Everlasting Love

Mulling over the events of the past few hectic days, Megan realized the answer to her concerns about her sister had dropped right in her lap. She just hoped she’d be able to properly fulfill her original objective while helping Roxy at the same time.

She smiled. Of course she would. It wasn’t chance that had brought her sister to her at such a perfect time, any more than it was an accident that a stray kitten had entered her life when she was a lonely, confused teen like Roxy. That sweet kitten had loved unconditionally and provided Megan’s first insights into the work she was now doing. All she had to do was continue to follow the good Lord’s leading and everything would turn out fine.

Such a lofty conclusion made her chuckle. The perfect Christian was yet to be found and she wasn’t even close. Knowing human nature, she’d be lucky to get through her short stint at Camp Refuge without making bunches of mistakes.

Good thing even the most fallible people got some things right, wasn’t it? Otherwise, nothing worthwhile would ever be accomplished.

Amazed and pleased that she’d located the camp so effortlessly, Megan pulled through the gateway. She slowed her pickup truck, peering out at the old wooden cabins and deserted play areas.

She’d chosen Camp Refuge because it reportedly housed only a few wards of the court at one time and she’d wanted to limit the number of children she had to chart for her thesis, but this place looked too desolate.

Roxy noticed, too. “Where is everybody?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I got the wrong camp.”

“Nope. The sign out front said this is it.”

“Okay, I’ll keep going.”

Following the dirt road deeper into the complex, Megan noticed a tall, dark-haired man standing in front of what looked like the main building.

He’d apparently been anticipating her arrival because he started to amble toward the truck before she’d come to a complete stop. Then he looked up, smiled slightly—and took her breath away.

It wasn’t an inappropriate smile. Certainly not a come-on. Yet the mountain air seemed suddenly insufficient. Megan had to work hard to appear unaffected.

Roxanne had no such qualms. “Wow. Maybe I am going to like it here.”

“Down, girl. This is strictly business, remember?”

“For you, maybe. I’m just along for the ride.”

“Oh, no, you’re not. I brought you because you’re a natural with animals. I really do need your help.”

“I know, I know. Don’t have a fit. I’ll be good, Meg. But I’m not dead. And that is one great-looking guy, even if he is way too old for me.”

“Can’t argue with that,” Megan said with a knowing grin. She put the truck in park and killed the engine. “Guess I’d better go introduce myself. You wait here.”

“Do I have to?”

“Yes. Until I explain who you are and why you’re with me, I think I should be the one to do all the talking.”

“Like, I can’t talk?”

“Nooooo. Like, I’m the adult.”

“Bossy, bossy.”

If Roxy hadn’t been smiling, Megan would have been more concerned about their sibling relationship. The younger girl had grown up a lot while Megan had been away at college and there were areas of both their lives that had changed.

She paused and tried to swallow past the dryness in her throat. “I’ll be right back. I promise.”

“You nervous?”

“Naw. I always shake like this.”

“How come you’re scared?”

“I’m not scared. Not exactly. It’s just that this project is very important to me. I want to make a good first impression.”

“You will. You’ve always been the brainy one. Go impress him, sis.”

“Thanks, I will…I hope.”

Comparing her equilibrium to that of a formerly sturdy table that had just had one of its four legs sawed off, Megan stepped down out of the truck, slammed the door, tossed back her shoulder-length hair and smoothed the hem of her T-shirt before she turned. Then she boldly stepped forward to meet the man she was to work with for the next two weeks.

Smile bright and eager, she offered her hand. “Hi. I’m Megan White.”

“James Harris,” he said pleasantly. “Welcome to Camp Refuge.”

“Thanks. I’m happy to finally be here and meet you face-to-face, Mr. Harris. After we spoke on the phone the other day, I wasn’t sure what kind of reception I’d get.”

“Really?” One dark eyebrow arched.

Oops. She chewed her lower lip, ruing her candid comment and wishing she could take it back. Oh, good one, Megan, she thought. Put him on the defensive right off, why don’t you? Way to go.

Questions remained in his deep brown eyes as he shook her hand. Megan was thankful their handshake was brief. A few more seconds of that man’s warm touch and she was afraid she’d have felt like a second table leg had been sawed off!

“Are you always so honest?” James asked.

“I hope not,” she said with a nervous chuckle.

His resulting laughter was hearty and genuine.

Megan’s stomach did an immediate flip-flop and landed in her throat where it could keep close company with her racing heart. Her project was already getting too complicated, thanks to the addition of a moody assistant. Finding that the camp director was neither old nor ugly, as she’d imagined, just added to her problems. Roxy was feeling abandoned and unloved. The poor kid was primed to develop a crush on the first good-looking guy who was nice to her, and in the case of this particular man, Megan could see how easily that could happen.

Well, there was nothing to do but forge ahead. “I brought my sister with me. She’ll be a big help with the animals. I hope you don’t mind.”

He leaned to peer past her into the truck. “Sister? I wasn’t expecting two of you.”

“I know. Sorry for the inconvenience. We’ll bunk together, of course. I’ll be totally responsible.”

“Yes, you will. How old is she?”

“Fifteen. She’s a great kid. You’ll like her.”

He looked again. “You’re not twins?”

Megan blushed under his steady assessment. “No. I assure you I’m much older.”