Page 42 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“I have a video with him saying it. It’s a little shaky because I was holding the phone and chasing after him. Give me a sec to find it. I used to pretend I didn’t hear what he said, hoping he’d say it again. I know that’s awful, but he was so cute. I couldn’t resist.”

She sent the video, and Doc watched Lucas climbing onto the couch beside Juliette, saying, I’m honey, Mommy. I’m honey, in a chirpy little voice. She was clearly trying to stifle a laugh as she said, What are you? and a frustrated Lucas said, Hooonnneeey. I’m honey!

Doc’s heart swelled, and he laughed again. “That’s too damn cute. You know I’m going to listen to it a thousand times tonight.”

“I told you he was the cutest baby ever. He was a mischievous rascal, too. When he was three, he drew on the walls with crayons, and when he was four he refused to pee in the toilet and would only go outside.”

“In all fairness, that’s a rite of passage for boys.”

“His preschool teacher was not impressed.”

Doc laughed, and she laughed too.

“What else did he do?”

“What didn’t he do?” she said. “There was a period of a few months when he wouldn’t wear shoes or socks. That was a fun battle every morning before school, but it wasn’t quite as bad as when he was six and decided he didn’t like wearing pants.”

“I can’t blame him for that.”

They both laughed. She shared more funny stories about things Lucas had said and done and sent pictures of the first time he’d ridden a horse by himself and his first days of kindergarten and first grade. She told him that when Lucas was in third grade, he’d decided he didn’t need to go to school anymore because he was going to be a cowboy when he grew up. “Then there was the time when he was ten and he became enamored with a stubborn old horse named Gray, but Gray wouldn’t give him the time of day.”

“That’s rough for a kid who loves horses.”

“You’re telling me? It broke my heart, but Lucas was determined to make friends with him, and he didn’t want any help doing it. He went out to the horse’s stall every morning before school with carrots and apples, trying to coax it over to him, and every day after school he’d go to the fenced pasture and try again.”

“He’s tenacious. That’s a boy after my own heart.”

“Mine, too, but the horse wasn’t having it, and Lucas was frustrated. It was hard to see him so bummed, but he refused to give up. One night I caught him watching a YouTube video on how to make friends with a stubborn horse, and he got so embarrassed.”

“Why? He was researching. That’s a smart move.”

“I know. That’s what I told him, but he said cowboys should know how to make friends with any horse.”

Doc chuckled. “I love his attitude. Did he ever get through to the horse?”

“Yes, after what seemed like forever. The horse finally ate the treats, and a few days later he let Lucas pet him. Lucas continued going out to see him every day, and a couple of weeks later, Gray started coming to the fence when he saw Lucas heading over. Lucas was really proud of that.”

“He should be. I hate that I missed so much of your lives.”

“Me too.”

“I’m going to do right by him, Jule. That’s a promise.”

“You already are.”

They were both quiet for a moment, and he wondered if she wished she was with him as much as he was wishing he was with her.

“Do I hear crickets?” she asked. “Are you outside?”

“Yeah. I’m sitting on my porch with my beasts.”

“Aw. Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“I know you said you were with everyone tonight. But I don’t really know who everyone is anymore. Did you mean your family?”

“Mostly. I was with my brothers and Sasha, and their significant others.”