Part Eleven

After breakfast everyone helped clear the camp.

To Sydney’s annoyance her talk with Amy did not appear to have the desired affect. Amy was staying closer than ever to Nigel, and he seemed to be enjoying every minute of it. She knew it was payback for the Claudia thing, but Sydney still didn’t like it.

"So Nigel, Sydney tells me your engaged?" Amy innocently asked.

Nigel glanced over at Syd as she quickly adverted her eyes. So she's jealous. Nigel decided to have some fun at Sydney’s expense, but he did not want to hurt Amy in the process. He would play along with Sydney’s little deception.

"Oh Yes. I can’t wait to get back to her, to hold her in my arms again and........" Nigel sighed as he looked at Amy sheepishly. "Well, um I just miss my little Scoochie"

"Scoochie?" Amy laughed.

Sydney approached Amy and Nigel with a deceptively sweet smile on her face.

"It’s just a little nickname I have for Claudia. I know it’s silly, but she loves it."

"Does she have a special name for you?"

Nigel knew Sydney was near, and leaned closer to Amy. " She does, but it’s not one we usually use in....." Nigel stopped when he felt Sydney tapping on his shoulder."

"Sydney hi." Amy saw a strange look flicker across Sydney’s eyes. "Nigel was just telling me about Claudia, and the cute little nickname he has for her"

"Really. You never told me you had a pet name for Claudia. So what is it? Darling? Pigeon? Sweetheart?" Sydney's smile grew even bigger as she contemplated Nigel’s demise.

"It’s so cute. He calls her Scoochie." Amy was unaware of the unspoken words passing between Sydney and Nigel. The murderous glint in Sydney’s eyes and the mischievous one in Nigel’s spoke volumes. "Well if I don’t get my stuff together soon Zach will be leaving without me." Amy placed her hand on Nigel's arm. "After we get going I was hoping you can tell me about the wedding plans, I just love weddings."

"Sure." Nigel watched as Amy strode away. He felt Sydney’s fingernails start to press into his shoulder. "If your not careful your going to break a nail."

"That’s not the only thing I’m going to break....Podge!" She released the pressure on his shoulder when he winced.

"Ooch. Okay, okay I’m sorry." He looked at her with puppy dog eyes. "Forgive me?"

"Stop that! You know I can’t resist it when you look at me that way. Just don’t do it again or I won’t be held responsible for my actions." She gave him a little wink to let him know he was off the hook. "So how did you find out?"

"Your Dad accidentally let it slip. Don’t be mad at him. He begged me not to let on that I knew."

"He has nothing to worry about." Sydney quickly scooted out of Nigel’s reach and headed towards her horse. "Come on Podge, Zach looked like he’s almost ready to head out."

"Sydney." Nigel growled as he followed her. She might not kill her father for telling him her nickname, but he would be more then happy to kill his brother for telling her his.

Go to Part Twelve.


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