Camp Venture was her inheritance from a woman who’d loved her unconditionally, and Hilly was determined to keep the twenty-seven-acre summer camp up and running, despite opposition. Not that she hadn’t made changes. Her grandmother’s model had always been a place for outdoorsy girls to come and commune with nature, make friends, and get away from the big cities where they lived. Hilly’s vision was a bit different.

The camp, now under Hilly’s directorship, was co-ed. It was also a place of escape, but not from traffic and smog. She’d made it a safe haven for those who’d been recommended to her by area guidance counselors for having been habitually bullied.

The idea of a sanctuary camp had long percolated in Hilly’s head; ever since she’d been a middle schooler with weight problems who’d been relentlessly picked on. During those years, she hadn’t felt confident enough to leave her home to attend even her grandmother’s camp, needing her solitary summers to get over the bullying she’d suffered during the very long school seasons.

Not that she hadn’t come for brief visits to the camp, but she’d stayed in the safety of her grandmother’s cabin for those weekends. Somehow, though, during her short stints, the place had gotten under her skin enough that, with her granny’s patient guidance, she’d eventually become a counselor during her college years when her confidence had soared.

So screw the pushy developer and her sperm donor’s money-making agendas.

This place meant too much to Hilly…and she wasn’t selling.

“Hello, hello,” she greeted her crew briskly but with a broad smile as she walked in to stand at the podium positioned at the front of the large room that was the combination dining hall, meeting place, craft room, and dance hall. Ten faces turned toward hers, half of them returnees from last year; the other half new recruits. “I’m glad you all could make it. How’s everyone settling in?”

There were nods, murmurs, and thumbs up, but no one had anything negative to say, which was a good start. Last year there’d been an infestation of spiders in one cabin, and a snake who’d taken up residence in another over the winter. The two counselors who had discovered the unwanted guests had slept in canoe hulls for one night until the problem was taken care of by Hilly who’d used a hook on a broom for removing the benign snake, and a shop-vac for the spiders.

Hilly never knew what she would come back to each spring. Sometimes it was uprooted trees, other times it was minor vandalism, but this year, knock on wood, all seemed well with everything on site.

Other than the ten guest-cabins—each housing ten campers who slept in bunkbeds, along with one counselor who had a small alcove to themselves—Hilly had a nice, seasonal log home on the property, which held one spare bedroom and also accommodated her business office. An enormous pole-barn sat next to her cabin; storage for all the equipment needed for an entire summer of fun, and home to the canteen where campers could buy personal items they might need, as well as books and souvenirs.

Four other edifices rounded out the camp’s infrastructure. A nicely appointed building for the infirmary where their resident RN would live and also treat campers. A three-walled structure with one side open to a fire-ring where her ten counselors could relax when they weren’t needed to supervise their charges during craft-time, meals, and for one hour after their cabins’ lights went out. There was an open-air but roof-covered cement slab where games could be played during inclement weather, and the huge dining hall with an adjoining kitchen where she addressed her counselors, now.

She’d met each of her new recruits, individually, when she’d interviewed them, but this was the first time the entire group of ten had convened in one place.

“Why don’t you stand up, one by one, and introduce yourselves. First names only, until you feel comfortable sharing with others, and a brief description of where you’re from, and why you’re here. Jadan?” Hilly addressed one of her veteran counselors. “Would you like to go first?”

The handsome and gregarious dark-skinned young man jumped up with a grin. “Hi everyone! Nice to see my friends from last year who’ve returned.” He winked at Fran, who Hilly knew he crushed on. “And welcome to our new batch of kid-fodder,” he joked. “My name is Jadan. I’m twenty years old, and I’m from New Orleans, in case you didn’t pick up on my sweet-tea accent.”

Everyone laughed.

“I attend Tulane University, majoring in Early Childhood Development. This is my second year, and I’m ready for more hands-on experience with the campers who’ve come here because they’ve been bullied.”

There was a smattering of applause, then the girl next to Jadan stood up.

“I’m Midge,” said the bright, pretty blonde. “I’m a newbie from Rhode Island who goes to RISD. I’m bringing my art background to the campers, hoping to show them that everyone is capable of creating masterpieces.”

More applause, after which, one by one, the rest of her ten counselors stood and introduced themselves.

For the girls’ cabins, besides Fran and Midge, there was second-season returnee Lisha, and fresh faces, Bailey and Maya. On the boys’ side, Jadan was joined once again by Mateo and Lance, along with their new fellow counselors, Carter and Vishon.

