Page 50

Damn-it-all-to hell.
Now what was she supposed to do? Debbie was the only nurse the agency she used for summer hires told her was available. And legally she needed someone with at least some kind of medical training on premise in order to keep the camp open. Should she ignore Debbie’s infraction and…
No. There was no way the sloppy drunk was staying here. And that decision had nothing to do with the way the bitch was coming on to Cisco, which—if she were honest—also had Hilly seeing red.
“You can’t fire me,” Debbie told her with a sly grin. “You need a medical person at this stupid camp, and I’ll glarinfree, gwaurentree… I’ll bet you can’t find anyone else on short notice.” She looked pleased with herself and smug at her rebuttal.
Hilly hated to give in, but the sotted shrew was right.
“I’m not conceding the point,” Hilly backed off a tad. “But I’ll hold off on doing anything rash today. We’ll still be searching your cabin and divesting it of any alcohol, after which you’ll remain there for the rest of the afternoon and evening, hopefully sobering up. Tomorrow we’ll discuss your conduct and the possibility of your continuing employment.”
Scoffing at Hilly, the woman turned back to Cisco and grinned salaciously. “There’s no way I want her digging through my stuff, but I’ll allow you into my cabin,’ she winked.
“We’ll all go,” Cisco managed, despite his clenched jaw. “And Hilly, don’t worry. I’ll make a few phone calls tonight. I’m pretty sure I can find someone to take Nurse Gorner’s place temporarily until you can come up with a suitable full-time replacement.”
Hilly doubted that, but she’d go along with his offer because it made drunk-Debbie glower.
“Thanks, Cisco.”
Hilly was trying hard to control the anger that was bubbling up inside her, and Cisco must have known it, because he reached for her hand and entwined his fingers with hers, giving them a gentle squeeze.
He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “It’ll all work out.”
Hilly nodded, strangely comforted by his grip. “I hope so. But for now, we need to get into her cabin and confiscate any alcohol we find.”
As if on cue, Nurse Gorner became belligerent. “You can’t go into my private space. I bought everything in there with my own money, and you have no right to take it.”
“Oh yeah?” Hilly retorted. “Watch me.”
She extricated her hand from Cisco’s and took a few steps toward the nurse’s quarters, not waiting to see if Debbie would follow, but when she heard a sharp screech, she paused, turned, and looked behind her.
It was clear that Debbie, spitting angrily, had tried to go after Hilly, but Cisco had restrained her, his hands on her upper shoulders while she kicked and cursed.
Nel chose that moment to show up from wherever she’d been hiding, and growled low in her throat at the perceived threat.
“It’s okay, Hilly. Go. I’ve got her,” Cisco ordered curtly.
“Oooh,” The nurse began screaming and fulminating loudly. “You’ll regret this you fucking cunt.”
Hilly didn’t respond, instead hoping they were far enough away from the dining hall that none of the campers had heard.
“I’ll sue,” Debbie continued to bellow at the top of her lungs.
Buffy chose that moment to appear from out of nowhere, clearly having been drawn by the commotion. She instantly had her arms crossed over her chest, situating herself between the woman and Hilly, in a show of strength. “Like hell you will. It looks like you might have missed the part in your paperwork where Hilly has the right to inspect all quarters on the property, and confiscate anything deemed inappropriate.”
Debbie looked like she was about to blow a gasket. Her face was bright red, and her pupils dilated. Was she under the influence of something more than alcohol? Hilly would soon find out. “Thanks Buffy, Cisco. If you can just keep her here, I won’t be a minute.” Hilly turned once again, taking another step toward the cabin in question.
“You’ll be sorry, bitch. I’ll make your life a nightmare. When I get through with you, nobody will want to come to this shit-hole camp,” Debbie continued ranting.
Nel growled again, this time showing teeth, and Hilly didn’t think she’d ever seen her dog so riled.
She gave her canine a comforting look, and a calm command. “It’s okay, Nel. You stay.”
Nel sat.
“Good girl,” Hilly praised before getting her feet moving in the right direction again.
Hilly tried not to get shaken by the words that were continuingly hurled as she proceeded. She’d received worse threats; most recently from her estranged father who’d had the delusional, yet self-righteous audacity to force a confrontation in town, where he informed her that the camp should legally be his, since it was his mother who’d owned it. Hilly had managed to remain serene, not answering him, instead walking away from him silently with her head held high, but now…