Sundered Hearts

by Anna J. McIntyre

  “You all settled in?” Susan asked Lexi when they were alone.

  “Pretty much. We were wondering if you wanted to go horseback riding with us tomorrow.”

  “You sure you want me to tag along?”

  “Why not? You do ride, don’t you?”

  “Yes. In fact, I learned to ride at Camp Shipley—my first summer here. I think I was about ten.”

  “So you used to be one of us, before you started working here?”

  “Yep. I loved spending summers here.”

  “I never really wanted to spend summers at camp,” Lexi said. “I hated the first camp my grandfather sent me to. But… well… I like this one.”

  “How can you not like a place where there’s horseback riding?” Susan grinned.

  “I had my own horse,” Lexi said quietly, no longer sounding as cheerful as she had moments earlier. “That was one reason I didn’t want to go to camp—I wanted to stay home so I could ride Cricket.”

  “Cricket… that was your horse?”

  “Yes. My parents bought him for me. He was the best. Some people say horses are dumb—but not Cricket.”

  “What happened to him?” By the way Lexi spoke it was obvious she no longer had the horse.

  “My grandfather got rid of him. He was teaching me one of his lessons.”

  “I’m sorry Lexi. I can’t imagine getting rid of something like a horse—or dog—any pet—as a lesson.”

  “Well, Grandfather said it was my punishment. I went to another camp before this one. There was this incident…”

  “The fire?”

  “Oh, you know.” Lexi sounded amused. “Yeah, I imagine they have that in some file about me.”

  “I just know you got sent home—something about a dorm fire but no details.”

  “I’ll tell you what happened, if you’re curious.”

  “I suppose I am—a little curious.”

  “The girls at that camp were, well, just lovely. It was the summer right after my parents died, so I was kind of vulnerable, now that I look back. There was this one group of girls—let’s just say they felt it was their job to initiate newbies—and if you showed any vulnerability, they piled it on even more. It didn’t really matter that I was a few years younger than them. And the counselors there… well, they really didn’t pay too much attention to what was going on.

  “It was a bunch of little things, one piled up atop another, but what finally did it was when they decided to kidnap me, take me into another dorm, and leave me there in the dark. They’d tied me up—but only tight enough that I would eventually get undone—and give them time to get out of the building and turn off the breaker. That was just in case I found a light switch. But they were kind enough to leave me a book of matches—they put it in my pocket and said I could use that instead of a flashlight.”

  “I don’t understand. Why a book of matches?” Susan asked with a frown.

  “Well, first you have to understand that before they left me there, they’d been feeding all the younger girls these scary stories. Not just ghosts but making up tales of how girls had been murdered at the camp—gruesome crap like that. As for the matches, imagine being terrified and finding yourself in a strange building, and the only light you have is from a little match. Just as you get a glimpse of light, the match goes out and you have to light another one.”

  “You must have been terrified.”

  “I was. And it didn’t help that they booby-trapped the room, so things kept popping out at me in the dark. It was quite ingenious of the girls. They thought the whole thing was hilarious, but in my panic, I dropped a lit match on one of the beds. Well, one thing led to another, and if a counselor hadn’t noticed all the lights were off at the dorm and come to check on things, I might not be here today.”

  “That’s horrible. And none of the girls were punished?”

  “No one really wanted to listen to me, and at the time, part of me was happy to get sent home.”

  “And your grandfather got rid of your horse?”

  “Yep.” Lexi gave a little shrug. “It’s what Grandfather does. I was just grateful Cricket went to a good home.”

  “I’m so sorry, Lexi.” Susan wanted to smack Lexi’s grandfather.

  “It was a long time ago. I’m okay. I don’t imagine Grandfather was thrilled about being stuck with a kid when my parents died. I’ve just learned how to deal with him. It’s not like he beats me or anything. And I figured you might feel better knowing the story of the fire. I don’t want you to be stressing that I might burn you down in your sleep.” Lexi stood up and started for the cabin door.

