Chapter Twelve

“You’re sure about this?” Christopher asked.

Sara ground her teeth together. He’d asked her the exact same question more times than she cared to count in the past few weeks, and already twice since he picked her up in Washington earlier today. “Positive. I want to try it, but if you want, we can get a hotel room for the weekend. I’ll try camping some other time. Jake and Charlie will come with me.”

Christopher reached across the SUV and gave her hand a quick squeeze. “I never said I didn’t want to do this with you. But I’m not sure you’ll enjoy yourself.”

In the end, she might hate camping, but doing it was the only way to find out. No matter what Christopher said, she planned to go through with her plans for the weekend. If Christopher wanted to stay in a hotel along the beach, he could. Who knew? After one night of sleeping in a tent, she might be booking a hotel room with a king-sized bed and room service.

“Why did you pick here?” she asked, changing the topic of the conversation.

Christopher shook his head, resigned to the fact she wouldn’t budge. “My grandparents lived here. We used to come every other summer to visit. Sometimes we stayed with them and sometimes we camped. I love it here, and when you said you wanted to try camping, it came to mind because it’s not far from Washington.”

“If your grandparents lived in Virginia Beach, how did your family end up in Wisconsin?” She’d heard of people moving from colder areas of the country to warmer ones, but it didn’t usually happen the other way.

Christopher turned the Range Rover onto Atlantic Avenue. “They moved here after they retired. My grandfather was in the Navy and was stationed down here for a few years. After he left the Navy, they moved back to his hometown in Wisconsin to be closer to family.”

“Do they still live here?”

“They live in Florida now. They’ve been down there for three years. They sold their house here to my aunt and uncle.”

Sara studied the busy street out the window. Window signs and billboards welcomed visitors from all over. She’d never visited the area, but a few of her college friends had. From what they’d told her, the city had gorgeous beaches and, while not as warm as areas farther south, it remained warmer than Wisconsin. Of course almost anywhere was warmer than Wisconsin.

“Are you up for an excursion or two while we’re here?” Sara asked. Across the street a large billboard stood advertising various area attractions including dolphin-watching trips and naval base cruises.

“I thought we could just relax this weekend, but if you have something in mind, name it.” Christopher pulled the Range Rover into a parking garage. “Before we do any planning though, let’s eat and then head to the campground to set up before it gets dark. We can always come back here later tonight if we want and explore.” Before Sara could respond, he got out of the SUV and came around to open her door.

“Sounds good. Lead the way.” Sara accepted his outstretched hand, and they walked out into the bright warm sunshine.

Buildings of various sizes and shapes lined both sides of Atlantic Avenue. As they walked along, Sara took it all in. People from all corners of life strolled up and down the street. Some were dressed in bathing suits with boogie boards over their shoulders, while others grasped the hands of young children as they made their way to and from the beach with sand buckets and shovels. Mixed in among the city sounds were crashing ocean waves and the frequent roar from military jets as they flew overhead. The entire scene was as opposite from her last vacation in Paris as it could get. Oddly, she found herself instantly attracted to the area. While it may not have famous art museums or world-class fashion houses, there was something she liked about the area. Something that told her this wouldn’t be her last trip here. She understood why Christopher’s grandparents moved here after retiring.

“So what are you in the mood for? Seafood, pasta, steak?” Christopher held her hand as they crossed the street toward the boardwalk. “Make sure it’s something you love. This will be your last civilized meal before we start roughing it.”

His expression remained serious, but she thought she caught a gleam of mischief in his eye. He was kidding around again, right? “We’re at the ocean. I want seafood tonight.” Farther down the way, Sara caught a glimpse of several statues clustered together. “What’s that down there?” She pointed toward the area.

Christopher released her hand and placed his arm around her shoulders. “A memorial to the military. We can take a walk through tomorrow. We really don’t have time now.”

They walked a little more before Christopher stopped outside a hotel. “The restaurant inside has the best seafood around, at least it used too. I haven’t been here in two or three years.”

