Chapter Twelve – Levi #2
“Well,” Emeline started, “some have gone to Heaven. Some were too young to be able to care for babies. And some went to live at River Haven because their mother or father didn’t take very good care of them.
But, they have us. And we’re like a family to them.
This is why we have the camp, Rhett. So that the kids from River Haven, and other kids who can’t afford to do fun things like go to camp and ride horses and such, can come here and feel safe and loved. And do lots of fun things.”
Rhett frowned. “Can we not afford to do fun things anymore, Daddy?”
Before I could answer, Emeline replied, “You’re my special guest at camp. Since you’re basically family, you’ll be asked to help out a bit more. Don’t worry, though, you’ll still get to do all the fun things with the other campers.”
I watched as my son’s eyes lit up. “So, I’m like your helper?”
Emeline nodded. “Yep!”
“I can help with anything, Ms. Emeline!”
“Of course! That’s why I’m so thankful you’re here. But first, let’s get your stuff to your cabin, and then you can start helping me.”
Rhett hugged Emeline, then stepped back. “I’ll be the best helper ever!”
Moose barked, and we all laughed.
“Moose and I both know you will be.”
Before I could reach for his stuff, Rhett tossed the sleeping bag over his shoulder, reached for his bag, and said, “Let’s go, Dad! I need to help Ms. Emeline.”
As we put Rhett’s things away, a few more kids came into the cabin. Jimmy was one of the kids, and he lit up when he saw Rhett.
“You’re in my cabin!”
The two boys exchanged excited bouts of running around before they were seated on Rhett’s bed, and he was telling my son all about horses.
An older woman, maybe in her late fifties, walked up to me. “Jimmy and his sister Katie love horses. They haven’t been with us long at River Haven.”
“What happened to their parents?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the boys.
“They passed away in a boating accident. No living relatives on either side.”
Turning to look at her, I asked, “Were they from River Falls?”
She nodded, then faced me. Holding out her hand, she smiled. “I’m so sorry, I’m Leanne Rogers. I’m the director at River Haven.”
“Levi Tucker, that’s my son, Rhett. I’ve known the Wildes pretty much my entire life. Caden Wilde and I are best friends.”
Leanne grinned as she shook my hand. “I know your father. He donates to River Haven often, and we appreciate it very much.”
“Sounds like my father. I’ll be taking over his practice, and I can assure you, that means carrying on with his dedication to helping the community.”
She gave me a nod. “That’s appreciated.”
I looked back at Jimmy. “Do you mind if I ask who his parents were?”
“Jim and Lori Mills.”
The ground felt like it shifted under my feet. I’d known them both in high school. Played football with Jim, and had even taken Lori out a few times.
“But…Jim and Lori both had parents here in River Falls.”
Leanne sighed. “All deceased. Jimmy and Katie were living with their maternal grandparents after their parents’ accident, but both ended up getting very sick and passed within a few months of one another.”
Caden walked into the cabin, smiling when he saw Rhett sitting with Jimmy and another little boy, who must have come in when I wasn’t paying attention.
“Looks like Rhett and Jimmy are hitting it off.”
Frowning at Caden, I asked, “Why didn’t you tell me Jim and Lori Mills passed away?”
His smile faded. “It happened almost the same time as Brooke. I didn’t want to bring you more bad news. I thought I did tell you, though. I’m sorry about that.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s okay.” More senseless death.
“Brooke?” Leanne asked.
Caden gave me an apologetic look.
“My daughter. She passed away in a car accident earlier this year.”
Leanne’s face went from curious to stunned to sympathetic all within a few seconds. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.”
Clearing her throat, Leanne said, “I’d better go see who else I can get settled. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Tucker.”
Tipping my hat at her, I replied, “The pleasure was all mine.”
Two teen boys entered the cabin, introduced themselves, and said they were camp counselors assigned to this cabin and the one next door. They were both high school seniors and had been volunteering at the camp for the past five years.
The cabins were all named after constellations, which paired with the fact that all the horses were named after stars and constellations. Rhett was in Orion. I’d heard Jimmy tell Rhett that his sister, Katie, was in Aquarius.
Caden and I slipped out so the counselors could get things going with the kids. I waved goodbye to Rhett, who waved back. He looked so happy. I had a strong feeling this camp was going to be better for him than I’d even initially thought.
