“I know we already have one week in June, one in July, but I was thinking we could add another one in August this year—but wait,” I said when she went to speak what most likely was going to be an objection. “I was thinking this third week could be for kids with special needs.”

  Her brows lifted. “You’ve always talked about wanting to do that. Have you researched it? We would need the right staff at camp for that week.”

  “You know me, Mom. I’ve researched the hell out of it. I was thinking, what if it was for the whole family? That way, the parents—or at least one parent—could come with their child. After speaking with over two-dozen parents of children with special needs, every single one of them loved the idea of going to camp with their kids. Being there for them while watching them try new adventures. And you know that equine therapy was something I was fascinated with in college.”

  “I remember.”

  “Horses can calm riders with autism, allowing them to be able to focus on learning how to ride. There’s a woman I met at a conference last December who uses therapeutic horsemanship to help campers concentrate on learning how to ride, communicate, and connect with the horses. It teaches them that they can live life as fully and independently as possible, taking into account each camper’s situation. And imagine learning not only how to ride a horse, but how to care for one as well.”

  My mother smiled. “Would it only be for kids with autism?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think we need to limit it to just that. We would, however, need to hire someone trained in therapeutic horsemanship to oversee the program. I’ve been trying to learn as much as I can for the last several months. We’ll need to train our volunteers and camp counselors on how to interact with the campers—and by that, I mean, we’ll need them to assist a bit more than they do with the other campers.

  “We’ll also need two volunteers, instead of one, to walk alongside the horses, to ensure the riders’ safety. They’ll need to know how to handle a host of different situations that might arise, both medically and emotionally. That’s why I was thinking we could have the parents stay as well, because we could learn so much from them. They could volunteer, and help train our current volunteers. It would be a test run this summer, with a small number of campers, to see if this is even something we can offer in the future. Some kids would be day campers only, while maybe a few we can try out for overnight camping.”

  Another wide smile from my mother as she said, “Emeline, that’s a wonderful idea.”

  I returned the gesture. “I think so too! Also, you know that new little perfumery that opened on Main Street a few months ago? Wonderland Whimsy, owned by Lilibeth Asher?”

  “Yes. Lily and I stopped by there after they opened. The store’s adorable, and she sells the cutest children’s things! And the candles—did you know she makes them all there? And does a class where you can make the candles and the perfume? It’s Alice in Wonderland themed. And she also has an event space above the store. You remember her parents moved here first. Liam and Whitney. They’re a lovely couple. Lily and I’ve gotten to know them while helping them get settled in.”

  Lily Waters was my mother’s best friend, a recently retired teacher at River Falls Haven, an orphanage in town. They’d been friends for as long as I could remember. Together, they were such a huge part of the community, and I knew they’d welcomed Lilibeth’s parents with wide-open arms.

  “I know Lilibeth appreciates how welcome they’ve all felt.”

  Mom smiled and reached out to pet Moose, who was now sitting next to her. “Her name always makes me think of your great-grandmother, Lileth. I miss her something fierce.”

  “The few memories I have of her are all happy ones, and most of them have to do with horses.”

  We both laughed.

  “She was a wonderful woman. You remind me so much of her, Emeline.”

  I leaned over and reached for my mother’s hand, giving it a light squeeze.

  “I’m sorry I got distracted with tangents for a moment. Why were you bringing up Lilibeth and the store?” Mom asked, clearly not wanting to remain on the subject of my great-grandmother. They were very close. My father said Lileth and my grandmother, Nellie, loved teaching my mom how to ride a horse. Lileth was still riding horses well into her 90s, and almost right up until the day she passed.

  “She’s a few years older than me, at twenty-nine, but Lilibeth and I have become good friends over the last few months. I’m sure you’re aware already, since you know her parents, but when she got the idea for the perfumery and candle bar, she knew she wanted to open it in River Falls, so she could be close to her mother and father when they retired here.”

  My mother nodded.

