Page 95 of Wilde Ride

“You could help load up the vans. Sometimes the staff at River Haven can’t send many people over to help. They’ll have a few vans, and the kids’ items will be stored in the very back. And some of the kids won’t have both parents here to pick them up since they can’t afford to take time off work. You’ll see a lot of carpooling and such.”

“I’m on luggage duty then.” I leaned down and brushed a kiss against her lips. “I’ll try not to think too much about last night. And this morning.”

Her cheeks instantly turned a beautiful shade of pink. “I can’t make that same promise. It seems to be the only thing I can think about.”

I winked.

“Daddy! Emeline!”

We both turned to see Rhett running toward us. I bent down and caught him just in time. Standing up, I couldn’t help but smile back at my son, and it wasn’t because he’d called me daddy for the first time in a week. It was because of his own smile.

“Ms. Lilibeth put me in charge of helping with the kids’ bags!”

“Would you look at that. Ms. Emeline did the same with me!”

Rhett giggled, then gave me a once-over. “How come you’re dressed the same as yesterday?”

I glanced down, and only then realized I’d never gone home to change. When I looked at Emeline, she was covering her smile.

Before I could say anything, Caden walked up. “Your dad stayed at my place last night and didn’t have time to go home and change, bud.”

I was positive a look of relief moved across my face as I silently thanked Caden.

“You had a sleepover, Daddy?”

Emeline coughed as Caden smirked, muttering, “Something tells me he didn’t sleep much, though.”

“Caden!” Emeline hissed.

Taking a step toward his sister, Caden squeezed her shoulder and gave her a once-over, then glanced back to me. “I’m trusting you with someone I love dearly, Levi. Don’t let me down.”

Then he turned and headed toward the large group of kids gathering in the circular drive.

I looked at Emeline, who watched her brother walk away with a tear sliding down her cheek. She quickly brushed it away.

Taking Emeline’s hand in mine, I gave it a squeeze, breaking her trance.

She looked at me and Rhett and schooled her features. “You gentlemen have work to do!”

“Come on, Daddy! We’s got to work!”

I set my son down. “Go on ahead, I’ll be right there.”

After Rhett ran back to his group of cabinmates, I turned to Emeline. She smiled, and her blue eyes sparkled.

“Are you going to be crazy busy tonight?”

“With everyone here today, we’ll be able to get the place cleaned up and ready for the next set of campers in no time. And it doesn’t start for another three weeks anyway, so there’s no rush to get everything in order.”

“Would you like to have dinner tonight with me and Rhett?”

Her smile grew even bigger. “I would love that.”

“Great, we’ll talk later.”

Turning, I quickly headed over to Charlotte, who was clearly in charge. Clapping my hands, I said, “Put me to work, Charlotte!”

The rest of the day was spent helping the kids load their belongings, grabbing a quick lunch, then assisting the volunteers in cleaning the cabins. By the time four in the afternoon rolled around, I was exhausted. I swore everyone from the ranch, including the ranch hands, all pitched in to get things done. From what I could tell, the place already looked prepped for the next session.