Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“I’ll explain when you get home,” Tulsi whispered as they neared the bus. All the other kids were on board, but the storage area beneath was still open, and two of the counselors were crossing the parking lot from the nearby drug store carrying flats of bottled water.
“You found her!” Deb met them by the storage area under the bus as Tulsi tucked Clem’s duffel inside with the other bags.
“Yes, thank goodness.” Tulsi put an arm around Clem’s shoulders, hugging her close. “She was at Mia’s looking for her doll. We found it, so she’s all set.”
“Great!” Deb grinned down at Clem. “Hailey is saving you a seat. She’s so excited there are going to be two six-year-olds at camp this year. I bet you two are going to have the best time.”
“We are!” Clem was prancing with excitement as she turned to give Tulsi one last hug. “Bye, Mom. Love you!”
“Love you, too.” Tulsi hugged her daughter hard, holding on for as long as Clem would tolerate before setting her free. “Have fun, be good, and remember all the things we talked about.”
“I will!” Clementine waved before dashing to the front of the bus and disappearing inside, sending a pang through Tulsi’s heart. She’d been so scared when Clem disappeared she’d forgotten how nervous she was about the camping trip until she watched her baby climb out of sight.
“They’re going to be fine,” Deb whispered as they meandered a few steps away from the bus. “I know it’s scary, but Hailey and Clementine are both mature for their age. They’re going to have a wonderful time and make amazing memories.”
“I know. And Clem’s so excited to go.” Tulsi tried to smile, but couldn’t seem to get her brows to unfurrow. This entire morning had been too upsetting to snap back so easily. “She’s just so little. My mom didn’t let me go to camp until I was in third grade.”
“They’re growing up faster than we did,” Deb agreed with a sigh. “But I’ve heard Mrs. Grier expects so much of her first graders. Gaining some independence will probably be good for them.”
Tulsi nodded. “I’ve been trying to prepare Clem all summer. My friend Mia and I had Mrs. Grier when we were little. Mia was so much like Clem and she got in trouble all the time. Mrs. Grier has a zero free spirit tolerance policy.”
Deb cringed. “That’s what I’ve heard. It makes me wish there was another option. A parish school or a private school or something.”
“One of the hazards of a small town,” Tulsi said with a shrug. “At least we’ll all be in it together.”
“That’s true,” Deb said, lifting an arm to wave as the bus rumbled to life.
“Bye!” Tulsi called out, laughing as Clem made a silly face through the window before the bus pulled out onto the street. “That girl. What am I going to do without her for an entire week?”
“Start with getting a coffee with me?” Deb said, with a nervous laugh. “I have the morning off from the office. I know you have tons of friends, but even after a year and a half I haven’t quite found my tribe. If you know what I mean.”
“Of course, and I do,” Tulsi said, sympathizing immediately and feeling bad that she hadn’t been the one to reach out. “It can be so hard to make new friends once you’re a mom. We’re all so busy with work and—”
An alarm blared from her back pocket and Tulsi scrambled for her phone. “Sorry, it’s my friend Mia. I’ll just be a second.”
“No worries.” Deb smiled as Tulsi stepped away.
“You poor thing,” Mia said by way of greeting. “What a turd Clementine is! I can’t believe she ran off like that. Pike said you were white as a sheet when you came in the shop.”
“I was really scared,” Tulsi admitted, wondering what else Pike had said about her. “But we had a talk and I got her on the bus before it left. Hopefully, she’ll behave herself at camp.”
Mia snorted. “Well, we can always hope. I don’t think she can get into too much trouble, as long as they lock up all the archery equipment.”
“Oh, God,” Tulsi said, eyes squeezing shut. “Don’t say things like that, or I’m going to go chase down the bus.”
Mia laughed. “Don’t chase down the bus. This will be good for her. She’s going to have an amazing time at camp and you’ll have an amazing time with me. I was just filling Pike in on all the activities planned for the week. He’s really, really excited about them. I can tell.”
Tulsi made a noncommittal sound, wondering if Mia was being sarcastic, but too anxious that Pike might be listening in on the conversation to ask.
“You want to come over and have coffee with us?” Mia continued. “Sawyer already left for work, and Pike and I are just sitting around until I open the shop.”