Crowds milled around on the beach when he approached, and he ended up in front of a folding table manned by three teenagers taking donations and signing people up for events.
“Hi, welcome to the fundraiser for Chance Creek’s detox and stabilization unit,” a teenage girl said when it was his turn in front of the table, rattling off a script she must have repeated a hundred times already. “Would you care to donate?”
“Of course.” Steel handed over a hundred dollars, knowing some people would view his donation askance. The girl in question seemed unaware of his identity or the rumors that swirled around his family, however. She happily took his money, filled in a receipt for the donation and gave it to him.
“What events would you like to participate in?” She gestured at a bulletin board set up behind her, where a number of activities were listed, including swimming races, diving contests, kayak races and so on.
“What’s that?” he asked, pointing to a separate one labelled, “Overall Best.”
“If you participate in all the contests, you can compete for the title of best overall athlete,” the girl said. “The one with the highest combined score wins.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Great.” The girl beamed and began to fill his name in on a form. Since he was to compete in all the contests, it took a while, and the line lengthened behind him, even though the other two teenagers at the booth were signing people up, too. “Here’s a schedule of events. Be sure to be at the starting line for each one, or you won’t get any score at all for any that you miss.”
“Sounds good.” In for a penny, in for a pound, Steel decided. Besides, it sounded like fun. He loved a contest.
“What’re you doing here?” a man’s voice broke into his thoughts as Steel straightened and turned to go. Eric Holden.
Figured, Steel thought. Too much to ask for a day off from all the stress in his life. “I’m competing.”
Eric spotted his name on the signup form and bent closer. “You’re going for all around best?” He snorted. “Good luck with that.”
“I don’t need luck.”
“You will to beat me.” Eric turned to the teenager. “Sign me up, too. For everything.”
“You still got a bum leg?” Steel asked him.
“Looking for an advantage? Too bad—my ankle is fine,” Eric said.
Steel noticed a bunch of twenty-something cowboys behind them exchange glances of amusement, and he realized this competition could go sideways. Eric had a temper. He was in good shape, but he was also in his forties, and Steel had always been fit. There was no reason either of them should be cocky enough to think they could win this thing; there were plenty of other competitive men in Chance Creek and Silver Falls, but even if he didn’t win, Steel figured he had a pretty good chance of besting Eric. He had a feeling the deputy wouldn’t like that one bit.
He caught sight of Olivia overseeing the setup of the eating area, awards podium and the large tent where a band would play later. Stella stood in a crowd of teens handing out folders and whistles, prepping them for running the competitions, he figured. If he made Eric mad, it might have negative consequences for her. Should he withdraw and simply leave? He probably shouldn’t be here anyway.
Then he caught sight of Lily Barnes standing to one side, near other kids but not among them. He might have a chance to speak to her today. At any rate, he could keep an eye on her, see who she was talking to.
“Better run away while you still can,” Eric said.
Steel waved him off and kept going. He spotted his aunt Virginia among the crowd. Seemed like a good opportunity to check in with her. He hadn’t talked to her in a couple of weeks, and sometimes lately Virginia seemed a little frail.
When he got closer, however, he realized that Jed Turner was with her, and Steel veered away again, joining a nearby line for lemonade, straining to hear their conversation. The two weren’t yelling at each other, which was a good start. Maybe the bright sunshine had mellowed them out.
“There weren’t any treehouses back then,” Jed was saying. They were talking about Runaway Lodge, Steel realized. He wondered about the first time Jed and Virginia were here. The main lodge had quite a history.
“That’s right. There were fewer trees,” Virginia said, gesturing to the grove around the lodge.
“I think it was logged in 1940,” Jed said. “These trees were saplings back when we came.”
“Look at them now,” Virginia said.
“Steel.”
He was surprised by Stella’s touch on his arm and lifted a hand to stop her from saying anything else. He jutted his chin at Virginia and Jed. “They’re talking about the old days,” he said softly.
“It’s been a long time,” Jed went on, “but I’ve never forgotten the first time I brought you here.”
“I haven’t forgotten it, either,” Virginia said tartly. “I retain my full faculties.”
“I never doubted that,” Jed said.
Steel appreciated Stella’s quiet presence by his side. She seemed as interested as he was in their older relatives’ conversation. For as long as he’d known his aunt and her uncle, the two had been at each other’s throats.
“Do you remember the moon that night?” Jed asked Virginia.
“Some moons you never forget,” she said, surprising Steel all over again. He didn’t think he’d ever heard his aunt utter a romantic remark before. Something touched his hand, and he felt Stella’s fingers tangling with his. She squeezed his hand, and he squeezed hers in reply.
“I remember your bathing suit,” Jed said. “You were a knockout.”
“Oh, hush.” Virginia laughed, an almost girlish sound. “Kids these days would find it hilarious, but at the time I felt pretty daring.”
“I thought you looked like a movie star. When you agreed to go on
