Hill Country Hero (9 page)

Although Marianne and Texas Bob were intimately familiar with the camp, they dutifully “oohed” and “aahed” during the guided tour.

“Where is everyone?” Marianne asked as they walked back from the ball fields. “I thought the kids would be out, playing.”

CiCi suspected most of them were napping. A couple of nights in the great outdoors would zap the Energizer Bunny.

“I think everyone has gone to their cabins for a little snooze.”

Marianne nodded. “That makes sense.”

“So, Dad, what do you think?”

“Sweetheart, you’re doing a great job, really terrific.” Texas Bob gave her another hug. “Tell you what, though. I wouldn’t mind cutting the tour short and heading back for some chow. I’m starved. Do you think we could eat before the feeding frenzy starts?”

CiCi twined her arm through his. “You may have to make do with tuna sandwiches. We haven’t replenished our supplies.”

“I don’t like fish sandwiches,” Molly said as she skipped up with Mac right behind her.

CiCi ruffled her niece’s curls. “PB&J for you.”

“With potato chips?”

“Absolutely. And a Sprite if that’s okay with your mom.”

Mac grinned. “I don’t like fish sandwiches, either.”

“You girls just don’t know what’s good. I’m sure anything Cookie prepares will be delicious.” Marianne marched straight to the kitchen when they reached the lodge, ready to help if necessary.

The day went amazingly well. Daddy was pleased with how smoothly things were operating, and Jake had been charming. What more could she want? That was easy—a soft bed and a good night’s rest.

B
UT THAT WASN’T
in the cards, especially since she was sharing her bed with Chatty Kathy.

“I want to hear everything,” Mac demanded. Her position, seated in the middle of the bed with a bowl of popcorn in her lap, made her look more like a teenager than a divorced single mom.

CiCi flopped back against the headboard. The scene reminded her a lot of high school. “There’s not much to tell. He kissed me. That’s it.”

“That’s it? What do you mean?” Mac had devoured the pop corn and was now working on a two-pound bag of mini Milky Ways.

“Sometimes I think he’s attracted to me.” CiCi smiled thinking about those steamy kisses. “Especially when we…you know.”

“Duh! Of course he’s hot for you.” Mac wasn’t known for her patience. “You’re a beautiful woman. Who wouldn’t be?”

“Remember Tank. I didn’t exactly walk away from that with my self-esteem intact.”

Mac waved her hand in dismissal. “He’s an idiot—what does he know?”

Tank
was
a moron. But CiCi wasn’t in the mood to talk about him. “So, what’s going on with you and Cole Benavides?” How was that for a slick segue?

Mac managed to look both a chagrined and happy. “We’ve met at Starbucks a couple of times, that’s all.” She shrugged eloquently. “A latte at ten o’clock in the morning isn’t exactly a date, is it?”

“Beats me. I wouldn’t recognize a real date if it smacked me in the face. We’re pretty pitiful, aren’t we?”

“Yep,” Mac agreed. “You’d think we would’ve learned our lesson about men, especially the ones who can’t seem to keep their pants up. But I think—I hope—that Cole is different.”

CiCi realized she was playing with fire even thinking about getting involved with Jake, but whether it was lunacy, dementia or self-delusion, she couldn’t help herself.

“Let’s discuss this logically.” In the two years since her divorce CiCi hadn’t allowed herself to talk about her feelings. Mama wanted her to go to a therapist, but she’d resisted.

“Intellectually I think that I did everything I could to make a good marriage. But in my heart—” she thumped her chest “—I’m not quite sure.”

Mac scrunched up her face. The expression was so reminiscent of their childhood that CiCi laughed, even if the subject wasn’t funny.

“Join the crowd.” Mac leaned over to put the bag of candy on the nightstand. “When I was a football wife, I’d hear about some guy having an affair and think it was terrible. In my naïveté I assumed it would never happen to me.” She sighed.

