If he were any more rigid, he’d probably turn into one of the giant, immovable boulders that sat out in front of the park office. But I’d noticed how Wren sank back into herself when her brother dismissed her love of art. If Jace Ramsey wanted someone who would have been content to keep the status quo, he should have hired a carbon copy of Ranger Rhonda. I was more interested in inspiring a love of nature in the kids I’d be working with than sticking to some outdated programming.
I took a few steps toward Wren. “Have you ever tried nature journaling?”
She looked up at me, her green eyes wide. “What’s that?”
“It’s writing stuff down in a notebook while you walk around the park,” Eli said. He’d moved across the room to examine the new posters I’d hung up.
“That’s one style,” I said. “But you can also document what you see by drawing or painting. One of the most powerful ways to connect with nature is just by observing it and capturing what you see.”
“Rhonda has a whole week dedicated to journaling.” Jace’s eyes narrowed.
“She never told us we could draw.” Wren’s voice was quiet but held a tiny sliver of hope.
“Drawing is one of the best ways to journal.” I moved toward the desk where I’d set down a whole bin of items I’d brought with me. My own nature journal was buried somewhere inside. I wasn’t much of an artist, but I enjoyed sketching. “Take a look at this. It’s from some of the hikes I did while I was in school. The parks are in upstate New York, so the flowers and foliage are different, but this will give you an idea of what I mean.”
Wren slowly flipped through the pages. “Look, Dad. Miss Delaney can draw even better than me.”
Jace barely glanced down though the tension in his jaw let up a little. “Don’t make too many changes. The kids won’t like it, and I’ll hear all about it from their parents.”
Feeling like I’d just won our first battle of wills, my chest expanded. “I’ll stick to the programming as much as I can.”
He turned and met my gaze. The challenge in his eyes was clear. Either stick to the plan or… Or what? Would he fire me? Kick me out and try to run the camp on his own all summer long?
“Come on. We need to grab the signposts so we can finish marking the new trail before camp starts on Monday.” Jace motioned for his kids to follow him.
“Finally.” Eli grinned and beat his dad through the doorway.
Jace paused like he forgot to mention something. “I assume you got settled okay at the cabin?”
“Yes. I think I’ll be comfortable there this summer.” It was a little rustic and I’d had to relocate a family of robins who’d built their nest in the ancient woodburning stove, but it would be more than adequate for a few months.
“Let me know if you end up needing anything. A crew is supposed to be coming in next week to reinforce the bridge that goes over the creek in front of the place.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” As long as we stayed out of each other’s way. I didn’t add that part. Seemed like it was a given.
“Then I’ll see you Monday.” He tapped his fingers on the doorframe then passed through it. Wren handed me the journal and followed her dad.
At least I got a sense of what his kids were like before the first day of camp. The more I got to know Jace Ramsey, the more curious I was about him. And there still hadn’t been any mention of a wife or mom.
I turned back to wiping down tables but decided to leave the music off for now. The look on Wren’s face when I showed her my journal wouldn’t leave me alone. The last thing I needed was to get emotionally involved with my boss’s kid, but I saw something in her that I recognized. I knew what it felt like to be overlooked. It had taken me years to come into my own and decide I was okay not following in the footsteps of my overachieving siblings.
Screw Jace Ramsey and his directive to stick with the plan. Even though I only had a summer in Big Wood, it was enough time to make a difference.
CHAPTER 4
JACE
Camp had beenin session for almost a week when I finally got the balls to stop by and check in on things. I hadn’t exactly been avoiding Delaney, but I’d intentionally spent most days stopping in at the other park offices in my district to give us a little space. I got the sense she’d be more than willing to go toe to toe with me if it came down to it, and with my ex’s parents pestering me about our upcoming visit to Texas, I didn’t have the energy to take her on.
The kids were seated in a circle when I arrived. Week one was supposed to be all about going over the rules of camp and teaching basic first aid, but Delaney was talking about miniature ecosystems when I stepped into the clearing.
“District Ranger Ramsey, we weren’t expecting you.” She looked up from the log where she was sitting and smiled at me from under the wide brim of her hat. Her tank top left her shoulders and arms exposed. Looked like she’d gotten some sun since she’d been in Tennessee.
My chest warmed. I scowled and clamped my hands to my hips, willing the feeling away. “I was in the area and thought I’d stop by. You’re not working on first aid this week?”
Her smile widened and it felt like a shot of direct sunlight hit me in the gut. “We covered that by the end of day two. Now we’re talking about miniature ecosystems.”
I found it hard to believe she’d covered a week’s worth of first aid info in just two days, especially with a group of kids ranging in age from five to twelve. “Who can tell me what to do if you touch poison ivy?”
