just painted wood, but the star’s amber.” Summer’s voice held a note of pride. “It was a gift from Mom and Dad when I started the business.”
Sparkly crowns and amber-tipped wands. He pressed his lips together. Agnes had called it—spoiled rotten indeed. Mommy and Daddy probably still subsidize the paychecks.
Summer’s indignant eyebrow arch indicated she’d read his thoughts and dared him to say anything snide.
Agnes took the still-shivering Peewee from Summer. “Why don’t we all go in and have a snack?”
Following her inside, Rick saw his chance to escape. “Thanks, but I have some things to take care of this afternoon.” He picked up the paper he’d left on the table. “Here’s the contract, signed and ready.”
“And here are those forms you wanted.” Herschel handed him a thick folder. “There are also daily itineraries of events we’ve scheduled. You’ll have quite a bit of freedom with that. These are just some basics.”
“Thanks.” Rick eyed the folder as the four of them headed toward the front door. “And don’t worry. I’m sure you’re going to locate a girls’ head counselor soon.” The look of something akin to terror that passed between Herschel and Agnes told him he’d misspoken.
Summer’s eyes widened in question, and her gaze darted between her parents.
“Yes, well, we’ll be in touch. Thanks again, Rick.”
Herschel’s slaps on the back pushed Rick out the door.
As he made his way down the sidewalk, he couldn’t keep from gawking at the old, gaudily painted purple SUV with Fairy Princess Parties lettered down its side in baby pink.
A grown woman parading around as a fairy princess. Hell-pee-roo.
* * *
SUMMER LAUNCHED INTO HER SPIEL as soon as condescending Rick Warren was out of earshot. “You told me the girls’ head counselor position was filled.”
Her mother swallowed nervously. “Well, it was, dear. But Hannah backed out yesterday.”
“So you’re going to consider me, after all. Right?” Summer fought to keep the little-girl whine out of her voice—the one that always brought her dad to his knees. The one she’d used to talk them into buying the camp. None of them anticipated the downward turn in the economy—investing in Kentucky Lake real estate should’ve been a sure thing—or the downward spiral of her dad’s health. But her parents were in a financial crisis now, and it was her fault.
Summer had done a lot of soul-searching after her dad’s heart attack. She’d been a burden to her parents with her flighty ways, but those days were behind her. She would repay every cent she owed her parents and never disappoint them again. She’d turned over a new leaf, was working hard, making monthly payments. And here was an opportunity to make up for a large chunk of her failures.
Charlie was going to retire soon, which meant they’d be looking for a new camp director. She was determined to earn that position for herself. She could make the camp turn a profit again, she was sure.
The girls’ head counselor position wasn’t camp director, but it was a start.
“Nubbin.” Her dad’s arm moved toward her shoulder, but her wing got in the way. Instead, his arm rested heavily around her waist as they walked back to the family room. “We’ve been through this before. There’s a lot at stake here. We just don’t think you’re ready for—”
“I know I’ve been irresponsible in the past. The colleges and vocational programs you paid for. But I’m twenty-eight now. My business is doing okay, and I’m making monthly payments to y’all, and I’m really good with kids.” She threw a thumb in the direction of the front door. “What about Mr. Stiff Neck? He didn’t strike me as the type who would be good with kids. You should have heard how he yelled at Peewee.” She plucked the pooch from her mom’s arms and nuzzled the top of his head.
“Rick Warren is a fine young man.” Her mom washed her hands and busied herself arranging cheese straws on a plate. “He came highly recommended by Gus. He’s been a marine and a park ranger, and was the deputy director for the Western Kentucky Division of the Department of Wildlife until just recently.”
Impressive, but titles didn’t mean the guy wasn’t a jerk. “If he’s such a great guy, what happened with that job?”
“Politics.” Her dad plopped into his chair. “New administration. Bad economy. They’re cutting lots of satellite offices, and his was one.”
“There wasn’t anywhere else for him to go?” Summer thought back to her first impression. Seeing a hunky guy walk out of