Heart Of Marley by T.K. Leigh Page A

own hands. It’s not right. Karma will eventually come for him, just like it will finally pay you back for all the shit you’ve been through. I know it, Mar. You’re going to have the most amazing future because of all the horrible things you’ve had to endure in your past. Please. You need to see that. Live for your future. Don’t shelter yourself with your past.”
    She buried her head in my chest and took several deep breaths as she clung on to me. When her breathing began to even out, I knew her momentary terror had passed. “How do you always know just what to say to calm me down?”
    I planted a kiss on her head. “Simple. Years of experience.”
    She pinched me playfully in my side.
    “Ouch! Not so hard, Marley Jane!”
    She giggled and the sound brought a smile to my face. I grabbed her hand and led her down the alley. Glancing at her, I asked, “Secret spot?”
    She grinned and nodded her head enthusiastically. “Yes! Do you have enough stuff?”
    I shrugged. “We can always rent some gear when we get there.”
    “You’re digging into your college savings, aren’t you?”
    “What fun is looking at money in the bank? Life is marked by experiences, small moments of time. That we can take with us. I’d rather live a life full of moments than be surrounded by meaningless possessions, wouldn’t you?”
    She nodded contemplatively and I wished I knew what she was thinking at that moment.

C HAPTER E LEVEN
S ECRET S POT

    “W HERE ARE WE ?” D OUG asked as Cam pulled up to a small building at the entrance of a campground on the beach about twenty miles south of Myrtle Beach that we had discovered about a year ago. He had just gotten his Wrangler and wanted to take it for a drive.
    We’d always loved hanging out at the beach, but living two blocks away didn’t give us much freedom to disappear when we wanted to. This campground became our place. It was where we went when we needed to get away and be ourselves and not who everyone else expected us to be. Well, at least me. Cam didn’t hide who he was from anyone. He didn’t have to.
    “It’s our secret spot,” I explained as Cam and Brianna ran inside to grab a few things we would need.
    “Are we staying the night?”
    I nodded fervently. “Go big or go home.” That seemed to be the motto of the day. “If we’re all getting grounded, may as well enjoy it. Am I right?”
    Doug nudged me, winking. “I’m guessing all the stereotypes about the preacher’s daughter or, in this case…niece, are true. You rebel, you.”
    I grinned in response. “You know it.”
    Cam and Brianna came back to the Wrangler and, within minutes, he pulled in front of our normal spot. We all chipped in and helped unload the blankets and food that he had picked up at the general store.
    After setting up a few tents on the beach, we then got to work at starting a fire.
    “Do you guys do this often?” Brianna asked, surprised at the efficiency with which Cam and I were able to build and light a fire.
    “From time to time,” he responded. “We haven’t been here that much lately.”
    “Well…except a month ago on the night we found out that Grams died,” I interjected quickly.
    “Yeah,” he agreed. “But that was different. We’re not here to mourn tonight. We’re here to have fun.” He raised his eyebrows at me.
    “Marshmallows!” I shouted. “There’s a fire! With a fire, there must be marshmallows! They go hand-in-hand!” I rummaged through the supplies and grabbed the bag of marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers. “I hope you like s’more kisses, Douglas.” I winked.
    “Marley,” Cam cautioned, “I really don’t want to think about you and Doug kissing right now, okay?”
    “Fine. We won’t kiss in front of you if you and Brianna don’t kiss in front of me. Deal?”
    “Deal.”
    Brianna laughed. “You two crack me up. Now give me a marshmallow.”
    I handed out the sticks and passed the bag of marshmallows around. “S’mores