Sara moved forward and the automatic glass doors into the lobby opened. “It’ll be fine.”

Two hours later, Sara took in their surroundings as Christopher stopped at their campsite inside North Bayshore Campground. Whether he’d requested a secluded spot or all the sites were like this one, there wasn’t another tent or camper in sight. The only thing Sara saw were trees, trees, and more trees. Wouldn’t it be safer around more people? If an emergency arose, they were all alone except for the Secret Service agents assigned to her. She’d considered asking them not to come, now she was glad they were there.

“Are all the sites like this one?” Sara struggled to keep her voice even. If he picked up on her uneasiness, he’d start talking about getting a hotel room again. No matter what, she wasn’t going to give up without trying this first.

Christopher opened his door but remained seated inside the SUV. “Some are but not all. I asked for a more private one. I figured you wouldn’t want to draw a lot of attention.” Climbing out of the SUV, he closed the door and walked around to open her side. “You can explore if you want or give me a hand unloading. Up to you.”

Sara planned on doing this right and experiencing every aspect of camping, which included setting up. “Just tell me what you need me to do.”

“Let’s get unloaded first. For now, put everything on the picnic table.” Christopher moved closer and dropped a quick kiss on her lips then opened the trunk.

Without complaint, Sara accepted the dark purple sleeping bag he handed her. In the end, she allowed him to do most of the shopping for their trip. One afternoon the week before, she stopped in an outdoor recreation store, but gave up after an hour in the tent section. There were simply too many options. Tents seemed to come in every size and shape imaginable depending on need and environment. As much as she loved shopping, she asked Christopher to pick up everything they’d need for their weekend trip. The only items she purchased on her shopping trip were a new bikini and sandals.

“After we set up, I need to put more ice in this,” Christopher said as he pulled out a large cooler.

Sara reached for the second sleeping bag in the trunk. “What’s it for?” she asked, pointing to the cooler.

Christopher stopped and threw her a look that said exactly what he thought. “Umm... food.”

Okay, she set herself up for that one. She knew what a cooler was for. “I meant why do we need one. Can’t we go out to eat?”

“We can, but that’s not camping. A true camping trip involves cooking hot dogs over an open fire. I brought some other food too, like peanut butter for sandwiches, oatmeal, plus some marshmallows.”

Okay, she could handle a hot dog or two as long as he didn’t expect her to eat them at every meal, and she liked peanut butter.

“There is also bottled water in here,” he explained placing the cooler near the picnic table before going back for more stuff.

Once they emptied all the gear from the back of the Range Rover, Christopher worked on setting up the tent. With no knowledge of how to start, Sara sat on the picnic table, content to watch him work. Christopher breezed through the process, and before long, he began pounding the stakes into the ground, anchoring the tent down.

“Grab your sleeping bag and come on in.” Christopher tossed the mallet down on the table. “Just make sure you take your shoes off before you go inside.” He grabbed his own bag and a rolled-up foam pad.

Sara reached for the sleeping bag behind her but didn’t get any further; her butt remained glued to the bench. Thinking about this trip and seeing the tent set up in the store had been one thing, but now it dawned on her how little protection there would be between her and any wild creatures. She bit down on her lip. After all the fuss she’d made, she had to at least try this for a night. Besides, the Secret Service agents with their guns weren’t that far away.

Christopher poked his head out of the tent. “We can still pack everything up and get a room somewhere.”

Get up. Sara forced herself into an upright position. “We’re staying.” Moving lead weights was probably easier than getting her feet to move toward the tent, but she managed. “Let’s see how it goes. We can always move in the morning.” Sara stopped just outside the tent and kicked off her sneakers. Then before she rethought her decision, she ducked inside clutching her sleeping bag tightly.

Inside, Christopher had opened his sleeping bag and spread it out, making a makeshift bed. “I’m no expert, but don’t you usually sleep inside a sleeping bag?”

Christopher dropped onto the ground and reached up to pull her next to him. “There’s no way I’m sleeping this close to you and not being able to touch you. We’ll open your bag and cover up with it if we need it.” While he spoke, he leaned toward her. “But I can think of more enjoyable ways to stay warm if we get cold.”