“I suppose I thought that if I worked out and took care of myself, everything would be fine. But there’s always someone skinnier or prettier out there, and if the guy you’re with doesn’t have a moral compass…Well, we both know what happens.”

Wasn’t that the truth!

“I knew it wasn’t my fault,” Mac continued. “I still don’t know what he was looking for, and frankly I don’t care. My job now is to make a happy life for me and Molly.”

CiCi admired her sister’s spunk. “So you don’t think all this crap happened because we married athletes?”

“Maybe, maybe not. I think the problem was more that they had countless women falling at their feet.”

“Yeah,” CiCi agreed. This conversation was depressing. “Do you think you might get serious about Cole?”

“I don’t know. I’m going to wait and see. I’m hesitant to do anything, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving up on life, and neither should you.”

“I’m trying. And,” CiCi said with a giggle, “my dilemma now is whether I should start with Jake Culpepper, Mr. Date Every Good Looking Blonde with a D-cup, or go for someone safer.”

“Here, have some chocolate. You might need it when you hear what I’m about to tell you.” Mac tossed her a couple of Milky Ways. “Do you know someone named Brenda Olson?”

“No. Why?” CiCi was getting a bad vibe from her sister’s sober tone.

“There’s no easy way to say this, but yesterday in the About Town column in the paper there was an article about her.” Mac paused.

“So what?” CiCi asked. Why should she care what the paper wrote about someone she’d never heard of?

“She’s apparently announced that she’s engaged to Jake Culpepper.”

“Crap!” CiCi felt as though someone had just punched her in the stomach.

“Here, take the chocolate.” Mac handed over the bag. “I think you need it more than I do.”

J
AKE WOKE UP
the next morning with a sense of dread. CiCi had asked him to entertain her dad. Spending the day with Texas Bob was about the last thing he wanted to do, but hey—

So on that note he tied his shoes and strolled to the cafeteria for breakfast.

Jake was enjoying his second cup of coffee, and congratulating himself on avoiding his boss when he heard that unmistakable booming voice.

“I hear you’re doin’ a good job here,” Texas Bob said as he sat down at Jake’s table.

“I hope so. The kids seem to be enjoying themselves.”

“I also hear you guys have been having trouble with a few of the kids.” Texas Bob stirred a heaping spoonful of sugar into his coffee.

Jake wondered what CiCi had told her father and how much he should divulge. “We had a couple of problems but I think we handled them fairly well.”

“Yeah, that’s what CiCi said, too.” Texas Bob was gazing into his coffee as if he was trying to read the grounds. Didn’t that only worked on tea? “What do you think of my daughter?”

That
question was unexpected. “We have a great working relationship.” Jake wasn’t about to volunteer anything more, especially to CiCi’s dad.

“My daughter would kill me if she knew I told you this, but here goes. She’s very vulnerable right now and I’d hate like hell to see her hurt.”

Jake took a deep breath. This was not the time to lose his temper. “I don’t intend to hurt her.”

“I read that article about Brenda Olson.” Texas Bob paused as if he expected a comment.

“What article?” Jake knew for sure he wouldn’t like whatever came next. Brenda had caused him nothing but trouble.

“She’s saying that you two are engaged.”

“What!”

“Is it true?”

“Absolutely not!”

Texas Bob ran his fingers through his hair. “Okay, I’ll take your word for it. Let’s go watch some kids play ball.”

It was amazing how he could switch subject on a dime, but in this case it suited Jake just fine. He had some thinking to do.

B
Y EARLY AFTERNOON
Daddy was packing the car getting ready to leave. “Are you sure you have to go home?” CiCi asked her mom.

“Yes, honey,” Marianne answered. “Not that we don’t want to spend time with you, but Mac has to get back to work and I have an important meeting tomorrow.” She hoisted her purse on her shoulder before she took CiCi’s hand. “For what it’s worth, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I really like Jake.”

Had CiCi given off some vibe that Mama had picked up on? “He’s a nice guy and a great addition to the staff, but otherwise, I’m not sure I see your point.”

