Page 97 of Wilde Ride

Emeline laughed, then looked at me, a question on her face. I knew she was probably wondering if we would go somewhere outside of River Falls, maybe to Granby. Somewhere people wouldn’t start gossiping.

“The new Mexican restaurant that just opened on Main Street. I heard it was excellent.”

Now surprise crossed her face. “You want to eat in town?”

“If you’re okay with that?”

There went those pink cheeks again. “I’d love it.”

Rhett grabbed Emeline’s hand, then mine. “This is the best week ever!”

Exchanging an amused smile with Emeline, I said, “Do you want us to pick you up?”

She shook her head. “No, I’ll meet you both there, that way you don’t have to drive in the opposite direction. What time?”

I glanced down at Rhett. “I can promise you he’s going to fall asleep on the ride home, so maybe let’s say around six?”

“Six is perfect.”

A bubble of excitement built up, and I almost laughed. I hadn’t felt like this in…a very long time. “We’ll see you then.”

Rhett hugged Emeline again and repeated my words. “See you then!”

She chuckled and echoed, “See you both then.”

I took Rhett’s hand and we started for the exit. I could feel Emeline’s eyes on us as we retreated. Holding the door for my son, I glanced back and smiled when she lifted her hand in a wave. I waved back, walked through the door, and drew in a deep breath.

Was I ready for this? I wasn’t sure my heart was ready to fall in love yet, but it was going to be really fucking hard not to let it.

Emeline

“I want to know everything!”

I jumped and nearly let out a scream as I turned and saw Lilibeth. She stood there with a shit-eating grin on her face.

“What are you talking about?”

Folding her arms over her chest, she stared at me. “Don’t even try that with me, Emeline Wilde. First of all, your face has been beaming all day. I know the look of a woman who’s been thoroughly…satisfied. Second, Levi was wearing the same clothes he’d worn the day before. Someone should really alert him to the emergency bag idea.”

“Emergency bag idea?”

She looked surprised. “You don’t have an emergency bag in your car?”

I shook my head. “Nope.”

“Oh gosh. That’s rule number one. You always carry a small bag that has a change of clothes, an emergency toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant—perfume, of course,” she added with a wink. “And a fresh set of undergarments.”

“Undergarments? What are you, eighty?”

She laughed. “Fine, bra and panties. You never know when you’ll need it. For instance, if you decide to hook up with someone. Then you have your emergency bag and you don’t have to do the walk of shame the next day.”

“You mean an overnight bag?”

She shrugged. “Call it what you want, everyone should have one. But enough about that. What happened?” Hooking her arm through mine, she guided me over to one of the sofas in the common area.

We sat down, and I glanced around. Almost everyone had left. The only people still around were Charlotte, Lilibeth, me, and a couple volunteers who were currently helping Charlotte get the kitchen in order.

“It’s just us,” Lilibeth said. “Now spill!”