Some Kind of Wonderful (Puffin Island 2)

Her gaze met his, direct and honest. “So we’re cool?”

Cool wasn’t the word Zach would use to describe the heat coursing through his body but he managed a nod.

“Yeah. We’re cool.”

And he knew that this time he was the one telling the lies.

CHAPTER TEN

BRITTANY WAS UP at dawn the next morning and found Philip Law in the catering barn where the children ate their meals. Breakfast had ended and the barn echoed with laughter and conversation as the kids left in their groups for their first activity, following the colored signs that marked the tracks through this section of the forest.

It was an idyllic location for a summer camp, a curve of land where the forest met the ocean and the sharp scent of pine mingled with the fresh sea air.

Reliving happy memories, she strolled across to Philip, who was in conversation with one of the other camp directors.

“Brittany.” Philip gave her a warm greeting, exchanged a few pleasantries and then got straight down to business. “How is the wrist? Would it survive a few archery lessons?”

“Yes, as long as you don’t expect me to demonstrate.” She accepted the coffee someone handed her with a smile of thanks, and then rolled her eyes as a few drops sloshed onto the floor. “Oops. Maybe archery is a little ambitious as I can’t even get a mug to my mouth without spilling it.”

“Anything you can do would be great. We have a lively, inquisitive group this year. They need to be kept busy.”

Brittany put her mug down on the nearest empty table and straddled a chair. “Zach mentioned that you’re thinking of running an archaeology activity.” She saw the surprise on his face. “You’re surprised we had a conversation? Did you think I would have buried his body so deep he’d turn to oil before anyone found him?”

“No. But I thought you’d have a few things to say.”

“I did, and I said them.” She retrieved her mug and sipped her coffee, trying to think about anything other than Zach. “So—archaeology. Tell me what you’re thinking. A talk in the barn or a session out in the woods digging?”

“Both? The focus of this place is always the outdoors and the environment, how we can preserve it and what it teaches us. Do you remember when we saw each other in the Ocean Club a few summers ago?”

“That time when Ryan was developing the apartments and we had to yell to be heard above the drilling and banging?” She put the mug back down. “I remember.”

“You were full of enthusiasm about a summer camp you?

??d led at Cambridge.”

“That was a day camp, not residential. They came for a week and helped on-site.”

“There are a few children here this week who I think would be interested. We can try it. If it’s popular, we’ll plan a full program for next year. I contacted the university back in the spring to see if they could spare someone. They couldn’t, but now you’re here and your credentials are impressive.”

“Kids don’t care whether you have a PhD.”

“But they’re going to care that you’ve been on digs all over the world. Didn’t you do an excavation in Egypt?”

“Years ago. Since then it’s been mostly the Mediterranean.” She took another sip of coffee. “I can definitely put something together, especially as we’re starting right at the beginning.” Her spirits lifted. Maybe the rest of the summer wouldn’t be such a washout after all. “How old are the kids in my group?”

“Seven to twelve.”

“And how long would I have them for?”

“Mornings for a week? Start with that. See how it goes. In the afternoon they can choose between water sports and coastal ecology. If it works out, you can do the same next week with a different group. Then write me a report with your recommendations for next year. I know you won’t be here, but give me something I can take to the university.”

“I can do that.” She felt a rush of excitement and energy that had been missing since she’d stepped off the plane. “When do you want me to start?”

Philip glanced down at her shorts and hiking boots. “Now? Why don’t I show you round, introduce you to a few of the team and we can take it from there. What equipment would you need?”

“They’ll learn more if they’re hands-on. It would be fun to do some actual digging, mark out a site. You’ll need to find me somewhere we can dig—” She pondered. “Can you get me a couple of masonry trowels? That flat type that they use to spread cement? I have a couple in my bag but a few more would be good. And I’ll buy a few toothbrushes next time I’m in the store.”

“We have toothbrushes. You want them all to clean their teeth before they smile at you?”