Page 117 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“She told me she was going to when I saw her earlier. Was that okay?”

“It was more than okay. I love your mom. I needed the visit with her. Hazel used to be my touchstone when I needed motherly love, but it was all long distance because of my parents. I never let myself think about how hard it was without a loving mom to help me through life and motherhood. But when your mom hugs me, it brings it all home, and I realize how much I really missed not having one.” She got teary and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m just overtired.”

He drew her into his arms and held her. “You’re scared, love, and that’s okay.” He kissed the top of her head.

She gazed up at him. “Are you scared?”

“I’d have to be heartless not to be.” He tucked her beneath his arm again, and they walked along the grass.

“Your mom told me you’ve been talking to doctors.”

“I have.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

He hugged her against his side. “Because we don’t know what we’re dealing with yet. I don’t need to fill your head with potential treatment plans and possible outcomes that may never be necessary.” He kissed her temple.

“Then why do all that research?”

“Because I can’t control the outcome, and I had to do something.”

She rested her head against him as they walked, her heart hurting for both of them.

“Know what that research taught me?” he asked.

“What?”

“To be grateful for every minute we have together, every smile, every time you give me a look like I’m out of my mind or Lucas rolls his eyes and grumbles whatever.”

“Does that mean you’re worried we’ll get bad news?”

“No, darlin’. It means I never want to take my forever girl or our beautiful son for granted. Let’s leave the worrying for when we see the doctor and spend the time we have thinking happier thoughts.”

God, she loved him. She’d been so lost in worry, she never would have thought of taking a walk. But as they walked across the grass, talking and soaking in the afternoon sun, gazing out at the mountains in the distance, she realized his calming presence, and getting away from the place she’d been stewing, was exactly the comfort she needed.

By the time Lucas got home from school, she felt more at ease.

Lucas was thrilled to find the cookies she’d baked, and as he chowed down on them, he said, “All we need is some Dr Pepper, and this would be perfect.”

“We’ll pick you up some on the way to the doctor’s office,” Seeley promised. “But we better get going so we’re not late.”

“Okay.” He grabbed a few cookies, and as he put them in a napkin, he said, “Layla and I are going to hang out on Halloween, and her mom said she’d take us shopping sometime to get costumes.”

“That sounds fun,” Juliette said, and they headed out.

As they climbed into Seeley’s truck, Lucas said, “I did something today.”

“That sounds nefarious,” Seeley said. “Should we be concerned?”

“What kind of thing?” Juliette asked.

“I asked Layla to the Snow Ball.”

Seeley cocked a brow, eyeing him in the rearview mirror. “That’s not code for something dirty, is it?”

“Seeley,” Juliette chided.

“What? Do you know all the teen slang these days?” he asked.