Page 155 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“Dude, it’s way too early for you to be pulling that crap,” Seeley said.

“Whatever. I’m going to see the horses.”

“If you want to help decorate, we’re starting in an hour,” Juliette said. He and Seeley had built a beautiful arched altar for Cowboy and Sully, and everyone was getting together to help decorate the big house for dinner and the yard for the wedding.

“I know,” Lucas said as he headed out.

Seeley put his arm around Juliette and said, “That went better than expected.”

“Thank goodness. I’m so excited, but let’s not mention our news to anyone until tomorrow. I don’t want to steal any attention from Cowboy and Sully on their big day.”

“Okay.” He put his hand on her belly again. “So, it turns out we can get pregnant.”

“Sure looks that way.”

“And our boy wants a big family. The way I see it, we’ve got three years before he goes to college. We could probably have two babies in that time.”

God, this man. “How about we get through one baby and a few more uneventful doctor visits for Lucas first?”

AT THE STROKE of midnight, beneath the light of the moon, serenaded by the soft sounds of Sasha’s guitar, on the land that had brought them together, Doc sat between Juliette and Lucas as Cowboy and Sully exchanged their vows. Cowboy and Sully stood inside a heart of lanterns, in front of the wooden arch Doc and Lucas had built. The white silk draped around it billowed in the breeze, constrained by tethers of greenery, roses, and other colorful flowers and, in homage to the ranch and their roots, rope.

Doc watched his younger brother, who had always known exactly who he was—a natural-born protector, a Dark Knights biker, and one hell of a rancher—standing tall and proud in his jeans and cut, cowboy hat perched on his head, ready to take on his most important role yet. Husband. Sully stood beside him, a picture of simple elegance in a scoop-necked lace gown and white fur shrug, her golden-brown hair hanging loose and wavy, her loving eyes on her soon-to-be husband.

Doc remembered when Sully had first arrived at the ranch, a scared little bird who hadn’t had a clue who she really was. But she’d saved herself from that cult, proving she wasn’t a little bird at all. With the help of many, but mostly Cowboy, she’d broken free from the cages of her past and had found who she was always meant to be. A beautiful, fierce Friesian and the only woman on earth to complete Callahan “Cowboy” Whiskey.

As Cowboy said his vows with tears in his eyes and love in his heart, Doc looked at his loves. Lucas was taking a picture of Cowboy and Sully. He showed it to Layla, who had joined them for the ceremony. Doc’s heart squeezed. Lucas and Layla reminded him so much of himself and Juliette. He prayed their young hearts would never endure the heartache he and Juliette had, but he knew first loves usually came with heartache. A rite of passage, his mother had once said. It hadn’t made it any easier for him back then, and the thought of his son having his heart broken slayed him. But he and Juliette would be there to help him through, just like his parents had been there for him.

Juliette was dabbing her tears with a tissue. He was in awe of everything about her. She was a loving mother and partner, a caring friend, and a compassionate veterinarian. He knew their baby, like Lucas, would be as strong and loving as she was.

She looked so beautiful in the moonlight. He and the other Dark Knights were wearing jeans and their cuts, but the girls had gone shopping together for outfits. She was positively glowing in a long-sleeved peach sweaterdress that clung to her curves and had what she called a scarf collar that crisscrossed around her neck and a sexy, but not too revealing, cutout just beneath. She’d paired it with tights, knee-high leather boots, and a pretty shawl. He couldn’t wait to see her round with their baby and to pamper her the way he wished he could have years ago.

She glanced at him, smiling a little bashfully as she wiped her tears, and said, “That’s going to be us one day.”

He leaned in and kissed her. They hadn’t set a wedding date yet. He hadn’t wanted to wait long before he found out she was pregnant. Now he really didn’t want to wait. He’d been thinking about it all afternoon. He wanted it all, and he wanted it now. His girl, his son, their baby, a ring on her finger, and his last name as hers. What were they waiting for, anyway? Fuck it. “Let’s get married.”

“Isn’t that what this ring is for?” She held up her left hand, wiggling her fingers, her engagement ring twinkling in the moonlight.

“I mean now,” he said, vaguely aware of Cowboy and Sully being pronounced man and wife. Applause rang out, and everyone rose to their feet, clapping and cheering. They pushed to their feet, too, and Doc took her hand, speaking loudly, so she could hear him over the celebration going on around them. “I don’t want to wait! Marry me tonight. Now. Let’s bring our baby into the world the right way. With rings on our fingers, my last name as yours, and our son by our side!”

“Baby?” Birdie exclaimed. “Did he say baby? Is Juliette pregnant?”

There was a collective gasp, and as the din of the celebration quieted, Gus said, “What’s pregnant?”

Juliette’s eyes widened, crimson spreading over her cheeks as she whispered, “What happened to not stealing their thunder?”

“Holy shit,” Dare said. “Doc’s done it again!”

As laughter rang out, Doc felt guilty. He looked at Cowboy and Sully, holding hands, still beaming with joy, and said, “I’m sorry. Forget I said anything. That was rude. I just got carried away.”

“Hell no, bro,” Cowboy said. “If Juliette is in, we are, too.”

“We don’t want to steal your thunder,” Juliette said.

“You’re not stealing our thunder,” Sully said cheerily. “You’re adding the lightning, making it an even more unforgettable night. We would be honored to share a wedding anniversary with you guys.”

Doc squeezed Juliette’s hand. “What do you say, darlin’?”

“Say yes, Mom!” Lucas said. “Do it! We’re all here. Even my baby brother or sister.”