He had a black Lab that passed away a while back. And after an appropriate mourning period … well, someone decided he could use some puppies.” Piper shrugged. “It was inspired, really, if I do say so myself.”
Gabi watched Sam pick up one of the dogs and cuddle it under her chin. She wondered if the girl had ever had a dog, in any of the homes she’d lived in.
“Let me guess. You got him the puppies.”
Piper widened her eyes. “I know nothing. They appeared on his back porch one morning, he said.”
Gabi laughed. “No offense, Piper, but I’m not sure you have a future in the theater.”
“Really? Didn’t fly?”
“Nope.” Gabi shook her head as she watched the little scruffy pups hop around Luke’s feet. “Why … bichons?”
“It was fate, really. Old Mrs. Devereaux was moving to senior housing, and couldn’t take them with her. Young Mr. Magellan was in need of canine therapy. Match made in heaven, I decided.”
Gabi laughed as she turned toward the dining hall, Piper on her heels. “I’ve got ice cream in here. Better get it put away before it melts.”
“I see Luke let you drive his truck?”
“Yes, and I should probably apologize to him in advance for all of the tongue-wagging it seemed to induce downtown.” Gabi shook her head as she pictured all of the widened eyes and elbow-jabbing she’d seen as she’d puttered through Echo Lake.
Piper shrugged as she opened the door for Gabi. “Small town. Everybody knows what everybody else drives. And when a new hottie shows up in the Camp Echo limo, it’s going to crank up the rumor mill. I’m sure I’ll get an earful at Bellinis later.”
“Well, as long as you paint me taller, blonder, and bustier, I’m good with the rumors. G’ahead and start a few.”
Piper laughed. “Sorry, honey. You’ve been spotted. Your stats and prospects are already being debated up and down Main Street.”
“Stop it.” Gabi mock shivered. “You’re scaring me.” She started to open a yogurt, then swore as it spewed onto her shirt. “Okay, next question. Any idea where I can do laundry?”
“Luke will tell you he washes his clothes in the lake.”
Gabi sighed. “I was afraid of that.” Then she paused. “Does he?”
“No. He hates the feel of line-dried clothes. He takes his to the next town up. There’s a decent Laundromat there. But I’ll tell you what—if we work it right, maybe we can convince Luke to let you sneak out and come do it at my condo over the weekend.”
“Condo? With walls? Indoor plumbing? Be still my heart.”
Piper laughed. “I’d invite you for a sleepover so you could have a real bed, too, but I don’t think Luke would forgive us for abandoning him with the girls for that long. But you could take an actual hot shower while your clothes are in the dryer.”
“It’s a deal. And also, I love you.”
Gabi walked closer to the window, watching as Luke gave instructions to the girls, and with a minimum of grumbling, they carried them out. To her utter surprise, on the cement platform, there now lived a wooden framework that looked like it might, just might, turn into a bathroom.
Eve said something that made him laugh, and the way he tossed his head back and let that laugh out just grabbed at Gabi’s heart. He pointed at Eve like she’d gotten him good, and Gabi put her hand to her chest as she watched Eve turn away, a small smile on her face.
Huh. He was getting to them. He was … getting them.
“He’s good.” Piper came up behind her, handing her a cup of tea.
“I … can see that. We might actually have a bathroom here before too long.”
“Not what I meant.”
Gabi nodded slowly. “I know. But here’s what I can’t figure out—how does a camp handyman get this … good?”
Piper looked at her, and Gabi saw a dozen different answers cross her face before she shook her head the slightest bit.
“That’s for him to tell, but … don’t ask him yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because.” Piper looked out the window, watching Luke. “He won’t answer you.”
Chapter 12
Two days later, Gabi stepped out of the dining hall just after dawn, hands gratefully clutched around a mug of Luke’s coffee. She walked down the pathway toward the beach, passing the bathroom shell, and as she’d expected … hoped … Luke sat in one of the chairs, his hands around his own coffee mug.
She stopped, studying him before he saw her. He had on his standard