Page 68 of Wilde Ride

My eyes caught Ensley’s. She smiled softly and motioned for me to join her in the kitchen. “If we’re done, I’m going to clear the table.”

I stood quickly. “I’ll help.”

Mom stood as well, but Ensley told her and Grams to sit back down. “Emeline and I have it. You two relax.”

Picking up my plate, I forced another smile. “Anyone else finished?”

Levi went to stand. I put my hand on his shoulder. “You’re a guest. Please, keep chatting. Ensley and I will take care of this.”

“Thank you, girls,” Mom said with a slightly concerned smile.

After grabbing a few plates, I followed my sister to the kitchen. Ensley put her dishes on the counter, turned to me, and sighed.

“Emeline, what was that all about?”

Setting the dishes in the sink, I leaned against the counter. Tears pricked at the back of my eyes. Looking into my sister’s gaze, I whispered the words I’d tried to deny for so many years.

“I think I’m in love with Levi. No, I know I am—and I don’t know what to do about it. Now I feel like everything I’ve worked for is slowly slipping from my hands.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh shit. I need Mom for this one.”

Levi

Once Emeline and Ensley headed to the kitchen, I said, “I didn’t mean to make Emeline upset, or make her think I don’t care about the camps.”

Vivianne waved off my concern. “Emeline lives, eats, and breathes those camps. She has since she was young, and I think for a moment she thought we were going to phase them out.”

“I didn’t mean to suggest that at all.”

Ladd shook his head. “You didn’t. Emeline has always dreamed big, and I love that about her. But the truth of the matter is, it’s getting more expensive to run the camps since we don’t charge the campers. Her idea for a camp for kids with special needs is amazing, but would cost even more to run.”

“Have you ever thought of opening them up to paid campers?” I asked.

Nellie shook her head. “That isn’t why we started the camps. It was never about making a profit off of them. The need is diminishing; therefore, the camps are shrinking. That, in itself, is a good thing. That means fewer kids are growing up in poverty in River Falls, and there are fewer kids at River Haven, which is a community goal we’re very proud of. The clinics are a great idea, Levi.”

“I agree,” Ladd said. “Gatlin, Caden…get with your uncles Mike and David. Put your heads together and come up with a business plan. Then we can all meet. Levi, I’d love to have your input as well. I think it would be advantageous to have a vet on hand for some of these clinics.”

I nodded. “I agree, and I’m here to help in any way I can.”

Ensley entered the room and went straight to her mother. She bent down, whispering something into her ear.

Vivianne stood. “Excuse me a moment.”

Turning to Caden, I said, “If I upset your sister in any way, I won’t forgive myself.”

“You didn’t.”

“Maybe I should go talk to her.”

“I think something else is bothering her. My mother and sister can handle it.”

Gatlin and Ladd started to clear the rest of the table. I stood and offered to help.

“Nonsense,” Nellie said. “Let’s head into the living room.”

Gus helped his wife up, and they motioned for Rhett to follow. Moose was stuck to Rhett’s side like glue, and I knew my son was loving it.

Once it was just me and Caden in the dining room, I raised a brow. “What was that really about, man?”