All Was Calm: A Cottage Grove Mystery Novella (Cottage Grove Mysteries Book 2) by Carobini Julie

Author:Carobini, Julie [Carobini, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery, animals, holidays, Romance, culinary, suspense
Publisher: Dolphin Gate Books
Published: 2016-09-29T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

The next morning, Tasha pasted a smile on her face and headed outside with a clipboard in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other. Though she felt certain that Cooper’s death was likely an isolated incident brought on by bad behavior, and though she would not wish that on him, she still believed that the camp was safe. Very safe. Otherwise, they would have cancelled all groups through the rest of the month.

Still, because of the impending presence of campers, most of whom had probably not ventured very far from the mall, let alone the wilderness, she had insisted on taking precautions and had hired several security guards to keep watch through the night. They would be starting this evening, and until then, she had Andy to help her. She had met young Andy under tense circumstances the year prior, but he’d come around about her, and frankly, she grew to love him, too.

Tasha watched as a caravan of Range Rovers pulled in and parked. Several women with smooth ponytails climbed out of the vehicles, athleisure fitted to their slim figures, while 16 teenage girls spilled out after them. The older women opened up the tailgate of each SUV, revealing supplies for the group’s three-night stay. Not a nondescript black duffle bag in the bunch. Instead, piles of shiny, colorful luggage jostled for attention as if waiting for concert doors to open. The women looked around and then at each other.

As Tasha approached the women, one called out, “Where is the bell service?”

Tasha set the coffee cup she was holding on a nearby picnic table and held up her clipboard. “I can help.” She pierced the air with a whistle, catching the attention of her security-slash-ranger for the day. “Andy? Please come over and help our guests unpack their cars.”

She backed up a step and addressed the group. “Welcome to Camp Cottage Grove, everyone. We’re glad you’re here. Andy will help hand out your luggage. Anything that you cannot carry on your own, he can load on a cart and bring out to you. Sound good?”

The women murmured, some squinting as if perhaps they hadn’t heard correctly while a few others wore expressions of resignation. She received hardly any response at all from the girls, who had, not surprisingly, split into several groups: young, younger, youngest.

Tasha turned to one of the women who stood out, the one with the soft smile and bright eyes. “I’m Tasha, and you are?”

“Grace.”

“Happy to meet you, Grace. I have your cabin assignments here,” she said, tapping her clipboard. “If I could run down the list with you and do a roll call, then I can give you your keys and send you on your way to a great getaway.”

“Wonderful. I’m so happy to be here.” She inhaled deeply. “Even the smell is overwhelming. So clean, compared to the city.”

Tasha smiled, but her heart ached at the lingering tragedy in their midst. Still, she was pleased and somewhat relieved to know that the group had brought along at least one nature lover.

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