The seductive tone in his voice warmed her entire body and her surroundings disappeared. She no longer felt the hard ground underneath her or heard the chirping birds outside the tent. “I think I’m going to enjoy camping,” she managed to say just before his lips came down on hers.

***

Beneath her cheek, Christopher’s chest rose and fell as he slept. Carefully, so she didn’t wake him, Sara rolled onto her back. The tent was so dark Sara could barely make out Christopher next to her. Outside, the night air was filled with unfamiliar sounds that other people may be able to tune out, but Sara seemed to notice each and every one. The sounds outside the tent weren’t the only things keeping her awake. Even with the thin foam mattress and a sleeping bag beneath them, she found it impossible to get comfortable. No matter what position she tried, it didn’t help. Next to her, Christopher was dead to the world. Evidently, he didn’t share her problems.

Perhaps she should wake him up, and together they could find an enjoyable way to pass the time. After their last round of lovemaking, she’d managed to fall asleep for a little while anyway. Maybe it would happen again. In her mind, she ran through pleasurable ways of waking him. Sitting up, she leaned toward him and began a trail of kisses at his neck. Slowly, she made her way down toward his chest. She got just above his left nipple when an owl hooted, and Sara almost jumped through the tent.

Jolted fully awake by her sudden movement, Christopher bolted upright. “What’s the matter? Are you okay?”

Sara nodded before she remembered Christopher couldn’t see her. “An owl, or at least I think it was an owl, scared me. I’m not used to all these nature sounds.”

“After a while, you get used to it.” Christopher got comfortable again and pulled her down next to him. “Tomorrow night you might not even notice.”

She doubted that. Every few seconds, a different sound filtered in from outside, but she kept her thoughts to herself. If she complained now, he’d only insist they get a hotel room for the weekend. Even if she went all weekend with no sleep, she wanted to see this camping trip through. Giving up wasn’t in her nature, and she didn’t plan on starting now.

***

He gave her a lot of credit. So far this weekend she hadn’t complained once. Not even after last night, and judging by the dark circles under her eyes and the fact that she yawned every other minute, she hadn’t slept much. Despite her lack of rest, when he asked her about changing their accommodations, she’d adamantly refused.

“What are your thoughts for today?” Christopher asked as they strolled along the boardwalk past the enormous statue of Neptune, god of the ocean. “We could look into one of those excursions you mentioned yesterday.”

Sara shook her head as she stifled another yawn. “I’m thinking a day relaxing on the beach sounds perfect. Maybe tonight we can come back for the live concert in Neptune Park.”

“A day lying on the beach works for me.” Crossing to the stairs, he led her down to the beach toward an area with rented recliners. Around them children worked on building sand castles while their parents sat and watched. Another group played a game of volleyball while some simply sat and enjoyed the warm sunshine. No one paid any attention to them as they walked by, everyone assumed they were just another couple intent on spending time in the sun.

After selecting two recliners far from a group of teens playing Frisbee, Christopher dropped the backpack slung over his shoulder. Unsure of their exact plans for the afternoon, he’d packed sunscreen and bottled water for both of them. “Plan on doing any swimming?” he asked, pulling his T-shirt over his head.

Sara’s head disappeared inside her T-shirt. Pulling it off, she revealed the top of her emerald green bikini. “The only swimming I do is in a pool. I like to know what’s around me.” Sara pulled off her shorts and folded them neatly before placing them on the end of her chair. “But go ahead if you want. You don’t have to stay here with me.”

Christopher’s eyes took in the sight of her lying there in her bikini; once again he was struck speechless by her beauty. By now he should be used to it, but somehow she still managed to leave him breathless.

“Can I borrow the sunscreen?” she asked, adjusting her sunglasses.

Without tearing his eyes from her, he dug into the bag and pulled out the bottle he’d packed. “Here you go.”

