Katya's face is red. I'm thinking there's some knowledge between the two about the shirts. I can't begin to guess what it is, or why I have a feeling Katya and Brianna are going to be at each other's throats this week.
The awkward silence that falls is interrupted by Mr. Khavalov.
"It is with my deepest gratitude that I thank you all," he says in his thick accent. "Mikael meant the world to Petr, Katya and me. That you all have come so far to honor him, honors us, too. We are here to honor Mikael and use his legacy to help children who have lost a parent. He was a noble man, and this is a noble cause."
It's truly an incredible thing they've done here. It makes me view Katya in a little better light, knowing that her general hatred towards me stems from love for her brothers. I respect her loyalty, even if her anger leaves me wishing for a new partner for the week.
"I think I speak for everyone here when I say it's an honor to be here today, Mr. Khavalov," I respond. "Mikael would be proud, and this is a touching way to remember him and help others."
Mr. Khavalov smiles. "I like you, Captain Mathis." He chuckles. "Come! Brianna will show you all the grounds."
We all gather our bags and trail the sexy brunette out of the welcome center. She leads us around the small but modern campsite, explaining everything. While the log structures and stone walkways are quaint, the camp has modern amenities like private showers, air conditioned dorms with high quality beds and wardrobes, and a mess hall that I immediately wish I'd had at any point in my career. There's an immense obstacle course, swimming pools, horse stables, and other activities, in addition to the camp sitting on a lake with pristine paddleboats loosely corralled by a rope near a new dock.
It's clear the Khavalovs put a great deal of money into the camp, another sign of how serious they are about honoring Mikael.
Each set of partners is assigned a dorm, where we'll stay with the kids on our team. We're given an hour to set up then instructions to go to the reception center for some team building exercises.
I go to my truck to grab my gear and return to the barracks I've been assigned with Katya. Each entrance to a barracks is decorated by a flag in a different color. We're the blue team.
Walking around the interior, she's got her arms crossed and is peering into corners.
I'm not even going to ask. I go to the back, where there's a break room stocked with healthy snacks and water, a laundry room and a second room for the counselors with two bunk beds and two sets of dressers. We have our own bathroom while the kids have a larger, community one they share with the others.