Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“It might be nice to just introduce myself and answer questions first, and then maybe throughout the week, I can bring in some animal bones and X-rays. The kids would probably really like that.”
“That would be great! I’m assuming you mean of the animals?”
I laughed. “Yes, of animals.”
“Why don’t you bring Rhett to the ranch one of these days before camp starts, if you have the time. That way he can get the lay of the land and meet everyone, and it won’t seem so new to him when camp starts. I know sleepaway camp for the first time can be a bit scary, so if he knows us, it might not be so bad.”
“He’s met Caden several times, so that’s good.”
“That is good. And I’m sure he’ll love the ranch, especially if he loves animals.”
“Thank you, Em.”
“For?” she asked.
“For being you. For doing this for Rhett and already thinking of ways to make it more comfortable for him. He’s had so many huge changes that it’ll be nice to have him feel safe and happy again. It’s been great seeing him with my mother, of course. They’ve been baking cookies and pies, and she reads to him every night. Which has been a nice break for me, if I’m being honest.”
Frowning, she asked, “Did Caroline never read to the kids at night?”
My chest ached. I’d seen so many signs of Caroline pulling away from me and the kids, and if I’d only left before the accident, Brooke would still be here.
“Caroline wouldn’t have won mother of the year, but she did have her moments. The last year or so, she’d been withdrawing. We’d grown apart, and unfortunately that extended to Rhett and Brooke, as well.” I exhaled. “But like you said, that’s in the past, and it’s time to focus on the future.”
“God, I’m so sorry again, Levi. That breaks my heart for poor little Rhett. I’m sure you did what you thought was right for your kids. I imagine it would be tremendously hard to take children away from their mother.”
“I don’t think I wanted to see what was happening. It would’ve meant admitting to myself that I’d made a big mistake. Brooke and Rhett weren’t mistakes,” I added quickly. “Don’t take it that way.”
“I would never. Now, how about we change the subject? I want this homecoming to be a positive experience for both you and Rhett.”
Smiling, I said, “A change of subject, yes. Let’s do that.”
Before I could say anything else, a woman appeared at our table. Her darker blonde hair was plaited into two braids, with flowers woven into both. She wore a white sundress with a flower print, and a lightweight white sweater. She appeared to be in her mid- to upper-twenties and was quite lovely. Her smile lit up the whole café.
“Hey, Emeline.”
Sliding out of the booth, Emeline hugged her. “Lilibeth! What are you doing here?”
“I’m here grabbing lunch really quick. Are we still on for our meeting tonight?”
“We certainly are. I spoke with my mother, and she’s excited.”
Both women looked at me, and I slid out of the booth.
“Lilibeth, this is Levi Tucker. He’s a good friend of the family. Well, we all claim him, but technically, he’s Caden’s best friend. He just moved back to River Falls with his son Rhett, and he’ll be working for his father.”
“Wait, Oliver and Sam Tucker are your parents?” Lilibeth asked.
“They are.”
She smiled even bigger. “I adore your parents. Your mother was so helpful when my parents moved to River Falls. Took them right under her wing. And your father got me in touch with Mitch Larson, who owns the building on Main Street where my business is located.”
“That’s how we met,” Emeline added. “My dad told me about Lilibeth and her new perfumery and candle-making store, and I knew I had to meet her.”
I smiled. “Mitch is my father-in-law.”
Lilibeth let out a soft laugh. “Small-town living. I forget how everyone seems to know everyone else, or is somehow related. I haven’t had the chance to meet your wife and kids yet, but when I first met Mitch, he showed me pictures of your kids.”
This was the fucking part I hated. Before I had a chance to say anything, Emeline took Lilibeth’s hand.
“You remember what I told you about Brooke.”
Lilibeth’s smile faded in an instant, and she closed her eyes for a brief moment. Looking back at me, she said, “I’m such an idiot. I’m incredibly sorry, Levi. I’m still trying to remember everyone. That was so insensitive of me.”
“It’s okay, Lilibeth.”
A soft smile appeared on her pretty face. “Ignoring the fact that I put my foot in my mouth, I do apologize again.”
“There’s no need. Rhett and I have moved back to River Falls, and we’re ready to start a new chapter.”
She chewed on her lower lip, clearly unwilling to ask her next question.