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)
“Of course! That’s why I’m so thankful you’re here. But first, let’s get your stuff to your cabin, and then you can start helping me.”
Rhett hugged Emeline, then stepped back. “I’ll be the best helper ever!”
Moose barked, and we all laughed.
“Moose and I both know you will be.”
Before I could reach for his stuff, Rhett tossed the sleeping bag over his shoulder, reached for his bag, and said, “Let’s go, Dad! I need to help Ms. Emeline.”
As we put Rhett’s things away, a few more kids came into the cabin. Jimmy was one of the kids, and he lit up when he saw Rhett.
“You’re in my cabin!”
The two boys exchanged excited bouts of running around before they were seated on Rhett’s bed, and he was telling my son all about horses.
An older woman, maybe in her late fifties, walked up to me. “Jimmy and his sister Katie love horses. They haven’t been with us long at River Haven.”
“What happened to their parents?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the boys.
“They passed away in a boating accident. No living relatives on either side.”
Turning to look at her, I asked, “Were they from River Falls?”
She nodded, then faced me. Holding out her hand, she smiled. “I’m so sorry, I’m Leanne Rogers. I’m the director at River Haven.”
“Levi Tucker, that’s my son, Rhett. I’ve known the Wildes pretty much my entire life. Caden Wilde and I are best friends.”
Leanne grinned as she shook my hand. “I know your father. He donates to River Haven often, and we appreciate it very much.”
“Sounds like my father. I’ll be taking over his practice, and I can assure you, that means carrying on with his dedication to helping the community.”
She gave me a nod. “That’s appreciated.”
I looked back at Jimmy. “Do you mind if I ask who his parents were?”
“Jim and Lori Mills.”
The ground felt like it shifted under my feet. I’d known them both in high school. Played football with Jim, and had even taken Lori out a few times.
“But…Jim and Lori both had parents here in River Falls.”
Leanne sighed. “All deceased. Jimmy and Katie were living with their maternal grandparents after their parents’ accident, but both ended up getting very sick and passed within a few months of one another.”
Caden walked into the cabin, smiling when he saw Rhett sitting with Jimmy and another little boy, who must have come in when I wasn’t paying attention.
“Looks like Rhett and Jimmy are hitting it off.”
Frowning at Caden, I asked, “Why didn’t you tell me Jim and Lori Mills passed away?”
His smile faded. “It happened almost the same time as Brooke. I didn’t want to bring you more bad news. I thought I did tell you, though. I’m sorry about that.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s okay.” More senseless death.
“Brooke?” Leanne asked.
Caden gave me an apologetic look.
“My daughter. She passed away in a car accident earlier this year.”
Leanne’s face went from curious to stunned to sympathetic all within a few seconds. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.”
Clearing her throat, Leanne said, “I’d better go see who else I can get settled. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Tucker.”
Tipping my hat at her, I replied, “The pleasure was all mine.”
Two teen boys entered the cabin, introduced themselves, and said they were camp counselors assigned to this cabin and the one next door. They were both high school seniors and had been volunteering at the camp for the past five years.
The cabins were all named after constellations, which paired with the fact that all the horses were named after stars and constellations. Rhett was in Orion. I’d heard Jimmy tell Rhett that his sister, Katie, was in Aquarius.
Caden and I slipped out so the counselors could get things going with the kids. I waved goodbye to Rhett, who waved back. He looked so happy. I had a strong feeling this camp was going to be better for him than I’d even initially thought.
The rest of the day was filled with what some might call organized chaos. The kids spent time with their cabinmates, getting to know each other. Then, after lunch, they all gathered in the camp’s central area and started playing games. The older kids helped the younger ones when needed. The laughter alone was enough to make anyone’s bad day better.
Even Caden, who was a grump to the highest level, got in on the action. It was nice to see him laughing and enjoying himself. The only time he seemed unhappy was when Lilibeth was around. She was also volunteering today, and I swore I saw her everywhere. Her long blonde hair was in a single braid with flowers woven through the length. She practically beamed happiness, which was the opposite of Caden.
They ended up having to partner in the three-legged race, and you would have thought Caden had been paired up with the devil himself, given how he acted.