Page 126 of Wilde Ride

Rhett clapped. “Hurry home, Daddy! Hurry home!”

The entire drive from school to home was filled with Rhett talking a mile a minute. He told me what I swore was a play-by-play of his day, from the time he got out of my truck to the moment he got back in.

“Then, Ms. Kennedy told us that we can have guests come eat with us, but they have to go to the office first to make sure they’re allowed to come see us. Will you come eat lunch with me?”

Before I had a chance to answer, Rhett added, “I want Ms. Emeline to come to lunch.” Then, after a moment, “Is it bad that I want her to pretend to be my mommy?”

I looked at Rhett in the rearview mirror. His little innocent face seemed so hopeful. “But Emeline isn’t your mommy, Rhett,” I said gently.

He looked down. “I know. I just wish she was.”

Caroline had made good on her word. She moved to Italy, and I hadn’t heard a single thing from her since. I couldn’t have cared less…but I knew Rhett did. He acted as if he didn’t, but she was still his mother. I’d never forgive her for hurting him the way she had.

I wasn’t sure what to say, so I focused on the road. I’d have to ask my parents for some advice in this particular area of parenting.

I clicked the gate remote and waited for it to open.

“I can’t wait to see my surprise! Daddy, can you drive faster?”

Laughing, I said, “No, I cannot drive faster.”

We finally pulled up to the house, and I parked outside the garage. Emeline was parked inside, so Rhett wouldn’t know she was here.

I got out and opened the back door for Rhett. He clambered out as I grabbed his backpack.

When he headed for the side door that led into the mudroom, I said, “We’re going to the barn.”

“What about Pip and Bull?”

Pip was Rhett’s kitten, and Bull was his chocolate lab puppy, who was as crazy as hell. He gave Moose a run for his money. They both shared the same father, and they seemed to understand they were brothers. When they were together, they were two peas in a pod.

“I just need to check one thing in the barn, then we’ll go see them.”

Rhett frowned. “Is my surprise in the barn?”

I laughed. “That’s a silly question. Just this one quick thing, I promise.”

Kicking at nothing on the ground, he folded his arms and started walking toward the barn.

“Are you pouting, Rhett?”

“No, sir. I’m just mad.”

I bit back a laugh and walked next to him. “That’s okay if you’re mad.”

“Grammy would tell me to… I can’t think of the word.”

“To be patient?”

He looked up at me. “That’s the word.”

This time, I did chuckle.

We walked into the main entrance of the barn and turned to go down the aisle with the stalls. Once Rhett saw Emeline, he ran toward her.

“Emeline!”

She bent down and caught him right as he launched at her.