  “Right, sorry, now I’m getting off topic. I was telling her about our summer camps, the Christmas event we hold each year, and the annual fundraising rodeo. She wants to give back to the community, so she pitched me an idea. She’d like to volunteer to help with the camps, and even do a class to teach the kids how to make candles and perfume! I thought it was a wonderful idea, and something new and fun that we could add to the schedule.”

  My mother’s face lit up. “I think it’s a great idea! And she said she’d be willing to do this for free?”

  I nodded. “She likes to volunteer. Said her father taught her early on that if she’s able, she should find causes that are dear to her and give to them in any way she can. She also loves kids. Has a niece and nephew from her older brother Ron, who still lives in Denver—where she relocated from—and she misses them a lot. She’s also so fun to be around. The campers will adore her.”

  Mom grinned. “She’s definitely full of life. A bit of spit and fire in her, too, from the little I’ve been around her.”

  “Definitely. And I don’t think I’ve ever not seen a flower tucked into her hair. She’s also super friendly. I told her once that I swear she wakes up with a smile on her face and falls asleep with the same one.”

  “I think she’d be a lovely addition to the summer camps. Would she want to do all three sessions? That’s asking a lot from her.”

  I nodded. “Yes, she wants to help not just with the classes she’ll teach, but in any way she can.”

  “Won’t her store be busier in the summer, though? How can she be here and there?”

  “She wouldn’t be at the camp every day, just the days she’s scheduled to do the classes. Plus, she has an employee who can help at the store.”

  Mom thought for a moment. “And she is willing to volunteer her time? What about the supplies?”

  “She said she’ll cover it all. It’s a way for her to give back.”

  My mother’s brows rose slightly. “That’s very generous of her.”

  “Lilibeth really wants to be part of the community, and like I mentioned, she loves kids. It’s a win-win.”

  Clapping her hands, my mother beamed back at me. “I love both of these ideas. We’ll need to meet with Jack to go over the legal aspects of the additional week of camp, so we know about liabilities and such, but I don’t foresee any issues.”

  Jack Russell was a good friend of my father’s, and the family lawyer.

  Mom went on. “Mark and Berkeley volunteer for our camp sessions now, so I can ask them if they’re willing to add a week.”

  Mark Johnson was one of only two doctors we had here in River Falls. His father owned a clinic in town, and Mark was his only son. His sister, Berkeley, was a nurse practitioner who also worked for the clinic. She and Mark each worked a week during the camps, staying on the property throughout the duration. That way, if any of the kids ever needed medical attention, we had someone here twenty-four hours a day.

  “I already did, and they both said they’d have no issue adding another week.”

  “It seems you’re on top of things then. You simply wanted my approval?”

  I nodded. I never did anything with the camps without at least my mother’s approval, even though I was basically in charge. My mom and grandmother still had complete control of the annual Wilde Christmas event, but of course, I helped. As for the ranch itself, my grandparents, Nellie and Gus, had retired and given control over to my two uncles and my oldest brother, Caden. They were the final say for anything that happened on the ranch.

  “If you agree, I’ll meet with Caden, Uncle David, and Uncle Mike to get the final approval for the additional week.”

  Mom stood and Moose jumped up, clearly ready to go wherever she was going. “That sounds like a plan. I’ll warn you ahead of time, I think they’re going to suggest doing a day camp first for the trial run…which might be a better idea, now that I think about it. Let’s see how having a day camp with special-needs kids works first before we commit to overnight.”

  My mother was good at drawing me back in when I had an idea. I was usually the one to run at it a hundred miles per hour. I stood as well. “You’re probably right. I was just so excited about adding this additional camp, but I can absolutely see your point. I’ll pitch it to them as a day camp. We’ll see how it goes and decide from there. Anything else you want to chat about?”

  Following her lead, I walked around my desk and toward the door.