  Susan laughed. “I wasn’t worried.”

  “Can we count you in for horseback riding?” Lexi asked cheerfully as she opened the door to the cabin.’

  “Sure, Lexi. I’d love to go.”

  Lexi flashed Susan a parting grin as she went back inside the cabin to talk to her bunkmates.

  I have a lot to be grateful for, Susan thought when she was once again alone. Maybe my marriage didn’t work, but I have a loving family and good friends.

  Chapter Twelve

  While new campers continued to arrive on Sunday, all six of Susan’s girls showed up on Saturday. She’d agreed to go horseback riding after lunch, but until then, she had some free time while the girls were occupied elsewhere. Seeking a tranquil interlude, Susan took off for a mid-morning walk.

  She made her way up a back trail leading to a little chapel situated on a hillside known as Trail’s Chapel. It was located on Forest Service land, and no one knew who had built the tiny structure with its steeple roof, stained glass window, and just enough room to fit one church pew. Some went there for the solitude, some sought shelter from the elements, and some, especially teenagers, saw it as a cool place to make out. Susan went for the solitude.

  She had just stepped off the main path and was heading toward Trail’s Chapel when she unexpectedly came face to face with Brandon. Like Susan, he was obviously off for a morning hike—alone.

  “Susan.” Brandon didn’t seem surprised to run into her on the trail.

  “Hello, Brandon,” Susan said coolly. “I wondered if that was you the other day.”

  “You didn’t recognize me?” Brandon sounded surprised.

  “Did you recognize me?” Susan asked.

  “Yes.”

  “You didn’t say hello.”

  “It was… well, a little awkward under the circumstance.”

  “Yes, I imagine it would be. Well, have a nice walk.” Susan started on her way again, leaving Brandon standing alone on the trail.

  “Susan, wait… We need to talk…”

  Susan didn’t respond, nor did she stop walking. Brandon let out a little curse when she failed to stop.

  “We have nothing to talk about,” Susan said when Brandon caught up to her. She was almost at the chapel.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t say hello the other day,” Brandon said.

  “Yes, you explained; it was awkward. I get it. No problem. Please, I would just like to be alone. I only have a little free time before I have to get back to the camp.” Susan paused at the chapel door, waiting for Brandon to leave.

  “I just want a couple minutes of your time.”

  Before she could reply, they were interrupted by the sound of horseback riders making their way down the trail. Without thought, Brandon grabbed Susan by the arm and pulled her into the chapel.

  “What did you do that for?” Susan snapped.

  Brandon glanced out the chapel door and watched as the horseback riders rode by. There were at least a dozen. He was relieved when they didn’t get off of their horses and make their way to the chapel.

  “I just wanted to be alone so we could talk,” Brandon explained.

  Susan wondered briefly if she should be afraid, alone with Brandon in the isolated chapel. If she shouted for help now, the horseback riders would probably hear her, yet she didn’t feel as if she were in danger.

  “Brandon, we re
ally have nothing to talk about.”

  “I stopped by your apartment, but they told me you had moved, and no one seemed to know where to.”

  “Gee, I was there for a good month after the last time I saw you in town.”

  “I had too much going on. I figured you’d understand—know why I hadn’t come by—under the circumstances.” Brandon paused a moment and studied Susan’s expression, wondering briefly if she did understand.

  “I didn’t right away, but, yes, I know why you didn’t come by.”

  “I was so surprised to see you up here.”

  “I imagine you were.”

  “Susan, I’d like to see you again.”

  “You would? You mean…. maybe I can slip away some night from camp?” Susan wanted to smack him.

  “Oh no. I don’t think that would be a good idea. Not here.”

  “You mean your family?” Susan asked sweetly.

  “Yes. I promised Kit and Sarah this was family time—under the circumstances. You do understand, right? But I’d like to see you again.”

