Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Hilly was having a great time. After explaining to the kids that each cabin-group would be writing, performing, and directing their own short play—which would then compete for the title of best production of the summer—she'd watched, amused, as each of the teams attempted to recruit, first her, then Cisco, then…Nel?

Hilly had opted out, saying she was too busy supervising to utilize her rusty acting chops, but Cisco—much to Hilly's delight—promised to do a brief cameo in each one of their plays, just to be fair.

Nel, wasn't having any of it. As soon as the campers and counselors had started talking about what costumes would look cute on the dog, Hilly's companion had gone low, and slunk out the door.

Hilly laughed at the stealthy exit. "That answers that. I guess if you write an animal into your script, a human will have to take the roll."

As the kids all giggled, then began chattering excitedly amongst themselves, Hilly turned to Cisco.

"I don't think you'll be needed here for a while. Would you, by any chance, like to help me set up a big, inflatable water slide on the pond? It's the one thing Papa-J and I didn't have time to get to, and…" she hoped she wasn't staring at his muscly forearms. "…I figure you won't have any problem helping me wrestle it out of the barn, even with your chest-wound."

"Of course I'll help," Cisco told her without hesitation, and the gleam in his eyes told her he hadn't missed her perusal of his stellar antebrachium.

She'd expected both things; the offer of help, and him catching her appreciating his flexing tendons. So damned observant.

What chance did she have, keeping herself safe from falling for him? So far the man had exceeded all her expectations. He was smart, helpful, and responded to every situation with one-hundred percent enthusiasm. He'd also continually defied any negative category in which she'd attempted to place him.

Slacker ? Not even close. Inappropriately profane ? Not a bad word passed his lips in front of the youngsters. Womanizer ? Cisco hadn't given a single female on site so much as a lingering glance…except maybe for her. Hilly hadn't missed how his eyes constantly tracked her, and how he was always at her elbow to help when she needed a hand. It was flattering, and Hilly couldn't pretend that his regard didn't make her attraction to him even stronger.

As they walked toward the barn where the blow-up was stored, Cisco placed a hand on her arm to slow her down. It was clear he wanted to chat.

"I'm really enjoying myself here today," he told her with a sincere smile. "This is a new experience for me. The only kind of camp I ever went to when I was young, were week-long sports-oriented ones, every summer during high school. But they were all about bettering our young, athletic selves for our upcoming competitive seasons. We didn't have available all the fun stuff your camp has."

Hilly tried to take the flattery as it was meant. For her camp, not her. But she couldn't help the internal fist pump she gave herself.

"That's a shame," she commiserated. "Every camp should have a good balance of work and fun. What kind of sports did you participate in, other than soccer?"

She remembered him being a top-notch soccer player in middle school, and may have seen a write up or two in the paper about cross-country races he'd won during his high school years. But she couldn't let Cisco know she had even the slightest inkling regarding his past accomplishments.

"I really loved that part of camp," he told her with enthusiasm. "And I did pretty well for myself, even getting a partial scholarship to play in college because of my year-round practices. But mostly, believe it or not, I liked to run," he enlightened Hilly. "I still do."

"Nel and I run every night after the evening program is over and the kids are in their cabins," Hilly blurted out.

Damn. Why had she said that? She was nowhere near Cisco's skill level, and now she'd opened herself up to him asking questions.

"Oh yeah?" he probed; interest clearly written on his face. "Did you run in school, too?"

Hilly wanted to groan, because…not even close. The fat-girl-chip she'd shouldered during the cruel halls of middle school, had mentally followed her into high school and early college. There was no way she would have dared put herself out in front of classmates for fear of getting made fun of. Even though the atmosphere hadn't continued to be abusive once she'd changed schools, she'd still had to work hard at making friends and outgrowing her awkward stage.

"No," she finally answered. "It wasn't until after college that I started running for pleasure." And to keep her weight under control.

Cisco nodded. "I don't suppose you and Nel would like a running buddy one of these nights?" he questioned with anticipation in his eyes.

