second platform, she’d been a different person—one fearless enough that she’d practically demanded they attempt the challenge course before heading back for dinner.

Spotting him now, she made her way across the stained-concrete floor. “When are the kids supposed to be here?”

“Between eleven and two.” Downing the last of his coffee, he peered over the rim of his cup to see her gaze narrowing.

“What’s wrong?” Her brow puckered. “I thought you’d be bouncing off the walls, eagerly anticipating their arrival.”

He lifted a shoulder. “Blame it on the rain.”

After a sharp glance toward the window, her eyes cut to him again. “What’s that got to do with anything? It’s barely more than a drizzle.”

“It’s enough to keep the kids from participating in all of these cool events waiting for them.”

Raindrops glistened off her poncho as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Daniel Stephens, I cannot believe you said that. Where’s your faith? It’s not like it’s going to rain all week. Matter of fact, I checked the weather app on my phone, and this should be out of here in a few hours.”

“I know. It’s just not the way things were supposed to go. I’ve been racking my brain, trying to come up with alternative ideas.”

“I thought that’s what this was for.” She swung her arms wide, sending a spray of droplets to the floor as she indicated the large open space where they stood. “Don’t you have some sort of backup plan?”

“Yes, however I don’t think watching a movie with a bunch of strangers would be much fun. I’ve been trying to come up with a game or something that would force the kids to interact with each other.”

Her arms fell to her sides. “And thereby get to know one another.”

“Exactly.”

“Well, why don’t we all put our heads together and see what we can come up with.”

“We?”

“Yes. You, me and the rest of this motley crew.”

He eyed the staff and volunteers scattered about the space. “I hate to ask them to give up what little is left of their free time.”

“Are you kidding? These people are invested in this camp. Don’t you know that they want to help?” Walking away, she headed toward the coffee station where Teri was huddled with several other volunteers who ranged from age nineteen to sixty.

He watched as Blythe chatted with them. Seeing the excitement in their eyes, he suddenly realized that he’d underestimated them. These folks had put their own lives on hold for almost three weeks, given up time with friends and family to devote themselves to those kids who would be joining them later today. How could he possibly leave them out?

Cup still in hand, he crossed to where Blythe was gathered with the other companions, feeling more positive about this little change in plans than he would’ve imagined.

“All right, let’s grab some coffee, pull up a chair and do a little brainstorming,” he heard her say as he approached.

Everyone scattered, some heading for coffee while others made themselves comfortable at a table.

Turning, Blythe almost bumped into Daniel. “Oh, you’re here.” Her hazel gaze lifted to his.

“I am. And I think this brainstorming session is a stellar idea.”

“You do?” Her perfectly arched brows lifted in surprise.

“Yes.”

“Oh. Well...” She reached for the creamer as though suddenly trying to busy herself. “The great thing about sharing ideas is that one may come up with something the rest of us would never think of.”

“That’s an excellent point.” He refilled his cup, wishing he’d thought of it, instead of allowing the rain to derail him.

Watching her stir her coffee with a little wooden stick, he hoped his momentary lapse hadn’t cost him. Because despite stepping into the role of camp companion, Blythe was still the overseer for the Ridley Foundation. And he was the camp director, the one who was supposed to have everything figured out.

“Shall we?” Touching Blythe’s elbow, he urged her toward the group.

While she sat, he remained standing. “I appreciate each and every one of you, not only for volunteering here at Camp Sneffels, but for offering to help us figure out a way to turn what looks to be a rather damp arrival into something that will start these kids’ camp experience off with a bang.”

“Maybe they could roast marshmallows in the fireplace.”

“Good idea.” Daniel addressed the college-age fellow. “No camping experience is complete without roasted marshmallows.”

“What about some games?” a young woman offered.

“Games are a great idea,” he said. “But not just any game, because if you think about it, this could be a great opportunity for the kids to bond. Instead of going their different ways, they’ll all be together in here. We need to come up with some games that encourage them to talk and get to know one another.”

“Kind of like our team-building exercises yesterday,” said Teri.

“Exactly.” Blythe scanned the group. “Anyone know of some games that would be good for seven-to twelve-year-olds?”

Since Daniel’s internet search hadn’t yielded anything, he listened intently, particularly when Cindy, one of their companions, as well as an elementary school teacher, gave her input. He even made notes on his phone, wishing he had consulted someone like her when he was initially planning things. And if he was fortunate enough to have Camp Sneffels continue next year, he definitely would.

Forty-five minutes later, they had an entire afternoon of fun planned. They’d even given it a name. The Camp Sneffels Welcome Roundup. Juanita had agreed to make some special snacks, Levi was off to gather supplies for the games and Daniel found himself grateful to all of them for helping him on such short notice.

“Thank you.” He moved alongside Blythe as the group dispersed. “You took the bull by the horns and gathered everyone together. Now we’ve created the perfect opportunity for the kids to start bonding right away.”

“And isn’t that what you want?” She peered up at him. “I mean, half the fun of camp is making new friends.”

Her energy made him grin. “Sounds like you went to a camp or two back in your day.”

Her smile faltered a little. “I went once. And the best thing that came out of it was that I made a really good friend.”

“That’s cool. Are the two of you still friends?”

Blythe blinked, her expression suddenly vacant. “We will always be friends.” She drew in a breath. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

As she turned away, Daniel was pretty sure he saw tears in her eyes.

Blythe had to find a way out of this funk.

Rain continued to trickle from the late-morning sky as she lined up with Daniel, Teri and a handful of volunteers a little more than an hour after their meeting. Shivering beneath her rain poncho, she waited for the first campers to appear.

