Chapter Fourteen – Levi
Levi
I watched as Rhett rode next to his new best friends, Jimmy and Theo. They were the same age and had been inseparable since they’d arrived at camp. My heart warmed at the sight of my son laughing.
“Rhett seems to be enjoying camp,” Caden observed as he rode up next to me.
“He really is. You have no idea how great it is to see him laughing like this. I don’t think I’ve heard that belly laugh since Brooke left us.”
“Emeline said he’s having the time of his life. He’s also been a huge help this past week. I think it’s made a difference that he knows you’re here most days.”
Smiling, I replied, “It’s been a lot of fun. It’s helped me just as much as it has Rhett.”
Caden nodded, looking around the landscape. “There’s something about this place that’s healing. For most people, anyway.”
“I’ve got to say this, Caden. I think you dodged a bullet with Rachel. I know you thought there was a future with her…but you’ve got to see that you deserved more, right?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t see who she truly was for all of those years, Levi. How in the hell can I trust anyone ever again?”
“You’ll be able to. Trust me.”
As we rode up to the large pasture where the cookout would be, excited laughter and conversations quickly filled the air. I hadn’t realized how far back we’d fallen as we talked.
“Oh great,” Caden mumbled as Lilibeth came riding up on her horse, her two braids flapping in the wind. I glanced over to see him watching her intently, and tried not to smile.
“Why don’t you like her?” I asked.
He frowned before looking at me. “She’s annoying. Way too bubbly and happy all the damn time. She just drives me insane.”
“Because she’s a happy person? Have you really turned into that much of a grump?”
Shooting me a deadly expression, he replied, “She’s happy all the time, Levi. Morning, noon, and night. Bouncy little bundle of pure exasperation.”
Lilibeth rode up to us and brought her horse to a stop. “Wasn’t the ride up here amazing?”
Caden rolled his eyes. “It was just a trail ride, Lilibeth.”
“It’s nature, Grump Boy. Everyone should be happy in nature.”
I drew back when I heard a growl coming from Caden. “Stop. Calling. Me. That. If you haven’t noticed, I’m not a boy.”
A wide smile broke out across Lilibeth’s face, and she pointed at him. “See, even you recognize that you’re a grump!” She ran her gaze over him and added, “And you’re clearly not a boy, but you act like one.”
Turning her horse, she trotted back over to the group, slid off, and did a little jump clap. I busted out laughing as Caden urged his horse over to where Marshall and a few of the other ranch hands were leading all the animals into a makeshift paddock.
Caden went straight to the fire and took control, while I helped the rest of the staff set everything up for the dinner. Rhett was hanging out with Jimmy, Theo, and Katie, and the smile on his face once again told me I’d done the right thing by moving back to River Falls.
“He looks happy.”
Emeline walked over and stood next to me.
She looked adorable in her pink cowboy hat.
She wore jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt with the ranch logo.
Her hair was in a low ponytail, so her light pink cowboy hat would fit.
And like always, she wore minimal makeup.
Her beauty was all natural, and I was struck by how I hadn’t ever really let myself notice just how stunning she was.
I pulled my gaze away from her and looked back at Rhett. “I haven’t seen him this happy in a long time. Before Brooke’s passing, for sure.”
“I’m glad the camp has helped take his mind off things.”
I nodded.
“Thank you for helping with all of this.”
Turning to face her, I smiled when her soft blue eyes twinkled up at me. “Has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful eyes, Em?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Yes.”
My fingers itched to touch her. I balled my hands into fists and let out a gruff laugh. “I should probably walk away from you before I scandalize everyone here.”
Her smile turned to a grin.
“The desire to pull you into my arms and kiss you is getting a bit harder to ignore.”
“Camp is almost over. This is the last night.”
Before I did something I’d regret, I took a step back. “I should go see if Caden needs any help.”
We both turned to look in that direction. “Oh dear, Lilibeth is over there.”
“What is it with those two?” I asked.
Emeline shrugged. “Lilibeth can’t understand why Caden is always in a bad mood, and he can’t understand why she’s always in a good mood.”
I laughed. “I’d better get over there before Caden does or says something he’s going to regret.”
“I’ll go, too, and see if Lilibeth can help me get all the kids rounded back up.”
As we set off, we both said, “Good luck!”
I set my plate down in front of me, then sat back in my chair. “I’ve got to hand it to you, Caden and Gatlin, that was the best steak I think I’ve ever had. I’m stuffed.”
Gatlin grinned, while Caden gave me a barely there smile.
“The kids all seem to enjoy this, as well,” I added.
“They do,” Gatlin agreed. “The kids talk about it all week. It’s a lot of work, but worth it.”
Caden put in, “I’ll admit, it’s worth it to hear how much the kids love the chuckwagon cookout.”
“The only thing you need is an actual chuckwagon.”
