“Well, we’ve decided to let you play Simon Says with the campers,” Colin offered. “How’sthatfor progress!”
“I’ve been working on the first-day schedule,” Joshua told them. “Once I’m done, I’ll print out copies for everyone, and we can go over them together. We’ve got six cabins with six campers in each one. That’s thirty-six kids. If Trent and Jeff agree to sign on, that’ll give us one cabin apiece, which will be our sole responsibility.” He looked around. “Any questions? Objections? Threats?”
“I’m just happy that counselors get a cabin instead of tenting it,” David said, grinning.
“Have you checked out thebedsin those cabins?” Colin asked, grinning as well. “You might end up yearning for your glam tent.”
“If that’s the case, I’ll go buy one!”
“I’m also happy that Verdun provides kitchen staff for cooking and cleanup,” Joshua added. “Gets that whole worry off our plates … so to speak.”
“Yeah,” Colin grumbled. “For aprice.”
David let out a scoffing breath. “Welcome to the real world.”
To Joshua’simmense joy and relief, Trent and Jeff were eager to take part as counselors.
“I hope it doesn’t interrupt one of your weekends with Sophie,” Joshua told Trent that evening on the phone, referring to Trent’s thirteen-year-old daughter.
“Thankfully, both she and Jenifer are flexible. They almosthaveto be, given the nature of my pro bono work.”
“Trent, I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you guys are willing to help us with this project.”
“The most important part of my life is the pro bono work I do with disabled veterans,” Trent told him. “Jeff and I both volunteer once a month at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. We both want to give back to our community. This is a no-brainer, Josh.”
“Well, all I can say is thank god.”
“Camping with Colin …” Trent mused, his voice trailing off. “Won’tthatbe a blast!”
“You two have to behave yourselves,” Joshua said, laughing.
“Frankly, Josh, I consider that highly unlikely.”
Joshua laughed again, and as he set the phone down. The banter with Trent had been lighthearted, but it reminded him of how far he and Colin had come. There was a time when Colin joining something as carefree as summer camp felt impossible—too much weight already on his shoulders from the job, the trauma, the past. But this was different.
It wasn’t just about Colin teaching baseball or leading excursions. It was about creating a safe space where kids could feel free to be themselves: to laugh, to love, and to live. Colin would pour his heart into this—and Joshua knew it was big enough to hold every kid who found their way to Camp Pride.
The thought made Joshua’s chest swell. He loved Colin’s passion and his unwavering sense of justice, but there was something magical about watching him let go, about seeing the soft, childlike side he so rarely showed the world. The side that only Joshua, their closest friends and family, and a few lucky kids at Camp Pride would get to see.
Joshua leaned against the counter, arms crossed, gazing at the framed photo of the two of them on a beach. Colin’s arm was draped over Joshua’s shoulder, his smile wide and unguarded. There was a glow in his honeyed-green eyes that reminded Joshua why he loved Colin so much—why he’d continue to love him through every challenge, every adventure.
He glanced at the clock. Colin would be home soon, and the thought sent a thrill through him, as it always did. A chuckle escaped him. “Camping with Colin,” he murmured, echoing Trent’s words. Yeah, it was going to be a blast. And maybe they’d all leave Camp Pride with a little more hope, a little more love, and with memories they’d treasure for the rest of their lives.
Chapter 4
Dreams: Under Construction
Colin mumbled into his pillow. Still half asleep, he stretched out his hand, searching for Joshua’s smooth skin. But when his fingers encountered only cool bedsheets, his eyes fluttered open, squinting against the early morning light filtering through the blinds. He shifted onto his back, one hand running through his messy hair, frowning as he glanced at the empty space beside him.
“Josh?” His voice came out groggy, still thick with sleep.
The faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee caught his attention, and a small smile crept onto Colin’s lips. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, the hardwood floor chilly beneath his feet.
After pausing in the bathroom, he strolled down the stairs, the gentle pat of his footsteps mingling with the sound of muted humming drifting up from below. He paused at the bottom of the steps and let out a soft, affectionate laugh. Joshua stood next to the dining room table, humming one of Colin’s favorite Irish folksongs. He was barefoot, dressed in jeans, and had donned one of Colin’s oversized T-shirts. As he hummed, he sipped from a coffee mug held in one hand while he moved sheets of paper into various piles with the other.
“You’re up early,” Colin murmured, his voice low and warm with love.
Joshua turned, his smile brightening the room like the morning sun. “Couldn’t sleep. So I thought I’d wrangle this mess and make us some coffee.” He pointed to Colin’s mug. “I figured you’d come looking for me eventually.”
