Christyne Butler - Destiny's Last Bachelor?

Bobby looked impressed. “I don’t think I ever knew that.”

“I’ve come up with a half-dozen people who have a history of generous charitable giving and, most importantly, a connection to this area.”

“Can we see that list?” Bobby asked.

Priscilla handed them her findings, watching as Bobby and Leeann, heads close together, read it.

She was pleased that her ideas were going over so well. As someone whose closest experience to kids’ summer camp was English riding lessons at the Beverly Hills Riding Club, Priscilla had spent a lot of time over the past few days learning everything she could about summer camps.

She’d been surprised to find ones that specialized in everything from sports to technology to the arts, but she’d concentrated on private, traditional sleepaway camps that offered a variety of activities like Camp Diamond.

“I think you’re onto something here.” Bobby tapped a finger against the piece of paper. “This is an idea the board of directors should explore further, but when Leeann said we were looking at fund-raising, we were actually thinking of something simpler.”

“Simpler?”

“And even more local.” Leeann rested a hand on Bobby’s jean-clad thigh. “From the very beginning, we wanted the people of Destiny, our families and friends, to be a part of the camp. We used a local company, Murphy Mountain Log Homes, to design and build all the buildings, and while we had to go outside the area to fill some of the senior staff positions, a lot of the staff, including most of the counselors, are local high-school and college kids.”

“Yes, well, I’m sure summer jobs are scarce in a town this small, so that’s a good thing, but I’m not sure what you’re looking for as far as—”

“Hey! Anyone home?”

A deep, booming voice filled the air, cutting her off. It seemed to come through the trees, but Priscilla guessed whoever bellowed was down below the wraparound deck.

“Yeah, we’re here. Come on up,” Bobby called out and then offered a sheepish grin when his wife swatted at him. “Sorry about that, Priscilla. A buddy of mine is here for an early dinner. Why don’t you stay and join us?”

“Oh, I don’t want to intrude.”

“You won’t. Please stay,” Leeann said. “We have plenty of food and this way I won’t be outnumbered. As usual.”

“Hey, you’re never outnumbered.”

“A female dog doesn’t count— Oh, no! Bobby, he’s got Dais—”

A blur of wiry golden-and-brown hair on four legs raced around the corner of the deck. Before Priscilla could brace herself, she had a familiar furry snout pressed into her hand as the same dog that greeted her yesterday in the river jumped up on the sectional right next to her.

Which meant her owner wasn’t too far behind.

“Oh, my, would you look at that.” Leeann’s voice was low. “I never thought I’d see this day.”

Priscilla’s hand stilled where she spontaneously started to scratch at the dog’s ears. She looked up and found Leeann and Bobby staring, mouths agape. “I’m sorry?”

“That dog hates women,” Leeann said, “but look at her cuddling up to you.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Daisy behave this way before,” Bobby added.

“Tell me about it.”

Priscilla turned sharply at the familiar voice, instantly recognizing her Good Samaritan and Daisy’s owner.

The first thing she saw was a pair of battered deck shoes. Her gaze slowly rose over tanned muscular legs dusted with dark hairs to his baggy cargo shorts. His deep green Camp Diamond T-shirt was untucked and stretched taut across his broad, powerful chest.

When a knowing grin crossed his handsome face, Priscilla realized she’d just assessed him as closely as he’d done to her yesterday. At least he was wearing more than a towel.

Too bad.

Surprised at the thoughts racing through her mind and the way her body responded to them, Priscilla forced her gaze to remain locked with the man she hadn’t thought she’d see again. “Well, hello.”

He bowed slightly and tipped his head, and she couldn’t tell if he meant the gesture to be gallant or mocking. “Hello to you. Again.”

“Wait, you two know each other?” Bobby asked.

Priscilla turned back, rushing to speak before Dean could. “We met yesterday afternoon when I first arrived in town.”

“Down by the Blue Creek. She was pulled over and I stopped to see if she needed any help.”

“Yes, Mr. Zippenella and his dog were quite the welcoming committee,” she hastily added, hoping Dean wouldn’t mention the details of their run-in, both in the water and later at the inn.

“To say Daisy is smitten is a bit of an understatement,” the man added, walking toward the bar.

“Boy, I’d say. Look at her. She’s never been that friendly with me or any woman in town.” Leeann’s voice was still filled with awe. “What’s your secret?”

“I don’t quite understand it, either.” Priscilla found herself once again moving her fingertips along the dog’s neck. “I mean, I’m a fan of animals, of course, but even I was a bit surprised at how outgoing—”

“Yeah, speaking of animals, where’s that pint-size yip factory of yours?” Dean asked. “What did you call it? Snack?”

Priscilla glanced at her bag, surprised the pup hadn’t made an appearance yet. “Snake is taking a nap at the moment— Oh!”

His tiny pointed ears popped up first, and then seconds later, Snake hopped from his hiding spot and landed on the deck at Priscilla’s feet. The dog growled deep in his throat, causing Daisy’s owner to slide onto one of the tall stools situated in front of the bar.

And lift his feet well out of reach.

* * *

Dean’s favorite deck shoes had been through hell over the years, and they looked it, but they’d never been peed on. The last thing he wanted was for that rat to get a second shot at him.

“Snake. Hush!”

This time the pup listened to his owner.

Dean took a moment to pull in a deep breath, watching Priscilla lean over and easily lift her pet to her side.

The last person he’d expected to run into here was Miss Lennox.

When she’d told him yesterday she was in town to meet up with a man, he’d never thought in a million years it’d be Bobby. Of course, she did look like the type of woman his buddy had dated over the years once his racing career had taken off. Blonde. Beautiful. Bankrolled. That was before Bobby had returned to Destiny and rekindled his high-school love affair with Leann a couple of years ago.

You’re about eighteen months too late, honey.

Dean thought back to Bobby and Leann’s wedding, held right here in their home on New Year’s Eve. He’d stood up as best man for them, having gotten Bobby back on his feet with an innovative physical-therapy program that had led to Dean’s employment with the local veterans’ center.

Sticking around and becoming a permanent resident of Destiny hadn’t been in his plans. He’d always figured he’d head back to his native New Jersey, but he’d found something here in this quiet rural community that had been missing in his life.

“Well, I guess Priscilla’s dog doesn’t feel the same way about you, huh, buddy?” Bobby asked, then grinned.

“Tell me about it.” Dean looked back at Priscilla, who’d managed to quiet her pet. “You think I can get myself a beer without being attacked?”

“Oh, you’ll be safe,” she answered, her smile confident. She continued to pet both dogs as they played at rubbing noses before settling into curled balls of fur on either side of her. “As long as you stay over there.”

“Yeah, I bet.” Deciding it was best to move slowly, Dean eased off the stool and walked behind the bar. He pulled a cold beer from the refrigerator and popped the top as curiosity got the best of him. Would Bobby really invite an ex-girlfriend to town? “So, how do you all know each other?”