  “Are you serious?” Susan used all her willpower to maintain her cool.

  “I’ve thought of you a lot since that night.”

  “Can I ask you something, Brandon?”

  “Sure.”

  “Did you flirt with Connie in the village? Were you interested in her—like you are interested in me?”

  “Connie?” Brandon looked confused.

  “Connie—the girl I was walking with when we bumped in to each other. Her cabin is next door to yours.”

  “I suppose I flirted with her a little. It didn’t mean anything. How long are you staying up here?”

  “All summer. You?” Susan smiled sweetly, but she wanted to give him a good kick in the groin.

  “For most of the summer. I’d love for us to try and get together, but it might be difficult with my family up here.”

  “Brandon, do me a favor—do all of us a favor—and go back to your family.”

  Without saying another word, Susan pushed past Brandon and walked back outside.

  “Susan!” Brandon called after her. “You seriously aren’t upset at me because I have to spend this time with my family?’

  Susan stopped walking and turned to face Brandon.

  “Absolutely not,” Susan said, no longer being sarcastic. “I sincerely think you should spend this time with your family. They need you.”

  “Yes, they do,” Brandon agreed.

  “That little girl…”

  “You mean Sarah?” Brandon asked.

  “Yes. She looks just like you, you know.”

  “People are always telling me that. But I think she looks just like her mother.”

  “How old is Sarah?”

  “Four.”

  “She’s a beautiful child. I can tell she adores you.”

  “She’s the world to me,” Brandon said.

  “And her mother?” Susan asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “How do you feel about her mother?”

  “That’s an odd question,” Brandon said.

  “Is it?”

  “I naturally love her. I would think that goes without saying.”

  Susan just stared at Brandon for a moment. She suddenly remembered what Sam had told her about his affair with Loretta. I’m sorry, Susan, I never intended to fall in love with her. I just thought it would be a harmless fling.

  She wondered, Did most married men go around having what they believed were harmless flings?

  “The thing is, Brandon,” Susan began, using all her strength to maintain her composure. “I’m simply not interested. The night we shared… it was fun, I guess. But hey, I was horny—hadn’t had sex for months. I suppose any guy at After Sundown would have done the trick for me. You scratched my itch—I appreciate the favor—but I’ve moved on. Sorry, I’m not really interested in a repeat performance.”

  Without another word Susan turned from Brandon and made her hasty retreat down the path and back to Cabin Five.

  • • • •

  Curled up in the fetal position in the middle of her bed, Susan finally stopped crying. She needed to dry her tears before the girls came back from lunch. Her stomach churned—sick not only from Brandon’s Sam-like attitude toward marriage and fidelity but also over the crude words she had spoken, transforming what she once believed had been a beautiful night into something ugly and shameful.

  I don’t say phrases like scratch my itch, she told herself. Yet she had. Susan cursed herself for trying to wound Brandon’s ego when she should have instead been truthful and told him how she really felt. He needed to know how much he had hurt her—how his actions were hurting his wife and child. Instead, she had led Brandon to believe she condoned his behavior, that she might even continue in the adulterous affair if she had found him attractive enough.

  • • • •

  “Did you have a nice walk?” Kit asked Brandon when he returned to the cabin later that afternoon.

  “I should have taken Sarah fishing instead,” he grumbled.

  “Sarah’s taking a nap.” Kit explained in a whisper. “Come, let’s go outside so we don’t wake her. She’s been cranky all morning and needs her sleep.”

  Silently, Brandon followed Kit outside to the front porch. They sat down together on the porch swing.

  “Looks like Sarah isn’t the only cranky one. Need a nap, Brandon?” Kit teased.

  “Maybe I do,” Brandon said with a pout.

  “What happened on the walk? You seemed rather anxious when you left. What’s up?”

  “Nothing.” Brandon shrugged. “Nothing, really. The other day, I spotted a woman I know from home. I just wanted to say hi to her. That’s all.”