Hilly was instantly both excited that he'd offered, and filled with dread that she might not measure up to Cisco's idea of a run.

He had to have seen the doubt in her eyes.

"I don't expect an all-out race," he assured her. "I like a scenic jaunt or a moon-lit path just as much as the next person."

Hilly wanted to groan. Why was everything about Cisco turning out to be so damned wonderful? Couldn't he do something disgusting like…pick his nose or itch his junk when he thought she wasn't looking?

Hilly sighed.

"Nel and I would love the company," she finally managed. "But we don't want to keep you out too late, especially since you start work at seven in the morning now."

"Seriously?" he questioned with a raised brow. "Tell me, Hilly. What time do you start your day?"

Caught.

She actually chuckled. "I'm normally up at six to get things organized for the kids."

"Exactly," he responded. "Which means it'll be no hardship for me, either, to be out until…what? As late as ten o'clock?"

Hilly ducked her head sheepishly. "Uh, yeah. I'm normally back in camp just before ten."

He grinned. "Then I?—"

"Oh my God! Is that Officer Hottie McMotorcycle?"

A sharp voice squealing down the path cut Cisco off mid-sentence.

Officer…who ?

Hilly turned toward the offensive comment-maker, and scowled. The camp nurse, Debbie Gorner, had obviously and finally made the effort to leave her cabin, but…just to spew invectives? Hilly took a closer look.

Shit, shit, shit. Was the woman…drunk?

There was no mistaking the flush on Debbie's cheeks, the glassy eyes, and the way she was walking deliberately so she wouldn't take a tumble.

And…what had she said about Cisco?

Hilly turned to her companion. "You know our camp nurse?" she asked quietly, taking a step closer to Debbie, and away from the man who may or may not have some kind of past with Nurse Gorner.

"Yeah. From a drunk traffic stop. That's all," Cisco practically growled, putting an arm in front of Hilly to stop any additional forward trajectory. "And it looks like she's inebriated. Again."

Wow. Cisco had stopped Debbie for drunk driving? Holy shit. Hilly's ire rose as she confronted the nurse she'd hired, once again honing in on her less-than-steady gait. "Debbie. Have you been drinking?"

The woman chose to ignore Hilly, and instead, stumbled her way toward Cisco. "Hey, handsome. Fancy meeting you here. You were so mean, leaving me with those other officers. I wanted you to stick around." She pouted, then placed a long, red-nailed finger on Cisco's chest, running it from his sternum, down, down…

Cisco grabbed her hand before it reached critical territory, and pushed it away. "Cut the crap, Ms. Gorner. Your boss asked you a question," he snarled.

Debbie shrugged, still not looking at Hilly. "I might have had a little wine before dinner," she simpered. "There's nothing wrong with that."

Nothing wrong …? Dinner wasn't for another four hours!

Hilly spluttered. "Alcohol of any kind is forbidden on camp grounds," she managed. "You know that. You signed an agreement to that affect when I hired you."

Debbie made a provocative moue at Cisco, paying no attention to Hilly or her assertion. With her eyelids lowered, she sidled toward Cisco until her tits actually touched his chest. "Did you know I'd be here? Is that why you came?" She batted her fake eyelashes at him as she simpered.

"No. I came because I'm the camp's self-defense instructor," he hissed, backing up. "And you reek."

Hilly was done. She'd seen and heard enough.

"Nurse Gorner. Into my office. Now."

Finally, the woman turned to regard her. "Why? Is there a problem?" she slurred.

"There is," Hilly said through clenched teeth. "You're drunk, and about to be terminated."

Damn-it-all-to hell.

Now what was she supposed to do? Debbie was the only nurse the agency she used for summer hires told her was available. And legally she needed someone with at least some kind of medical training on premise in order to keep the camp open. Should she ignore Debbie's infraction and…

No. There was no way the sloppy drunk was staying here. And that decision had nothing to do with the way the bitch was coming on to Cisco, which—if she were honest—also had Hilly seeing red.