  Mom paused as I spoke. “Aurora is looking like she’s going to foal any day now, so I’ve asked Marshall to keep a closer eye on her. I’ll check on her throughout the next few nights. I’ve also asked Marshall to start rotating the horses through the west pasture. I know Caden said they’d be harvesting hay in the south pasture soon. I did order a few new saddles for a couple of the ranch hands before they make the hike up the mountains to move the cattle.”

  “I checked on Aurora before I came in. She’s ready to have that baby. Keep me updated, I’m going to be heading to town with your father. He has to stop in and do a few things at the store, then we’re heading to Denver for a few days for that sporting goods conference. You’re sure you’ve got everything under control? Our first camp is coming up in just a month.”

  I smiled. “Everything here is fine. Please go enjoy your weekend with Dad.”

  Smiling, she leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. “Thank you, Emeline. If you need anything—”

  “I’ll call Caden, Gatlin, or one of the ranch hands. Mom, the ranch is in good hands.”

  She laughed and nodded her head. “I’ll see you later, sweetheart.”

  “Have fun—and don’t get into trouble in Denver!” I called out as she walked down the aisle and toward the stalls, Moose hot on her heels. I was positive she would check on Aurora once more before she left.

  “Moose!” I called out.

  “He’s fine!” Mom stated. “Don’t be surprised if we bring him to Denver with us.”

  Laughing, I said, “Is he your dog or mine?”

  When she didn’t answer, I shook my head and turned to head back into my office—and froze.

  Caden was walking toward me, in the direction my mother had just gone…and walking beside him was a person I certainly hadn’t expected to see.

  “Levi,” I whispered as I forced my knees not to go weak.

  Levi

  I pulled up and parked outside the familiar barn I’d been to a thousand times. River Falls Cattle Company was a cattle and horse ranch that my best friend, Caden Wilde, managed alongside his brother, Gatlin, and his two uncles, David and Mike. A ranch that had been in his family for five generations, with Caden and his brother being the fifth. The equine side of the ranch was the newest addition, and was something that Caden’s mother had started after her love of horses grew when she married, Ladd, Caden’s father.

  Drawing in a deep breath, I slowly let it out. I haven’t been back to River Falls much in the last seven years. Now, I’d returned with my six-year-old son…and without my two-year-old daughter or my wife. I was back home trying to start a new life.

  Caden, my best friend since elementary school, pulled up and parked next to me. He got out of the truck, a wide grin appearing on his face when he saw me. I opened the truck door and slipped out. As I made my way to him, he stuck out his hand.

  “Fuck that,” I said, pulling him in for a quick hug, hitting him on the back before taking a step away.

  “Damn, it’s good to see you in River Falls,” Caden stated as he gave me a once-over. “Thanks for the last-minute notification that you moved back. What was that all about?”

  I shrugged. “Didn’t want to make a production out of it. We’ve been back for a few days. I wanted to get Rhett settled in before I made my presence known. Caroline’s parents are happy, of course, to have Rhett so close. But with the divorce and all, it feels…strange.”

  He nodded. “I get that. How’s Rhett adjusting to life here in River Falls?”

  Smiling, I replied, “Rhett’s in heaven knowing he can ride a horse anytime he wants. My mother’s already spoiling him, and Dad…well, he’s ready to announce that his son will be joining his veterinary practice. I’ve had to ask him to slow down a bit and let us get adjusted to being here.”

  Caden grinned. “I’m sure Rhett’s going to be spoiled rotten by both your parents. That’s something you’re going to have to get used to. They have six years of spoiling to catch up on.” Then his smile faded, and a concerned expression grew across his face. “How are you doing, Levi?”

  It was a loaded question, with an answer that evoked a range of emotions.

  Seven months ago, my two-year-old daughter, Brooke, was killed in a car accident. Caroline and I had gotten into yet another fight, and she’d threatened to take Brooke away from me. When I told her to try, she grabbed our daughter and took off. An hour later, I got a call that she’d been in an accident.

