Excerpt from The Heart's Discovery by Amy McGuire

I am delighted to have an excerpt from Amy McGuire's novel, The Heart's Discovery, on the blog today. If you would like to find out more about Amy, visit her website at: www.shesanauthor.com.

Enjoy.


                                     Quito

Anjaline Rodriguez strolled into the front hall of the Mendez home, arm in arm with her best friend Claudia. Both girls were dripping wet as they stepped lightly onto the trail of thick towels stretching from the front door to the bathroom.  A flush of pleasure darkened fourteen-year-old Anjaline’s exotic complexion, a gift from her Spanish mother and the father who was sadly a distant, childhood memory. I guess Señora Mendez remembers the mess we made last year. She smirked and stripped off her sopping socks and shoes.

 “We won the battle with Helena and Enrique at last!” Anjaline punched the air above her head.

“It doesn’t feel like a victory when I got as wet as them. Look at me! I resemble a drowned rat!” Claudia made a face and began vigorously rubbing her ebony hair.

Anjaline grinned and grabbed two more plastic bags full to bursting with colourful water balloons. “I don’t know. I think you look like Cleopatra.” Reaching for a tissue she dabbed unsuccessfully at Claudia’s streaked mascara.

With a horrified gasp Claudia spun to the mirror. Satisfied her skin was once again blemish free she surveyed the room, her hands on her hips. “With all these balloons we’re ready to start our own war. I don’t know how you talk me into filling them ahead of time every year. It would be so much more practical to fill them as needed.”

“Well, this time I think you’re right. It’s going to take a couple hours to use them all up.” Anjaline stopped for a minute to set down her bags and give her dripping hair another rub with one of the plush towels. The expression, ‘opposites attract’ fitted them perfectly. Although born just shy of a month apart and of similar appearance, the two girls couldn't be more different. All through grade school Claudia had been the level-headed one, helping Anjaline, the constant dreamer and more adventurous of the two, out of trouble more times than either cared to count.

Claudia chuckled, bringing Anjaline out of her reverie. With a regal toss of her head she extended a make-believe scepter to her friend. “I’m not Cleopatra, but for today I am queen of the water balloon fights.  Come on, Anj.  We have a city to overthrow.” With a tiny smirk she added, “We better make the best of this while the Quito authorities are looking the other way.”

Anjaline nodded and scooped up her bags with a flourish. “Lead on, my Queen,” she said, curtsying.

The two girls pranced out the door and giggled all the way down the narrow streets, eager for another round with their current nemeses.

At ten thousand feet above sea level, Quito's climate was warm all year round and one of the favourite traditions of the city’s bustling youth was the annual water balloon fight. The practice of throwing water balloons at locals and tourists alike during Carnaval was prohibited downtown in the old city by the Quito authorities. However, much to the delight of the young people, as long as no one complained no such rules existed on the outskirts. Anjaline and her friends were happy to exploit the opportunity provided by the lax rules and eager to enjoy the warm February day in Ecuador's landlocked capital.

For the evening festivities all the school age youth arrayed themselves in their most colourful dresses and shirts. Each year they made their own masks and slipped them on as the sun dipped at last beneath the Spanish Baroque-style cathedrals and ushered in the coolness of dusk. Excitement made Anjaline light-headed when at last she and Claudia rushed through the front door of the Mendez home and hurried into their party clothes.  She barely suppressed a giggle. Quito threw the best festivals anywhere, in her opinion and this evening would be no different.

While Claudia zipped up the back of Anjaline's deep green gown in front of the bathroom mirror Anjaline smoothed out her gown, her heart pounding.  When their eyes met in the reflection she grinned. “Someday I'd like to be Reina. Imagine! For a whole year she gets her picture in all the papers, boys knocking on her door to see if she’ll date them and she gets a scholarship to Unidad Educativa La Moderna in Guayaquil-”

“-Well, so long as you didn't get a swelled head. Ever since my sister Rita became Reina of Quito she's been acting all snobby. She's impossible to live with. You have no idea. She keeps going on and on about how she's one of the youngest queens ever, having almost finished grade nine and how only seniors get the honour.  Bladdity blah blah.” Claudia sighed and turned back to the room but not before Anjaline caught her friend’s disgruntled expression.

Anjaline’s mind wandered as she fixed silver hoops in her ears and stared dreamily at her reflection. She loved the food, music and dancing at Carnaval but none of it compared with her favourite part of the day; the Festival of Fruit and Flowers.  As part of the festival, a massive float sailed down the main street carrying the 'Reina' or Queen of Quito. The choosing of the Reina reminded her of the story of Cinderella her mother read to her as a small child. It would be so romantic to be crowned 'Reina', even if only for a day.