“Collier, please, I’m your
mother.
” Marianne waved a hand in obvious dismissal. “Keep an open mind but be careful. You know there are some rumors floating around about him.”

“I know. Mac told me about the article in the paper.”

“Your daddy talked to Cole and he claims this woman’s not stable. And Jake apparently also says she’s lying. He’s probably telling the truth, but it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious. Having said that, I think it’s high time you came back to the land of the living, and I’m not talking about your professional life.” She gave CiCi a hug. “We’ll discuss this more when you get home.”

CiCi certainly looked forward to
that
conversation. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Really, I am.”

“No, you’re not. You’re marching in place. All I’m saying is that if you’re interested in Mr. Culpepper, you have our blessing. And believe me, that wasn’t an easy sell with your dad.”

Daddy would probably think of his daughters as his baby girls until they were eligible for Social Security.

CiCi gave her mother another hug. “We didn’t get much chance to visit, but I’m glad you came.”

“I am, too.”

“Hop in the car, snookums.” That was Daddy’s pet name for Marianne. “Where did Mac and Molly run off to?”

“They’re over there.” Marianne indicated Molly, who was playing with Sugar Plum and Mac, who was trying to herd her daughter to the car.

“Come on, girls, let’s go!” Daddy yelled, then turned to CiCi.

“We need to get going before it starts to rain. I heard on the radio that we’re in for some nasty stuff. Check out what’s happening up to the northwest.” Texas Bob indicated the sky over his left shoulder.

“Oh, my word,” Marianne said. “We’d better hit the road or we’re going to get caught in a frog strangler.”

CiCi was slightly concerned. Summer storms were usually light-and-sound shows accompanied by heavy rain. But since the Texas Hill Country was notorious for flash flooding, and the camp was located right on the river, that could be a problem. “Did they say we’re under a tornado watch?”

“They didn’t say anything about tornados,” Daddy said. “I hate to leave you but I think we’ll try to outrun the storm. If you have any more trouble with the kids, call me.”

“We’ll be fine,” CiCi assured him, not quite convinced she was telling the truth.

“Okay.” Texas Bob hugged his daughter one last time before he helped his wife into the car.

Molly jumped into the backseat but Mac hung back a few seconds. “Call me tomorrow.” She made the sign of a phone with her thumb and little finger.

Sugar Plum tried to shove her way into the backseat with them. “You’re staying here.” Mac pushed on the big dog’s head. “Grab her collar, CiCi. I love her, but I don’t want to share my seat with her all the way to Houston.”

CiCi couldn’t fault that logic. “Come here, sweetie.” Sugar Plum gave a big woof but reluctantly complied. It almost looked as if the dog was trying to wave.

Mac got Molly strapped into her car seat before rolling down the back window. “You be careful, now, ya hear? Love you.” She and Molly both threw kisses.

“If the weather gets bad, pull over and wait it out,” CiCi yelled as her daddy threw the car in gear. He waved, indicating he’d heard her.

CiCi and Jake watched as the dust the Caddy kicked up slowly settled. “He’s not going to listen, you know that, don’t you?” Jake said.

“Yeah, I do.”

He rubbed her neck, loosening the knots in her muscles. It had been a long week and a half.

“That feels good.” In fact, it was so nice she could have purred.

“I almost hate to say this but I enjoyed your parents. I didn’t see much of your mom, but I had an interesting talk with your dad. He’s nothing like I thought he was.”

“Apparently the feeling was mutual. They liked you, too,” CiCi said and then abruptly changed the subject. “Did you hear the weather forecast? Daddy told me the weather service is predicting a bad rainstorm.”

“I haven’t been listening to the radio. What about tornadoes?”

“He didn’t think so. But look at that.” She pointed toward the northwest where devilishly dark clouds were swirling like fudge boiling in a pot. “We could be in for some
really
bad stuff.”

“Crap! Do we have a storm shelter and a weather alert radio?”

“No to the cellar, yes to the radio.” Jake was normally cool,
calm and collected, but the way he was examining the sky raised her panic level a notch.