  When I got to the hospital, a doctor gave me the news that my daughter had been killed instantly, and Caroline had broken her left leg and hand.

  Nothing in my life was the same after that. The accident hadn’t been Caroline’s fault, but she’d blamed me for causing her to take Brooke and leave the house. She withdrew into herself, stayed in bed for days at a time, and essentially ignored our son.

  Our marriage hadn’t been on a solid foundation when the accident happened, and it crumbled completely not long afterward. In the end, it wasn’t hard for me to decide to file for divorce and ask the court for full custody of Rhett. Caroline hadn’t argued; she’d already moved out of the house and into an apartment. Sadly, Rhett not only lost his sister, but his mother as well.

  “I’m doing the best I can. Trying to be there for Rhett and make life as normal as possible.”

  Caden nodded. “Is he still having nightmares?”

  I nodded.

  “Hopefully, the new surroundings will be good for him and for you.”

  “Yeah,” I said, hearing the sadness in my own voice. We hadn’t returned to River Falls very often over the years because Caroline couldn’t stand the small town. When we visited, it was only for a weekend, and I hardly had time to see anyone. My mother and father visited Denver as much as they could, but with my dad being the only veterinarian in town, it was hard for him to take time off without feeling guilty if he couldn’t find someone to cover for him. Caroline’s parents had visited often, so at least that was good for Rhett.

  Caden cleared his throat. “Have you heard from Caroline at all?”

  Caroline had been served divorce papers three weeks ago, and I was still waiting for her to sign and return them.

  “I can’t remember the last time I spoke to her. Once she signed over custody to me, and the judge granted it, she stopped all communication. It was harder on Rhett than on me. He doesn’t understand why Caroline left us. He overheard us arguing one night, and Caroline saying it was my fault that Brooke died. That was hard for Rhett to hear, and he came running into the room, calling her a liar. Yelling that it was her fault because she forced Brooke to go with her.”

  “Forced?”

  I nodded. “Brooke didn’t want to go with Caroline that night, and she was crying, and repeating my name over and over. Rhett watched the whole thing.” I closed my eyes and drew in a breath before looking at Caden again. “She was screaming for me when Caroline walked out. The sound of her calling out ‘daddy’ haunts me every night. I should have taken her from Caroline. Better yet, I should have admitted the marriage had long since been over and left with the kids.”

  Caden shook his head as he put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Levi, it wasn’t your fault.”

  “A part of me knows that. But another part of me can’t seem to let it go. I blame myself for letting Caroline take Brooke. I guess I figured she would blow off some steam, go for a drive, and calm down. I should’ve known better. Caroline wasn’t the best mother, Caden. I hate saying that, but it’s the truth. She cared more about herself than our kids. And the bad part is, now Rhett is old enough to understand that for himself. But still way too young to have to deal with this.”

  “Have you thought about therapy?” Caden asked.

  “He’s gone a few times, and I think it has helped him some. He misses his sister, I think, more than his mother. It’s sad for me to even say that, but there it is.”

  Caden sighed. “We sure know how to pick ’em, don’t we?”

  I let out a humorless laugh. Caden had been dating his high school sweetheart, Rachel, since their freshman year. Caden and I were like brothers and spoke almost every day, so when they broke up, I was the first person he spoke to about it. When she eventually realized she wasn’t going to have the wealthy lifestyle she thought she deserved, she broke things off—but didn’t bother to do it until Caden was down on one knee, asking her to marry him. Ever since then, Caden had been withdrawn. He hardly ever went out, just stayed on the ranch. And as far as I knew, he hadn’t dated since Rachel left him.

  “Are you dating anyone?” I asked.

  He’d motioned for us to start heading into the barn. He glanced at me with a blank look. “I have no interest in dating anyone.”

  “Caden, it’s been almost what? Two years since she left you? When are you going to move on?”

  He shrugged. “I have no desire to go through that again.”