Pulled abruptly from her dream by Claudia’s hand on her shoulder, Anjaline laughed. “You're jealous, that’s all. Tell you what; if we ever tied for Reina I'd step down and give you my place.” She grabbed Claudia's hand to drag her out into the noisy cobblestone streets but was stopped short at the touch on her arm. She turned to look into the face of her closest and dearest friend.

Claudia squeezed her arm gently and smiled through ebony eyes welling with tears. “Same goes, Anjie. Same goes. Look at me. You're turning me to mush.” With a laugh she swiped at the tears and shook her head.

Anjaline chuckled and dragged her down the street toward the music, colour and general cacophony swallowing Quito’s old city. “Come on, Queen Mush.  Let's go find your boyfriend.” The sharp pinch on her arm caused her to yelp and pull away. Not wanting to be pinched again she carefully hid the laugh rising to the surface.

“José is not my boyfriend,” Claudia muttered, a ghost of a smile fluttering around her lips and shining in her eyes. Yet the blush spreading across her heavily made-up cheeks was proof she hoped he would notice her someday soon.

The crowd parted for a moment and Anjaline spotted her cousin. With a chuckle she grasped Claudia’s arm and steered her in his direction. “Maybe not yet,” she mumbled.

Anjaline’s cousin José Rodriguez stood off to the side with a group of his peers, tall and naturally tan with onyx hair falling into dreamy brown eyes.  He smiled as the girls approached, his gaze tracking Claudia. Anjaline coughed to disguise the laughter exploding from her chest as Claudia gave him a brilliant smile and his ears turned pink.

“Hello, ladies. Care to join me for some food, festivities, and fun?” His eyes twinkled with good humour.

“Still practicing alliteration for the test you’re re-doing next week, huh?” Positioning José between herself and Claudia, Anjaline threaded her arm through his and indicated her blushing friend should do the same.  She hoped she wasn’t being too obvious.

“You’ve always been a smart-aleck.” José smirked down at Anjaline who grinned and wiggled her eyebrows.

 “That’s smart-Anjie.  And don’t you forget it.” She winked and José roared with laughter. Shaking his head he picked up the pace to guide them into the gathering crowd.

Much to the girls’ delight, José had saved a place for them near the head of the parade. Here they had the best possible view. Soon they were in the thickest part of the exuberant crowd and conversation became all but impossible. The scent of llapingachos and fritatas filled the air; the mixture of hot, fried potato and sizzling pork attracting them as well as their fellow revellers to conveniently placed roadside stands. At Claudia`s insistence, José bought one frittata for each of them and the friends happily devoured them, grease dripping down their chins.

In the ever-present shadow of massive monasteries decorated with silver, gold, and fine wood carvings little boys rode high on sturdy shoulders. Wide-eyed little girls clung to bright, flowing skirts and viewed the parade sailing by. Tourists rubbed elbows with each other, standing on the feet of a population of people who had called Quito home since being granted their own Audiencia with Spain in the late 1500’s. A cheer rose from the crowd as ‘Taita Carnaval’ or ‘Father Carnaval’ appeared. Amidst pomp and fanfare on a float covered with bottles of peach wine, oversized hibiscus, blackberries and giant loaves of bread, he tossed pouches of candy and toys into the street.  Anjaline chuckled softly to herself when José dashed into the mass of bodies and returned, holding a teddy bear aloft.  As he pressed it into her arms, Claudia squealed and pressed a kiss to José’s cheek.  He winked at Anjaline and she pretended to sneeze.  If she laughed now, she knew Claudia would be mortified.

By the time Anjaline had composed her features Taita Carnaval had passed by, and the other floats flowed by with a swirl of bright flowers, colourful flags and confetti. Locals dressed in glittering figure-hugging costumes and exotic head dress strolled behind and a multitude of drums sounded everywhere.  Anjaline stood on tip-toe to catch a glimpse of her school’s acrobatic team and clapped her hands.  One girl she knew only a little waved and she waved back, her heart bursting with pride. 

The trumpets, panpipes and Samba beat drew both young and old into the festive dancing. Anjaline tapped out the beat with her feet as yet another float appeared, this one sagging under the weight of fabricated Tropicbirds, Flamingos, Spoonbills, Nightjars, Motmots and Toucans. Boisterous shouts rose from the bystanders and participants as several dozen live Scarlet-hooded Barbets swooped down on the crowd.  Their fire-red feathers flashed in the sunlight as they rose and dived, their shrieks so piercing Anjaline had to cover her ears.

