18

Chapter 7- By the Light of the Fire

Pulling into the campground, Quinn found a strange sensation of relaxation to fall over her. Taking her duffle bag out of the trunk, she watched as Hudson took the kids and threw them weightlessly over his shoulder. Without effort, he moved to their campsite with the tents under his arm as the kids helped with the rods and fabric.

"Have you ever put one up before?"

Quinn chuckled. "The closest to camping I have ever been is being at the beach. My family never believed in it much. They believed that God created shelter and we shouldn't let it go to waste. I've always wanted to go though."

He smirked in her direction as he took the large tent and placed it on the far side of the fire. Placing everything in its correct position he noticed Quinn's confused expression.

"Is something wrong?"

"Well...there are only three tents..." She arched her brow.

"That is my fault. I had forgot to snatch you one from the garage. I had actually went to get it when I got a call from the college."

"Looks like you'll have to sleep with me." Olivia said with a big smile as she pulled Quinn towards her tent. Instructing her on how to make it, Olivia stood by while she texted. Finishing it within the hour, she turned to find Hudson leaning against the truck with his arms crossed as he was amused by her trouble with it.

"You could have helped."

"But then I wouldn't have been able to see how adorable you can be." He teased, making her go deeper into her confusion.

As the hours became later, the kids were forced off their devices and placed around the fire as they made s'mores. Becoming sticky with the melted marshmallow, they went to the river to wash it away as Hudson and Quinn were left alone.

"Thank you for coming."

"Thanks for inviting me...it's been an experience for sure..."

"Just wait until-" Suddenly she wacked herself on the back of the neck as she let out a groan.

"What is it?"

"Mosquitoes. The little buggers don't ever leave me alone!"

"Here...I have some stuff."

"Mosquito spray doesn't work."

"No. It's a lotion. It is supposed to keep them away. Rochelle actually discovered it-works for the kids."

"Okay..." Moving to his bag, he removed an expensive brand lotion as she put her arms out.

"I can't let you do that..."

"Why not? I don't have cooties."

"No. That stuff is like three-hundred dollars a bottle."

"Would you just accept a present for once. Consider it a gift for me because otherwise I have to hear you complain about it and how itchy you are."

"I don't complain..." She murmured.

"Just pull down your shirt." She turned to him with wide eyes. "Your shoulders. You can't reach them."

She nodded as she pulled the arm of her shirt down as the lotion was placed on her neck and shoulders. For a minute, she closed her eyes and imagined it to be more of a romantic setting then it had been. Snapping her back to reality was the feeling of his nose on her neck.

"Sorry, I can't help it. It smells amazing."

He pulled back upon finishing the application process just as the kids returned. Trying to compose herself, she had began the first ghost story as the kids were wrapped tightly in their blankets. A few hours later, they laid under the stars as they were taught by Olivia on all the constellations. By the time they got to Cassiopeia, Roderick was already asleep. Olivia was the next to sleep as Quinn thought it would be smartest to follow with Olivia. Before she could, she was pulled by Hudson.

"Thanks again..."He said with the sweetest tone as she felt as though she was melting with not only his touch, but his voice.

She also found that she could not talk and could only bring herself to nod.

She slid into her sleeping bag aside from Olivia who was fast asleep when her phone went off. Not wanting to wake Olivia, she moved towards the lake which had been about a quarter of a mile away. Surprised at the signal, she didn't recognize the number and pressed it against her ear to answer.

"Hello?"

"Is this Quinn?"

"Yes, speaking."

"Hello. This is Richard Froy from the Heartford Mental Institution. Your mother has been placed under suspicion of schizophrenia and she asked that you would be notified immediately, but you cannot come and visit her as it may effect the psychological process being made here."

"I understand, thank you."

Freezing on the other end of the phone, she took a seat near the water and immediately fell into tears. For a moment she had collected herself and thought of all the moments her mother had shown signs of being certifiable-such as leaving her in a bar in Chicago as a baby because she thought she was in the 90s and had to pursue her dream as a singer-taking a bus, and leaving her for four hours. That had been one of the more tame times. All the times had hit Quinn hard as she sat in a ball with her legs pushed against her chest in tears.

"Quinn?" The seductive voice spoke behind her as she wiped her eyes and jumped to her feet. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm just tired." She attempted to push past him but he pulled her back.

"I know you aren't. Tell me what happened."

"Please, I just want to sleep."

"Is the camping too much? Is the job too much?"

"No." She wiped another sneaky tear as she tried to keep her gaze from him.

"Please tell me. I like to think we have gotten close enough to confide in one another." He said as he cupped her cheeks and gently held her head so their gazes interlocked.

"My mom is in a psychiatric ward...and I can't even go see her..."

"Oh my...that's intense..."

"It isn't a surprise that she is. She should have been years ago but when my dad was around, he would always take care of her and make sure she would be alright...and now since I left, she had a break down and is believed to have schizophrenia..." Wiping another tear, she found Hudson to pull her into a deep hug.

"It's okay. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but it will be alright. She will get the help she needs."

"I feel like everything is falling apart and the only thing I have is this job-this amazing job that I know can't last forever...I just wish I could freeze time right now."

"Unfortunately, the hardest part in this world is to pick ourselves up when we keep getting knocked down. But you aren't alone, I promise. I'm here for anything you need."

With their eyes locked deep into one another, she smirked as he returned the smile. In a fit of hormonal passion, she threw herself into his arms and pressed her lips against his. Grabbing the lapels of his collar and pulling him deeper into her, he placed his hands on her hips and stopped her.

"Quinn...this isn't a good idea."

Now embarrassed and devastated, she moved back to the tent, apologizing and disappearing up the hill. Continuing to cry as she tried to fall asleep, Hudson stayed by the water, thinking about everything that had happened.