Page 104 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“No.” Lucas looked at Doc. “He’s cool. Besides, he is my father. It’d be weird if you were kissing some other dude.”

Relief swamped Doc, and he laughed. “Thanks, bud.”

“Thank goodness.” Juliette got up and hugged Lucas.

“Mom,” he complained, and everyone laughed.

Juliette headed back to her chair as Birdie breezed into the group wearing high-waisted floral bell-bottoms and a sleeveless peach crop top, carrying a small bag from her chocolate shop. “Sorry I’m so late. I can’t believe I missed dinner and paintball!” She planted a hand on her hip, her gaze trailing around the fire and landing on Lucas. “Aha! There’s my cutie-pie nephew!” She strutted over to Lucas, who was kind of checking her out, and said, “Hi! I’m Birdie, your coolest aunt!”

“Hey.”

“Don’t hey, me. I’ve missed out on fifteen years of hugs. Stand up and give me a hug like a cool nephew.” She waggled the bag. “I brought you chocolate.”

“You are a cool aunt.” Lucas stood and hugged her.

“The coolest,” she corrected. “I wasn’t sure if you were allergic to anything. I stayed away from nuts, but are you allergic to anything? Tell me now before you eat something you shouldn’t.”

“I’m not.”

“Good!” she exclaimed. “There’s a bunch of different chocolates in there. If you have a favorite, tell your aunt Birdie, and I’ll hook you up. But if you hate them all, you can either lie to me or show up at my chocolate shop and we’ll make something you love.”

“That’s awesome,” Lucas said. “Thank you.”

“I think Aunt Birdie wants you to share those with your mom,” Juliette said.

Lucas flashed a grin. “I think Doc can afford to buy you your own chocolates.”

Everyone laughed.

“You’re gonna fit right in here,” Birdie said.

“He already does,” Dare said.

There was a flurry of conversation, as Birdie talked a mile a minute, asking Lucas how he liked the ranch and chatting about everything he’d seen and done, bringing everyone else into the conversation. She asked if Doc was annoying when he gave him driving lessons, and Doc was glad to hear Lucas say he wasn’t, but Birdie proceeded to tell Lucas stories about when Doc had taken her driving and had apparently annoyed the heck out of her.

“You did everything you could to push my buttons,” Doc chimed in.

“Well, duh,” Birdie said. “I had to entertain myself somehow.” She continued her inquisition as she made s’mores, egging on Lucas to eat the ones she burned.

Lucas didn’t seem to mind.

“So, when can we see you on the back of a bull?” Birdie asked.

“Yeah, when can we?” Sasha asked.

“I would like to see you ride, too, son,” Tiny said. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen a competition.”

“Can I go, too?” Gus asked.

“Of course, buddy,” Ezra said.

“We’d like to cheer you on,” Sully said. “Right, Callahan?”

Cowboy nodded. “Absolutely.”

“Really? All of you?” Lucas’s eyes brightened.

Everyone talked at once, excited to see him ride. Doc’s emotions were running high, and Juliette appeared just as delighted. Leaning closer in his chair, he hugged her against his side.