When at last the ‘Reina of Quito’ float of arrived, it was piled high with oversized apples, pears, blackberries, tropical fruit, exotic flowers and loaves of bread. Rita perched on a narrow platform ten feet above several dancing girls who wore exotic bird costumes in red and gold. Her massive red wings were outspread and she shimmered from head to toe in a red and gold bikini.  With a headdress of gold foil placed in her ebony hair, she bore a striking resemblance to the Scarlet Macaw. A thin band of scarlet tail feathers cinched at her waist shook with her fervent movements.

What must it be like to be dressed in such an exotic costume and adored by everyone, even if only for a day? At choreographed intervals beautiful trills rang up and down the cobblestone streets. Anjaline glanced in her friend’s direction. In light of the amazing presentation, might Claudia have changed her mind? When the other girl stuck her tongue out at Rita, Anjaline stifled a giggle.

At the glint of mischief in Claudia’s eyes she froze in horror and her gaze fell to Claudia’s hand. How had she managed to hide the contraband ammunition? Too late, Anjaline opened her mouth but could only watch, helpless as a bright orange balloon sailed through the air toward The Queen of Quito float. The small water bomb barely missed Rita, bursting open on the ground a only moment before the float’s front left tire ran over the broken pieces.

Anjaline’s relief was short-lived. She intercepted the icy stare Rita aimed at Claudia. A small shudder rippled up her spine and she backed away. Without looking at her friends, she melted into the crowd. When the policia discovered who had broken the rules, they would pass out fines. Anjaline didn’t intend to stick around and get into trouble. 

Hiding behind one of the many chapels in the area, Claudia and José began to laugh until tears streamed down their faces. Sliding in unison down the marble face, they clutched their sides, rocking with muffled hilarity. Anjaline shook her head and slid down the wall beside them, chuckling over Claudia’s actions and the near miss.

“Di-did you see the expression on her face? Oh, it was priceless!” Claudia swiped at the mirthful tears and leaned back against the wall to catch her breath.

“That was quite possibly the stupidest and gutsiest thing I’ve ever seen you do, Claudia.” José gazed down at her in awe.

Anjaline rolled her eyes at the expression of open admiration on José’s face. “You know Rita’s going to make your life miserable now, don’t you?”

Claudia’s grin was huge as she threw up her hands. “So she makes my life the same as it’s always been for a few more months. This summer we’re all going to camp without her and in the fall we’re off to Cotopaxi Academy. Guayaquil will be miles away.” She wiped her nails on her bodice and chuckled, her eyes dancing as she stood up again. “Besides, it was totally worth it to knock her down a peg or two. I have never seen a more condescending, uppity queen. Ha!”

José laughed as he stood and then helped Claudia and Anjaline to their feet. Releasing Anjaline’s hand he grabbed Claudia to spin her around and planted a quick kiss on her lips. Claudia blushed from the roots of her hair to the scoop of her summer dress and grinned like a fool.

With a chuckle, José dragged them both up the hill toward the community feast. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m excited we’ll be going together to Cotopaxi Academy in the fall. I’m glad your Papi agreed at last, Anjie.”

“You mean my mother’s husband?” Anjaline’s voice dripped sarcasm. She blanched when she caught sight of the man in question moving at a rapid pace toward them.  She hoped he hadn’t heard.

Stephen Sutherland was six foot four, built like a wrestler and seemed to not only fill a room but push others out. Heavy set with a ruddy complexion, shaggy red hair and Scottish burr, he stood out from his Ecuadorian neighbours like a capybara in a family of marmosets. The picture would have made Anjaline laugh aloud if not for the seriousness on her stepfather’s face.

At first, she thought she had been discovered as a co-conspirator in Claudia’s petty action, yet the expression on his face was one of determination, not anger. Her heart sank into her shoes when she caught sight of her mother, cheeks wet, standing a few paces back.  Her stepfather’s gaze wandered briefly over José and Claudia before settling on Anjaline with a grimness that made her stomach hurt.

 “Before you go to the feast,” he said in English, “Your Mama and I need to talk to you. It willna take long.”

A sense of impending doom settled onto her shoulders but she straightened her spine and met his gaze squarely. Head thrown back, eyes narrowed she answered him in Spanish. “Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of José and Claudia. And you can speak so they can understand you.” With her rounded chin tilted up, her hands placed on her narrow waist, and her legs spread wide she met his gaze with a challenge.

