Page 32 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“Lucas texted,” Juliette said. “I assume they’re on their way back.”

“Doc will take good care of him. How’re you holding up, darlin’?” Tiny asked.

“Okay. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for us tonight, and I’d like to apologize for everything my father said and did back then.”

“Honey, there’s no need to apologize,” Wynnie said.

“Yes, there is. I thought about calling you guys a million times over the years. I am so sorry for how awful my father was to you. When he showed up that day to take me away, I was shocked. I didn’t have any warning or anything. I don’t even know how he found out about me and Seeley, and I promise you, I had no idea he had his bodyguards beat him up.”

Wynnie gasped. “He what?”

“Oh no.” Juliette covered her mouth. “You didn’t know?” Shitshitshit.

“No.” Wynnie looked at Tiny, his face a mask of seriousness. “You knew, didn’t you?”

Tiny nodded curtly. “’Course I knew.”

“And you didn’t stop it?” Wynnie snapped.

“Our boy needed to confront that man to fight for the girl he loved. Stopping him from doing it would’ve left him with an unchecked box, and he would’ve lost his mind. Trust me, darlin’, those bodyguards got their due.”

“And Governor Adkin?” Wynnie asked sharply. “Did he pay for ordering them to hurt our son?”

“No, darlin’. I gave you my word I wouldn’t go after that man. That was one of the hardest promises I’ve ever had to keep, but you were right. We had a ranch full of people who were counting on us. I couldn’t risk everything we’d worked so hard for, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to risk your trust.”

Juliette got choked up. This was the kind of honesty and love she’d never known existed before going to the ranch and witnessing it firsthand. She remembered how affectionate Tiny and Wynnie had been toward each other and the way Tiny had discussed things with Wynnie instead of commanding her, like her own father had done to her mother and everyone else in his life. Tiny and Wynnie had set a standard that Juliette had desperately wanted and she’d known she’d found with Seeley all those years ago.

“Thank you for keeping your word.” Wynnie went to Tiny and touched his chest. “But I might have let that one slide had I known what happened to our boy.”

“I wasn’t taking that chance, darlin’.” He put his arm around her and kissed her cheek.

Juliette wiped away a tear.

“Are you okay, honey?” Wynnie asked.

Juliette nodded. “It’s just been an emotional night. I don’t think I ever told you this, but I never knew what true love looked like until I came to the ranch and saw you two together. The way you treat each other, and everyone around you, is really special. In my family, my father told everyone what to do, and we followed like sheep because we were afraid not to. Or at least I did. I think my mother liked his control.”

Another tear slipped down her cheek, and she swiped at it. “I know Seeley and I were young when we were together, but it’s important to me that you know he never pressured me or coerced me in any way. He treated me with kindness and respect and love like I’d never known. If anything, he was extra careful where my emotions were concerned.”

“Honey, we never doubted that,” Wynnie said softly.

“In this family we cherish those we love,” Tiny said.

“I feel lucky to have been one of them.” Juliette wiped her eyes. “If you have any advice about how to deal with this situation with Lucas, I’d really like to hear it.”

“There is a lot for Lucas to process, and until he slows down enough to understand how and why it happened, he’s going to be angry,” Wynnie said. “He’s going to need a safe place to unload, and I’m sure he knows your love is unconditional, which means you’ll likely take the brunt of it.”

Juliette sighed, not wanting to face it, but that never stopped her before. “That makes sense.”

“Unfortunately, Doc represents the things Lucas doesn’t want to think about,” Wynnie said. “Like his mother lying to protect him and his grandfather being as rotten and devious as he was, and that’s a rocky road you and Doc will have to figure out how to navigate. But I have faith in both of you, and my best suggestion is to continue to be honest with him. That will help rebuild his trust, and it may take time, but you’ll get there.”

“The most important thing that boy needs to hear is that he’s loved and that what your father did doesn’t change that love,” Tiny added.

“Right. Of course. It’s all overwhelming.”

“We know, honey.” Wynnie hugged her. “Would you like me to give you the name of a therapist? For you or for Lucas? Or someone you both can talk to? There are quite a few good ones in this area.”

“Yes, please.” Juliette gave Wynnie her number, and Wynnie promised to text the information.