"You can't fire me," Debbie told her with a sly grin. "You need a medical person at this stupid camp, and I'll glarinfree, gwaurentree… I'll bet you can't find anyone else on short notice." She looked pleased with herself and smug at her rebuttal.

Hilly hated to give in, but the sotted shrew was right.

"I'm not conceding the point," Hilly backed off a tad. "But I'll hold off on doing anything rash today. We'll still be searching your cabin and divesting it of any alcohol, after which you'll remain there for the rest of the afternoon and evening, hopefully sobering up. Tomorrow we'll discuss your conduct and the possibility of your continuing employment."

Scoffing at Hilly, the woman turned back to Cisco and grinned salaciously. "There's no way I want her digging through my stuff, but I'll allow you into my cabin,' she winked.

"We'll all go," Cisco managed, despite his clenched jaw. "And Hilly, don't worry. I'll make a few phone calls tonight. I'm pretty sure I can find someone to take Nurse Gorner's place temporarily until you can come up with a suitable full-time replacement."

Hilly doubted that, but she'd go along with his offer because it made drunk-Debbie glower.

"Thanks, Cisco."

Hilly was trying hard to control the anger that was bubbling up inside her, and Cisco must have known it, because he reached for her hand and entwined his fingers with hers, giving them a gentle squeeze.

He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "It'll all work out."

Hilly nodded, strangely comforted by his grip. "I hope so. But for now, we need to get into her cabin and confiscate any alcohol we find."

As if on cue, Nurse Gorner became belligerent. "You can't go into my private space. I bought everything in there with my own money, and you have no right to take it."

"Oh yeah?" Hilly retorted. "Watch me."

She extricated her hand from Cisco's and took a few steps toward the nurse's quarters, not waiting to see if Debbie would follow, but when she heard a sharp screech, she paused, turned, and looked behind her.

It was clear that Debbie, spitting angrily, had tried to go after Hilly, but Cisco had restrained her, his hands on her upper shoulders while she kicked and cursed.

Nel chose that moment to show up from wherever she'd been hiding, and growled low in her throat at the perceived threat.

"It's okay, Hilly. Go. I've got her," Cisco ordered curtly.

"Oooh," The nurse began screaming and fulminating loudly. "You'll regret this you fucking cunt."

Hilly didn't respond, instead hoping they were far enough away from the dining hall that none of the campers had heard.

"I'll sue," Debbie continued to bellow at the top of her lungs.

Buffy chose that moment to appear from out of nowhere, clearly having been drawn by the commotion. She instantly had her arms crossed over her chest, situating herself between the woman and Hilly, in a show of strength. "Like hell you will. It looks like you might have missed the part in your paperwork where Hilly has the right to inspect all quarters on the property, and confiscate anything deemed inappropriate."

Debbie looked like she was about to blow a gasket. Her face was bright red, and her pupils dilated. Was she under the influence of something more than alcohol? Hilly would soon find out. "Thanks Buffy, Cisco. If you can just keep her here, I won't be a minute." Hilly turned once again, taking another step toward the cabin in question.

"You'll be sorry, bitch. I'll make your life a nightmare. When I get through with you, nobody will want to come to this shit-hole camp," Debbie continued ranting.

Nel growled again, this time showing teeth, and Hilly didn't think she'd ever seen her dog so riled.

She gave her canine a comforting look, and a calm command. "It's okay, Nel. You stay."

Nel sat.

"Good girl," Hilly praised before getting her feet moving in the right direction again.

Hilly tried not to get shaken by the words that were continuingly hurled as she proceeded. She'd received worse threats; most recently from her estranged father who'd had the delusional, yet self-righteous audacity to force a confrontation in town, where he informed her that the camp should legally be his, since it was his mother who'd owned it. Hilly had managed to remain serene, not answering him, instead walking away from him silently with her head held high, but now…

Nope. If Hilly could survive her sperm donor's pompous vitriol, she could weather this.

