“They won last year,” Lynette Miller told Dillon and Janelle. “Jim and I plan to give them a run for their money this year.”
Dillon acted unconcerned as she watched for a while. There was no denying that Jordan and Vivian were good, but feeling increasingly uncomfortable, Dillon excused herself, explaining to Janelle she was tired. “I got up so early this morning. I think I need a little break.” And she did need a break.
Despite feeling more than a little glum over her assumptions about Jordan . . . and Vivian, Dillon felt encouraged to be back at her trailer. It was always amazing how Desert Rose welcomed her—with open arms. Dillon spent a little time just straightening things up, and then, happy to be alone at her own sweet campsite, she sat down with a book and pretended to read . . . but drifted off to sleep.
When she woke, it was dusky out and the twins were urging her to hurry up and come to the campfire with them. “And you better put on something warm,” Janelle told her. “You girls get on your long pants and sweatshirts.”
Before long, still feeling groggy from her after-dinner nap, Dillon trudged up the hill with Janelle and the girls to the campfire area. It wasn’t that she wasn’t enthused about this group time, especially since it had been fun last night. It was simply that she wasn’t eager to see Jordan. Especially if he was still cozying up with Vivian.
She convinced herself that she’d overblown everything between her and Jordan. That was her mistake. In Jordan’s defense, he’d simply been kind and thoughtful and helpful these past several days. And that little bit of hand-holding? Good grief, she’d held hands with boys in middle school . . . and it hadn’t meant they’d wanted to marry her. Really, she just needed to grow up and accept reality.
Because the log bench seats were mostly occupied, Dillon encouraged Janelle and the girls to squeeze into a spot in the front row so the girls could see better. Then she took a seat in back next to the Jacksons. Tonight, Jordan and Jim Miller were taking the lead in singing and storytelling. Then a small group of campers performed a humorous skit—naturally, the cast included Vivian. Despite Dillon’s resolve to keep a stiff upper lip, she felt herself crumbling inside. What had begun as an incredibly beautiful and perfect day was fading fast . . . and so was she.
So while the merry campers were in the midst of an exuberant cowboy song that they were performing in rounds, Dillon slipped away. Slinking into the shadows, she found her way back to her trailer. There she put a note on the door for Janelle, apologizing that she was so tired she’d gone to bed, but inviting Janelle to just come in and help the twins get ready for bed. She knew it was a coward’s way out, but she didn’t really care. She wanted to shed her tears without an audience.
When she finally heard them come in, Dillon pretended to be fast asleep, which was ridiculous because between the lights and bumps and loud whispering, she never would’ve slept through it. But she really didn’t want to face them. Didn’t want them to see she’d been crying.
“Does she know?” Emma whispered loudly while they were brushing their teeth in the tiny bathroom.
“I don’t think so,” Chloe answered.
“And don’t you girls say a word about it,” Janelle whispered. “Just get into bed and go to sleep.”
Dillon was curious as to what they were talking about, but at the same time preferred her ignorance. For all she knew, it was possible that Jordan had proposed marriage to Vivian tonight. Maybe in front of the whole group. Maybe that was what she’d heard them cheering so loudly about a few minutes ago.
In that case, she certainly wouldn’t want to hear about it. Not now. For the first time, in her sweet little trailer, she did not sleep like a log. She tossed and turned and wound up rising before the sun. She slipped into warm clothes, and thinking she’d take out a kayak—and clear her head—she went outside. But both kayaks were gone. She peered out onto the lake, spotting them at a distance. She really couldn’t tell who was in them, but for whatever reason she felt certain it was Jordan . . . and Vivian. Probably celebrating their engagement with the rising of the sun.
Dillon knew she was being perfectly silly. It was highly unlikely that Jordan had proposed to Vivian last night . . . or that he’d propose to anyone for that matter. But for some reason she couldn’t convince herself otherwise.
Dillon strolled around the campground, finally stopping at the dock. She sat on the bench and, feeling drained and empty, just gazed out over the lake. As she watched it slowly coming to life with the morning sun, there was no denying the beauty. But it just didn’t look as spectacular as it had yesterday. Her one consolation was that this camping weekend would end today. Everyone had to be out of the campground by two. Perhaps she would leave a bit earlier.
Dillon felt the lump in her throat returning and knew she needed to do something to bolster her spirits before seeing the others. She didn’t want to be the one unhappy camper that dragged everyone else down. Her only recourse—a lesson she’d learned long ago, but sometimes forgot—was to give her heartache to God. She knew his ways were higher than hers. And she knew he could handle her brokenness . . . and that, in time, he would restore her. She would get past this.
“Hey, there.” Janelle called out as she walked out on the dock. “We were wondering what had become of you.” She came over and sat down next to Dillon. “Are you okay?”
Dillon forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“We missed you last night. I didn’t realize you’d left the campfire.”
“I was pretty worn out.”
“What a beautiful morning.” Janelle took a deep breath.
“Yes, I thought I’d take out a kayak, but someone beat me to it.” Dillon pointed to the pair on the lake. “Is that Jordan and Vivian out there?” She tried to sound nonchalant.
“I don’t know about Vivian, but Jordan was just getting up when I left.” Janelle turned to Dillon. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Well, Jordan is worried that something is wrong. I mean with you.”
“Oh no, I’m fine.” Dillon hated to lie but told herself it was for the right reason.
“Did Jordan do anything to offend you yesterday?” Janelle peered curiously at her.
“Why . . . I mean, what are you getting—”
“Jordan stayed up late last night talking to me about everything, Dillon. My brother really likes you. He really, really likes you. And he thought you felt the same. And then it felt like you suddenly turned chilly on him. The poor guy is confused. And if you don’t mind me saying so, he’s hurt. Jordan doesn’t usually put himself out there like that. But he was doing it for you.”
“What about Vivian?” Dillon asked. “It looked like he was putting himself out there for her too.” Now she described seeing them cozying up at Vivian’s campsite, and then horseshoes, and even the skit. “And Vivian acts like, well, you know.”
“I know that Vivian has been after Jordan for a couple of years. But he only thinks of her as a friend. He’s always made that clear. I also know that Vivian started talking to him about her calendar project at the tea party yesterday afternoon. She monopolized his time so much by showing him photos on her phone that the girls and I got bored and left.”