Page 129 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“Wimp, huh? We’ll see who the wimp is when you’re stuck alone in the dark.” He took the flashlight from Lucas. “Time for some flashlight tag.”

“Yes!” Lucas popped to his feet. “I’ve never played. Are there rules?”

“Yeah. No phone flashlights, and whoever is it counts to twenty-five before searching.” Seeley handed Juliette the flashlight and said, “You’re it. Let’s go, Lucas!”

Juliette was still processing what Lucas had said, but as they took off running, their voices and Lucas’s laughter cut through the air, embracing her like a gift. A gift. That was exactly what Lucas’s shocking story was. He was dealing with his disease after all, and that gave her a little window of hope that he wouldn’t push them, and everyone else, away completely.

Chapter Thirty-Three

“DOC, WAKE UP.”

Doc startled awake at Lucas’s whisper and sat up. “What’s wrong?” It was Monday. Lucas had gotten a port put in his chest on Friday, and they’d stayed at Doc’s for the weekend. He was starting chemotherapy in a few hours.

“Nothing,” he whispered. “It’s five o’clock. We gotta go work on our project.”

Doc realized he was already dressed in a hoodie and jeans. “Buddy, we’ve got to be at the hospital in a few hours for your first treatment. Sure you don’t want a break?” They’d worked on the swing a few nights last week and again Saturday and Sunday mornings. One of the swings was almost finished.

“Yes. I want to finish one in case I get too sick to help.”

Doc’s chest constricted. Last night when Lucas asked if they could stay at the ranch for one more night, Doc had thought he was just tired. Now he understood his real motivation. “A’right.”

“I already put the dogs out. Meet me downstairs in five, and be careful not to wake Mom,” Lucas whispered, and headed for the door.

Doc grinned at his parroted words as Lucas walked out, closing the door behind him.

“He’s as bossy as you are,” Juliette said sleepily, rolling over onto her stomach.

Lucas had been so sullen and withdrawn lately, Doc had been worried about how stressed Juliette was. He’d surprised her with a massage at a local salon yesterday and had gifted Sasha and each of the girls the same, so she wouldn’t be able to beg out of it.

“I love that about him.” He nuzzled against her neck. “How’s my girl this morning?”

“Nervous and worried, but hopeful.”

“He’s going to be okay, darlin’. I can feel it.” He kissed her cheek. “Love you. Try to go back to sleep. We’ll meet you at the main house for breakfast at seven.”

Ten minutes later, he and Lucas were heading down to the workshop with the dogs. Lucas was bundled up in a hoodie under his jacket, but Doc ran hot, and he was fine in a Henley under his flannel shirt.

November had blown into Hope Valley with brisk air, clear skies, and worried hearts. Lucas had gotten his port installed the morning of Halloween and had wanted to lie low. Doc helped run the Dark Knights’ Trunk and Treat event, as he did every year, and Juliette and Lucas had stopped by, but they didn’t stay long.

Lucas had been pretty quiet all weekend, which wasn’t surprising, since he was on the cusp of starting treatment. Juliette offered to pick up Layla so they could spend some time together, but Lucas said she was busy. It had been weeks since they’d seen each other outside of school, but Kenny came by and hung out with him for a little while yesterday. That seemed to do him some good, but what helped the most was their family rallying around them. They kept mealtimes light and fun in the big house, spent time playing with the dogs, and kept their evenings low-key.

“How’re you feeling?” Doc asked as they crossed the lawn toward the workshop.

“Scared, but don’t tell Mom, okay?”

Glad Lucas was comfortable enough to tell him the truth, and wishing he could take that fear away, Doc agreed. “Are you afraid it’ll hurt?”

“Not really. I read about other kids who have gone through it. They all say different things, but nobody said it hurt.”

Doc had figured he’d be reading up on it online. “What did they say?”

He shrugged. “Some say they had more energy afterward because of the medicine they gave them with the chemo, and others said they went home and slept. I don’t really know what I’m afraid of. I’m just scared.”

Doc slung an arm over his shoulder. “It’s okay to be scared. We’re all a little scared, but we know you’re going to be okay.”

He nodded. “Ninety percent chance.”

“You’re going to be fine, Lucas. You might get sick and tired, and you might lose your hair, but you’re going to come out the other side of this, and you’re going to have a long, happy life driving me and your mom crazy.”