Page 49 of Summer Affair

As the session drew to a close, Andrea gently covered her mother with a sheet. “All done,” she said softly. “I hope you feel better.”

Her mother sat up, adjusting the robe around her shoulders. “Thank you,” she said, her tone slightly softer. But the words were hollow, lacking warmth. It was the same tone her mother used when thanking the kid who packed her bags at the grocery store.

Andrea watched as her mother gathered her things and disappeared into the shower room to rinse off.

She tried to ignore the familiar ache in her chest that she always got after a visit from her mother or sister. She had hoped that one day her mother would see the value in her work, in the life she had chosen. But it seemed that day was still far off.

With a sigh, she turned to tidy up the room, pushing aside her feelings. She had other clients to attend to, other people who appreciated her and the work she did. And later, she would meet Dean, who always made her feel valued and understood. That thought brought a small smile to her face as she prepared for the next massage.

Chapter Fifteen

Dean was enjoying his normal workday. It was lunchtime, and he was busy delivering meals to the poolside, which meant he had plenty of time to soak up the warm, golden rays of the sun and the vibrant energy of the camp. The sky was a perfect blue, and the air was filled with the sounds of laughter and splashing water. Guests lounged on comfortable chairs, some sipping colorful drinks with tiny umbrellas, others reading books or chatting happily. The scent of sunscreen and chlorinated pool water mixed with the aroma of grilled food from the nearby dining area.

As Dean walked by, balancing a tray of plates, he couldn’t help but notice a tense interaction between one of the male guests and his wife. The man was burly and had a stern expression, his brow furrowed in what seemed to be perpetual annoyance. He was standing over his wife, gesturing angrily at the food on her plate. Dean paused for a moment, his eyes flickering over the scene. The woman was petite and looked out of place next to her imposing husband. She sat quietly, her shoulders slightly hunched, as if trying to make herself smaller.

Dean tried not to eavesdrop, but the man’s voice was loud and harsh, cutting through the gentle hum of the pool area.

“No wonder you haven’t lost any weight,” he sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. He pointed accusingly at her plate, which held a modest lunch of salad and a small piece of grilled chicken—nothing that seemed indulgent. Dean recognized the plate as one he had just delivered moments earlier.

The man had ordered a double cheeseburger and a double helping of fries. Not to mention the half dozen beers he’d already downed while enjoying the pool and waiting for their food to arrive.

“You always make the worst decisions,” the man continued, his voice growing louder and more aggressive. “Why did you even bother wearing that swimsuit if you’re just going to eat like a pig?”

The woman’s face turned a deep shade of red, her eyes darting around nervously, as if hoping no one else was paying attention. She murmured something under her breath, too quiet for Dean to hear, as she pulled her towel up over her shoulders and covered her body.

The fact that the man was easily thirty pounds overweight and sporting a large beer belly didn’t stop him from tearing into the petite woman, who had a near perfect figure.

The man’s response to what the woman had said was a dismissive scoff. He rolled his eyes, grabbed his plate of food, and walked away, leaving her sitting alone by the poolside, looking stricken and humiliated. She stared at her untouched plate, her lips pressed together in a thin line.

Dean clenched his jaw, feeling a surge of anger rise within him. It wasn’t just the man’s words that bothered him but the way he had delivered them—publicly, without any regard for his wife’s feelings. It was a place meant for relaxation and enjoyment, and yet this woman was being shamed in front of everyone. Dean’s heart ached for her; no one deserved to be treated that way.

He caught her eye and offered a small, sympathetic smile, hoping to convey some sense of comfort and understanding. But the woman quickly looked away, her embarrassment only deepening.

Suddenly, she stood up, still without eating a bite of her food, and hurriedly retreated towards the cabins, her posture stiff and her steps quick. Her husband’s cruel words seemed to echo in the empty space she left behind, lingering like an unpleasant aftertaste.

As she walked away, Dean couldn’t shake his anger. He wished he could do more, say something to make her feel better, but he knew it wasn’t his place to intervene. He took a deep breath, tried to refocus on his work, and continued delivering meals. But the image of the woman’s pained expression stayed with him, a reminder that even in a place as idyllic as River Camps, not everything was as perfect as it seemed.

Later, as Dean was making his way down one of the camp’s trails, he spotted the same woman sitting on a bench, tears streaming down her face. She was dressed in the same pool outfit with shorts and a red tank top over her swimsuit. She sat alone, in the shade of a tree, and her shoulders shook as she sobbed quietly.

Dean hesitated for a moment before walking over. “Hey,” he said gently, keeping his voice soft. “Are you okay?”

The woman looked up, startled. She quickly wiped her eyes and tried to compose herself. “I’m fine,” she whispered, though her red eyes and trembling hands said otherwise.

Dean sat down on the edge of the bench, maintaining a respectful distance. “I’m sorry about what happened earlier. Nobody should talk to you like that.”

The woman sniffled, nodding. “He’s just stressed,” she mumbled. “It’s been a tough year. I’m trying to lose a few pounds after having our daughter. It’s not going as well as I hoped.”

Dean nodded, understanding but not excusing the behavior. “Well, if you need anything, we’re all here to help. You deserve to enjoy your time here.”

She gave him a small, appreciative smile. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

Dean stood up, giving her a reassuring nod before heading back to his duties. He pushed the encounter to the back of his mind, focusing on each task ahead of him. He had a busy day overseeing a few events before lending a hand with preparations for the evening’s activities in the main dining hall.

As evening approached, the guests started to line up for dinner. The room had been transformed for the night’s theme: an evening with Bridgerton. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over tables adorned with elegant floral arrangements and candlelight, reminiscent of a grand Regency-era ball. The guests, excited by the promise of an enchanting evening, arrived dressed in their fanciest outfits. Some women were in flowing gowns with lace and pearls, and the men were in tailored suits, a few even in period-inspired waistcoats and cravats. Then again, there were guests in dress pants and simple cocktail attire as well.

The camp employees, however, had gone all out. They were decked out in rented costumes that transported them back to the early 19th century. The women wore empire-waist dresses with delicate gloves and bonnets, while the men sported cravats, waistcoats, and tailcoats. Dean himself was dressed in a dark, tailored coat with gold buttons, a crisp white shirt, and a velvet waistcoat. His hair was neatly combed back, and he felt a touch of elegance in his attire. He was enjoying the novelty of stepping into a different era.

He was waiting near the entrance, overseeing the seating arrangements while making sure everyone knew where to go. The buzz of conversation filled the warm night air blowing in through the opened back doors that led out to the patio. A mix of laughter and light chatter echoed in the dining hall as guests enjoyed themselves. The scent of that night’s special menu of roasted meats and baked bread wafted around the guests, mingling with the soft strains of classical string music being played by the hired band. The atmosphere was festive and lively, with guests eagerly discussing the night’s festivities and all the wonderful outfits.