Nodding, she replied, “He did, indeed. And Rhett only wants to see his father happy. As far as Caroline goes, I don’t know her at all. I don’t know the story behind why they are divorcing, but it sounds like she doesn’t want much to do with Levi or Rhett, sad to say.”

  “You’re right, I know you are. I’m just…” I sighed. “If I’m being honest with you, I’m scared that this is too good to be true, Lilibeth. I mean, I’ve had feelings for Levi for so long, and I’ve tried to move on from what I thought was a childhood crush, but there’s never been another guy who even comes close. And I’m not talking about just his looks. He’s a great father and an amazing friend. Since he came back to town, the more time I spend with him, the more I realized this was far more than a crush.”

  “You’re in love with him,” she said softly.

  I nodded. “Yes. And I told him I was. I figured the best thing to do was to be honest with him.”

  Her eyes widened. “What did he say?”

  “He was honest back. Told me he wasn’t in love with me, but that he felt more than friendship.”

  Lilibeth smiled. “Then you take it slow and see how things go.”

  I exhaled and nodded. “I’m just afraid my heart is going to end up being broken.”

  “No,” she said, flashing me that bright smile of hers. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

  “Can you guarantee that?” I teased.

  She laughed. “I cannot. But I have a feeling things aren’t going to go as slow as you think.”

  Frowning, I asked, “Why do you say that?”

  “You know how I said I could tell something happened when you rode up?”

  “Yeah.”

  She winked. “Levi had the same expression. I think that kiss affected him just as much as it did you, and don’t go saying it’s just because he’s a man. There’s something between the two of you, Emeline, and I cannot wait to see how this goes!”

  Reaching over, I took a Swedish Fish. Before I popped it into my mouth, I smiled and said, “You and me both.”

  The first camp session was always the craziest. If something was going to go wrong, it’s usually that first week when we get all the kinks worked out. Things had been going pretty smoothly, though, and I was waiting for the floor to fall out.

  Rhett ran up to me with a massive smile on his face. “Ms. Emeline! I got a fish today!”

  “You did?” I asked, bending down to look at him. “Did you have fun fishing at the lake?”

  He nodded. “So much fun! And we’re getting ready to go do archery!”

  I glanced past him to see Lynn, one of the volunteer counselors, guiding the rest of Rhett’s cabin to the meeting spot. “You’d better go join your cabinmates, so you don’t get left behind.”

  He turned, saw everyone lining up, and took off running. He stopped and looked back at me. “Are you riding with us later?”

  “I sure am. It’s the River Falls Summer Camp’s famous dinner ride, I can’t miss it!” I called back.

  Rhett fist-pumped then ran over to his group.

  The dinner ride was a tradition we’d started a few years back. The last night, we had a dinner ride where the kids either got to ride on horses alone up to the site, or rode with one of the adults on their horse up to a site where we had a chuckwagon cookout. The kids loved it, and everyone on the ranch was involved. Everyone, even Caden, who was our designated campfire cook.

  I couldn’t help but smile as I glanced around the camp. Kids from each cabin were lining up at their meeting points. We had the schedule down to a finely tuned machine, with some kids going to do archery, while others were heading for fishing or candle-making with Lilibeth. Later, Levi would give a presentation on one of our pregnant mares. The kids had been talking about it all day, most of them hoping she’d have the foal during the presentation.

  “Emeline?”

  Hearing my brother Caden call my name, I turned to smile at him. “Hey, what brings you to the other side of the ranch?” I teased.

  He looked like he was in a bad mood, which was pretty common for Caden. He walked up to me, glanced around to make sure little ears weren’t about, then said, “I’m going to strangle that friend of yours.”

  “Which one?”

  “The overly peppy one who likes to get into other people’s business!”

  “Did you forget her name?”

  He nearly growled. “Lilibeth.”

  I tried not to smile. The fact that Lilibeth riled my brother so much was amusing to me. “What happened?”

  He crossed his arms over his broad chest. “She asked what we were serving at the chuckwagon cookout. I told her we were having grilled steaks, cowboy beans, cornbread, and coleslaw, plus the veggie chili and baked potatoes. Then she asked about dessert.”

  “So? Did you tell her the kids will have dessert waiting for them back at the cabins when we return?”

  My mother and grandmother, along with other volunteers, always made the kids what they called mud cups. It was chocolate pudding in cups, topped with cookie crumbs for “dirt” and candy worms. They were adorable, and the kids loved them. They’d be brought to the cabins while we were at the cookout.

  “Yes.”

  “You told her about the mud cups?”

  He frowned. “Yes, Emeline, I told her about the mud cups.”

  “And…what? She didn’t like that idea?”

  “She thought it would be fun to make a dessert over the open fire. I informed her it was too late to add anything to the menu.”

  “What kind of dessert is she thinking?” I asked.

  “Peach cobbler!” He practically shouted it at me.

  “Why are you yelling?”

  Caden closed his eyes and appeared to be counting. When he opened them again, he said, “Peach cobbler, Emeline.”

  “I heard you the first time when you yelled it out. I don’t see what the big deal is. We can make two fires and use a couple of Dutch ovens for the peach cobbler. The kids would probably love that.”

