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)
“Just because you and I have had bad experiences doesn’t mean that all women are that way.”
Caden stopped walking and turned to me. “Would you have married Caroline if she hadn’t been pregnant?”
No one had ever asked me that question, but I knew plenty of people had wanted to over the years. My parents topping the list.
I pushed a hand through my hair and looked down the aisle of the barn. The smell of horse manure and hay filled my nostrils. I wanted to close my eyes and take it in. Instead, I focused on my best friend again. The guy I’d told everything to my entire life.
I let out a breath and shook my head. “No, I wouldn’t have. Truth be told, we probably would have broken up eventually. We were just two different people who wanted two different things in life when it came down to it.”
“You told me that night you got wasted, when you found out Caroline was pregnant, that you were positive she got pregnant on purpose. How did you know?”
My hand rubbed at the back of my neck as I looked into his eyes. “We were starting to grow apart, and she got paranoid that I was cheating on her at school. She later told me she panicked and stopped taking her birth control pills. Said it was the only way she could make sure we stayed together.”
“She told you she got pregnant on purpose?”
I nodded. “Yeah, after Rhett was born. Claimed she wanted to come clean about it and start fresh. I did love her, don’t get me wrong. Would I have asked her to marry without the pregnancy?” I shrugged. “I don’t think so, Caden. I really don’t, even though we had a lot of good times. And we weren’t planning on having any more kids. Brooke was a happy accident. Then things changed between us, but I didn’t think it was anything any other couple might experience. Until we started fighting all the time. I asked her for a divorce the day she got into the car accident. That’s what we were fighting about.”
“Jesus. I’m sorry, Levi.”
With a half shrug, I attempted a smile. “It’s not like it’s your fault.”
“Yeah, but I knew she liked me way back when, and I kind of pushed her in your direction to get her off my back.”
Smiling for real now, I replied, “I wouldn’t have Rhett or Brooke if you hadn’t done that.” A sudden pain pierced my heart. “Or at least, wouldn’t have had Brooke for the short amount of time that I did.”
Caden drew in a deep breath and let it out. We heard voices and turned to see Mrs. Wilde, Caden’s mother, talking to his youngest sister, Emeline.
A strange sensation filled my chest at the sight of the latter.
“Just the person we were looking for!” Caden said, hitting me on the back and walking toward his sister.
Emeline called out to her mother, then turned and stilled when she saw us. Her smile slowly fell, replaced by a look of shock.
I hadn’t ever come across Caden’s sister on my trips back home to River Falls. She was either in college or off doing something whenever I was in town. Now, looking at her, I was stunned to see the young girl who used to chase us around the ranch, begging us to let her hang out, was now a grown woman. And a beautiful one at that.
“Look who I found!” Caden stated.
As we drew closer, I could see Emeline’s beautiful blue eyes sparkle.
“Hey, Em.”
Her cheeks turned a slight shade of pink as she watched us approach. “Levi! What are you doing here?” She closed her eyes and gave a brief shake of her head before focusing back on me and giving me a bright smile. “I mean, it’s wonderful to see you.”
She stepped forward and hugged me. A strong smell of vanilla with a hint of lemon penetrated my senses, and memories of a younger Emeline flooded my mind. She’d always had a smile on her face, and if she wasn’t riding a horse, she was usually talking about them.
After giving me a slight squeeze, she stepped back. “I was so sorry to hear about Brooke. I hope you and Caroline got my card.”
I nodded. “We did. And the flowers at the memorial were kind of you.”
“It was the least I could do. Are you and Caroline in town visiting your folks?”
I shook my head. “I’ve moved back to River Falls.”
Her brows shot up. “You have?” Turning to Caden, she said, “You didn’t mention anything about Levi moving back.”
Caden held up his hands in defense. “I just found out not that long ago myself.”
She smiled at her brother, then turned back to me. “So, what made you guys decide to move back?”
Caden and I exchanged a quick look. “I just decided that Rhett and I needed a fresh start elsewhere, especially since he’s been having a difficult time adjusting to the loss of Brooke.”