Out of the corner of her eye she caught Claudia’s confused expression. Yet it was José who whispered in her ear, “Um, Anjie? It’s okay if Señor Sutherland needs to speak to you. We’ll just—”

Claudia scuffed the toe of her shoe in the dust and tugged on José’s arm as the Sutherlands moved up the hill. “Meet us at the feast!” she called out before tucking her hand firmly in José’s and dragging him away.

A sense of abandonment tightened Anjaline’s chest before she turned and followed her stepfather. She glanced to her mother for some sign of what was going on, but the older woman avoided eye contact. Something was deeply wrong.

Alone and Terrified

Anjaline shivered and clutched her purse strap tighter against her body, wishing for the hundredth time her family had remained in Ecuador. Right now she should have been safe and warm, surrounded by friends and family.  Instead, Anjaline had become lost after dark in the woods in unfamiliar territory and the air was heavy with the scent of approaching rain.  Her mind flashed to Gabriel’s lecture and her blasé reaction.  Furious with herself for being so foolish, she directed her anger at him rather than give in to the bone-numbing fear.  She had hardly wandered off by herself to be rebellious. She didn’t know the area well, the darkness confused her and well, her situation was his fault anyway, since she had been thinking about him and not watching where she was going. 

Who does he think he is anyway, mi Papi?!  Gabriel can’t be much older than me and yet he acts like he’s so much smarter than me!  Well, I’ll show him I’m not just a city girl.  I grew up around mountains.  If I follow this slope down I should be back in the village before anyone thinks to search for me.  Yeah.  That’s right.  No harm, no foul.

With renewed purpose Anjaline turned back the way she had come, careful not to catch her feet on a root in the pitch black.  Her right foot was hovering in mid-air when a low yowl sounded no more than three feet to her right.  Her heart almost leapt out of her chest as she swung her gaze in the direction of the sound.

The moon chose that moment, as the sun had earlier in the day, to burst through the clouds. In the milky glow everything seemed to move in slow motion. The soft light illuminated the trees, mountainside and a large, sleek cougar finishing off a fresh kill.  A scream of horror built within her as the mountain lion crouched over the deer.  Muscles bunched as dark blood oozed from between two-inch razor sharp fangs.  The large cat stared at her with deadly luminescent amber eyes, its red muzzle making the scene even more nightmarish. The powerful animal studied her with an almost intelligent gaze. Her blood nearly froze in her veins.

After what seemed like years the cougar rose up with a lazy swagger, its tail swishing back and forth.  Throwing back its head the cat let out an unearthly scream. She willed her feet to move. A flash of light blinded her and a clap of thunder shook the ground beneath them. Anjaline screamed and covered her ears, shaking in terror.  Terror became action as her self-preservation kicked in at last.  Even though her instincts screamed not to run she fled, adrenaline pumping. Not once did she risk a glance over her shoulder to find out if the mountain lion was still in pursuit. She could not have seen the cougar anyway as the sky had now opened, drenching and blinding her in the ensuing deluge.

 The dirt beneath her feet turned to slick mud, rivulets running over the smooth stones in her path. With the rain the soil eroded and her feet became less sure until she began sliding with increasing speed downhill. She was grateful for the chance to outdistance the cougar but as trees whizzed by she wondered in panic how she would stop. She caught her purse on a stray limb and almost choked to death before the strap tore and she continued to slip downhill once again.  The motion flipped her onto her stomach and she continued her rapid descent head first. 

She closed her eyes a moment to focus on breathing and began to hyperventilate when she opened them again.  The giant cedar loomed out of the trees and seemed to hurtle toward her at an alarming rate. Despite the knowledge that avoiding the mammoth tree at such high speeds should be impossible she screamed in desperation and groped in the mud for a handhold.  With a sickening crack her forehead smacked into the unyielding trunk. Darkness enveloped her mind before her limp body came to rest in the shelter of the ancient cedar.

Summer Camp

On the second day of camp, Richard Walker announced the preparation of a campfire for the senior and junior staff along with their friends and family. All day Evelyn and Leah chattered like excited squirrels. The air became charged with anticipation. Each family set about making delectable camp food. The Sutherlands supplied exotic flair with Spanish rice and fancy Ecuadorian pastries Elena had created as a ‘thank you’ for the hospitality of Hope Valley’s residents to her small family.