  “I’m not making peach cobbler. Not tonight, not next month, never.”

  “Oh my gosh, why are you being such a jerk about this?”

  “Did you tell her?” he asked.

  “Tell who what?”

  “The peach cobbler. Did you tell Lilibeth?”

  The look of hurt that passed over my brother’s face nearly took my breath away. It was then that I realized why he was throwing such a fit. It actually had nothing to do with adding the dessert. It was because peach cobbler was Rachel’s favorite…and the day he proposed, he’d made it for her.

  The day she told him she could never marry him.

  My hand slowly came up to my mouth. I shook my head before dropping my hand. “I didn’t tell her, Caden. I wouldn’t do that to you. And I totally forgot. I’m so sorry.”

  He pushed a hand through his hair and let out a frustrated sigh. “I thought she was doing it on purpose. I got so angry with her. I told her to mind her own damn business, that she probably shouldn’t even come tonight.”

  I put a hand on my hip. “I know Lilibeth, and she’d never purposely cause anyone harm or intentionally try to hurt them. She probably just thought it was a cute idea for the kids, Caden. I’m sorry, but…not everything revolves around you. Lilibeth’s been having such an amazing time this week, and she’s doing me a huge favor by volunteering so much.”

  He closed his eyes and cursed.

  “Why do you hate her so much?”

  Snapping his eyes back open, he stared at me in surprise. “I don’t hate her.”

  “Really? Could have fooled me. Every time she comes around, you’re glaring at her or saying some smartass remark. And you call her ‘sweetheart’ when you know she doesn’t like it.”

  “She doesn’t seem to give a shit what I say, since all she does is smile and go out of her way to try to be so damn…happy!”

  I laughed. “Because she’s a bubbly person.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Whatever. But I’m not doing peach cobbler.”

  Before I could say anything else, he stomped off.

  “What was that about?”

  I spun around to see Levi staring after Caden. He was looking so handsome that I almost let out a moan. His black cowboy hat made his eyes stand out and gave him a boyish appearance. I longed to remove the hat and run my fingers through his thick hair.

  “Caden doesn’t like Lilibeth because she’s too happy.”

  Levi laughed. “Why am I not surprised by that?”

  “How do you not like someone because they’re happy?” I asked with a shake of my head.

  Levi looked back to my brother. “I think he likes her.”

  Shocked by that statement, I asked, “You think Caden likes Lilibeth?”

  He nodded. “I do. I think she’s the polar opposite of Rachel, and something about her clearly drives Caden insane. If he isn’t glowering at her, he’s staring at her pretty intently.”

  My brows lifted. “Is he? I hadn’t noticed.”

  “Yep, he sure is.” He glanced down at me and smiled. “And how has your day been?”

  Smiling at him, I replied, “It’s been good. Long, but good. The kids are all excited about the dinner ride and the chuckwagon cookout.”

  “So am I, if I’m being honest.”

  “You’re going to love it.”

  We started to walk toward the barn. Levi stepped closer, and every part of me wanted him to take my hand. It was silly, I knew. We hadn’t even been out on an official date yet. We talked every night, though. If he wasn’t here at the camp, we texted back and forth. Today, he helped his father for half the day at the vet clinic.

  “How did it go at the clinic today?”

  “It was good. I spent most of the morning shadowing my father. I did see a couple of patients right before lunch.”

  “Really? Did your dad go easy on you?”

  He laughed. “He did. It was a kitten due for her first shots, and a golden retriever there for an annual checkup, and a few shots as well. Easy-peasy.”

  “And how did things go with the staff?”

  Levi frowned. “Everyone was great.”

  “You don’t sound like you mean that.”

  He rolled his eyes as he sighed. “Logan Miller is going to be a challenge.”

  A tinge of jealousy ripped through my body at the idea of Logan getting to spend hours at a time with Levi. “How so?”

  “She’s an endless flirt. Either my father’s going to have to talk to her, or I’ll have to talk to her myself. If she doesn’t stop, I don’t see her working for me for very long. That is, after I take over for Dad.”

  Surprised, I asked, “Did she flirt with you that much?”

  “Let’s just say she was a little handsy, as well.”

  That made my blood boil. “She touched you inappropriately?”

  “No, just light squeezes on my arm, a playful tap on my chest. Things like that. But it’s not professional, and something I won’t put up with at all.”

  “I don’t blame you. How would she like it if you did that to her?”

  His brows rose, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Okay, so she might like it, but any normal person wouldn’t.”

  He chuckled, then grew serious. “I’m going to have to talk to Dad about it. But for now, I don’t want to think about any of that. I want to enjoy this evening. How did Rhett do today?”

  “From what I could tell, he did great. He’s made a lot of new friends and everyone adores him.”

  Levi smiled. “That makes me happy.”

  “It’s about time you got here,” Ensley said as we reached the barn, hands on her hips. “We have a lot of horses to get ready for the ride.”

  I held up my hands in defense. “I’m sorry!”

  “Put me to work,” Levi stated.

  “Everyone is out in the paddock; follow me.”

  When Levi looked at me, he winked, and my stomach fluttered. I smiled, followed my sister, and willed my heart to stop acting like a damn teenager.

  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.