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)
He stopped and looked at me. “Like an overnight camp?”
Nodding, I replied, “Yes, it would be an overnight camp. But I thought it might be a good way to meet some of the kids you’ll be going to school with. You’d be grouped in the cabins by age.”
He narrowed his little blue eyes and asked, “Will girls be there?”
“I believe so, but not in your cabin. Is that a problem?”
I watched as the wheels turned in his head. “Nah, but will they be on their own side of the camp?”
Laughing, I said, “I’m not sure. We can ask Emeline more questions if you want. She said I could bring you to the ranch, and she’d give you a tour of the campgrounds. She gave one to me today. And I’ll be at the camp as well, volunteering the week you’ll be there. Actually, I think I roped myself into volunteering for each session.”
“What’s this about volunteering each session, where?” my mother asked as she walked into the dining room, followed by my father. They set the food down on the table and my stomach growled. Man, had I missed my mother’s cooking.
“When I was at the Wildes’ earlier this morning, Vivianne somehow managed to get me to agree to volunteer at the camp this summer.”
My mother laughed. “Doing what?”
“Talking about being a vet. I was going to discuss it with you first, Dad. I know you’re eager for me to start at the clinic.”
My father wasn’t wasting any time piling his bowl up with roast. “I haven’t added any additional appointments, so I don’t see a problem with you helping out. Just give me the dates you’ll be there. I figured we would start you out part time, anyway. And once you feel comfortable, move you to full time. When you’re feeling good about things, I’ll cut back my hours. I think you volunteering at the camp is a good thing, though,” he said, glancing over at me. “I wish I’d made it a higher priority to participate in more community activities. If I can offer one piece of advice, take the time to volunteer when you can.”
“First of all, you did volunteer, Dad.”
“When you were younger, yes. However, as time passed, and especially after you were gone, I focused increasingly on my work. River Falls may be small, but there are a plethora of animals to treat.”
I nodded. “Second, I think your timeline sounds like a great plan.”
“With the growth of the town, though, you might want to think about hiring a part-time vet once you get dug in.”
“I can do it!” Rhett stated.
I winked at him. “I’ll hold a spot for you until you graduate, buddy.”
My parents laughed.
“I’m sure Caden was happy to see you and know you’re home for good,” Mom said, handing me the roast.
After fixing Rhett a bowl, I worked on my own. “He was. It’ll be nice, being able to just drop by to see him.”
“How’s he doing? Vivianne told me he’s never been the same after Rachel left him. He’s more…” Her words trailed off.
“Moody?” my father added with a gruff sound.
I sighed. “Yeah, she really raked him over the coals.”
“What does that mean?” Rhett asked.
“It means she didn’t treat him very well,” Mom replied.
“Every time he came to visit after the breakup, he wasn’t in the best of moods, but he put on a good show for the kids. He seemed almost like his normal self when I saw him at the ranch today.”
“Well, that’s good. He needs to get back on the horse and get out there,” my father said.
Rhett looked at me. “How come he isn’t riding his horse? Doesn’t he need it to work on the ranch?”
I grinned. “It’s just a saying, Rhett.” To my father, I added, “I think he’s okay. They were together for a long time, and it’s hard to walk away from someone whom you’ve given so much of your life to.”
My mother’s eyes turned sad as she looked at me.
Before she could say anything, I smirked. “I ran into Janet Miller today.”
Her eyes turned from sad to bewildered. “At the ranch?”
“I can do you one better. Outside Anna’s—after I finished having lunch with Emeline.”
Dad groaned, while my mother shook her head.
“The Daily Dirt will have you featured this week,” Mom said, giving me a look.
“Emeline said the same thing. She also told me that Janet, or her daughter Grace, seems to write a lot about the Wildes. Is that still happening?”
With a roll of her eyes, my mother nodded. “It is. I don’t know what that family has against the Wildes, but they certainly seem to enjoy stirring up drama for them. Don’t be surprised if you’re connected to Emeline now.”
“I just got back into town. I’m not even divorced yet.”
“Do you like Emeline?”
The three of us turned and looked at Rhett. He didn’t seem upset, but I knew my son. He could hold his emotions in like a champ, until the dam finally broke.