Free Bet On Love by Barbara Witek Page A

right?”
    “We’re tenting, Shelby, no electricity. Which reminds me, we’d better grab the extra batteries for the flashlight.”
    “Flashlight?”
    “Yeah, for when you have to go to the bathroom, and we need plastic bags for the toilet paper. We usually set up in the woods next to our site.”
    “You’re joking, right?” Good Lord, I hadn’t had to squat in the woods since my college partying days, and even then, it didn’t go well. “Certainly they have bathrooms at the camp sight.”
    “Sure, way up where the campers are, but we go far into the woods. The bathrooms are a really long walk.” She seemed to sense my fears because she added, “And at night the skunks and raccoons come out.”
    “Great.” I forced a smile. “I can hardly wait.”

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    After driving almost two hours through winding roads and deep woods, we finally reached the remote town of Conrad and entered into Mill Creek Campgrounds. Abbey had conveniently listened to her music the entire drive, leaving Cole and I to make small talk. We seemed to talk about everything but my impending departure and the fact that Friday, Matt Drake would be dropping off our official release from this fiasco.
    “How far away are we from Uncle Rob’s sight?” Abbey pulled the earbuds away from her head.
    “We’re just down the creek a ways,” Cole replied.
    “You mean there really is a creek here?” I searched out the open window. The strong scent of pine tingled in my nose as we drove further into the campground.
    “Hence the name, yes.” Cole glanced my way and winked. “We usually get this sight or the one Rob has which is closer to the actual lake. The kids like fishing off the dock or the rocky point, and the beach isn’t that far, either.”
    “Sounds great.” My mood lifted a bit. I remembered how relaxing I found the wilderness to be when I was younger. Now the sound of the surf every night after a tough day was what I craved. Although anything would be a welcome distraction from the handsome man beside me and the unhappy ending to come.
    “Ah, here we are, sight 518. Let’s unload and set up the tent.” Cole rolled into the sight, and Abbey was out the door before the car was even in park.
    “I’m letting Maria know we’re here. I’ll be back!” she shouted, and I watched her lime green shorts disappear down the path. I couldn’t help but smile.
    “Looks like it’s just you and me,” I said, not realizing the implication until Cole’s brows disappeared. “I mean, you know, to set up camp.”
    “Right.” He winked again, and I suddenly wondered if this wasn’t a conspiracy concocted by him and his daughter after all. “Do you remember how to do this, California girl?”
    “Like riding a bike, isn’t that what you said?” I followed and helped him lay the tent out. One-by-one we slid the poles until the four room tent took shape. “Wow, this is some tent.”
    “Comes in handy when Abbey brings friends.” He grinned, and my heart melted. He was such a hands-on dad, and I knew he loved every minute of it. In spite of the divorce, Abbey was growing up with the love and support of her father. I admired him for his dedication.
    “So you guys camp a lot?”
    “Every chance we get.” Cole pounded the stakes down with a rubber mallet. “It makes an easy getaway, you know?” He stood, brushed off his knees and returned to the back of the car to haul out the cooler.
    “Oh, don’t I know it.” I trailed behind, wanting to help, and settled on slinging our duffle over my shoulder. “My back deck faces the ocean. That’s my escape every night. There’s nothing like mother nature to make you forget your troubles.”
    “Listen, I know this has been a little weird.” He dropped the cooler just under a tree.
    “A little?” My voice hitched.
    “Okay, a lot.” His face formed a silly expression as he splayed his hands in a wide gesture. “But I can tell Abbey really likes you.” He returned to