Page 3 of Wilde Ride

My mother and father were so impressed that they’d decided it was a great idea, and they presented it, along with me, to my grandparents, Gus and Nellie Wilde. They also loved the idea, and before I knew it, River Falls Cattle Company was the new home of Wonder in the Wilde Summer Camp. The camp was for underprivileged kids who weren’t otherwise able to attend camps due to financial issues at home. My father had the idea of hosting a few events at the ranch to raise money, so the kids wouldn’t have to pay anything at all.

By the time I was fifteen, the cabins had been built with donations from local businesses and private donors, and we hosted our very first summer camp. It’s been a learning experience ever since, and with each passing year, we gain just as much as we give back. The camps are held for one week each, every June and July.

“I wouldn’t miss summer camp if you paid me. It’s my baby.”

He grinned. “I always forget you were the one who came up with that idea at the ripe old age of…fifteen?”

I shook my head. “Thirteen. I was fifteen when we held our first camp.”

Levi snapped his fingers. “That’s right. Your mother always said you had the heart for philanthropy. I love that about you, Em. How you care for others like you do. Don’t ever change that about yourself. Promise me that.”

I felt my cheeks heat as I stared at the ground, then back to meet his light brown gaze. My gaze took in his handsome face. His jawline was strong, his cheekbones defined, his nose pure perfection. Don’t even get me started on his eyelashes. Any woman would kill for them. He always wore a slight stubble on his face that made my fingers itch to touch him.

We stood there for a few moments before I turned and picked up the box. “I’ll walk you back up to the house. I want to put this in my room so nothing happens to it.”

Levi turned, and I took in his muscular build. He wasn’t one of those guys who hit the gym all the time and had muscles that were too big. They were earned by hard work, and Lord, did it show in that T-shirt he was wearing. He got his exercise working on our ranch during the summers and on weekends.

“Sounds good; after you.”

My heart pounded so hard, I could hardly hear a thing, it was so loud in my ears. For some reason I was becoming anxious, and I had no idea why.

“What are your plans for this summer?” I asked as we slowly made our way back up to the house.

He kicked at a rock. “I’m planning on taking Caroline to Belize and asking her to marry me.”

I tripped and nearly dropped the box.

Levi quickly grabbed my arm to steady me. “Whoa, watch out there.”

“Tree root,” I quickly said as I started to walk once again. I looked at him, then focused ahead of me. “You’re asking Caroline to marry you?”

He nodded.

“I thought you were starting vet school this year?”

“I still am, but there’s been a change of plans.”

Stopping, I turned to him. His voice sounded so unsure. I wasn’t positive, but I swore I heard a slight sadness in his tone. “With school?”

He let out a humorless laugh. “No, life.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

Levi glanced around as if making sure no one else was nearby. “Caroline is pregnant. She just found out. I’m going to do the right thing and marry her.”

I sucked in a breath. And before I could think better of it, I asked, “Do you want to marry her?”

“I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t want to marry her, Emeline,” he retorted, his voice cold and distant. Then he closed his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. This wasn’t something I was expecting, that’s all.”

“What about vet school?”

“I’m going to keep going. Caroline and I will be moving into a little house her parents found for us in Fort Collins.”

Of course they did. Caroline’s father would do anything for her.

“Well…that’s good that you can finish out school and still work with your dad.”

He rubbed at the back of his neck, and when his eyes met mine, I felt sick to my stomach.