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)
“Em?”
Levi’s voice caused me to jerk, and I looked over at him. “Yes?”
He chuckled. “You were a million miles away. I said your name like three times.”
“Oh, sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind with the camp starting soon.”
He smiled, and I had to tear my eyes away from his mouth. When my gaze met his, I cleared my throat and focused back on my food.
“Are you excited about helping out, or is it more of a hardship?” I asked before taking a bite of my lasagna.
“It’s not a hardship at all. I’m actually looking forward to camp. Rhett is, as well.”
I glanced at Rhett, who was engaged in a very animated conversation with Gatlin.
Laughing, I motioned to them. “He really likes Gatlin.”
Levi grinned. “He loves all of you guys.”
“I thought he was going to sit next to me. He asked if anyone was sitting there.”
“Really?” Levi asked, glancing at his son, then back to me. “I have a sneaky feeling he wants us to be more than friends.”
Coughing, I quickly grabbed my water.
Levi laughed softly. “Don’t worry. I think it’s just a phase he’s going through. The therapist, back in Denver, said that Rhett’s worried about my happiness.”
Studying Rhett, I ached for the little guy. He had such a tender heart. “That’s got to be hard on a kid who’s only six. To worry about his parents, I mean.”
Levi nodded but didn’t say anything.
The rest of the meal was filled with different conversations between smaller groups. Levi and Gatlin started talking about the cattle ranch, while my grandfather Gus, Caden, and my father discussed buying a new tractor. My mother, grandmother Nellie, and Ensley were chatting about one of the horses Ensley had recently shoed, and how she needed to be rehomed.
When I looked over at Rhett, he smiled at me before shoving a forkful of salad into his mouth. I returned the gesture and sat back in my chair, quietly observing everyone.
“What about you, Em?” Levi asked.
Setting my glass of wine back on the table, I glanced at him. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening to what you were talking about.”
Gatlin replied first. “Levi was saying he thinks we should do a clinic at the ranch.”
“A clinic?” My gaze bounced between Gatlin and Levi. “What kind of clinic?”
Levi wiped his mouth and set his napkin on the table. “Something that focuses on the production side of cattle ranching. Topics could be about bovine reproduction, artificial insemination, health, and nutrition. You could have them throughout the year as well since guests wouldn’t be at the mercy of a school schedule.”
Gatlin nodded his head and pointed his fork at me. “We could do it for the equine side of the ranch, as well. A riding and horsemanship clinic. We could teach about breeding and raising horses skilled in working cattle. Ensley can even teach a farrier clinic.”
Levi added, “For people who are interested in hoof care. She could talk about how to become a farrier, what her day is like, advanced shoeing techniques.”
“What are we talking about?” Ensley asked from down the table.
“Levi has some great ideas about teaching clinics,” Caden stated, obviously already aware of Levi’s thoughts.
My father leaned back in his seat. “That sounds interesting.”
“Caden and I were talking about it. It would be another way to bring income to the ranch,” Levi said, looking from my father to me. “I was wanting to get your input as well, Emeline, since some classes might be a few days, and people would be staying in the cabins.”
“I think it’s a great idea,” my mother put in before I could reply.
Panic was suddenly setting in…panic that these clinics could push out the summer camps since those would be for profit and my camps obviously aren’t.
Gatlin looked at our father. “Dad, you talked about possibly starting clinics before, remember that?”
He nodded. “It was something that your uncle Mike pushed for years ago.”
“That’s right,” Caden said. “I remember him talking about it.”
“What about the camps? I wanted to do a camp in August for kids with special needs.”
All eyes shot to me.
My mother smiled. “We would never stop the camps, Emeline. But you have to admit, they are getting smaller and they’re only two weeks out of the year. The rest of the time the cabins sit empty unless rented out. And if we can use the cabins to generate more income, that would benefit not only the ranch, but the camps and the Christmas event as well. I’ve also been meaning to talk to you about the camp for kids with special needs. The idea is amazing, and one I don’t want to push aside, but I think it’s going to take a bit more research than we thought. At least, according to the lawyers. We have to make sure we have everything covered. It’s a very high-liability situation, and one that I don’t want to rush into too quickly.”