Page 27 of Camping with the Boss

“It’s fine. Really.” I grab his arm and check his watch. “But we need to get ready. You’re first up on the agenda, boss.”

It’s easier after that to put some distance between us. I need this to go well. My brother worked hard to put this together. I’m seriously impressed.

And the enormity of what he’s been doing hits me. Planning this retreat and knowing he’d be spending five days at camp. Reliving every good memory and bad.

Is that the reason he bailed?

I can’t focus on River’s mental health. Not when I need to focus on my own. I need to exude confidence. Not be a blubbering mess who needs Wade to take care of me.

I don’t need anyone.

I’m not ashamed. I felt safe in Wade’s arms. Cared for. But I can’t depend on it either. After this retreat, I’ll be returning to my boring life. So, for now, I need to focus on doing the best job I can.

I follow Wade with his long legs and brisk stride to the main building. The dining room is already full, and the delicious scent of coffee and bacon has me grabbing a cup and a plate. Wade stands off to the side, talking to Jared, so I look for a place to sit. The round tables encourage small group discussion, but right now, I just want to figure out where to sit without alienating anyone.

“Hey, Canyon,” Ander says with a warm smile. “I saved you a seat.”

Yesterday, I wanted to hurt this guy, but now I’m relieved to see him.

I slip into the chair next to him and focus on the food in front of me. My normal diet consists of the basics: ramen, oatmeal, peanut butter, and rice. Bacon is a luxury. I’m not supposed to eat fatty foods, but that hasn’t even been an option for a while. And I don’t plan to waste this opportunity.

“Hungry?” Ander asks, his voice teasing. But what is he teasing me about? My appetite? Or why I might be so hungry. Does he think…? I’m not sure what he’s implying, so I answer honestly.

“I’m starving.”

After my first cup of coffee, two pancakes, and three strips of bacon, I feel almost normal. Better than normal. I take a breath. “Um, thank you, Ander. For helping me last night.”

His smile is warm. Genuine. “It’s no problem. Really. I’ve been there.”

I talk to people all day for work. But here, there’s no script. Still, I can do this. Make small talk. “Did you sleep well?”

“Eh.” His gaze shifts to Wade and Jared. Right. They’d been arguing last night. “It was fine. You?”

I blush, gosh darn it. “Yeah. It was…good.” I fight through the heat in my face, purposefully not thinking about sleeping in Wade’s arms.

He nods, and I excuse myself to get another cup of coffee.

The overall mood of the group seems to be upbeat as excited chatter and laughter fill the dining hall. Although there are a few, scowling in their coffee, who don’t seem to be enjoying their time away from the office.

I pour my coffee, breathing in the rich, calming scent.

“I have so much work I could be doing right now.”

The room is loud with chattering and laughing, but I easily pick out the person talking at the pastry table behind me.

Al.

“But it is nice to get away,” a woman says. Without turning around, I can’t be sure, but I think it’s Carol. “I love being outside.”

“Yeah. It’s a real treat. I find it interesting that River didn’t even bother showing up.”

“I heard he was sick.”

“Not what I heard,” he says with a snort of laughter. “I heard…” He lowers his voice, and I lean back a little to hear as I stir nothing into my coffee. “I heard he got caught—you know.”

“Ow,” I hiss as coffee splashes on my hand. I place the spoon carefully on the counter and grab a napkin to blot my hand and the table. There’s no sound from the pastry table, and when I sneak a look, they’re gone. What was Al talking about? River getting caught…doing what? Once my breathing is back under control, I turn and lose my breath all over again. Wade is right there.

“Are you okay?”

---