Next she set up her outside area, which looked better than ever with her new awning and cheerful birthday planters flanking the door. She even put up her strings of camping lights, and since she’d brought extra batteries for them, she decided to turn them on during the trailer tour. She would light her lanterns too. She had no hopes of winning any prizes, but as the newcomer, she planned to pull out all the stops. When she was completely done with everything, she got out a small plaque she’d painted just the night before—WELCOME TO DESERT ROSE with a couple of coral-colored roses on each end—and hung it above the door. Perfect.
Dillon got a soda from her ice chest, then sat down in one of her outdoor chairs, put her feet on the matching footstool, and looked out over the calm blue lake. Life was good. Definitely good. And she intended to enjoy it to the fullest.
A couple of other trailers had been parked while she’d been setting up. A lime-green one and an aqua blue. It looked like their owners were busily setting up now. From where she sat, Dillon could see Vivian’s campsite. It looked like she and Jordan were discussing something. And Vivian, instead of acting like Ms. Bossy Pants, like she’d done with Dillon, was all sunshine and smiles now. Well, whatever. Dillon wasn’t going to let Vivian get to her. This was too nice to spoil.
She’d just finished her soda when Jordan came over. “Hey, this is looking good,” he told her as he checked out her outside area. “You’re turning into serious competition.”
She laughed. “I did this for myself. I don’t care if I get any votes, I just want to enjoy it.”
“Come check out my domain.” He reached for her hand. “Maybe you can give me some pointers for my exterior area. And I’m not sure I put everything back together on the inside—not like you had it yesterday.”
“I doubt you need my help, but I’d like to see it.”
With his trailer awning out and his camp furnishings set up, Jordan’s campsite looked very inviting. “Hey, you’ve even hung up the lights I got you.”
“You bet. Now come inside.”
She went into his trailer and immediately noticed that it wasn’t quite like she’d had it. “This looks good, but want me to tweak a little?” she asked.
“Of course!”
She made a few little changes and Jordan approved. “Thanks. I’m hoping to give Vivian real competition this year.”
“How does her place look?” Dillon asked.
“I’ve only seen the outside, which is pretty slick in a girly sort of way, but she won’t let me peek inside. I suspect she’s made some changes.”
“Well, I’m sure she feels there’s a lot at stake since she’s sort of the trailer décor expert in town.” Dillon suspected that money was no object for Vivian’s trailer.
“Yeah, like a walking—or rolling—advertisement for her shop.”
Dillon checked her watch. “So when do you expect Janelle and the girls to arrive?”
“Not until dinnertime. Janelle had some loose ends to tie up on a real estate listing.”
“They’ll miss the trailer tour.”
“Well, they don’t get votes anyway. And I’m sure they can snoop around as much as they like later. Our club members love showing their trailers.”
“I’m really looking forward to the tour.”
“Well, that’s not until later. Wanna do something fun in the meantime?”
“Sure.”
“Ever been kayaking?”
She shook her head.
“Well, I reserved a couple of kayaks at the lodge. I need someone to hike over and get them with me. Then we’ll have to paddle back across the lake. You up for it?”
“Absolutely!”
Before long, after putting on life vests and getting a quick lesson from Jordan, Dillon was paddling with him across the lake. “This is great,” she called out to him. “I love it.”
“Pretty cool.” He pointed to the sky. “Bald eagle at twelve o’clock high.”
Shielding her eyes, she peered upward. “Beautiful,” she said.
“Nothing like being out here,” Jordan said. “A weekend isn’t really enough.”
“Maybe not, but I plan to make the most of it.”
He nodded. “Yep. Me too.”
They paddled leisurely, taking in the sights . . . a family of mallard ducks, some kids with colorful floatable toys, fishermen, and the general beauty of the tree-rimmed mountain lake. By the time they were back at their section of campground, the trailer tour was in full swing.
“Where do we put the kayaks?” Dillon asked as she tugged her kayak up onto the beach area.
“Here. They’re for everyone to use. Just stick the life vest and paddle inside.”
She was unfastening her vest when she heard Vivian calling down to them. “Where have you guys been?” she demanded. “Don’t you know it’s trailer tour time?”
“No worries,” Jordan called back. “We’re here now.”
“Yes, but your trailers should be open and ready for—”
“And they will be,” Jordan assured her. “Relax.”
She scowled and turned, marching away.
“I don’t think she liked your suggestion,” Dillon said quietly.
“Well, I think she’s taking this too seriously.” Jordan gave Dillon a hand as they stepped over a fallen log. “This is supposed to be fun.”
“I’m having fun,” she told him.
He grinned. “Me too.”
He continued to hold her hand as they walked into the campground. Not that she minded—she didn’t!
“Wow, the place has really filled up,” she observed. “It’s so colorful and cute. I can’t wait to take some photos.”
“Our fellow campers are already on the prowl,” Jordan said as they paused by his trailer.
“Looks like the competition has begun.”
He winked, then released her hand. “And may the best trailers win.”
As she went over to unlock her trailer’s door, she doubted that she had a real chance to win, but she was excited about having other trailer aficionados stopping by her campsite—and curious to hear their comments. She was equally curious to see their trailers.
Dillon hooked her trailer door open, leaving the screen door closed to keep the bugs out. Besides that, it was an awfully cute screen door. She was just adjusting the Desert Rose nameplate when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning, she felt slightly dismayed to see Vivian.
“Thought I’d start with you.” Vivian’s smile looked stiff. “As the newest member, I’m sure everyone will be curious.” She reached for the screen door handle. “Mind if I go in?”
“Not at all.” Dillon smiled. “Make yourself at home.” She considered going in with her, but wasn’t sure she wanted to hear Vivian’s comments. She felt certain that her trailer wouldn’t match up to Vivian’s perfectionist expectations. And really, she didn’t care. She loved Desert Rose, and that was enough.
After a few minutes, Vivian came out. “You’ve done a nice job with it, Dillon.” Her smile looked more genuine as she unpeeled a chocolate kiss from the bowl Dillon had placed on the counter. “Kudos to you.”