Page 6 of Wilde Ride

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.”