“I think we’d better get everyone into the lodge. I’ll ring the emergency gong.”

Before CiCi could say a word, Jake was off and running. The campers knew that if the gong sounded, they were supposed to head immediately to the main building.

Texas weather was unpredictable, at best. Folks on the coast dealt with hurricanes, tropical storms, torrential rains and an occasional drought. In the Panhandle, residents were familiar with funnel clouds, ice storms, blizzards and gully washers. In El Paso country, they’d go for months without a drop of rain and then without warning the remnants of a Pacific hurricane would roar through and they’d have flash floods. Unfortunately, the Hill Country got a little of everything.

By the time the last camper made it to the lodge, the god of thunder was putting on a show that could rival a Fourth of July celebration and the rain was sheeting down.

“Are we above the flood plain?” Jake asked as he stared out the window.

“The water’s never gotten this high so we should be all right here,” CiCi said. “I don’t know what’ll happen with the rest of the property. The last time we had a flood we had to rebuild all the sports fields.”

The news on the radio wasn’t optimistic. The front had stalled over central Texas and the storm was expected to last another three to four hours and to produce at least ten inches of rain. That definitely meant flooding.

“At least we’re safe. I’m not sure our sanity will hold up,” Jake joked, referring to the noise created by forty kids in an enclosed space. Cookie had provided snacks, and the staff members were trying to keep everyone interested in games, but it wasn’t working. “It’s kind of loud, isn’t it?” he yelled.

“It certainly is.”

“Coach!” Rondelle called from across the room. “Come join us in a foosball game.” Rondelle and Timmy Smith were arguing over which team he would join.

“Looks like I’ve been summoned.” Jake smiled at CiCi be fore strolling over to the combatants. “Comin’.”

CiCi watched her favorite tight end saunter off. Even, or maybe especially, from the rear, that was a sight to behold. Not only was he good-looking enough to entice almost any female, he was a nice guy. Why couldn’t he be a pain?

With that thought in mind, CiCi mentally prepared to endure the storm without killing the teenage captives.

Three hours later, the rain had slowed to a drizzle and the fierce wind was nothing more than a memory.

“I think we can release the prisoners.” Jake stood at the window, watching the remnants of the storm. He was close enough to raise goose bumps up and down her neck.

“Before we do that, I’d like you to come with me to inspect the grounds.” When it came to the kids’ safety she wasn’t going to take any chances. “When the river rises, the snakes look for high ground.”

“What you plan to do if we find one?”

“We’ll play it by ear.” That was a euphemism for “I don’t have a clue.” “Sugar Plum, you stay here.” That silly dog would probably jump in the water and they’d never see her again. “And, Greg, keep the kids inside until we get back.”

“Right, boss,” the counselor responded.

“Come on, big guy,” she said to Jake. Although he wasn’t enthusiastic, he did follow her outside.

They surveyed the grounds for damage. The cabins were fine. And although several tree limbs had been blown down by the high wind and water was running in rivulets through the grass, the overall destruction was minimal.

Jake was looking around as if expecting something to jump
out and grab him. “I don’t see any snakes. What do you want to do now?”

The big, bad football player was afraid of snakes? How about that! “Don’t tell me you’re scared of a couple of cottonmouths.”

“Damn straight,” he admitted.

CiCi had to give him points for honesty, but back to business. She pulled out her cell phone and punched in Greg’s number.

“You can let the inmates go, but be sure to tell them to stay near the lodge. And please organize some of the staff into a cleaning crew.”

“You got it,” he said, before disconnecting.

“Greg will get things going up there, so let’s wander down to the river and see how bad it is.”

They soon discovered that while the camp had been spared, the river was another story. Toppled trees and debris from outbuildings bobbed and weaved as the water raced toward the Gulf of Mexico.

Although most of the wreckage would be caught by a mammoth dam downstream, that was no consolation to the folks who had lost everything.

