by T. I. Lowe
“Me too. I think we’ve managed to cover a lot of areas.” August started ticking off a remarkable list. “This summer there will be classes in photography, art, music, dance, and drama . . . But we’re keeping the possibilities open to expand in the future. At the end of each week, there’s going to be a fine arts fair and a performance night. A lot of area businesses and colleges are participating in it.”
“I think that’s just wonderful.” Josie fanned at the heat rising along her neck and tried blinking the burn from her eyes as the overwhelming excitement for the camp kicked up a notch. It was exactly what the area needed. “Public schools seem more focused on scholastic testing anymore and the fine arts programs are being pushed to the side.”
August glanced over at her before refocusing on the road. “You’re really passionate about this.”
Josie sat up a little taller. “Absolutely. It’s why I teach my Sunday school class through arts and crafts. Not everything needs to be taught through a computer or a textbook. Creativity allows you to experience what you’re learning. Just ask your little brother. I bet he remembers what we learned about this past Sunday.”
August chuckled. “He does. I stopped by there last night after that mess of a supper with Opal. Zachary had to show off his mosaic rainbow and told me all about it representing God keeping his promises.”
“See!” Josie couldn’t contain her proud grin.
“You do realize you’re preaching to the choir on this.” August turned off the main highway onto a narrow country road.
“Yes. I just can’t help but get worked up over it.”
“I think you’d make a great art teacher.”
Josie’s heart hiccuped at him mentioning her unconfessed dream. A dream that had bloomed while sitting in those high school art classes but died that day right along with her mom. Her hand shot up to rub the pain from her chest. Thankfully, August didn’t notice. He was focused on driving through an open gate. The truck crept down a winding gravel road lined with trees as the tires crunched along. The trees gave way and the area finally opened up to reveal several bright-white buildings sitting in a wide U shape.
“Welcome to Palmetto Fine Arts Camp, ma’am.” August parked beside a mud-splattered gray truck.
They sat there for a moment and took in the buildings. “It’s . . . ,” Josie began.
“A blank canvas.” August pointed to the L-shaped building on the far left. “That’s the photography building. The next building is music. The wide building in the middle is the mess hall. Over to the right of it is the auditorium and dance studio. And the one on the front right is the art studio. It’s divided into two parts like the photography building. One part will be set up with several rows of easels, and the other room has tables and supplies for sculpting.”
“This is really impressive . . .” Josie leaned forward and took in each building. “Is that stucco on the exterior?”
“Yep. It still has some texture, but I asked for a surface we could paint on.”
“You’re painting each one?”
“Well, I hope we will be painting each one.” August hopped out of the truck and hurried around to help Josie out. “The idea is to outline a mural in a specific art style on each building and let the campers help paint them in.”
“Oh, I love the idea of making the camp an actual art project.”
“He’s good for something every now and then,” a raspy voice commented.
Josie turned and saw Carter and his wife, Dominica, walking toward them from the music building. “Hello.”
“Hey. Josie, you remember Dominica, right?”
“Of course. Dominica is an honorary member of the Sand Queens, even if you keep her too occupied to hang out with us,” Josie teased. “She’s the only one in your family I know who orders something besides biscuits and gravy.”
The beautiful Cuban woman grinned, and it reminded Josie of sunshine and tropical breezes. “They don’t know what they’re missing out on by not trying the other goodies on your menu.”
“I’ll have you know I’ve become more adventurous with their menu. She made me try something different just the other day,” August piped in, nudging Josie from her musings. “The stuffed French toast is outrageous.”
“It is.” Dominica nodded. “I’m proud of you, August.” Her faint accent curled around each word, making Josie smile.
“Hey now. I order shrimp burgers all the time.” Carter threw his hands up.
Josie glanced around. “Carter, I assume you and Dominica are teaching the music classes.”
“Yes. I guess we can handle it.” Dominica leaned into Carter and they exchanged meaningful looks. That look conveyed just how enamored the newlyweds were with each other.
Josie shook her head. “This place is going to be awesome. Do you have other instructors lined up?”
“Pretty much,” August answered rather quickly.
“Yeah. We’ve just gotta work out some commitment issues with one in particular. Once we get that buttoned down, I think it’ll be a match made in heaven,” Carter commented as he glanced at his wife and winked, clearly an inside joke of some sort.
Dominica giggled and August grumbled and Josie didn’t understand any of it. Before she could question Carter on what he meant by that, August grabbed her hand and started leading her away from the sudden awkwardness.
“Let me show you the rest of the camp,” August said, making a quick getaway.
Dominica let out a small gasp from behind them. “Aww. He’s holding her hand.”
“Taisez-vous!” August growled over his shoulder and sped up into a clipped pace past the mess hall and through a small patch of trees.
Josie didn’t know much French, but she was pretty sure he just told Dominica to shut up. His calloused hand tightened around hers and she reveled in the claim it exhibited. When they emerged on the other side of the wooded area, Josie gawked at the unexpected sight.
