for several years, so he knows what he’s doing. He’ll make sure the place runs smoothly and just wants you to take care of the activities like Gus did. Hell, you’ve headed up a government office, so twenty kids should be a piece of cake.”
Rick cringed inwardly at the mention of his recently defunct position, but he kept his face impassive.
“We hired a couple of new graduates for the assistant counselor positions.” Herschel took a long draw from his tea and smacked his lips appreciatively.
“And what about the girls’ head counselor?” He’d have to work closely with whoever was in that position.
Agnes cocked her head and shrugged, reminding him of a bird listening for a worm. “We thought we had someone hired, but she backed out yesterday. That’s why I sounded so anxious when you called.” She gave him a warm smile that made him feel quite heroic and terribly uncomfortable. “We’re still looking.”
“Nadine says she’ll stay on, but only as our last resort.” Herschel gave a lopsided grin. “She and Gus are gonna miss having summers off together. Neither of them wants to make the drive from the lake every day even though they’ve always said the little cabin in the woods is like a second honeymoon.”
Having twenty kids within spitting distance hardly sounded like a romantic haven to Rick.
“What about the assistant counselor?” he suggested. “Is she a possibility?”
“Tara doesn’t want the responsibility.” Agnes dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. “We still have a few weeks. We’ll find someone.”
Rick wasn’t so sure. “And if you don’t?”
“Couple of possibilities,” Herschel said. “We could make the first session an all-boys camp this year. Plenty of applicants. That would buy us some more time.”
Rick considered the option. “Sort of a boot camp? Give the young men a little taste of a soldier’s life?”
Herschel shrugged. “As long as it’s fun. Gotta make sure they enjoy it.”
Rick nodded. “And the other possibility?”
“Send the deposits back, call it quits and put it on the market.” Herschel grimaced as if in pain. “Gus said you’re getting your real-estate license?”
“I’ve just started the online class,” Rick explained. “My mom’s a Realtor in Little Rock, so it was a knee-jerk reaction when I found out the Department of Wildlife office was closing.”
“Maybe you can make some notes? You know, just some suggestions of things that need to be done, in case it ever comes down to having to sell the camp?”
Agnes interrupted before Rick could answer. “Let’s not talk about that until...until we have to.” Her voice faltered, and she looked at Rick again as if he were a godsend. “Selling’s a last resort, and we’d rather not do it unless we’re forced to. Our hope is to pass the property on to our girls someday.”
His own selfishness poked a finger in Rick’s chest. Man up, Warren. These people need you to save their camp. He clapped his hands together in a show of enthusiasm. “Well, let’s get started. You mentioned you had copies of the applications for me? I’d like to start getting to know my soon-to-be charges.”
“Sure.” Herschel eased out of the chair. “I’ll get those for you.” His heavy tread up the stairs echoed across the spacious room.
Agnes smiled sweetly. “You’ll be good at this, I can tell. Children say and do the cutest things.”
“Yes, ma’am, but they have to be watched constantly.” Rick’s brain flashed an image of the little Afghani girl who sprang up in his nightmares sometimes. He blinked the image back into the recesses.
“Are you married? Any children?” Agnes asked.
“No, ma’am, to both questions. But I led my share of nature hikes when I was a park ranger. Inevitably, there was some kid who wanted a closer look at a copperhead.”
“I’ve known one or two like that.” An amused glint lit her eyes.
Peewee’s yelp pulled their attention to the backyard. An irate blue jay swooped down at the dog as he made his laps.
Agnes rolled her eyes. “Such a baby. We got him after our youngest moved out, and I’m afraid we’ve spoiled him rotten. Just like we did the girls.”
“How many children do you have?” Rick killed some time with polite conversation.
“Three girls. The oldest two are married now. The youngest is, well...” Agnes’s eyebrows drew in as if she were searching for the correct word.
“Agnes!” Herschel’s loud bellow echoed from somewhere upstairs. “What’d you do with those forms?”
“They’re on your desk.” Agnes’s voice rose to a screech. “I saw them this morning.”