Page 73 of Wilde Ride

“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.”

I couldn’t ignore the way my heart felt like it kicked into overdrive as I watched Emeline walking in front of me. My eyes drifted to her perfect ass, and I nearly moaned. My dick came to attention, too, and I had to admit this was the first time in ages that I’d desired anyone sexually.

Christ, this was Emeline I was gawking at. Caden would kick my ass.