Page 16 of The Perfect Deal
I was definitely wide awake and ready to go, but I decided to stop for an iced coffee on my way to the sporting complex where we’d be getting on the bus. One never knew when they might need a little mid-morning pick-me-up, and we’d be on the bus headed to the campsite for a couple of hours. All those chatty children would certainly share their enthusiasm with me, but I wanted to be energetic enough to keep up with them.
I pulled into the parking lot and sat in my car for a moment, watching the kids saying goodbye to their parents as they loaded up on the bus. The vehicle was not what I’d envisioned, though I should’ve known better. In my mind, we’d be traveling on a school bus. I had no idea since my parents had driven me to camp and dropped me off directly when I went as a teenager. But this was no school bus. It looked like one of those chartered buses that seniors traveled all over the country in, or maybe something a professional sports team might go to away games on. Joshua’s company emblem was on the side, and it looked incredibly expensive and professional.
Giggling as I scolded myself for ever thinking Joshua wouldn’t go all out for his kids, I got out of my car and grabbed my suitcase and my other bags. I made sure my vehicle was locked and then headed over toward the commotion. The bus driver was greeting the students and loading their suitcases beneath the bus. When he saw me, he said, “Hello there, young lady. How are you today?”
Confused, I said, “I’m fine, sir, thank you. How are you?” Did he think I was a student?
“Your parents didn’t bring you, dear?” the older gentleman asked. “Did they sign all your permission forms?”
“Oh, I’m the new photographer,” I corrected him with a smile. I knew I looked young for my age, but it was quite flattering that he thought I might be one of the students.
He stood up straight and looked at me for a moment. “No kidding? Well, I’ll be.” Offering his hand, he said, “I’m Henry. I drive the bus.”
Shaking his hand, I said, “Liberty. Nice to meet you.”
“Welcome to the team, Miss Liberty. Would you like all of your bags stored down here?” He gestured at my suitcase and overnight bag.
“I’ll keep my camera bag with me,” I told him, taking that and my purse and giving him my other two bags. “But the rest you can store.”
“Sounds good, dear. I’ll take good care of them.” He chuckled, and I thanked him before heading toward the door.
Karrie was standing outside with a clipboard, collecting packets from each student as they checked in. I decided not to bother her since she looked busy, and I really wasn’t sure what to think of her. She’d seemed nice enough the day before, but I couldn’t really tell if she liked me.
Several young people were hugging their parents, trying to look brave, as they said their goodbyes. A few of them looked annoyed, like they just wanted to go already. I skirted past them, smiling politely, and headed up the steps to the bus. My eyes roamed the space, and when I saw Joshua, my grin widened. A group of kids was standing near his spot close to the front of the bus, all of them smiling as they chatted. I thought it was great that he got along so well with his students, but I was silently praying none of them liked him well enough to want to sit next to him.
Joshua looked up and saw me. Our eyes locked, and his smile brightened. “Hi, Liberty.”
“Hello,” I said as the crowd dissipated so I could reach him. “How are you?”
“Great. It’s so nice to see you. Did you get your bags put under the bus?” he asked as he scooted toward the window.
“I did—except these two.” I looked at the seating situation. I really wanted to keep my camera with me.
“Those will fit under the seat,” he said, taking my camera bag and situating it under the seat next to him. He paused and looked up at me. “Do you want to sit with me?” His cheeks turned slightly pink as if he were a little embarrassed that he hadn’t asked.
“Duh,” I replied, making him laugh. A relieved sigh exited his lips as he finished placing my bags. “Here we are.”
The two of us sat down, but we didn’t put on our seatbelts just yet in case someone needed Joshua. “How is it going so far?” I asked.
“Great. Most of the kids are here already. Karrie’s getting them checked in, and we should be able to leave soon. All the staff have arrived except Sam. He sent me a text a few minutes ago that he is stuck in traffic, but he should be here soon.”
I nodded, not sure who Sam was. I’d met a lot of people at the meeting, and everyone had been pretty nice, but I wasn’t so great with names.
“Cool,” I said, feeling a little nervous now that I was so close to him and away from Landon. I opened my mouth to say something else, but a couple of boys came from behind us, interjecting themselves into the conversation.
“Coach Joshua, is this your girlfriend?” one of them asked, a crooked grin on his face as he hooked a thumb in my direction.
My eyes enlarged, and my mouth fell open as I waited for Joshua to answer. He didn’t get a word out before the other boy asked, “The really pretty one you’re always talking about?”
Turning to Joshua, I wondered if he’d actually been talking about me to the kids at all, but I was pretty sure he wouldn’t actually refer to me as his girlfriend. It’s not like I was. Still, as I stared at his rapidly reddening face, I couldn’t help but smirk. It was clear he was quite uncomfortable.
“Very funny Axel,” he said, shaking his head. “Knock it off, you goober.”
“So she’s not your girlfriend?” the other boy asked, waggling his eyebrows at me.
“No, she’s not my girlfriend. This is Miss Liberty. She’s one of our photographers this year, Robby,” he explained to the boy.
“Cool, cool,” the second boy, Robby, said as he stared at me. “Can she be my girlfriend?”