“Wait, what’s the prize this time?” Leo asked.
“Well, I’m glad you asked.” Hazel waved a stack of gift cards. “The winners will receive gift cards to Wildwood Books, and”—she tapped her hands on the top of a bus seat like a drumroll—“a nifty keychain that says, ‘I’m the best.’” She pulled a blue and white plastic key ring from her fanny pack and dangled it from her finger as people oohed and ahhed.
She explained the rules, most of which were predictable. Except the one prohibiting us from discussing fishing with the mayor if we encountered her in town, and under no circumstances were we to mention the Santa Run—an annual costume holiday race that came to blows each year. We were also warned not to speak with the owner of the diner, unless we wanted to delve into the three different ways to prepare a tuna melt sandwich, then be goaded into trying all three variations.
Autumn’s voice rang out, interrupting Hazel’s explanation. “Not sampling each sandwich because you ‘dislike tuna’ is an insult to Wildwood and Wanda’s Diner,” she playfully shouted.
Jack practically giggled next to her. Tearing my eyes away from them, I returned my attention to Hazel.
“We’re not going to talk about that.”
Autumn’s laughter at Hazel’s mock outrage was contagious as the bus started laughing and commenting. Across the aisle, four seats ahead, the sound of her delight drew me in, and I feared she would disappear like she had last night.
The counselors weren’t taking part in the scavenger hunt. Something about how it wouldn’t be fair since they knew every nook and cranny in this adorable town. Jack passed out pens to our group, and I shied away. The idea of talking with him about what I saw last night gnawed at me again. I was between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, his relationship wasn’t my business, and it’d been dark that night. Who knew what I actually saw? On the other hand, he was important to Autumnand an altogether decent guy. He knew the new Autumn, this sarcastic, gorgeous goddess of a camp counselor. I knew the past version of her, and she’d always been an excellent judge of character. She’d chosen Jack as a best friend, and I liked the idea of maybe having him as a friend, too, as presumptuous as it sounded.
“Don’t forget to get a stamp at each place you visit. Except for the post office. Mabel’s ferret was the last to see it,” Hazel pointed out.
“Which reminds me, if you see a snake-like rodent carrying around a handstamp proudly, please get it out of his clutches. Bribe him with anything he wants,” Leo implored. “Bonus points will be awarded.”
Next to me, my bouncing best friend was delighted to take part in this ridiculous hunt. He offered me a piece of his favorite candy, which of course my mother somehow knew he favored.
“Think I’m her favorite son yet?” he ribbed me.
“Just stop.” I grinned wide. “You’re notmymom’s favorite kid… Not yet, anyway.”
Ren busted up laughing. He was the goofiest, most random friend I could ask for, and I loved that he and my family got along so well. The package Mom had put together solidified what we already knew. Ren was already part of our family. His parents hadn’t been around. He had an amazing younger brother, and he’d been close to his in-laws, but with the divorce this year, things would be different. I was grateful my mom remembered his favorite candy. The thought settled nicely as he popped another bright red fish into his mouth. His sour mood had completely evaporated.
Briefly, I let my mind wander to Autumn as if it were my new default setting. Would her parents send her a care package for a weeklong trip or maybe for her first week on the job? I doubted it from what I remembered of Nancy and Robert, notthat they were cold, but I couldn’t imagine they’d be thrilled with Autumn’s dropping out of Stanford and her current career choice. Even if it was the happiest I’d ever seen her.
Before that thought could take root, the bus parked with a thud, and campers stood up, stretching and moving about as if we’d been on the bus for the past three hours and not fifteen minutes.
“And that’s why we don’t mess with the half-done puzzle at the salon.” Hazel’s cheeks were bright as she finished the rules with a laugh.
My eyes moved unconsciously to Autumn again, and this time, she turned away so quickly, her lips in a firmI’m not talking to youright nowline. The message was received, and yet my lips tipped up. She’d been looking for me too. I was right here.