“Oh, my goodness. This looks like a scene right out of the Swiss Family Robinson movie. Opal told me about it, but I had no idea y’all went all out like this.”
“We thought the kids would get a kick out of the cabins being set up like tree houses. Opal and Linc have quite the imagination.”
Josie nodded in wonder. She angled her head back and gazed up at the rustic cabins resting on top of stilts that were fashioned from thick tree trunks. From the thatched roofs to the vines weaving around the windows, the cabins looked enchanted.
“There’s a dozen in all. Six female cabins with bunk beds enough to hold ten apiece. And six male cabins holding the same amount,” August said.
“So you can only accommodate a hundred and twenty campers at a time?” Josie let go of August’s hand and hurried up a winding set of wooden stairs with him on her heels.
“Yeah. We wanted smaller groups. Too large and someone will get overlooked.”
“Y’all have really thought this through.” She peered inside a window, taking in the bare mattresses sitting on top of the cedar-wrapped bunk beds. Off to the right of the room, a twin bed was set up beside a desk for a camp counselor, she guessed.
“Several years in the making, actually.” August’s hand skimmed over the tree limb that was fashioned into a deck railing.
Josie gave him an impressed smile and then began roaming around the top deck. It was lined with wood tables and chairs. Just past the thick foliage a splashing sound had her ear inclining in that direction. “Is that water?”
“Yep.” August guided her down the stairs and through the small wooded area to the right of the cabins. This time when they emerged past the trees, a lagoon-style swimming pool greeted them. A waterfall languidly trickled into one end of the deep-blue pool from several stacked boulders, and a cabana made from tree branches and vines sat on the opposite side.
“I’m blown away. . . .” Josie shook her head as she let go of his hand and started wandering around the stone path weaving alongside the pool.
“To the left
of the cabins is an outdoor amphitheater.”
Josie bent and tested the water temperature, finding it to be a refreshing cool. “How many acres of land is the camp?”
“Roughly two hundred.”
She stood up and gaped at him. “Seriously?” When he nodded his head, she shook hers. “I had no idea . . . I thought y’all were converting a field into a small camp. . . . I’d never have guessed all this was hiding back here.”
“It’s Carter’s land. Derek and I invested into the project.” August shrugged, but it did nothing to downplay the impressiveness of what they’d achieved on a large piece of farmland.
“A family operation. I like that.”
“Me too.” August climbed on top of one of the large rocks and sat down.
Once Josie explored the pool area, where she found a hidden bathhouse and a water fountain, she joined him on the rock. “I want to be a kid again so I can attend this camp.”
“You and me both. Too bad we’re too old . . .” August casually pushed his shoulder into hers. “What would you say if we were to offer you another way to be a part of the camp?”
“How?” She looked at him guardedly.
“I have some short travel commitments and other obligations that will conflict with the camp season, so I need another art instructor.” August glanced away before meeting her eyes. “I can’t think of anyone better to fill the position than you.”
Her stomach dipped at the same time her heart began galloping. The offer was exciting yet unattainable. “August . . .” She shook her head.
“Just give it some thought. In the meantime, could I ask for your assistance in another short-term project?”
“I don’t have much time, and I have other responsibilities.”
“I understand, but we’ll do better at scheduling this go-around. And no more working past dark.” He held his hand up. “Promise.”
A hint of rebellion clattered around inside her. “I’m not a child. I can stay out past dark.”
“Not on this project, you won’t.” August looked sideways and grinned. “I’ve sketched out the murals on paper already, so we just need to draw them on the buildings. Can’t do that in the dark, now can we?”
“Oh. I suppose you’re right. All we have to do is the outlines?”
“Yes. Please say you’ll help me out.” He continued watching her, but the grin softened with sincerity and expectancy.
She sighed and glanced away, knowing she should decline. “I can help some, but you’re not paying me.”
“Now that makes no sense. You should be paid for the work.” August bowed his head in an effort to catch Josie’s attention, but she wouldn’t look at him.
“Please let me do this as a thank-you.” She cast her eyes to the water glittering below them. “This is beyond anything I’ve ever thought I’d get a chance to be a part of, and I’m so honored.” She motioned around. “This is a want to and not a have to, so don’t rob me of that with a paycheck.”
“Jo, I hope you realize your life should be filled with want tos and not just have tos.”
“I know. You have no idea how happy these last few weeks have made me. I really appreciate you allowing me to be a part of these opportunities.” The water below began to blur, so she blinked the tears away and finally looked at him and offered a careful smile, even though it wobbled with emotion.
“Well, you’ve been doing me a huge favor. If you’re not going to allow us to pay you, at least let me do you a favor in return.” He crossed his ankles and reclined on his elbows. Eyes closed and face up to the sun, he emitted such a serene peace about him.
Josie watched August, wishing she could sketch as well as he could so she could capture the moment. Instead, she listened to the waterfall flowing into the lagoon, promising herself every time she heard a sound resembling that, she’d remember August allowing her to be a part of the amazing place they were currently hidden inside.
He cracked an eye open and caught her staring. “What?”
“I’m just practicing my moment thieving.”
