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)
Levi nodded. “Is she showing signs?”
I rolled my eyes. “She’s a horse, and a stubborn one. She’ll drop that baby while she’s eating her oats, most likely.”
We all laughed, and a second later, Rhett joined in, having no idea why we were laughing.
My mother took the boy’s hand. “Come on, Rhett, let’s go see how she’s doing.”
They started down the aisle of the barn. Levi took hold of my hand to keep me in place, and I ignored the flutter in my stomach at the contact.
“If we could hold back for just a moment,” he said. His brown eyes were filled with worry.
“Sure, what’s up?” I hoped my voice sounded void of any jitters, but if he didn’t let go of my hand soon, I’d be swooning at any moment.
Seeming to realize he was still holding my hand, Levi dropped it like it was a hot potato. “I’m sorry about what Rhett said, about you and me.”
I waved off his concern. “Don’t even worry about it.”
“I haven’t talked to him at all about moving on with anyone, let alone you.”
Don’t let your feelings show on your face, Emeline.
“Of course not me. What a crazy idea,” I managed to say, but even I could hear the hurt in my voice.
He frowned slightly, then went on. “I think he’s in a weird place right now, with Caroline giving him up and us moving here. I think he feels like if we start over with a new family, everything will be better. I tried to tell him on the way over here that I wouldn’t be dating anyone anytime soon, but my mother said he’s worried about me and thinks I’m sad.” He started walking, so I followed suit. With a soft laugh, he said, “I guess he thinks I need to be dating to be happy. I’d like to show him that I’m happy with it just being the two of us.”
“So you’re not going to date at all?” I asked before I could stop myself.
He shrugged. “I mean, I don’t have any desire to date anyone right now. I’ve got a lot of emotional baggage I’m carrying around, and the last thing I’d want is to unload that on some poor woman. Not to mention, I’m a package deal. Not sure how many women in River Falls would want to become an instant mother. I’m not saying if the right person came along that couldn’t change, though.”
I nodded. “Have you thought about family therapy?”
“We did some back in Denver, after losing Brooke. But yeah. I think it would be a good idea to consider going again. Especially if my son is going to go around trying to solicit women for me.”
Laughing, I replied, “Well, if I do say so myself, your son has good taste in women.”
Levi glanced at me, his eyes landing on my mouth briefly. I tried not to overthink it.
With a devil-may-care smile, he replied, “He does.”
I quickly turned my head and faced forward. “How great would it be if Aurora decided to have her foal while you guys were here?”
He chuckled. “That would be pretty—”
“Daddy!” Rhett cried out. “Daddy, come quick!”
Without hesitating, Levi raced toward his son. “What’s wrong?”
We rounded the corner, and Marshall was standing in the aisle. “I was just about to call you, Emeline. She’s in labor.”
“What perfect timing, Aurora!” my mother gushed. “I’d better call Caden.”
I rushed into the stall behind Levi. After a quick examination, he looked over at his son. “You’re about to get your wish, Rhett.”
The boy remained calm, but he gave me a little fist bump. He looked up at me and smiled. “This is the best day ever! I hope Brooke is watching down on us.”
Reaching for his hand, I gave it a soft squeeze. “I know she is.”
Levi let out a long sigh. “That mare is one hell of a good mother.”
I smiled as I watched Aurora with her colt, who’d just gotten to his feet and was making his way around his mother. Rhett was sitting off to the side, taking it all in.
“What do you think, Rhett?” Caden asked. “Have any good names for the little guy?”
Surprised, I glanced at my brother. Aurora was his horse, so he had every right to let Rhett name the colt, but he also loved Aurora like no animal we’d had before.
Rhett beamed up at Caden, who’d clearly become the boy’s BFF. Tapping his finger on his chin, he thought hard. “How about Whiskey?”
“Whiskey?” Levi and Caden said at the same time as I pressed my lips together hard to keep from laughing.
“Where in the world did you come up with that?” Levi asked.
Rhett shrugged. “That’s the name of the brown cat in Grammy and Grandpa’s barn. They have the same color.”
Caden and Levi exchanged grins.
Levi stated, “It’s not a star or constellation.”