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)
Caden’s eyes sparkled, “I think Whiskey’s a great name, and since you helped your father deliver him, and he’s my horse,” he looked at me and winked, “then Whiskey it is.”
Rhett’s eyes lit up with pure joy. “Do you mean it, Uncle Caden? We can really name him Whiskey?”
It was the first time I’d heard my brother laugh so genuinely, from the heart, since his breakup. I looked over to see my mother smiling.
Caden looked at Levi. “If your dad’s okay with it.”
Levi raised his hands. “Who am I to stand in the way of a perfect name?”
Rhett looked like he was about to jump in his excitement. But then looked at the mare and colt, and thought better of it. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Caden’s legs. “Thank you, Uncle Caden! This really is the best day ever!”
“You ready to see where the camp is?” I asked.
He looked to his father who nodded.
“If Emeline is ready, we’re ready.”
Turning to Marshall, I asked, “You’ll keep an eye on them for a bit?”
He nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ve got it under control.”
“And I’m not going anywhere,” Caden said as he made his way over to Aurora and stroked her neck gently.
Turning to Levi and Rhett, I said, “We can all get into the Mule and drive over to the campsite.”
Levi motioned for me to lead the way. “Sounds good.”
With one more look at Aurora and her colt, I turned and headed out of the barn and toward the arena, where the Mule was parked. It seated four and would make the trip to the campgrounds fast and easy.
“When does the first camp start again? I meant to ask you or your mom yesterday.”
“The second week of June.”
“Is it almost June?” Rhett asked his father.
“A few more weeks, buddy.”
Rhett asked his father a few questions about the colt, and his father patiently answered them all. It was so adorable listening to the two of them talk.
“When will Whiskey stop drinking from his mother?”
“Usually around seven to nine months he will stop nursing.”
“Will he stay with her?”
“He’ll stay close until he’s weaned, then he won’t need his mom anymore.”
After that, Rhett remained quiet until we got to the campground and continued his silence as we toured the cabins and other areas of the camp. We ended the tour in the main building’s living room.
“What do you think, Rhett?” I asked. “Would you like to attend camp here this summer?”
He smiled up at me. “Will you be here every day?”
“Yep. And your father will be in and out, as well.”
Rhett looked around the large room before finally facing his father. “So not all kids need their mother?”
Levi’s brows drew down. “What are you talking about, Rhett?”
“You said the colt won’t need his mother after he’s weaned. Does that mean I’ve been weaned from my mom? So I don’t need a mother anymore?”
I could see the instant his son’s words registered. The pain on Levi’s face nearly caused me to cry. I slowly started to back out of the room, thinking this was a moment for father and son, but Levi caught my eye and shook his head.
“No, please stay.”
Nodding, I sat down on a love seat and watched as Levi took his son’s hand and walked him over to a larger sofa. They sat, and Levi drew in a deep breath before slowly letting it out.
“Rhett, no matter how old we get, our parents—both mothers and fathers—play a very important role in our lives. I still need my parents sometimes. Like when we decided to move here to River Falls. They said we could stay with them until we found a place of our own. I go to them for advice, or when I’m feeling sad. They’re also some of the first people I want to share any happy news with.”
Rhett looked down at the floor. “Then how come my mommy doesn’t want me anymore?”
The saying “felt like my heart broke in two” had never been more real to me than in that moment. I wanted to walk over, sweep that child up into my arms, and hug him hard.
“Your mother does want you, Rhett. She’s just in a really bad place right now.”
“’Cause of Brooke?” he asked.
Levi nodded. “She’s really sad still. She’s kind of lost right now.”
“I’m sad still. And I know you’re sad still. I hear you talking to Brooke sometimes, and then I hear you cry.”
Tears filled my eyes. Oh gosh. Oh gosh. I shouldn’t be here.
I started to stand, but Levi shot me a look, and I sat back down. I quickly wiped my tears from my cheeks.
“I am sad still, and so are Grammy and Grandpa. Your mom, though, well…she was in the car when the accident happened, and she’s having a tough time with that.”
“’Cause it was her fault?”