His eye drifted shut. “Good, good. Now what favor can I do for you in return?”
“Let me think about it and get back to you.”
“Okay. Whatever you want, Jo, I’ll give it to you.” Between his deep voice and the sun glowing against his tan skin, August was warmth conveyed in sound and sight.
With her eyes focused on him, she memorized each contour and angle of his handsome face for far too long. She knew basking in his warmth a minute longer would probably produce a permanent sting when he left again. He was too talented to stay tied down in a small town for too long.
Josie brought her focus back to the pool and broke the silence. “This pool is so extravagant.”
“Yeah, that’s Carter for you. The guy’s imagination can get carried away.” August let out a languid yawn and sat up.
“Nothing wrong with that.”
“I guess. He had some fancy pool company come in. One minute it was an old cornfield and then the next it was this over-the-top lagoon with giant rocks and waterfalls.” He patted the stone they were sitting on and rolled his eyes. “This is a fancy grotto.”
Josie peered over the side and watched the waterfall from the rock below them cascade into a curtain in front of the small cavern. “He must really be into pools.”
“Nah. Carter wanted it to look like a resort he and Dominica visited a while back.”
Josie sighed. “Aww. That’s terribly romantic.”
“Don’t tell Carter that. It’ll go straight to his head.” August nudged her leg.
“How exactly did you become so close to Carter and Dominica, other than the obvious?” Josie looked over, quite curious about the three of them and their tight bond.
August smiled. “Carter is like the big brother I never had. He taught me to surf and how important it is to serve others through ministry. The summer after I turned sixteen, Carter offered me a job helping out with their praise and worship band during my summer breaks. It was the first time I got a taste for travel.” August paused and let out a grunt. “I was hooked after that.”
“And what about Dominica?”
“One summer, her praise band merged with Carter’s band and that’s when we met Dominica. She was the bass player, but I was drawn to her for more than her musical talent. The guys razzed me for following her around like a puppy the entire summer, but it wasn’t like that. I knew Carter and Dominica were made for each other. Just took a while before they caught on.”
Josie grinned. “You played matchmaker?”
August winked. “Sure did. And we see how epic that turned out.” He hopped down and wiped his palms on the sides of his shorts. “You ready?”
Josie laughed again. “You realize you ask me that all the time?”
“I’ll always give you a choice, Jo.” He held his hand out, presenting her with another choice.
For the first time, she didn’t second-guess the choice but accepted it. Holding that man’s hand and allowing him to lead the way felt right and safe at the moment, so she left her fears by the lagoon and followed her heart for a spell.
Too bad she couldn’t figure out for the life of her how to allow her heart the freedom to lead all the time.
14
Draw it on the side of the building, he said. That’s it, he said. Josie seemed set on their situation only being temporary, but his hope was for it to be a more permanent one. Both with the camp and with him.
Josie was all about their new project in the beginning and had taken it upon herself to outline almost the entire art building with the intricate lines and shapes. August knew that would be her favorite of all the buildings since he settled on an art deco design for it. Even that was intentional. He allowed her liberties to change it up a bit when Josie mentioned a few ideas. The changes complemented the entire design, leaving him quite impressed with her eye for detail.
So, yes, it was great at first, but when a couple weeks slid by w
ith Josie barely showing up to help outline the murals, he knew she was withdrawing from him and the time might never be as right as it was two weeks ago.
“No cute helper again today?” Carter asked as he offered August a bottle of water.
August placed the paintbrush in a bucket and downed the entire bottle, wishing he had another. May was heating up with record temperatures. “Nope. Now I’m wishing we would have begun with this project before it got so hot and she was more willing to help.” He mopped his long, damp hair off his forehead and moved to the corner of the building.
Both guys propped themselves against an unpainted section of the wall that held a little shade.
“What did you do to run her off?” Carter crossed his arms.
August’s shoulder jerked up. “I have no idea, man. She seemed on board at first, but now not so much.” He knew that was a fib. She’d probably hightailed it because the job offer had finally sunk in, but he didn’t feel like listening to Carter give him lip about it.
“What are you doing to get her back on board?” Carter’s tone bordered on too gruff and demanding and was already irritating August.
August wiped a smudge of paint off the side of his hand onto his baggy shorts and took a deep breath, but the humid air did nothing to cool his temper. “Nothing at the moment.” He hitched a thumb behind them at the wall. “There’s too much to get done around here.” He shoved Carter as he passed him and picked up the paintbrush, feeling smug when his effort left the big guy stumbling sideways a bit.
“Okay, you just keep on sulking around here with your paint kit.” Carter walked by and shoved him back, but August knew it was coming and braced himself. When their shoulders crashed together and neither Neanderthal budged, Carter let out another snort and walked off, muttering, “Punk.”
An hour passed as August finished the outline of a massive treble clef on the side of the music building. Words such as HARMONY, MELODY, and MUSIC would join the musical notes to create a graffiti style that would eventually wrap around all four walls. He heard before he saw a vehicle flying up the driveway. It was eating up the gravel and spitting it out all over the place.