He watched every movement she made as she rubbed the white lotion across her body. With each pass, the fire simmering inside him increased as memories of loving her earlier teased him. If he had any hope of surviving the afternoon, he needed to look elsewhere. Lifting his eyes, he watched the two military jets screeching across the sky. When they disappeared into the clouds, he lowered his gaze and caught sight of several men watching Sara as she applied a layer of sunscreen to her legs. Watch all you want, but she’s with me.

“When you’re done, can I get some help?” he asked, sitting down on the edge of her chair and kissing her cheek. “I’ll return the favor.”

Sara paused with one hand on her calf and shot him a smile. “I was hoping you’d ask.” Moving closer to the edge of her chair, she squeezed sunscreen into her hand. “Turn around and I’ll get your back.”

The nerve endings in his back jumped the second Sara’s hand made contact. Her touch felt like a caress as she spread the sunscreen across his upper back and shoulders. Gradually she worked her way down his spine. Instinctively, he leaned back into her caress, content to sit there all day.

“Anywhere else you need help?” Sara asked as her hands skimmed across his lower back and above his waistband.

He could think of several other places where he’d like her hands, but none were appropriate for their current location. “Good for now. What about you?”

Her hands left his skin, and for a moment he tossed around ideas of how he might get them back.

“Just my back. I covered everywhere else.”

Christopher took his time covering every inch of her shoulders and back. When he could no longer use the ruse of applying sunscreen as his reason for touching her, he let his hand rest on her shoulders and dropped a kiss on the back of her neck. “All set.”

***

In the center of the stones a fire blazed, the smoke keeping the mosquitoes at bay. Sara watched mesmerized as the flames danced wildly near the marshmallow on her stick. “I’ve never tasted a roasted marshmallow before,” she said, just before yawning for about the millionth time that night.

Christopher’s hand wrapped around hers and he adjusted the stick. “Most people like them light brown, but I like them best when they get charred on the outside.”

“Maybe I’ll try them both ways and with the chocolate and graham crackers you brought.”

“S’mores are a must on a camping trip,” he said with the utmost authority in his voice. Pulling his own marshmallow out of the fire, he pulled the sticky concoction off the stick and popped it into his mouth.

She watched for some sign it had been too hot, but none ever came. Cautiously she followed his lead and did the same thing. Despite being so close to the flames, the outside of the marshmallow was warm, but it didn’t burn her fingertips. Popping the roasted pillow of sugar into her mouth, she bit down. It melted in her mouth, and she closed her eyes in delight.

“Mmm… that’s good.” She licked the remaining sticky goo from her fingers. “People must go camping just for this.”

Christopher stuck another marshmallow on the end of each stick. “I take it you’re not having fun.”

Did she hear disappointment in his voice? “I didn’t say that. But next time, we need an air mattress and some ear plugs.” Perhaps she could learn to tune out the sounds of nature, but the hard ground… well that was something else entirely.

“We can still get a room for the night.” He rotated the stick holding his marshmallow.

“Will you stop saying that?” Sara snapped. “I’m fine where we are. I’m just saying for next time.” More than anything she wanted to hit him over the head with her stick.

He reached for her free hand. “Okay, okay. I just want you to have a good weekend.”

Sara leaned against him. “I am. This trip has been great. We’re together and no one is bothering us. That’s all I want.” Her friends may find it odd, but she didn’t care where they spent their time. All that mattered to her was they were together having fun. So far their weekend camping trip fit the bill to a T.

“Me too.” He reached for the bag of marshmallows on the picnic table. “Ready for another?” he asked.

“Definitely. This time I want the chocolate and graham crackers too.”

Together they sat roasting marshmallows and constructing s’mores, for another thirty minutes or so before dousing the fire and climbing into their tent.

“I need to figure out a way to make those at home.” Sara snuggled next to Christopher, the steady sound of his heartbeat under her ear.

Christopher played with her loose strands of hair lying across his chest. “Use the microwave. They taste almost the same.”

No longer able to keep them open, she let her eyelids close. “Even I can handle that,” she whispered before falling asleep.