Anjaline’s mouth watered at the thought of the upcoming feast. She could hardly wait for evening. She passed Evelyn and Leah, each carrying a tray of uncooked hotdogs and buns. When the older girl spoke her ears perked up.

“Dad’s friend Shark Tooth Silvercloud and his wife Summer Rain are coming tonight as special guests and they’re bringing two of their children, Robin and River.”

“Who’s Robin and River?” Leah wanted to know.

Even Seth appeared interested and Anjaline assumed he longed for a boy his age to play with. Anjaline eavesdropped, not caring who noticed. Soon after her arrival she discovered if anyone knew about the comings and goings of everyone in Hope Valley, it was Evelyn. Some people might consider her a gossip but Anjaline understood the younger girl paid attention to her neighbours. Who needed a newspaper when you lived with Evelyn Walker?

Evelyn shrugged and set her tray down on one of the picnic benches which had been placed in a circle around the recently cleaned out fire pit. “I’ve never met any of them but I overheard Dad telling Mom and he sounded excited. From what I gather, Dad and Shark Tooth used to be good friends but the Silverclouds moved away years ago.  Now they’re back. I hope the girl is around my age. How I would love a new friend.” She spun to retrieve hotdog fixings and her gaze collided with Anjaline’s shocked stare. She had the grace to blush before ducking her head and melting into the crowd of people carrying food to the meeting place.

Anjaline stood still, her mouth open in disbelief. She had been in Hope Valley for only two weeks and without warning Evelyn tossed her into the ‘unwanted’ pile. She tried not to allow the tone of Evelyn’s words to touch her but they cut deep. Tears welled up in her eyes as she clenched her fists to hold them at bay. Someone nudged her from behind and she turned around with an apologetic smile for Heidi Dettweiler. Ignoring the concern in the older woman’s gaze, she rushed back to the house to be alone with her disappointment. She had sincerely hoped for friendship with Evelyn but now it seemed Anjaline had only been a place holder until someone better came along.

Her flight was interrupted as someone blocked her path and she collided with a solid male chest. She overbalanced away from him and almost landed on her backside. With lightning quick reflexes the boy caught her. He righted her and she lowered her head in mortification.

“Sorry, miss. I didn’t mean to bump into you.”

When she raised her eyes her gaze fell on his deerskin necklace strung with painted beads and a bear claw pendant. A bout of shyness paralyzed her as she fixated on the unusual jewellery.

“I must have hurt you worse than I thought. You okay?”

Anjaline raised her eyes to his at last and blushed profusely at his words. “No, no. I’m not hurt. And it was my fault. If I’d paid more attention I wouldn’t have crashed into you.”

“Well, I should have been paying attention too.” He laughed, eyes twinkling.

Embarrassment melted in the wake of his infectious laugh and she paused to give him a discreet once-over. The teenage boy had muscular, bronze arms, a thick black ponytail tied back with a piece of deerskin and a friendly face.  He also appeared to be the same age as Gabriel. Her heart beat a little faster in his presence and she sighed with feminine appreciation when he flashed a perfect smile. Mischief and laughter shone out of onyx eyes a girl might get lost in if she were not careful. Glancing away to break the spell, she coughed and turned to finish her errand to her mother’s kitchen.

“Well, I guess you’re forgiven. Um, I should really go back to work.” In spite of herself she grinned. The sun seemed a touch brighter with this boy by her side.

“Let me help you. What do you need to carry to the picnic? I’ll walk with you and help you carry any food or whatever. My dad said we’re guests and aren’t allowed to bring anything, so I don’t have a thing to carry.” He rolled his eyes but his lips trembled into a good-natured smile.

More than a little confused as well as flustered by the dazzling smile Anjaline could not find words. Giving up she shrugged and started up the hill. “Okay. Come on.”

With a chuckle the boy fell in step with her and grinned. “I’m Robin by the way. I guess I should have introduced myself from the beginning. You’re Angie, right?”

 “Yes. Sorry. I should have introduced myself.” She extended her hand, apology in her amber eyes. Her heart fluttered as he held her hand in a strong, warm grip, a teasing glint in his eyes.

He brought her hand to his lips, kissed the back and straightened with a twinkle in his eye. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Angie.”

Anjaline revelled in the attention and unable to help it, felt her skin redden like a tomato. With a nervous cough she flexed her fingers and he let go. “How did you know my name?”