“There’s a car.” CiCi pointed at a small vehicle that was momentarily caught on something in the middle of the river. Then, in the blink of an eye, it was gone. “Do you think there was anyone in it?” She was trying to be calm, but not having much success.

“I couldn’t tell for sure. I didn’t see anyone, but that doesn’t mean much.”

“Coach! Coach!” CiCi was surprised to see Rondelle sprinting toward them. His normal chocolate color was blanched pale. What had happened to the “stay by the lodge” instruction?

Jake grabbed the kid’s arm. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Angel.” Rondelle bent over and retched.

“What about her?”

“She slipped into the river!”

“Good God!” CiCi was afraid she was going to lose it. That child could die and it was all her fault.

Jake put his hands on her shoulders and gave her a gentle shake.

“Call 911 and tell them to get over here ASAP.” He turned back to Rondelle. “Show me where she went in.” A second later he was running down the riverbank with the teen.

CiCi immediately made the call, but the news wasn’t good. A church bus had been washed off the road several miles upstream and there were dozens of kids stranded in the trees. According to the sheriff’s office every emergency responder in that part of the county was working on rescuing them. It would be at least fifteen to twenty minutes before anyone could get to Camp Touchdown. By that time CiCi knew Angel could very well be gone. They were on their own.

CiCi ran to the ridge where Jake and Rondelle were surveying the water. The dock had been swept away by the normally languid river that had become a deadly torrent of swirling water.

“Bloody hell!” Jake exclaimed after CiCi gave him the up date. He was frantically scanning the river, trying to catch sight of the girl. “We can’t wait twenty minutes. As fast as that water’s running she could be in New Braunfels by then.”

“I see her! She’s down there!” CiCi pointed toward a clump of trees that only yesterday had been on dry ground, but was now surrounded by an eddy of brown water. Angel’s golden hair had caught CiCi’s attention, and she realized the child was clinging to a tree branch. They had to get her out of there right away.

Jake took one look and without a word, raced down the slight incline. CiCi tripped and slid trying to keep up with him.

“God, what a mess!” Jake put both hands on his head. “I’m going to have to go out there and get her.” He motioned for CiCi to remain where she was while he moved closer to the raging water.

She was supposed to stay high and dry while he risked his life? No way! All of a sudden she had an idea.

“Don’t do anything until I get back,” CiCi shouted to be heard over the roar of the river. “Rondelle, come with me,” she told the teen. “We’re going to get some life jackets and a rope. Don’t move a muscle, ’ya hear!”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jake replied with a mock salute.

T
HERE WAS SO MUCH DEBRIS
swirling around Angel that Jake was shocked she could hold on. And there was no telling how long that would last. He did a quick estimate of the distance between the bank and the tree. It was no more than ten feet and normally that wouldn’t be a problem. In these conditions, it was an abyss.

Jake’s brain was going a mile a minute, trying to come up with a plan, when CiCi returned, carrying a bright orange ski vest and several life preservers. Rondelle was right behind her with a coil of rope looped over his shoulder.

“Don’t come down here—it’s too dangerous.” Jake didn’t want CiCi that close to the water, but he sure could use the group of burly counselors she had with her. Thank God the cavalry had arrived.

“Oh, all right,” she conceded.

“You guys be careful getting down!” Jake yelled, the noise of the water almost drowning him out. “It’s slick. And, Greg, Keep the kids up on the top of the hill, especially Rondelle.” His favorite juvie was the most likely to try something silly, and the last thing they needed was someone else in the drink. Jake grabbed the ski vest CiCi tossed him and slipped it on.
Heaven help them, they were on their own. Whatever they did, they’d better do it pretty damned quick.

Jake called the college kids over and told them his idea. “I’m going to tie a rope around my waist and jump in upstream. Then I’m going to try to swim to the tree. And after I get Angel tied to me, you guys pull like mad. I’m counting on you.” He was hoping like hell he wasn’t too heavy for this plan to work. These young men were literally his lifeline in this skirmish with the river. If they let go, he and Angel were both in a ton of trouble.