What was going on with her? First, she’d left her comfort zone by taking a leap of faith on the zip line, then the next thing she knew, she was making a tearful escape from the chow hall. She hadn’t cried in years. Of course, she hadn’t thought of Miranda in years, either.

Blythe peered up at the towering pines, their needles a vibrant green from the moisture. She and Miranda had been in their early teens when they met at camp and became fast friends. Afterward, they’d chatted daily via phone call or text and, since they didn’t live far apart, seen each other almost weekly. Blythe had never had a friend like Miranda, before or since. She’d been the only person Blythe could talk to frankly about life, boys, cancer...and the possibility of dying.

Then Miranda’s cancer returned. And within a year, she was gone, leaving Blythe to navigate the uncertainties of life by herself.

Lowering her gaze, she toed the dampened ground with her sneaker. She still wondered why God took Miranda and not her. Blythe had always been bitter about her cancer, while Miranda accepted hers. Miranda hadn’t deserved to die. No kid did. It just wasn’t fair.

She drew in a fortifying breath. After Miranda’s death, Blythe learned to keep everything inside. Call it self-preservation. All she knew was that if she didn’t feel, she wouldn’t hurt. And, over the years, she’d become a master. Which made these stupid tears even crazier.

Now, as the first vehicle headed their way, her armor was back in place and she could hardly wait to meet the seven-to twelve-year-olds she’d be spending this week with. She wanted to see these kids having the time of their lives and was beyond grateful to play just a small role in making sure they did.

She eyed Daniel then, recalling the disappointment she’d seen in his blue eyes earlier. Not to mention the spark of joy and excitement as the corporate input evolved into the Welcome Roundup. His passion for this camp and its campers ran deep, and she couldn’t help wondering why.

A silver minivan rolled to a stop, pulling her from her thoughts. When the side door slid open, an energetic little boy wearing an oversized Broncos baseball cap on his bald head hopped to the ground.

“Well, hello there.” Daniel’s blue eyes flickered with excitement as he stepped forward. “Welcome to Camp Sneffels.” His smile seemed to grow wider by the moment.

“I’m Micah.” The boy thrust out his hand. “And I’m eight.”

A tall, slender woman with medium-length brown hair chuckled as she emerged from the front seat to join her son. “He just celebrated his birthday.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Micah.” Daniel shook his hand. “I’m Daniel, and I’m a lot older than you.”

While the staff giggled, the boy simply peered up at Daniel with his snaggletoothed grin.

“You don’t look very old.”

Daniel winked and laid an arm over the boy’s fragile shoulders. “Micah, I have a feeling you and I are going to get along just fine.” He glanced at the man still in the driver’s seat. “You can park over there.” He pointed toward the open area to his right. “Then we’ll get Justin—” he waved the college student forward “—to show you all to the chow hall so we can get Mr. Micah checked in.”

“What about his meds?” Micah’s mother’s smile faltered momentarily, and Blythe noticed the trepidation in her dark eyes. She could only imagine how nervous the woman must be, entrusting the care of her child, who was in the fight of his life, to strangers for an entire week.

“Yes, you’ll take those with you. The medical staff will be there to make sure everything is in order.”

The woman’s quick nod had Daniel dipping his head to catch her gaze.

“Hey, he’ll be fine,” Daniel quietly assured her. “By the time you pick him up on Saturday, Micah will have so many memories to share, he might not stop talking for a week.”

Blythe was taken aback by his thoughtfulness. This tender side of Daniel was unexpected—not at all like the man who’d argued with her yesterday. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, his sensitivity to this mother’s feelings spoke volumes about his character.

“You’re probably right about that. He does like to talk.” Micah’s mother glanced toward her husband and son as the back of the minivan opened to reveal Micah’s bedding and luggage. “I’ve just never been away from him for this long before.”

“Tell you what,” said Daniel.

Blythe watched as Daniel pulled a business card and a pen from his pants pocket.

“Here’s my number.” He jotted it on the back of the card. “If you feel as though you can’t take it anymore, give me a call and I’ll let you know everything he’s been doing.” He handed the card to Micah’s mother.

She accepted it with a relieved smile. “That’s very sweet of you. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

The woman had taken the words right out of Blythe’s mind. It was very sweet of him to do that. Daniel genuinely cared. Something she would have scoffed at only a day or two ago.

Gravel crunched under tires, and Blythe turned as an SUV eased into a parking space. Moments later, another family stepped out, this time with a young girl. Blythe, Teri and Allison, the volunteer coordinator, went to greet them.

“Hello!” they said in unison.

Allison bent toward the girl. “Welcome to Camp Sneffels. I’m Allison, and these—” she gestured toward them “—are my friends Blythe and Teri.”

The girl Blythe guessed to be around nine or ten sported post-chemo blond hair and sparkling blue-green eyes. She bashfully looked up at them. “I’m Chloe.”

“We’re so glad you’re here, Chloe.” Allison glanced at her clipboard. “Oh, and how great is this? Blythe is your companion for the week.”

As she looked into the child’s beautiful eyes, Blythe’s heart pounded. Chloe had been entrusted to her for the next week. What if Blythe failed or did something wrong? Even worse, what if she opened her heart?

She looked away. No. She could not—would not—allow that to happen. She’d been capable of suppressing her emotions and keeping people at arm’s length for years. That wasn’t about to change.

Returning her attention to Chloe, she felt something shift inside of her. The angst that had gripped her for the last hour was gone, just like that, replaced by an odd sense of anticipation. Blythe would get to spend the entire week with this beautiful child. Suddenly, she understood why Daniel had been so bummed about the rain. Just the thought of all the fun things she’d get to experience with Chloe sent a wave of excitement racing through her. She was here to make sure Chloe had fun, and that was exactly what Blythe intended to do.