The Summer of Us (Mission Cove 1)

Gerry tilted his head, studying me. “I think there’s a story, and I think you’re too private to share. But this is what I’m gonna do. I lowballed your father and told him this job paid way less than it does. So, every week, I’m gonna give you the difference. What you do with it is up to you.”

I blinked.

“And the room off the office? There’s a bed there and a private shower. It’s yours for the summer, kid.” He stood and brushed off his legs. “I’m wondering—is your father sending a car for you? I saw him drop you off and leave, but I know you have to see him on Sundays.”

I shook my head, now embarrassed. “No, sir, ah, Gerry. I’ll get up early and walk.”

“Five miles?”

I shrugged. “Good exercise.”

He shook his head. “Follow me.”

He led me to one of the outbuildings and opened the door. A two-person scooter sat inside, helmet on the handles. It was old, somewhat rusty, and needed a good wash. I looked at Gerry, who was watching me.

“You know anything about engines?”

“A little. A friend of mine is a grease monkey, and I help him sometimes.”

He handed me a set of keys. “Tune it up and fill it with gas. You can use it on Sundays and your other morning off.” He winked. “I didn’t fail to notice the way a certain girl’s dark eyes lit up when she heard your name, or the way you casually asked to see the list of counselors and their days off. Or how, interestingly enough, your two half days matched hers.”

I ducked my head with a grin.

He paused on his way out of the shed. “Be sure to wear a helmet. The registration and ownership are in the little bag. Anything else you need, kid?”

I couldn’t help asking. “Another sandwich would be great.”

He grinned. “Get it yourself, kid. The missus loves to see you eat.”

I watched him walk away, feeling overwhelmed. I wasn’t used to kindness, aside from Sunny and her family. Most people treated me with kid gloves because of who my father was. Some disliked me because of it, and others ignored me. Indifference and hostility were the main reactions when people heard my name. I was used to it.

But I had earned Gerry’s respect. I wanted to continue to earn it.

I rolled the door closed and went to finish my chores.

But first, I was going to stop and get another sandwich.4LincThe next four weeks were, without a doubt, the happiest of my life. The days were busy and crazy—filled with kids, work, and lots of play.

And Sunny.

I got to see her anytime I wanted. She always had a treat waiting for me in the kitchen when I would drop in. We sat together at meals, her sisters occupied with their new friends. Emily and Hayley were thrilled to see me when they arrived and sought me out for hugs almost daily, but other than that, they were busy and happy. It was good to see.

Sunny was relaxed and smiled all the time. We knew very few people at the camp since a lot of them came in from other towns to work here. The couple of people we recognized couldn’t be bothered with either of us, so we were actually free. My father had no spies here, and no one reporting to him. He never contacted me, and other than the two times I went to see him, he seemed to care less about what I was doing.

As far as he was concerned, I was out of his hair, away from Sunny, and doing what he wanted. I purposely let him think I was miserable, talking about the menial work, and complaining about all the kids and roughing it.

I was sure he was delighted with my supposed misery. I drove Sunny to her house and dropped both her and the scooter off before walking to my father’s. I was hot and sweaty when I arrived, but he seemed unconcerned about the idea that I had walked the full five miles, instead ordering me to take a shower, then asked me what I had found out. He wasn’t happy with my lack of information and told me to dig harder, then dismissed me. The next week, it was the same thing, although his anger was more evident. He took my cell phone and dropped it into his desk drawer.

He stood. “You’re wasting my time. Don’t come back until you have something I can use. Find something.” He waited until I was at the doorway and called out, “Don’t make me angry.” His threat was clear, but at that point, I didn’t care.

I left, not planning on returning until camp was over, and already making plans to spend the free days with Sunny. I had nothing to say to him, and I wouldn’t help him take Gerry’s camp away from him, so I wouldn’t return. He was going to hit me no matter what I said to him, so I would enjoy my time away from him and take my punishment later.