Page 9

He nodded. “You bet.” And then he was off.

I retrieved my phone. Alessandra had texted that they’d arrived, so I headed out to greet them.

Alessandra and Smith MacLean were a study in contrasts. She was short, petite, and had a riot of long, black, curly hair.

He was tall, broad, and with fine blond hair.

Alessandra spotted me and waved.

I hustled over. “So glad you’re here.”

She grinned. “Hopefully not because there’s a problem already.”

“No, of course not. All the campers are here and settling in. As far as I can tell, Makenna and Grey have everything under control.”

“And Cody?” Smith adjusted his sunglasses, making me aware I wasn’t wearing mine.

“Helping Keegan.”

Alessandra nodded. “I think he’ll need extra TLC.” She had access to the files as well, given her counseling background, and she was considered an unpaid consultant.

Smith didn’t have that privilege.

We tried to keep exposure to the confidential files to a minimum. The only offsite person who could access them was Dr. Kennedy Dixon—and that was so if Cody needed backup, she could familiarize herself. I doubted he’d need to speak to his mentor…but the option existed.

“Would you like to come and meet the kids?” I winced. “Campers. I have to stop thinking of them askids.”

“Because they’re closer in age to you than you are to me.” Smith grinned.

Alessandra poked him in the ribs. “Not quite.” She squinted. “Oh God, they are.” She pivoted to her husband. “Does that make you old or them super young?”

“Or just plop me in the middle.” I spoke up, hoping to try to avoid a fight. They’d never argued before, but I hadn’t spent much time in their presence.

Smith laughed. “We’ve left Tarah alone with Wesley.”

Alessandra glared. “Nice try. My friend is perfectly capable of caring for my child. I’m allowed to leave him alone once in a while.”

Their son was about twenty months old.

“You could’ve brought him. Just about everyone likes toddlers.” The little tyke intimidated me, but that was because I had little exposure to young children. No siblings and no cousins who came around anymore. Few deep friendships, either. Except my best friend from school, Arnav. Most of my life over the last six years had beenconsumed with camps, so forming bonds outside of that environment proved difficult. Before that…? I didn’t like to think about it.

“You know, we might consider doing that. I want him to be exposed to more people.” Alessandra grinned. “We take him out, but not in an environment like this. He’s going through a clingy phase. Being with Tarah helps, but he needs more time around new people on his own terms.”

“He’ll always be welcome here. Now, are you interested in some roast chicken with green beans, mashed potatoes, and fresh-baked buns?”

“Given breakfast was six hours ago? You better believe it.” Alessandra grabbed Smith’s hand and directed him to follow her to the great hall.

I took a place beside him. “Things are going well.”

“I’m glad to hear it. The municipal forestry people are due to visit tomorrow. They just want to make certain the paths are clear and ready to be used.”

“Makenna and Grey hiked them yesterday.”

“True. Don’t mind Dean—he’s a stickler. He also probably wants to review campfire rules and all things forest.”

“He’s the guy…” I wracked my brain.

“Australian,” Smith supplied. “Super cute and very taken.”