Buried [Completed]

Chapter twenty-eight

Jamie spent her weekend washing clothes, buying last minute items, and checking off the detailed packing list provided by Wolf Creek Summer Camp. Cory and Chester would be spending the next two weeks riding horses, swimming, canoeing, singing around campfires and playing games. They would sleep in bunkhouses and eat their meals at the camp kitchen.

Jamie had read the brochure, studied the website, and thought Wolf Creek Camp sounded terrific. She'd never had an opportunity like this when she was growing up. But nine was rather young to be leaving home and family for two weeks. And she could tell both Cory and Chester were nervous. On Saturday night they both asked to talk to her.

"You'll still be living here when we get back?" Cory had asked.

"Of course. You can't get rid of your evil stepmother that easily."

Cory giggled. "You're going to have a lot of fun. And we'll be in touch. Phone calls aren't allowed, but, I'll write letters. And you'll always have Chester to talk to if you're feeling homesick."

In Chester's room, she found the young boy fussing over his ant farm— something new he'd started a few weeks ago.

"I'll look after them," she promised. "And you keep an eye on your sister, okay?"

"I bet the horses are going to be really big," he said as he hunkered under his covers.

"Maybe. But they must be pretty gentle if they trust them with children."

With Chester it was always best to appeal to his logical side.

"A camp like that wouldn't be able to afford liability insurance if children were getting injured on their horses."

"Oh. Good point." He sounded so grown up. Yet looked so cute and young with his big eyes peeking out from the covers.

"Your dad and I will write you every week," she promised.

"Sleep tight, honey."

* * *

Dropping the kids off on Sunday afternoon was more difficult than Jamie expected. Cory was clingy right to the end, and though they walked through the premises with her, met the counselors, introduced her to her bunkmates, nothing seemed to make her comfortable. All the other parents had left, and games were starting, when she finally agreed that they could go. She had tears in her eyes as they drove away, though. And so did Jamie.

"You have a soft heart." Kyle patted her hand gently, leaving one hand on the steering wheel as he negotiated the rutted country road.

"They're so young."

"Next year they won't have to go to camp if they don't want to. Because you'll be home."

Yes. That was true. She wished now that she'd made the decision to quit her job earlier so the twins didn't have to go through this. But then, what about the honeymoon? Her and Kyle's relationship was the bedrock for this family. And she and her new husband desperately needed time together. They'd been married less than a month and already secrets were building up between them.

She still hadn't asked him about that box of Daisy's. He must have moved it because he was afraid she'd go snooping again. Which she had tried to do. But why hadn't he said something? Of course, she was no better. She still hadn't told Kyle she was contemplating finding her father.

"Have you given any thought to booking our trip to San Francisco?" she asked.

"On Tuesday I need to go to Coos Bay to close a condo deal. Should take two or three days, at most. How about we leave on Friday? We can stay in the city a few nights, then maybe tour Napa Valley."