Page 84 of Wilde Ride

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.