  “Did you find her?”

  “Yes, but I sort of wished I hadn’t.”

  “Why, did something happen?”

  “No, nothing happened. Its just that. You know how sometimes when you meet someone and you think they are really a nice person, someone you’d like to get to know, and then you see them again, and they aren’t anything like you remember?”

  “I suppose. By your attitude, I take it you thought better of her when you first met her, and she didn’t quite live up to your memory.”

  “I guess you could say that.”

  “Do I know who she is?”

  “No, you’ve never met her.”

  “Will I ever meet her?”

  “I seriously doubt it.” Brandon wrapped his arm around Kit’s shoulder and pulled her to his side. They sat quietly together in the porch swing while Brandon used one foot to push it to and fro in a steady rhythm. Kit rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

  As the two sat quietly in the porch swing they paid little attention to the horseback riders making their way down the street.

  Had Susan known the horseback ride would take them down the street where Brandon was staying, she would have made some excuse to skip the ride. But it was too late to do anything about it now so she said nothing and rode silently with the group as they passed Brandon’s cabin.

  She felt as if someone had kicked her in the stomach when she spied Brandon sitting on the porch swing with the blonde woman. It’s his wife, Susan told herself. While she was too far away to get a good look, Susan couldn’t miss the way the two cuddled together in the porch swing with Brandon’s arm possessively around the woman.

  “Brandon,” Kit whispered, her eyes still closed. She could hear the horses making their way down the street.

  “Yes, Kitty?”

  “Thanks for bringing us up here. I needed this. Sarah needed this, too.”

  “You know I’d do anything for you, Kitty.”

  “I know, Brandon. You’re good brother.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  After breakfast on Monday morning, Susan was walking with Lexi and Andrea to the stables when they passed Carol, who was standing at the door of her office talking to a young woman. The woman, who Susan did not rec
ognize was holding the hand of a little girl. When Susan’s gaze dropped to the child, there was immediate recognition. It was Sarah—Brandon’s daughter.

  “Oh, Susan, can you come here for a minute?” Carol called out.

  Susan, who had just walked past Carol, stopped in her tracks and took a deep breath, mustered a smile and turned to face the two women and a child. “Yes, Carol?” she asked cheerfully, then turned to Lexi and Andrea and said, “You girls go on. I’ll meet you at the stables.” Both girls nodded and continued on their way.

  “Susan, this is Kit Landon,” Carol introduced when Susan walked closer. “Kit, this is Susan Thomas, one of our counselors. In fact, Susan lives in the same town as you do. Perhaps you already know each other.”

  “No, I don’t think so,” Susan said nervously.

  “Nice to meet you, Susan. They do say it’s a small world.” Kit smiled.

  Susan couldn’t help but notice how attractive Kit was despite the fact she wore tattered denims, an oversized flannel shirt, and her blonde hair pulled atop her head in a careless ponytail. But it was the blue eyes that caught her attention, and when she glanced down at the small child she noticed how much the two looked alike. Brandon was right; Sarah did look just like her mother.

  “Susan, I wondered if you would do me a favor.”

  “Sure, Carol, whatever you need.” Especially if it gets me away from this awkward situation.

  “This is Kit’s daughter, Sarah,” Carol introduced.

  Susan glanced down at the child who was now curiously looking up at her.

  “Hello, Sarah,” Susan greeted in a soft voice.

  “Are you going to show me the horses?” the child asked.

  “I was wondering if you would walk Kit and Sarah over to the stables,” Carol explained. “I promised Sarah she could see the horses today, but I’m afraid something came up, and I really don’t want to disappoint her.”

  “Carol, if you are busy…” Kit began.

  “No, Kit I don’t want to disappoint Sarah. I know this means a lot to her.”

  Kit stopped protesting and smiled down at Sarah. Susan wondered why it was so important—and how did Carol know Kit?