The rest of the day was filled with what some might call organized chaos.
The kids spent time with their cabinmates, getting to know each other.
Then, after lunch, they all gathered in the camp’s central area and started playing games.
The older kids helped the younger ones when needed.
The laughter alone was enough to make anyone’s bad day better.
Even Caden, who was a grump to the highest level, got in on the action.
It was nice to see him laughing and enjoying himself.
The only time he seemed unhappy was when Lilibeth was around.
She was also volunteering today, and I swore I saw her everywhere.
Her long blonde hair was in a single braid with flowers woven through the length.
She practically beamed happiness, which was the opposite of Caden.
They ended up having to partner in the three-legged race, and you would have thought Caden had been paired up with the devil himself, given how he acted.
Once dinner was done, the kids all went to the living room to watch a movie and settle down. It would be an early night, since tomorrow was filled with endless activities.
Rhett had proved to be a good helper, and I was so proud of him. I could see him volunteering at this camp when he got older. It was clear he enjoyed being involved.
Caden and I walked back to the barn to make sure everything was set up for tomorrow. The younger kids, ages ten and under, would be going horseback riding. The older kids will either do archery or head to the lake to fish and swim.
“You take part in the camps more than I thought,” I said as we entered the barn.
He shrugged. “I always try to help the first few days, since things are a bit crazy. Then I go back to my side of the farm and avoid this like the plague.”
I laughed. “It’s a lot of work. I was stunned when I pulled up and saw all the people.”
“Yeah, it’s a lot to manage, and my mother and sister do a great job with it.
Emeline gets the volunteers and counselors lined up each year.
I don’t know how she keeps up with it all, but she does.
There are only two camp sessions, but it’s a hell of a lot of work on top of what she already does on the ranch. ”
Marshall and a few other hands were setting out saddles in the aisle of the barn.
“Getting ready for tomorrow?” Caden asked, hitting him on the back.
“Yes, sir.”
“How did you guys afford to buy all these saddles for the kids?” I asked.
“Fundraisers. The rodeo fundraiser brings in the most, and then Emeline hosts a charity dinner every winter, which is our second-biggest fundraiser. Some of them were donated by community members, as well.”
Emeline walked around the corner, leading a beautiful white and brown paint mare. It was saddled up, and she was wearing riding gear.
“Taking your ride?” Caden asked.
“I am.”
“Your ride?” I asked.
“She always checks the trails before they take the campers out,” Caden replied before his sister could.
“Do you mind if I ride out with you?”
That seemed to surprise Emeline. She glanced at her brother, almost as if asking for his permission, before turning her attention back to me. “No, I don’t mind. You can ride Leo. He’s been itching to get out and stretch his legs.”
“Stallion?” I asked wearily.
Caden smirked. “No, he’s a gelding.”
I followed Caden, got the gelding saddled up, and met Emeline in front of the barn.
“Ready?” she asked with a smile that lit up her entire face. It was clear that being on horseback was her happy place. I couldn’t blame her for that. It was mine, too.
“Lead the way.”
We walked side by side away from the barn and toward a trail that I’d ridden a dozen times in my youth with Caden and Ensley.
“I haven’t been on this trail in forever,” I said, as Emeline took the lead.
“I used to hate that I couldn’t ever go with you guys when you went riding. Mom always told me I was too young.”
I chuckled. “Trust me, you weren’t missing out on anything. Caden and Ensley would spend most of the time fighting with one another. Each one thought they knew the best way up to the lookout point.”
“We’ve added a few trails that you haven’t been on.”
My horse followed hers as she turned to the right. It was indeed a trail I’d never taken before. “Is this heading toward the lake?” I asked.
“Sure is.”
The trail widened, and I moved up alongside her.
“Today seemed to go good, from what I saw.”
She smiled. “It did. The first day is always a little overwhelming, but once the kids get settled, everything falls into place.”
When we arrived at the top of the trail, it opened into a large meadow. The sun was hanging lower in the sky, but we still had at least another hour before sunset.
Emeline got off her horse, tossed the reins over the saddle, and let her roam. “You can leave them, they won’t go anywhere.”
“Where are we going?”
Glancing back over her shoulder, she winked. “It’s a surprise.”