“Let’s put it to a vote,” Estelle suggested. She put up a hand. “All in favor of helping Leonie catch her mate?”
Archie’s hand shot into the air, followed by Beth’s. Finley gave Rufus an apologetic look before raising his hand as well.
“That’s settled, then,” Estelle announced, dropping her arm. “Okay, so first of all, we have to make sure the guy stays at camp long enough for Leonie to discover the truth. That means everyone sticks to the story, okay?”
“No one cracks,” Archie declared, smacking a fist into his palm for emphasis. “No matter what.”
Beth fretted at the end of her braid. “Oh, we’re going to get insomuch trouble.”
“I’ll do my part,” Finley said, though he didn’t look happy about it. “But, Estelle, I don’t think we’re going to be able to keep him here for long.”
“Sure we can,” Estelle said confidently. “We just have to keep insisting we really did see a ghost. How’s the guy going to know we’re lying?”
CHAPTER 5
“And then there’s the basic orientation session for the new counselors, if you and Buck can manage to cover that, Honey. Here’s the list of names, and the route for the tour.” Leonie wrestled with her clipboard, trying to separate the relevant page without scattering the rest of her notes. “But are you sure you’ve got time for this? I know you’re busy setting up the art studio.”
“The campers won’t mind if there are a few boxes of supplies still waiting to be unpacked,” Honey replied. She caught a stray page as it fluttered free, handing it back. “And I’ve got far less on my plate than you do.”
“You clearly need all the help you can get,” Paige added, eying the overflowing clipboard. “We’re happy to lend a hand.”
“I really appreciate you both stepping in,” Leonie said, feeling a fresh stab of guilt. “I’m sorry to have to ask you to cover for me.”
“Zephyr’s the one who should be apologizing,” Honey said. “To you, that is. Honestly, calling Shifter Affairs over afew silly stories from the kids? What on earth was he thinking?”
“I want to know whatConlethwas thinking,” Paige said, in a way that did not bode well for her mate. “He knows everything that goes on around here. I don’t believe for one second that he had no idea what Zephyr was planning. Yet he didn’t mention a word of this nonsense to me.”
“Probably because he knew how you’d respond,” Leonie said wryly. “Don’t be too hard on him, Paige. He’s a bit hormonal at the moment.”
Paige huffed, one hand settling over the slight swell of her belly. “He’snot the one who’s pregnant.”
“I suspect that’s the problem.” Leonie stuffed the errant pages back into her clipboard. “You’re his mate, and even the smoothest pregnancy in the world isn’t exactly a bed of roses. I predict that for the next six months, ninety-nine percent of his vast brain will be entirely committed to coming up with endless plans to make your life even a fraction more comfortable. He’s probably made a spreadsheet.”
Honey chuckled. “If there was any way Conleth could carry that baby himself, he would.”
“Well, hormones or no hormones, I’m still going to have words with him,” Paige said. “If he knew the agent was coming back to camp—and I’m certain he did—he should have made a proper plan that covered all the necessary arrangements. Not let Zephyr dump all this on you without warning.”
“It is a bit odd,” Honey said, frowning. “Those two know how busy you are. Especially right before camp opens. They could have found someone else to handle this. Or at least given you more notice.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” Leonie lied. “I’ll manage. It’s only a small disruption to my schedule, after all. It’s not like the agent will be here long.”
“He’s already been here a lot longer than his previous visit,” Paige said. “Last time, his paws barely touched the ground before he was taking off again.”
“I didn’t get a chance to meet him last time he was here,” Honey said. “What’s he like, Leonie?”
Hot, was her honest first thought, but that was hardly appropriate. The poor man was here to do a job, after all. He didn’t deserve to be objectified behind his back, no matter how impressive his biceps.
How to describe Agent Zhao? Formal, serious; undeniably powerful, and not just physically. He’d been reserved, yet she didn’t think it was out of disdain for the undeniably trivial assignment. She had the impression he was simply far too accustomed to keeping his thoughts and feelings to himself, locked away behind an iron wall.
Yet just for an instant, she’d thrown him off balance. Not when she’d tackled him—good heavens, the man was built like a mountain—but when she’d sympathized about his ability. She’d heard it in his voice; the tiny stutter of surprise, the momentary crack in that relentless self-control.
He looked out at the world from behind darkened glass, observing without being observed. She didn’t think he was used to being seen in return.
She wondered what color his eyes were, and how he would look if he smiled.
“He’s…interesting,” she said. “And he certainly taking this assignment seriously. In fact, I got the impression he takes everything far too seriously. In any case, I’m sure he’ll soon get to the bottom of this ridiculous ghost story. I shouldn’t need you two to cover for me for more than an hour or so.”
“Really, Leonie, it’s no problem.” Honey shooed her away. “Off you go. And don’t worry. We’ll take care of everything until you get back.”
