Page 131 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“We thank our lucky stars every day that you and Lucas are back where you belong,” Wynnie said.

Doc slid his arm around Juliette, hugging her against his side, and said, “They’ll never be alone again.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

LUCAS HADN’T BEEN too nervous when they first arrived at the hospital, but by the time he had his pre-treatment blood drawn and they finally got to the infusion room, he was trembling. The nurse was wonderfully patient, and she explained everything step by step, which helped. Lucas handled it like a champ, but Juliette couldn’t claim the same.

Seeing the son she’d spent her life trying to protect hooked up to an IV in a fight against a disease they’d never seen coming brought a vast range of emotions, from grief to anger and everything in between. But none was stronger than the hope in her heart. It helped that Seeley was there with them, making sure they were comfortable, offering to get them food and drinks, and trying to distract them, and probably himself, from what they were feeling. He kept the conversations light and positive, suggesting they plan another camping trip for the spring and talking about the upcoming holidays.

Lucas was quiet on the way home, and when they pulled up in front of their house, Juliette swore there was a collective sigh of relief.

“One treatment down,” she said as they climbed out of Seeley’s truck. She noticed Seeley and Lucas exchanging a glance she couldn’t read. “What?”

“What, what?” Lucas snapped.

“Never mind,” she said, wondering if she was seeing things. “Long morning.”

Seeley grabbed the bags they’d brought to his house for the weekend and slung his arm over her shoulder. “Now you can relax.”

“We all can,” she said as they headed up to the house.

Her thoughts stumbled when they reached the porch. Hanging from the rafters was a gorgeous, and enormous, porch swing, with a blue cushion along the seat and several colorful throw pillows. “What is that?”

“It’s your new porch swing,” Seeley said. “Cowboy and Dare set it up while we were at the hospital.”

“It’s gorgeous, but it’s more like a swinging couch,” she said with awe. “I’ve never seen one so big.”

“We made it extra-long and deep so we could all fit,” Seeley said. “We’re going to make one for my place, too.”

“You guys made it?” She looked at them with disbelief. “This is what you’ve been working on?”

“It was Doc’s idea,” Lucas said flatly.

“But it was Lucas’s design, and he worked really hard to get it done for you today,” Seeley said.

“Lucas…?” she said with utter astonishment.

He pushed his hands into his pockets, his shoulders rising in a shrug, a smile finally curving his lips. “I know how hard all of this is for you. I wanted you to have something to be happy about when we got home.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” Tears sprang to her eyes. With all he was going through, he was worried about her happiness? “I love it, but knowing you’re getting the treatment you need to be healthy is the only gift I need to be happy.” She hugged him. “I love you so much. Thank you.”

“I love you, too. I’m kind of tired. I’m going to lie down for a while.”

“You don’t want to try out the swing first?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Maybe later. Hey, Doc, would it be too much trouble for you to bring the dogs over?”

“I’ll be happy to. I need to check on the horses anyway.”

“Thanks.”

“Let me know if you need anything, honey,” Juliette said as Lucas headed inside. She wrapped her arms around Seeley, smiling up at him. “You guys are sneaky. Thank you for thinking of me.”

“I’m always thinking of you, but the swing was also for Lucas. Tiny suggested he might need a purpose. Something to focus on other than treatments, and he was right.”

Her heart took another hit. “Well, Dr. Whiskey, he’s seemed so depressed lately, the last few weeks have rarely pulled a smile from him, and he just gifted us one. I think it was exactly what he needed today, too.”

“And that smile on your face tells me it was what you needed, too.”