Both brothers laughed.
Gatlin lifted his drink toward his sister. “Emeline tried to talk my parents into getting one, but the trail’s too small to get it up here. If she’d been able to find a way, I think she would have talked them into it.”
I smiled as my gaze caught on Emeline. Katie, the little girl who’d been playing with Rhett, was now sitting in her lap.
It appeared Emeline was telling her a story from the way she was being so animated.
Katie was laughing and looking up at Emeline with adoring eyes.
A strange sensation washed over me as I watched their interaction.
Caroline had never been very affectionate with our own two kids, so I couldn’t imagine she’d be that way with a child who wasn’t hers.
With a shake of my head, I tried to banish all thoughts of my ex. I needed to stop comparing the two of them. They were worlds apart.
“Emeline told me that you two are going on a date,” Gatlin said.
Caden’s drink stopped at his mouth, and he slowly smiled. I couldn’t tell if it was a happy smile, or one of those grins someone gives you right before they tell you to go fuck off. “What’s this? You’re going out with Emeline?”
My heart dropped. Before I could say anything, Caden continued.
“I think it’s great. I hope she took my advice to tell you how she felt.”
I nodded. “She did.”
“Just remember, she’s still my little sister, so if you do anything to hurt her, I’ll have to hurt you tenfold.”
Gatlin tapped his drink against his brother’s. “I second that.”
“You’re both okay with it? The age difference, and the fact that I’m getting divorced and have a kid?”
“Why wouldn’t we be okay with it?” Caden asked. “You’re my best friend. I know you better than I know anyone else.”
Gatlin cleared his throat exaggeratedly, causing Caden to glance at him.
“Sorry.” Turning back to me, Caden stated, “I know you better than you know yourself.”
His brother smiled. “That’s better, thank you.”
“Sure thing.”
“I will add, though, you should have asked us first before you asked out Emeline,” Gatlin said.
I laughed—then quickly stopped when neither one of them joined in. “Wait. Are you serious?”
Caden raised a single brow, while Gatlin just stared at me. I instantly started to sweat. I could ask for forgiveness or defend Emeline. I was going with the latter.
“I didn’t know I needed permission to date your adult sister, who’s very capable of making her own decisions.”
Gatlin pointed at me and grinned, while Caden nodded.
“Dude, I knew you’d handle that the right way,” Gatlin said with a wink.
“That’s because he’s older and wiser,” Caden added with a nod in my direction. “The guys she’s dated in the past have all been little jerks.”
I cleared my throat. “Well, I’m glad to hear I pass muster.”
Holding up his beer, Gatlin said, “Passed with flying colors.”
I wasn’t going to lie, knowing that I had both of Emeline’s brothers’ blessings was a relief. I hadn’t realized until now that I even wanted them…or maybe needed them was the better word.
Caden stood and let out a long sigh. “Fun times are over. Time to clean up.”
Gatlin and I both stood as I said, “Just show me what you need me to do.”
The chuckwagon cookout was a well-oiled machine, and I wasn’t the least bit surprised by how quickly everything was cleaned up and the kids were put on their horses and brought back to camp.
Before long, everyone was settled in their cabins and eating their desserts.
It was the last night, so the kids were all having small parties to close out the camp.
I glanced around the main living room area where some of the staff who’d helped with the cookout were having a party of their own. All of the counselors were with their kids in the cabins, so this get-together was adults-only.
Charlotte Hastings, the camp steward, was heading my way. I smiled as she stopped in front of me.
“Rhett certainly had a wonderful time at camp.”
Nodding, I replied, “He did. I got to talk to him for a bit up at the cookout. He’s met a few kids who are in the same grade as him, so when school starts this fall, he’ll have some friends.”
“That’s wonderful,” she said as her smile widened. “There have been long-lasting friendships made over the years through the camp, as well as during the holiday event. This place has meant a lot to the community.”
I nodded. “It has. Um, have you seen Emeline? I’ve been looking for her, but don’t see her anywhere.”
“Emeline was looking for you earlier, but I think you both kept missing each other. She skips all of this. By the end of the week, she’s exhausted and typically heads to her place to get a good night’s sleep.
Tomorrow will be emotional for her when she says goodbye to the campers.
For some, this will be their last time here.
The older kids, anyway, unless some get adopted, which is the end goal. ”
“I was helping get horses back in stalls and out to pastures. I knew the equine side of the ranch had a lot of horses, but seeing them all together is shocking.”
She laughed. “It is.”
“Thanks so much, Charlotte. I appreciate all you’ve done this week. I know the kids have enjoyed it.”
She squeezed my arm. “It’s my pleasure.”
Turning on my heel, I headed out the door with every intention of going home.
Instead of turning to the right, toward my truck, I headed left…and walked down the trail that led toward Emeline’s cabin.