Read Online So Much to Live For by Lurlene McDaniel - Free Book Online

sad.”
    “You can come back next year and see everybody.”
    “That’s what the girls said.”
    “But you don’t want to come back?” His expression looked quizzical. “Didn’t you have a good time?”
    “I had a great time. It’s just that . . .” She searched for words to express her feelings. “I don’t know how to say it.”
    His blue eyes looked knowingly into hers. “It’s just that maybe someone will die before next summer rolls around.”
    “How’d you know?”
    “I felt the same way when Sandy went off to Mexico. I knew there was a chance I’d never see her alive again. It turned out I never did.”
    Dawn shivered slightly, and Brent put his arm around her and pulled her to his side. He felt solid and warm against her skin. “You’ve still got another week here, don’t you?”
    “Sure do. The sibling campers check in tomorrow.”
    “What’ll you do until then?”
    “I’m going into town with some of the staff. We’ve got to hit a Laundromat first. After the mud war, my clothes look pretty grim.” He wrinkled his nose. “They don’t smell so sweet either. Then we’ll take in a movie and come back here and get ready to face a new group tomorrow.”
    Dawn realized suddenly that she’d miss seeing Brent every day, too. “Did you enjoy doing this camp?”
    “I really did. It took a day or so for me to adjust to the ones with cut-off limbs and bald heads and all. But deep down, they’re just regular kids who got handed a bum rap from life.” He gazed down at her. “You glad you did it?”
    “I sure am. They’re a pretty terrific bunch of kids.”
    “Even Marlee?”
    Dawn laughed. “I think she thawed out and had fun toward the end—even though she tried hard not to.”
    “You could thaw anyone out, Dawn.”
    His beautiful blue eyes stared into hers. She felt her knees go weak. “I, uh, had my doubts about Marlee for a while,” she added. “If she comes back next year, it’ll be proof that she had a good time.”
    He turned her to face him. “Can I write you?”
    “Uh, sure.”
    He smoothed her hair and said, “You’ve got pretty hair.”
    “Thank you.”
    “You know what?”
    “What?”
    “I never got that kiss.”
    “We kept getting interrupted.”
    He glanced around. The steady beat of the rain sounded muffled as it struck trees and foliage. “No one’s here now to interrupt.”
    “That’s true,” Dawn whispered.
    His arms slipped around her waist, and her arms entwined around his neck. Dawn felt herself rise onto her toes and her chin lift. They stood on the porch wrapped in the sound of summer rain, his kiss resting like soft petals on her lips.

    * * * *

    When she was certain that the campers had gone, Dawn walked alone to the hall with her things. Brent had left when Dr. Ben had shouted to him that the van was heading for town. “I’ll write,” he promised her, then bounded down the steps.
    The rain had stopped, but the afternoon still looked gloomy as she made her way along the trail. She entered the hall and heard the sounds of pots and pans, signaling that the kitchen help was organizing for the next group of campers. In a far corner, Dawn saw a figure hunched over a leather suitcase. Surprised, she asked, “Marlee? Are you still here?”
    The thirteen-year-old straightened. “Yeah.”
    Dawn approached, remembering that Marlee had no parents to pick her up. “How are you getting home? Is your grandmother coming for you?”
    “Grams doesn’t drive. She’s got a heart problem.”
    “Gee, I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault,” Marlee said a bit sarcastically. “I’ve been living with her since my parents died when I was five. She’s always been sick.”
    “Well, do you have any brothers or sisters?” Dawn asked awkwardly.
    “Just me and Grams.” Marlee heaved a deep sigh.
    “Why don’t I wait with you? My brother’s not supposed to be here to pick me up for another half-hour.”
    “I’m not a baby, you know.