Marching up the two steps into Debbie's quarters, Hilly opened the door. As soon as the tip of one toe was inside, she gaped. The place was a disaster. In two short days, the woman who called herself a professional had made the kind of mess inside the once-neat cabin that would have a marauding bear cringing.

Hilly gingerly stepped all the way in, and continued to look around, aghast.

There were open containers of both food and alcohol strewn everywhere; from the table, to the counter, to the floor, and even onto and under the bed. Clothes had been flung willy-nilly, and if Hilly wasn't mistaken, the stale air, underneath the pervasive smell of old food and alcohol, stank of cigarettes and weed.

There was no way Hilly wanted this woman back here while she sobered up. Who knew what kind of damage she would do to the building now that she was so angry. Not that the horrific mess was much better, but at least it only meant elbow grease, not money to make it better.

Sucking in a breath, Hilly crossed the room, dodging crap to open the adjoining door which led into the camper-accessible infirmary. Hilly gave her first sigh of relief. Not only was the place still pristine, it looked like Nurse Gorner hadn't yet stepped foot inside the room.

Unbelievable .

Hilly closed the door firmly as she made up her mind. Between she, Buffy, and Cisco, they'd pack the woman up tonight, and call an Uber to take her to wherever the hell she needed to go. Hilly would then have Debbie's car towed to whatever impound lot was closest to where the woman lived, and at her leisure, tomorrow or whenever, Hilly's ex-employee could bail the thing out.

Hilly threw open one window after another to air the place out, then opened the door and stomped down the steps, back to where a now quiet Debbie stood, silently fuming.

The woman shot daggers at Hilly with her eyes as she approached, but Hilly ignored her.

"Will you two help me get her stuff together?" she addressed Buffy and Cisco. "Then we'll call for a ride to take her into town," Hilly clipped disgustedly. "Once you see the condition of her quarters, you'll understand why she can't stay here another minute."

"Oh, like your nasty cabin is sooo special," Debbie started up again. "That place is a piece of shit."

Hilly was done listening to the nurse. She looked at her watch, speaking directly to the two sane adults. "We have thirty-five minutes before the kids exit the hall for their afternoon swim. I want her out of here by the time they're on the move."

Cisco didn't waste a moment. He guided their haughty, wailing drunk toward her quarters, followed by Hilly, Buffy, and a vigilant Nel. When he got inside, he stopped dead in the doorway. "What the hell?" he snarled, grimacing in disgust. He turned his head to Hilly. "How long has she been here, exactly?"

"She arrived Sunday night," Hilly informed him, also showing her revulsion as she entered the room. "She managed this in less than two days."

"You have no right—" Debbie began again, but this time Buffy cut her off.

"You, lady, are a total wack job," Buffy spat, clearly having heard enough.

Hilly, despite the situation, felt her lips twitch upward.

"Wack" was the closest her therapist-friend ever got to calling someone crazy, and even then, she used the term infrequently. Which meant she clearly agreed with Hilly that the situation and the woman were out of hand.

"Yup," Hilly agreed. "Let's get her gone."

It didn't take the entire thirty-five minutes to pack her up. It didn't even take ten. Between the three of them—with Debbie finally having run out of steam, moping in a chair—they bundled up her personal belongings in a blink, while Cisco called for a car.

He gave Hilly a thumbs up. "Twenty minutes. You go back to the dining hall and make sure none of the kids heard anything traumatizing," he suggested. "I'll stay with Ms. Gorner in the parking lot until her ride gets here."

"I'll keep you company," Buffy told Cisco shrewdly. "I wouldn't put it past this bitch to make up some kind of sexual allegations against you if you're left alone with her too long."

Hilly blessed the day she'd brought Buffy on board. She never would have thought of that possibility.

"Thanks. I appreciate the back-up," Cisco nodded, then regarded Hilly. "As soon as she's out of here, I'll get on the horn and start calling around. Don't worry, Hilly. Between me and my friends, we'll get you covered."

Hilly certainly hoped so. Without a medical person on site, she'd be in serious violation of the rules set forth by the State of Maine and the local Board of Health.