Free Colorado Cabin in the Pines (Peakview series Book 3) by Jill Haymaker Page B

their favorite, the state flower of Colorado. Penny awarded a small prize each time one of the campers discovered a new flower.
    Working with kids was as tiring as it was rewarding. She didn’t know how Ryan and Willow did it, being there twenty-four hours a day. At least she got to go home and relax each evening. Teaching would be like this in the fall, and she had to admit she was looking forward it—getting to spend an entire year with her students. This camp session was already almost over, and she dreaded saying goodbye to these youngsters.
    As she was saying goodnight to her campers for the night amid many tiny hugs and promises that she’d be back in the morning, Ryan walked up and put his hand around her shoulder. “Can you stop up at the office for a minute before you head out?”
    “Sure thing, boss.” Penny watched apprehensively as he walked away. What was that about? She thought she had been doing a good job this week. She hoped everything was okay.
    She broke away from her small herd of admirers and headed to the office. “Hey, Willow. What’s up? Ryan wanted to talk to me?”
    Ryan walked out the back room, fresh mug of coffee in his hand. “So Penny, do you have plans on Saturday? I know it’s the 4 th of July, and we totally understand if you want to be with your family.”
    “No, I don’t think we have much going on. Of course, I was planning on heading into town at dusk for the fireworks. My parents will probably be by the lake at the Peakview picnic most of the day. What’s happening here at the camp?”
    “We’re thinking about doing a special rodeo. Let the kids deck themselves and the horses out in red, white, and blue and do a big parade into the arena. Thought I’d do some calf roping, and you could show off your barrel racing skills.”
    Penny laughed. “I’d be happy to, but I’m afraid I’m a bit rusty. I haven’t competed for over four years, not since high school.”
    “Relax, you don’t have to be a pro here. None of these kids have ever seen a rodeo before. I have one more favor to ask.”
    “Anything you need.”
    “The kids would really enjoy seeing some of Luke’s rope tricks. Could you stop by the Walker Ranch and ask him to help us out?”
    One hundred and one excuses ran through her brain. She had no idea what kind of terms she and Luke were on these days. But this was for the kids, and from what she remembered, Luke’s tricks were amazing. The kids would love it. She sighed. “No problem. I’ll stop over tonight, and see if I can find him.”
     
    ***
     
    Her mom stood in the kitchen shucking sweet corn when Penny got back from camp.
    “Hi, Mom.”
    “Hi Honey. Dinner is almost ready.”
    “It smells wonderful.” She gave her mom a kiss on the cheek. “Is there time for me to have a quick shower before dinner? I got pretty dusty today.”
    “Take your time. Your dad won’t be back from town for another half hour or so.”
    Penny made her way up the back stairs to her room. She glanced in the mirror. She was covered in red Colorado dirt. Not the best look for asking for a favor. She climbed in the shower and watched as the grime melted in small brown rivers of water running down her legs. Her thoughts turned to Luke. He’d always been good with kids. Surely he’d help out, wouldn’t he? That is unless he had holiday plans with that brunette. Well, she’d find out tonight. She prayed she’d find him alone when she got there.
    She wasn’t trying to impress him, really she wasn’t, but she did put on a nice form-fitting western style blouse and her killer jeans that accentuated her thin figure. She blow-dried her long hair and put a few curls in the ends, and finally spritzed on a small amount to perfume. She hadn’t dressed up much recently, and it felt good. This was for her, not Luke.
    “My, don’t you look nice,” Ann said as Penny re-entered the kitchen. “Are you going out later?”
    “No. I just felt like looking like a girl for a