Robin grinned again, urging her into a walk when he noticed her family moving toward them with food-laden trays. “I got here by boat a few minutes ago and Mr. O’Connor said the Sutherlands needed help, so I went looking for them. I bumped into Seth and when I asked him where the Sutherlands lived he nodded in your direction and said, ‘Go ask Angie. She’s one of them.’ He seems like a weird kid.”

Anjaline almost dropped her tray at his commentary on Seth and stifled a giggle. She had never heard anyone refer to Seth in quite that way, but supposed his description was quite apt. Words failed her as she shook her head and held back a smile. With practiced ease Robin took the tray and began to unpack the food onto a nearby picnic table.

Robin chuckled and invited her to sit on a bench beside him, lacing his fingers behind his neck with a contented sigh. “I’m not quite sure how we got to be special guests in this shin-dig but I’m glad I came. After tonight I’m going to be a camper for half a session, so I’m glad I met a member of the staff.” He winked at her and seemed about to say something more when Richard Walker clapped his hands to get the attention of everyone gathered around the fire pit.

Anjaline was left to wonder what he had been about to say as she hurried over to sit with her parents, Leah and Seth. As soon as her father said grace the food was passed around the tables and Karl Dettweiler lit the campfire. The sun slipped with unhurried grace beneath the water and everyone enjoyed the natural light show while munching on Elena Sutherland’s mango and coconut tarts. Robin approached Anjaline’s table during dessert and she welcomed him with a smile. She swatted his hand and laughed when he stole one of her tarts. “So, tell me about your family.”

He grinned and bit into the mango sweetness with gusto. “Well, my younger sister, older brother and I live in Coquina Cove which is about half an hour from here by boat.  My dad runs a fish farm business. River is here because she begged our parents for one session of camp and I’m here for one week because I’m training to work for my dad and he can only spare me for that long this summer.”

Anjaline caught his tone and frowned. “You don’t seem too thrilled with the idea.”

With a light laugh Robin lowered his voice so only she could hear him, glancing up every once in awhile to ensure they were not overheard by Shark Tooth. “Can’t slip anything by you can I? But you’re right. I don’t want to work in fish farms forever. I don’t even like fish. My dream is to someday run a business driving big boats in and out of the cove with my brother. We want to design the perfect tugboat line for treacherous waters like the tugs in Orca Cove and other coves in the area.”

Anjaline smiled and nibbled a pastry, remembering her own rebellion toward her stepfather’s plans for her.  “He’ll understand though, if you tell you him your dreams, won’t he?” She glanced over at Shark Tooth who was in deep conversation with Gabriel’s father.

With a rueful smile he shook his head. “My father is one of the most stubborn men you will ever meet. Already my older brother, Jay is in the business and he’s only seventeen. He doesn’t want to take over our father’s business either. Our only hope is our older sister, Willow. She was married last summer and is studying business in the hope of taking over when my father retires.”

Anjaline passed him the other half of her pastry as her gaze fell on Robin’s mother. The woman was small and quiet, not the kind of person she could envision being able to sway her husband in any way. “He doesn’t expect you to work full-time while you’re in school does he?”

Robin smiled and licked his fingers, settling back as the final rays sank below the mountains. “He would prefer I work in the business instead of going to school, yes. I’ll be forever grateful Jay convinced him education is important. I’ll only work weekends and evenings until I graduate high school. Jay finished last spring so Dad was eager to take him on but I know Jay already plans to attend college.”

The word ‘college’ caused Shark Tooth to raise his gaze and he shot his youngest son a warning glare. The conversation was over, but not Anjaline’s curiosity over this unique family.

The light had almost faded and twilight begun to set in when she looked over at the table where Gabriel sat with his parents, Evelyn and River. The intense look of hatred in Evelyn’s eyes made the tart Anjaline was eating suddenly taste like sawdust.  The glower on Gabriel’s handsome face turned her stomach. Offering the remainder of her tart to a pleased and oblivious Robin she turned away, her heart troubled.

The inevitable onset of night covered the sky in a blanket of stars, the moon a bare sliver of white against the inky backdrop. As Anjaline’s father added another log to the dying fire the picnic benches were moved closer to it.  Soon the men of the group began calling for songs and the makings of s’mores. Sticks sharpened to slim points were handed around, along with large bags of fluffy white marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate bars. Colin O’Connor brought out his guitar and began tuning it. After a moment, one voice after another joined him in a camp song about silver birches, beavers and moose. Anjaline released a contented sigh, eager to forget her sadness for awhile in the magic of the peaceful night.

