Lord.
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to Sheri Peters, Becky Yauger and Allie Pleiter for sharing your stories with me. While your experiences may have been different, you are strong, inspiring women worthy of my utmost respect. Thank you for helping me bring this story to life.
Contents
Note to Readers
Boy, he needed a haircut.
Daniel Stephens pulled his shaggy blond hair back into a man bun. Not his favorite look, but it would keep the hair out of his eyes.
The early June sun penetrated the thick canopy of pine trees as he knelt, dipping his brush into the red paint. He wiped off the excess on the side of the can before touching up the trim around one of the windows of the cedar chow hall/multipurpose facility. Eighteen months ago, this former scout camp near Ouray, Colorado, had been nothing more than a series of dilapidated buildings. Now, it was ready to house nearly two hundred youth cancer patients over the next two weeks, giving them the freedom to explore and have fun instead of sitting on the sidelines.
“Aw, don’t you look cute.”
Daniel looked up to see his older brother Andrew heading toward him, wearing a stupid grin.
He stepped onto the chow hall’s wooden porch and promptly batted at Daniel’s hairdo.
“Unless you care to be doused with red paint, I suggest you knock it off, bro.” Job completed, Daniel stood to inspect his handiwork.
“I hope you plan on getting a haircut before those kids arrive. You’re looking pretty rough.”
“Ah, the kids wouldn’t care so much. However, the overseer for the Ridley Foundation might.” Daniel swiped his forearm across his brow. “And since she’s due tomorrow, a haircut is on my list for this afternoon. Just as soon as the volunteers finish their training.” Since this was the camp’s inaugural season, he’d requested volunteers get there a few days early so any kinks could be worked out before the campers arrived.
“Well, you know what Mama always said. You only have one—”
“—chance to make a first impression.” Daniel rubbed the five-day growth along his jaw. “Which is why I plan to take care of this, too.” He wanted everything to be perfect when the overseer arrived. After all, the Ridley Foundation was their biggest donor, covering the majority of the renovations, as well as operating expenses, not to mention all of the campers’ fees. So, if he wanted their funding to continue into next year...
He eyed his brother. “Did you get things squared away in The Barn?” Though the barn-style structure was really a miniature hospital, he’d decided the facility should have a fun name that kids wouldn’t associate with illness.
“Yep. All of the sliding doors have been installed.”
“I’ll have to take a look.”
“Before or after the haircut?”
“Ha, ha.”
Andrew, the second oldest of the five Stephens brothers, grinned. “They look nice. Your decision to go with the stain instead of painting them was a good call. Adds the rustic touch you wanted.”
“Good. And since they’re sealed, they