Page 106 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

As commotion rang out, Doc pulled Juliette closer, whispering, “Our wedding will be even more romantic.”

He kept her close, her eyes widening with surprise, as he’d known they would. But he could no sooner hold that truth back than he could keep from falling head over boots in love with her all over again.

“Wipe that look off your face, Peaches.” He brushed his lips over hers, whispering, “You know you’re going to be my wife one day,” and he sealed those plans with a kiss.

Chapter Twenty-Six

THE CARLISLE RANCH was bustling the afternoon of the rodeo competition. Crowds enjoyed a variety of food vendors, games for kids, live music, and dancing. The arena was packed, the anticipation palpable, as Lucas and the other young riders prepared to compete. Lucas would be competing in barrel racing, bareback bronc riding, and bull riding, and he was stoked. True to their promises, all of the Whiskeys showed up to cheer him on, along with Kenny, who had made fast friends with Lucas the night of the bonfire two weeks ago, and Layla. They’d gone to see Layla’s competition last weekend. Lucas had proudly cheered her on and had been raving about her win ever since.

Juliette was elated to see so many people there to support him. She hadn’t made it to the stands yet. She’d wished Lucas luck and hugged him, telling him how great he was going to do, while silently praying he wouldn’t break his neck. Now she was waiting for Seeley, who was talking with him and Buck.

With the exception of last Saturday morning when Seeley had the ride and rally before the Ride Clean event, he’d been to all of Lucas’s practices the last two weeks. With some prodding from Lucas, he’d also managed to take him driving six times. On three of those occasions, they’d ended up calling Juliette to meet them at the ranch for their big family dinners.

Lucas was loving spending more time there. Juliette hadn’t realized how much he’d needed a bigger circle. They’d met Seeley after the ride and rally, and while he oversaw events, Lucas had hung out with Kenny and Layla, and Juliette had spent time helping the girls with the events they were managing. Lucas had his first motocross lesson last Sunday, and of course her young adrenaline junkie was hooked. He even got Seeley on a bike, which Billie said was a miracle. Motocross had never been Seeley’s thing. But she had a feeling nothing was off-limits for him when it came to spending time with Lucas.

She looked for them now, but they were no longer where they’d been talking with Buck. She spotted Lucas and Seeley having a private, and what looked like a serious, conversation. Seeley was standing in front of Lucas with one hand on Lucas’s shoulder. She wondered what was being said, but she wasn’t worried. So much had changed the last few weeks, she knew whatever it was, Seeley was handling it with equal amounts of tact and love. He’d become Lucas’s other person—the loving, protective father she’d always known he’d be—and because of that, Lucas was thriving.

They all were.

That was why she was so torn. She desperately wanted her father to pay for what he’d done, for the years she, Seeley, and Lucas had lost and the trauma he’d put them through. Two weeks ago, she’d asked Seeley not to make a move because Lucas was having such a hard time. Now she didn’t want him to call Reggie because Lucas was finally settling in.

Was this the universe’s way of telling her there were more important things to worry about than vengeance?

Seeley and Lucas looked over, drawing her from her thoughts.

She smiled at them, feeling like the luckiest woman on earth, despite what her father had put them through. She had a second chance with the man she adored, and he and their son were finally right where they belonged. Together.

She went to them, needing to give Lucas one last hug for good luck. “I love you so much, and I’m so proud of you.” She squeezed him a little tighter before letting go. “Go out there and show them what you’re made of.”

“I will.” He looked out at the stands and waved to everyone who had come to see him.

They all waved back, and Layla and Kenny held up a banner they must have brought with them that read Let’s Go, Rodeo! Layla shouted, “You’ve got this, Rodeo!” The nickname Tiny had coined for him had caught on, and Lucas answered to it proudly.

His fist shot up in the air victoriously, but it was his heart-stopping, ear-to-ear smile and the memories of her and Seeley doing practically the same thing in this very arena a lifetime ago that had Juliette reaching for Seeley’s hand, praying Layla wouldn’t be too big of a distraction for Lucas while he was riding.

“Lucas, remember what I told you,” Seeley said firmly.

Lucas nodded curtly. “I’ve got this. Don’t worry.” He headed for his coach.

“What did you tell him?” Juliette asked as they headed for the stands.

“To keep his mind on the bull, not his girl.”

“Good, but that’s probably easier said than done at his age. Should I be worried? Because I am.”

“Nope. When you used to watch me, I wanted to impress you, and I was even more focused on staying on the bull. When I told him to keep his mind on the bull, he said nothing was going to stop him from winning.” He leaned down and kissed her. “Then he said he had big boots to fill.”

She melted inside and stopped in her tracks. “He said that?”

“Yeah,” he said with an almost silent laugh, and pulled her into his arms. “I think we’re almost over the hump, darlin’.”

“I hope you’re right, but he is a teenager, so let’s not count our chickens yet.”

“I’m counting mine. Every damn one of them.” He kissed her again.

Birdie hollered, “Get a room!”

They made their way over to sit with the others.