Robin helped Leah and Seth to turn their sticks so their marshmallows were a perfect golden brown before turning to help Anjaline do the same. She was delighted with the easy friendship springing up between them and smiled when he poked a marshmallow on her stick and showed her the technique for the perfect roasted marshmallow. Anjaline wrinkled her nose as Robin turned his stick with meticulous care and held it just over the amber coals until the white confection all but fell off his stick. Noting her reaction he grinned and popped the gooey mass into his mouth, licking his fingers in appreciation.

“I’ve never roasted marshmallows. I don’t understand what all the fuss is about.” She made a face, unsure if she could stomach the brown mass being set between graham crackers and chocolate before her.

Robin’s eyes widened and he smirked. “Trust me, when you’ve tried one, you’ll understand. They’re extremely addictive. Roasted marshmallows are the only food with the perfect combination of crunchy, gooey, warm and sweet. Or you can take it one step further and make it a s’more. That’s good too.” He popped a melting golden marshmallow into his mouth and replaced it with a jumbo sized raw one before holding it over the coals again.

He passed her the next perfect marshmallow on a paper plate and she popped the warm treat into her mouth, doubtful of his words. Her eyes widened when the golden bubble melted in her mouth in a warm, gooey mass.  The sweetness made her moan with innocent pleasure. She grabbed a stick of her own and popped another marshmallow on, shoving the stick into the coals. The marshmallow instantly went up in flames and she pulled the stick back in alarm to blow out the blackened torch. Embarrassed, she hid behind her hair and peeked through the strands for her friend’s reaction.

“Maybe you should let me make a few for you until you get the hang of it,” Robin teased, a huge grin on his dark face.

She ducked her head, hoping he would attribute the red in her cheeks to the warmth from the fire.  The night was magical and Anjaline forgot the loneliness of the past two weeks in favour of enjoying Robin’s attentions and offer of friendship. The moon rose high in the sky and Karl Dettweiler began telling stories. Anjaline let her mind drift as Robin’s father blew on the coals again. The blue tinged flames licked up the cord of wood like fire elves dancing with abandon in the cool night air. She watched, entranced as tiny orange sparks spiralled upwards through the thin silver smoke wafting out over the water. She wished for her whole life to be as peaceful as this night. The knowledge of Robin remaining in Hope Valley for a week lifted her spirits. Perhaps living in Hope Valley wouldn’t be so terrible after all.

The days melted together and the valley hummed with summer camp activities. The youth of Hope Valley threw themselves into their duties and formed friendships with the campers. Though not quite a year old, Elijah became a favourite among the campers; the girls in particular. Seth and Leah assigned themselves to him as bodyguards though it became clear the little cherub never needed any. Gabriel worked as hard as any other staff members but kept to himself during free time, claiming some chore or project as an excuse.

Anjaline’s heart broke with the realization that Gabriel wanted nothing to do with her despite rescuing her weeks before. Her stomach twisted whenever she caught a glimpse of him, but she promised herself never to let him become aware of how much his rejection hurt her. She concluded he had chosen not to be her friend because she annoyed him. He must think of her as high maintenance since her accident.  She told herself she couldn’t blame him. She had caused all Hope Valley a lot of trouble her first day in the village. There was never a moment to speak with him alone, as male campers constantly asked her for help with one activity or another and he kept his distance.  The disgust on his handsome face caused her to rethink confronting him alone and she became depressed whenever he was around.

Evelyn caused her own problems for Robin and Anjaline, following them all over the valley during free time with a moonstruck expression on her face. By the end of the week Evelyn’s adoring expression had become one of open jealousy and Anjaline realized Robin’s unintentional rejection must sting but didn’t know what, if anything she was supposed to do. Her friendship with Robin seemed to make the younger girl angry but Anjaline had long since stopped worrying about Evelyn’s mood swings and said nothing to Robin.

Determined to enjoy the summer, Anjaline spent every spare moment with Robin. A warm friendship grew between them and when Anjaline said farewell to Robin at the end of the week, her earlier attraction had changed to a sisterly affection. Anjaline sniffed back the tears and clung to him when he gave her a quick hug, wondering how she would survive the loneliness without him around.

“Aw, Angie; don’t be sad, my dear friend.” Robin released her and tipped her chin up to gaze down into her eyes.  “I don’t live far away. I’ll come and visit from time to time.”

Anjaline blinked away her tears and smiled, hope in her dark eyes. “You promise?”

Robin chuckled and hugged her again. “I promise. I’ll be back as soon as I get a break from school.” He picked up his suitcase and walked down to the waiting boat. “I’m glad we got a chance to become friends, Angie.”

