Page 44 of Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars (Rock Canyon, Idaho 2)

Gemma gripped the phone. “What happened? Charlie doesn’t fight. Ever.”

“The fight wasn’t instigated by Charlie, but you could say he finished it. Both boys are being sent home early; that’s our policy.”

“What were they fighting about?”

“The other boy is one of our more troubled campers and, apparently, Charlie caught him bullying a few of the younger kids and tried to intervene. When the boy hit him, Charlie fought back.”

Gemma couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face. Not that she condoned violence, but Charlie had a big heart. She knew how hard it was for people to go against the grain and stand up to bullies, and she was proud of Charlie for doing what most people wouldn’t.

“All right, I’ll leave now.”

Gemma walked out the door a few minutes later and drove through town to the bookstore. It would take her at least two hours to drive to the camp, which was located above Sun Valley in the Sawtooth Mountains, and with the drive home, she’d been gone half the day. She might as well stay home and spend some time with Charlie. She’d missed him like crazy, after all.

It would also give her a chance to tell him his dad was in town.

She thought about Travis’s need for time and wondered what would happen when he came face-to-face with Charlie. Should she let him know Charlie would be home early?

No. She’d give him his space, but she would have to tell Charlie. She could just imagine the excitement her son was going to feel.

She stopped in front of her shop and put up a CLOSED DUE TO FAMILY EMERGENCY sign. She was just climbing into her car when Gracie poked her head out. “Hey, aren’t you coming in?”

“I have to go get Charlie. He got into a fight at camp, and they have a zero-tolerance policy.”

“Charlie fighting?” Gracie asked, surprised.

“He was defending some other kids and the bully threw the first punch.”

“Yeah, that sounds logical. What do you need?”

“Nothing, If people wander over from next door and mention I’m gone, just say it was personal.”

“Have you told Travis about Charlie yet?” Gracie asked quietly, coming over to stand next to her car.

“Last night,” Gemma said, wincing. “It didn’t go well.”

“And again your lack of telephone communication is seriously putting you on my naughty list,” Gracie hissed, elbowing her. “Aren’t you going to elaborate?”

“I just kind of blurted it out, and then he said he needed time,” she said.

“Well, that’s slightly anticlimactic,” Gracie said, frowning at her. “So, you just told him and he just said, ‘Yo, I need space’?”

“Believe me, it wasn’t that casual, and it definitely wasn’t something I want to relive by telling you about it,” Gemma said, sometimes wishing Gracie would take a hint. “Let’s just say he was angry, accusations were thrown, and I’m giving him space.”

“Okay, fine, I’ll let it go, but you are the world’s worst storyteller,” Gracie said lightly, before clearing her throat. “On the subject of secrets, have you told Mike about your impromptu marriage?”

Gemma sighed. “No. I haven’t even talked to him. I’m hoping to keep the whole thing under wraps until it can be dissolved.”

“Haven’t you learned anything about secrets, young lady?” Gracie said jokingly, before adding, “Oh, by the way, your hubby made the Small-Town Scandals column this morning.”

Gemma groaned. “What did she say?”

“Not so fun when the gossip’s about you, huh?”

“Shut up and tell me!”

“She just mentioned that Travis was back to recapture your heart.”

“Great. Awesome. Is that it?”