Page 132 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

She went up on her toes and kissed him. “Will you try it out with me?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

They climbed the porch steps, and he put his arm around her as they sank into the cushions. She rested her head on the front of his shoulder and put her hand on his leg with a sigh. “This brings back memories.”

“Try to keep your hands to yourself this time,” he teased. “I wouldn’t want Lucas to catch you feeling me up.”

“Fine. How about my lips?” She got up and straddled his lap, smiling down at him.

Heat flared in his eyes, and he threaded his fingers into her hair, drawing her lips closer to his. “I think you mean my lips, darlin’.” He nipped at her lower lip, giving it a gentle tug with his teeth, sending desire skittering through her. “And I never want you to keep them to yourself.”

AFTER SEELEY LEFT to pick up the dogs, Juliette answered the group texts that had come in from his family, updating them on how the treatment had gone and sharing that Lucas was resting. Then she went inside and checked on him.

He’d dozed off, so she brought a blanket outside and snuggled under it with her feet tucked beside her on the swing like she used to. She sat there for a long time, thinking about not only the last few months, but her life and all that she’d been through. It still hurt to think about how all the people she should have been able to trust had deceived her. But she’d made the right decision not going after her father. It would have upended their lives even more, and none of them needed that.

She looked out at the barn, remembering how her grandmother had taught her about horses. Hazel was a tough lady. “I miss you,” Juliette whispered. “I wish you were here to see how brave Lucas is and to see me and Seeley back together after all this time. I’m scared for Lucas but hopeful. I’m sad for what he’s going through, but I’m happy our family is finally together. You should see him with Seeley, Gram. Seeley is an amazing father, and I think Lucas needed him more than I ever knew.”

She drew in a deep breath. “These last several weeks were harder than everything I ever went through with my parents put together. I don’t think I could’ve gotten through them if you hadn’t taught me to be strong. Who am I kidding? I couldn’t have gotten through the last sixteen years without you telling me I could do it. I wish I’d visited you more often. I hate that I let my fear of my father keep me away. I hope you know how much I love you and how much I appreciate everything you have ever done for me.”

A gust of wind swept over her cheeks like a caress, and she closed her eyes, her grandmother’s voice tiptoeing through her mind. I love you, too, Juliegirl. She smiled into the breeze, goose bumps rising on her arms. “I love you, Gram.”

The sound of a horse galloping brought her eyes open, and she saw Layla riding toward the house from one of the trails. She pushed to her feet, hoping Lucas had reached out to her. She waved to Layla and heard a truck pulling down the driveway. It was Seeley.

Juliette looked up at the sky. “Why do I feel like you had a hand in this?”

Seeley climbed out of the truck, and the dogs bounded toward the house. She loved them up as Seeley strode toward her with a duffel over one shoulder, carrying a deep, covered crock. Layla slowed her horse to a walk, and the dogs ran toward her.

Seeley whistled, commanding, “Here,” and the dogs doubled back to him. He gave Juliette a curious look that she knew was about Layla’s arrival.

She tried to silently relay that she was just as curious.

He nodded and held up the crock. “Dwight made Lucas chicken and dumplings.”

“That was nice of him.” She came off the porch as Layla dismounted. “Hi, Layla.”

“Hi, Dr. C. Hi, Doc,” she said sweetly, looking cute in jeans, a tan sweater, and a down vest. “How’s Lucas?”

“He’s doing well, resting,” Juliette said.

“Would it be okay if I talked to him for a minute?” she asked.

“He’s in his room. Let me make sure he’s up to company,” Juliette said. “You can come in and wait inside.”

They headed inside with the dogs and found Lucas coming out of the hall into the living room. Sadie ran to him, but Seeley kept Mighty and Pickles by his side.

Lucas looked tired, but when he saw Layla, he looked a little guilty, too.

“Hi,” Layla said nervously. “I just came by to talk to you for a minute.”

“Is that okay, Lucas?” Juliette asked. “If you’re not up to it—”

“It’s fine,” he interrupted, petting Sadie.

“Jule.” Seeley nodded toward the kitchen. “Help me find a place for this?”

“Sure.” She followed him and the dogs into the kitchen.

Seeley set the crock on the counter, told the dogs to sit and stay, and whispered, “Any idea what’s up with them?”