Hilly quickly got down to business. “We have two days before move in on Monday, so in that time, I want all our counselors with experience to not only get reacquainted with our camp handbook, but to refamiliarize themselves with our buildings and equipment, help our new recruits navigate our campus layout, and mentally map out the surrounding area and trails. If you haven’t already, you can download the property map from our website onto your phones in case you ever find yourself turned around in the woods.

“As for the lake, you are all lifeguard certified, but just a reminder—which you’ll see when you look over your handbook—no one group swims alone. If you take your campers for a dip at other than our allotted water-recreation times, another cabin and counselor must join you. This is a hard and fast rule. One, that if it’s not followed, will get you dismissed.”

Everyone nodded, and that was heartening. Hilly, disappointingly, had to let one of her most solid counselors go last year for ignoring this safety precaution. The incident had upset her so much, she was making it a point to tell them how important it was.

“I also have some great news to share.” Hilly crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping the new program would be met with enthusiasm. “I’ve been in touch with the local police chief here in town, and he’s agreed to send us one of his officers who’s an expert in hand-to-hand combat and self-defense. In previous years, when our exit surveys have been returned, a number of campers requested some kind of program that would boost their physical self-confidence. We’re going to give this a try to see if it works out.”

Hilly went on to talk about a few more items, letting her counselors know that her door was always open to them for problems or advice. She then asked for questions. “Anybody have anything to share or add?”

“Yeah.” Mateo, a second-timer, stood up and smirked. “Tell me we have better food this year.”

Hilly laughed. They’d had some problems with the chef who’d been hired from a nearby town last season. Apparently, the kids all thought his menu was bland, and his attitude worse. He hadn’t been open to any changes or suggestions to the three meals a day he had planned, and made it known that his word was law as far as their stomachs were concerned.

Hilly had recognized the problem after only the first week, but at that point, she’d been unable to procure a replacement on such short notice. This year, however…

“Indeed, you are going to be pleasantly surprised…I hope,” she added. “I’ve brought in someone who I’ve known almost all my life. She was in charge of the cafeteria during my elementary school years⁠—”

A prolonged groan cut her off, and she laughed.

“No. No. I understand, but don’t worry. She went on to become a top-tiered caterer after she left the school, and even though she retired from food service altogether two years ago, she’s put on several wedding events lately, and agreed to come out of mothballs to help me out this year at camp. I just know you’re going to love Ellen Sothard, who’s already said she wants to be called Mrs. S.”

Mateo shrugged, letting her know he’d form his own opinion, but agreeably sat down. He was a good kid, and Hilly knew he’d give Ellen a fair shot.

“Anything else?” she asked.

“Is Nurse Thompkins back again this year?” Lisha asked. The campers had loved the older woman, but unfortunately a family emergency had her moving to Texas in the off season.

“No, she isn’t able to be with us again, but we have a highly recommended individual from Bangor joining our staff. Her name is Debbie Gorner, or Nurse Gorner to you, and you should be meeting her soon.”

Right. The woman was supposed to have arrived yesterday, but had yet to show. Not an auspicious beginning, but Hilly would cut her some slack. They needed a certified professional on site, and it was far too late to find someone else. She’d texted the woman, who’d told her that something had come up to delay her, but that she’d be here late today.

Hilly hoped that was the case.

“More questions? Concerns?” Hilly encouraged.

When no one spoke up, she went into her next practiced spiel; one which most of them were eagerly waiting for. “Now I’ll be giving each of you your cabin and camper assignments. If you⁠—"

The sound of a motorcycle in the distance interrupted her speech, so she stopped to wait it out. But instead of moving away, the sound of the rumbling pipes became louder and louder.

Who the hell was bringing a motorcycle here? Was it possible it was Nurse Gorner? Hilly snorted. That would earn the woman some instant cred with all the staff and campers.

Hilly held up a finger. “It seems we have a new arrival. Stay put while I go check it out, and I’ll be right back.”

She might as well have been talking to the wind. Every one of her ten counselors flew to the windows to get a gander at the newcomer.

“OMG!” Midge squealed.

“Nice,” Jadan hissed out, his eyes going wide.

Without joining them to gawk at…whatever, Hilly flew to the door and walked out into the yard.

Wha—?

The motorcycle pulling in was a stunning piece of equipment; all white, black, chrome, and leather.

It came to a stop.

Hessian-booted feet planted themselves on the dirt.