And now he would have tomakeplans, damn it. He tried to think of somewhere he could take Honey. Technically, they weren’t supposed to go off site in the evenings unless it was their day off, which rather limited his options.
Should be a nice night, and it wouldn’t take long to paddle across to that pretty little spot further up the lake… could borrow one of the canoes, maybe pack a blanket, a few drinks…
He caught himself. What the hell was he thinking? As long as they both lay low and stayed out of sight, everyone would assume they were together. He didn’t need to take Honey on an actualdate.
Unfortunately.
Leonie blew her whistle, derailing his train of thought before it could carry him further into uncomfortable territory. “Time’s up, kids! Balls back in the basket!”
“Did we win?” Archie asked eagerly.
“Archie, you took, like, twenty hits just on your own,” Flora pointed out.
“I can’t help it! Bears make a big target!”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have kept turning into one,” Ignatius muttered from the sidelines.
Archie glared at him. “At least Icanshift.”
“Hey,” Buck said sharply. “You want to spend more quality time with Conleth, Archie?”
“No.” The boy looked suitably chastised. “Sorry, Buck.”
“It’s not me you owe an apology.”
Archie squirmed, but spreadsheets made a powerful threat. “Sorry, Ignatius.”
“Better. Now go help Honey with the balls, before I decide to make you two hug it out. That means you too, Ignatius.”
He’d expected backchat, or at least a sullen eye roll, but Ignatius sloped off without complaint. The boy started gathering up balls, though Buck had the distinct impression that his mind was miles away.
“Iseverything all right?” Leonie said softly, her tone rather more serious now. Her golden eyes followed Ignatius. “With the kids, I mean. Moira told me about the boys’ fight. Ignatius seems kind of subdued.”
“We’re managing,” Buck said, hoping that it was true. “Though I’d be a lot happier if he was in a different group, with someone more experienced. Don’t suppose you can help out there?”
Leonie shook her head. “Sorry. Lord Golden was very specific about having a strong alpha male as his nephew’s counselor. My co-counselor is a sweetheart, but he doesn’t exactly qualify.”
“You do. On two out of three, at least.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not good enough for Lord Golden.” Leonie flashed him a grin. “But thank you. You’re a sweetheart too.”
“I give you a compliment, and you respond by insulting me?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.” She winked at him as she raised her whistle to her lips again. “I think Honey already knows, anyway.”
“Knows what?” Honey asked, coming up to them with the basket of balls.
“Oh, nothing.” Leonie blew her whistle. “Good job, kids! Phil, can you take the equipment back to the sports shed?”
“I’ll do that,” Buck said before Leonie’s young co-counselor could respond. “Though it’ll go faster with two. Honey?”
“But our campers,” Honey started.
“Oh, don’t worry about that, Honey,” Leonie said, mouth curling up in a sly grin. “Phil and I can watch both packs while you handle the balls. Take all the time you need.”
“What?” Honey’s cheeks went a deeper shade of pink. “No, no, that’s not—”
“Thanks, Leonie,” Buck interrupted. He grabbed the basket of balls. “Kids! Leonie will take you for snack break. Don’t give her any trouble.”
