Page 145 of The Nanny and the Hothead
Phoebe and Oscar sprinted toward the sign.
“Look at us,” he gloated.
“I know! It’s like we have a clue what we’re doing,” she beamed. And there it was—thewethat sent his pulse racing. They joined the kids and found Phoebe in a full-on pout.
“What’s wrong?” he asked the child.
“There’s a girls’ cabin and a boys’ cabin,” Phoebe seethed.
He glanced at the board. “Yep, that seems to be the case. Is there a problem?”
“I want to sleep next to Oscar. I won’t stand for this!” the little girl replied. And holy hell! If this kid wanted to become a chef, she’d be a force to reckon with in the kitchen. He was a grown man, and he was ready to petition the camp to offer co-ed accommodations. Luckily, Oscar stepped in.
“It’s okay, Phoebe. We can do every activity together. And I promise to sit next to you for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
Phoebe hugged her sleeping bag against her chest and huffed an irritated breath. “I guess that’ll be okay.”
“It’ll be great. We’ll hardly sleep! There’s too much to do!” his son added.
Mitch leaned in toward Charlotte. “I’m not sure Rowen will have to worry about the boys. It might be the boys who have to worry about Phoebe.”
Charlotte pressed her hand to her lips to muffle her laughter. “No kidding.”
Another bell rang, and they gathered with the other Whitmore families.
“Welcome, everyone! I’m Camden Bergen, and this is my wife, Cadence. We’re in charge of the outdoor educational programming.”
Mitch caught Oscar’s eye. “Bergen?”
“Yeah, that guy is the brother of my teacher’s husband,” Oscar answered.
“Gotcha,” he said as the woman began to speak.
“Parents, keep your phones close by this week. While we don’t anticipate any problems, it’s helpful to get in touch with you quickly if we have any questions. Now, this is the time to say goodbye. Campers, after you hug your parents, we’d like you to set your things on your bunk, and then we’ll meet in the field for a game of capture the flag.”
“This is awesome!” Oscar chimed, high-fiving Phoebe.
“All right, Phoebe,” Charlotte said, kneeling. “I’ve got a big hug for you from your uncle and Penny,” she finished, wrapping her arms around the child.
He ruffled Oscar’s hair. “Have fun, son.” He glanced at Rowen’s niece. “And keep an eye on her.”
Oscar grinned. “I will,” he answered, but instead of giggling, the excitement drained from his face.
“What is it, Oscar?”
Maybe the kid was a little more nervous than he’d let on.
Oscar looked up at him with concern in his eyes. “Will you be okay without me, Dad?”
This went right to his heart. His son was worried about him.
“We’ll make do,” he answered, his voice cracking with emotion.
What would it be like when the kid left for college?
“But we’ll miss you, and we’ll be thinking about you and all the fun you’re going to have,” Charlotte said, opening her arms to his son.
His sight grew blurry as he watched the two people he loved most in this world embrace.
