Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14447 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 72(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14447 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 72(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
“Why do you keep telling people that?” I hear her ask.
I don’t get to hear Van’s response because Ford is pulling me to my feet.
“I told you I’d take you to the stables. Looks like it’s all ours if Van is here stalking Tia again.”
“Again?” I whisper to Ford.
“Not stalking, just keeping an eye out,” Van calls out as Ford leads me from the kitchen.
I have really been missing too much around here but I’ll find all of it out from Ford later. I have a feeling right now he’s going to do more than show me the new foal. I’ve been dying to meet her but I’m pretty sure Ford wants to mess around in the hay loft, and I have zero objections.
Chapter Eight
Ford
It’s the first day it hasn’t rained and it’s been a long day of activities for the kids. I’ve gone through my normal checklist and met with the heads of the departments and cleaned up the office.
Honey spent the day in the girls’ cabins helping some of them pack and organize their rooms. She had us build two new cabins and now she’s getting their bunks situated. I brought her lunch earlier and ended up christening both of them before I had to go. I left her walking funny, with a sleepy smile. I’d say my job was done, but it never is when it comes to her.
This summer has been filled with excitement, but thankfully it’s begun to settle down. We’ve talked a lot about what we see for the future of Camp Hardwood and where we see ourselves. We don’t necessarily want to shoulder the responsibility for the rest of our lives and as much as we love to be hands-on, we want to be able to step back and allow a younger crowd to help out. Van’s been telling us he’s ready to take on more, and Honey and I agreed to let him once he completes vet school. After that we’ll give him more, and eventually maybe he’ll take over if that’s what he wants to do.
I’m stepping off the porch of the office when I look out and see Honey coming toward me. I walk out onto the grass and meet her halfway. Her eyebrows are drawn together and there’s a look of concern in her eyes as she stares down at her feet. She doesn’t look up until she’s almost right at me and I catch her by the arms.
“What’s up?” She’s startled like she really wasn’t paying me any attention and looks around.
“I think we’ve got a camper missing.” Her voice is soft and full of disbelief.
“What?” It’s not unusual for a camper to get lost because our property is so big, but it is rare for Honey to be so concerned about it. If it happens, it’s almost always taken care of within a few minutes and then everything goes back to normal.
“I forgot my radio down at Cabin B and thought you might be here.” Her arm comes out and grabs mine and I can see the worry in her eyes. “It’s Zara.”
I nod silently as I take her hand and pull her toward the cabin. “Don’t worry, Honey, we’ll find her.” Once we get inside I grab the radio and then nod to Honey. “Tell me what you know.”
“Her camp buddy said she went off on a trail in the woods by herself.”
“Shit.” I shake my head and wonder why kids have to make bad decisions.
“She said if she wasn't there by dinner to tell someone and I think maybe she was scared to admit it.” Honey looks at me with pleading eyes. “We’ve got to find her.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” I say as I turn on the radio and hug her close. “We’ve got the best ranger east or west of the Mississippi. Don’t worry, we’ll find her.”
She nods against my chest as I hit the button for Moose.
After I explain the situation and give him a description, I call out to all the camp counselors. I tell them the same thing and then give her description.
“If anyone finds her, call back and make sure you notify me ASAP,” I say, then set the walkie talkie down.
Honey lets out a long breath as she looks up at me and I put my hands on both sides of her face.
“She didn’t go far. It’s only been a few hours and she went towards Moose’s place. She’s going to be just fine.”
Honey silently nods and I pull her against me as I kiss the top of her head. I know tonight will be sleepless for her unless she hears back that Zara has been found. I want to comfort her and the only way I can think of right now is to take her home and distract her.
“Come on, babe, let’s get you some tea.” I take her hand and grab the walkie-talkie, and we slowly make our way to the cabin.