Page 27 of Let's Go To Camp!

Declan’s voice was full of resolve as he said, “Marcus is speaking facts. It pisses me off that someone did that. We need to find out who.”

Chloe nodded. Looking at the girls, she asked, “But you didn’t actually see Derek take the eggs?”

“He didn’t take them,” Naomi said.

“Yeah, it was the two women he and Chad stopped to talk to,” Sophia added.

“Can you tell us what they were wearing?” Marcus pressed.

The Littles did so.

“Doesn’t ring a bell,” he replied.

“Same,” Chloe said. “But we have a place to start. We talk to Derek and see if he’ll give us names.” She leveled a hard stare at Naomi, Sophia, and then Maisie. “In the meantime, let us handle this. Don’t take matters into your own hands and escalate this situation. Am I clear?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the three Littles said.

“This seems like just a prank, trying to frame you,” Marcus said. “But be sure and lock that door tonight and anytime you leave from now on. Understand?”

“Yes, sir,” the women said.

“Good girls,” he replied with a smile.

Chloe and Marcus wished them a good night and then left. Naomi and Sophia went into the cabin, but Maisie stayed outside with Declan for a moment.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“You don’t think I’ll get kicked out of camp, do you?” she asked, unable to hide the worry in her voice.

“No chance of that,” he said. He brushed a strand of her blond hair back, causing her breath to catch in her throat as he looked deeply into her eyes. “You weren’t even here tonight. But yourfriends won’t be kicked out, either. Chloe bought the story about someone stashing those eggs here. You all are being framed. We’ll get to the bottom of it. You just be a good girl and lock that door like Marcus said. You have my cell. Call if you need me. I’ll be here fast.”

Maisie couldn’t believe it was happening, but it seemed as if Declan’s lips were moving toward hers.

Seriously? He was kissing her? He’d done so before, but that was just to shield her from Derek. This kiss was real!

Was this the best freaking night of her whole freaking life?

A moment later, their lips were locked in a sweet, tender kiss that turned more passionate as the seconds ticked by.

She wrapped her arms around him. He did the same to her. They held each other close, the kiss lasting nearly a minute, their tongues finding each other during that time.

She was breathless when he finally pulled away.

“Goodnight, little girl. Lock that door and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He kissed her again before walking off the porch.

“Goodnight,” she called out before slowly walking inside. It was only after she was in, with the door shut and bolted, that she added one more word.

“Daddy.”

Chapter Fourteen

Maisie, Naomi, and Sophia were walking into the cafeteria the following morning when Declan’s voice called out.

“Hey,” he said with a warm smile as he was heading out the door while they were heading in.

“Hey, yourself,” Maisie said. She wished she had something cleverer, but that would have to do for now.

---