“Me too, Robin.” Anjaline held onto the promise of his return as he stepped into the boat and waved. A long summer and fall without friends stretched before her. For the second time since her arrival in the valley she missed her cousin and best friend desperately.

~*~*~

The last week of July Anjaline overhead Karl Dettweiler telling her father about an upcoming visit from his fifteen-year-old nephew, Damian.

“That’s wonderful, Karl. How long will he be staying?”

Karl’s expression was grim. “Who knows? If the boy shapes up, he may stay all summer and maybe even longer. I guess only time will tell.”

From her vantage point behind a tree in front of the dining hall, Anjaline caught a glimpse of the love Karl had for his nephew before he turned away. The news piqued Anjaline’s curiosity. She hurried to Seth’s house to tell him and Leah but Evelyn was already there.

She stepped back into the shadows and forgot her plans to spend the day with Seth and Leah. She had been burned the last time she eavesdropped and almost abandoned the idea.  Then Evelyn mentioned Damian’s name and she remained hidden, straining to hear. In her usual know-it-all way, Evelyn began to share the latest information she had gleaned from her own eavesdropping on Karl Dettweiler and Anjaline’s father.

“So, according to Mr. Dettweiler, Damian has an older brother who’s heavily involved with a gang and no longer lives at home. His mom recently remarried but apparently the stepdad isn’t much of a father figure. Mr. Dettweiler said Damian gets in trouble with the law an awful lot.  His mother is really worried about him because she found out he’s mixed up in the gang too. Damian’s mom is hoping time spent with his uncle at a Christian camp will help him change before it’s too late. Apparently she thinks time away from his so-called friends would also do him good.”

“When’s he coming?” Seth asked when she stopped to take a breath.

With a self-important toss of her head Evelyn replied, “He’ll be here tomorrow and he’s going to stay for awhile.”  She leaned in as if she had more to share and Anjaline strained to hear.

“Mr. Dettweiler is trying to convince his sister to let him adopt Damian, since he and his wife can’t have children of their own. Mr. Dettweiler told Mr. Sutherland he hopes having Damian live here will give him a more secure home life.”  Evelyn tossed her hair again, green eyes sparkling with excitement.

 “I wonder what he’ll be like.”  Leah spoke from her position on the grass, Elijah bouncing up and down on her lap.

“Don’t you all have better things to do than stand around speculating about a kid who’s only going to be trouble?” Gabriel piped up.

Anjaline jumped and covered her rapidly beating heart.  She hadn’t seen him until he spoke or realized he stood so close to her hiding place.  She held her breath, hoping he hadn’t discovered her.  Anjaline breathed a silent sigh of relief and pressed further into the side of the O’Connors’ house when Gabriel glowered at Evelyn and began to walk away.

Evelyn stuck her tongue out at his retreating back and called, “You just don’t want competition, Gabriel Walker.”

Gabriel spun.  From her vantage point in the shadows, Anjaline read the suspicion in his eyes.

 “Competition for what, Eve?”

Anjaline shrank back at the venom in his tone, wondering why he seemed so upset.

Evelyn shrugged and a knowing grin crossed her face. “I don’t think you need me to tell you, Gabriel. It’s pretty obvious,” she taunted before tossing her hair again and sauntering off with Seth, Leah and Elijah in tow.

In spite of her bad experience when she first arrived, Anjaline’s loneliness drove her to seek comfort in the mountains which reminded her so much of home.  Soon after discovering a hidden berry patch in the middle of a clearing a little way up the ridge she claimed it for herself.  An open area sheltered by trees with a view of the waves crashing onto the rocks far below, it called to her imagination. No one else came there and by mid-July the haven became her one place of perfect solitude.  Remembering the cougar all too well, her first project was to create a larger clearing where no animal could sneak up on her. She crept up the mountain shortly after overhearing the others talking about Damian. She wanted a chance to be quiet and think.

The only thing Anjaline knew about bad boys was how to avoid them. Her parents never approved of friendships with children ‘from the other side of the tracks’, so she had never met one. She had to admit to being intrigued by Damian’s story, especially since she had lost her own father at the age of four. In spite of or perhaps because of, Gabriel’s warning to the others she looked forward to Damian’s visit. Gabriel had lost all right to have his opinions respected.  His comment made her all the more excited for the next day. She dangled her feet over the cliffs and stared out into the bay with a smile. Since Robin’s departure, life had become a little boring. If the stories about Damian were true, life in the valley was about to become very interesting. For her, tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.