Page 49 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“You might want to check that attitude, young man,” Buck said. “Doc was one of my best riders back in the day.”

Lucas eyed Seeley with new curiosity. “You rode bulls?”

“That’s right,” Seeley said.

“He didn’t just ride,” Buck said. “Doc was the junior world champion four years in a row, and hit it again at eighteen.”

“Seriously?” Lucas asked incredulously. “Do you still ride?”

“Nope.” Seeley shook his head. “I’m a horse guy these days.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to catch up with a few parents,” Buck said. “Good seeing you, Doc, Juliette. Lucas, excellent practice. See you next time.”

As Buck walked away, Lucas said, “Why’d you quit bull riding?”

Seeley glanced briefly at Juliette before responding. “Remember when I told you I couldn’t see straight when your mother was torn from my life?”

“Yeah…?” Confusion riddled his brow.

“You know there’s no room for distractions when you’re on the back of a bull. You can put two and two together.”

“And you just gave it up?” Lucas asked incredulously. “Just like that, because of a girl?”

“Lucas,” Juliette cautioned.

“It’s a’right, Jule.” Seeley’s gaze never left Lucas. “There was no just like that. I had been riding bulls since I was eight years old. I lived and breathed for it. But I knew my limits, and I didn’t want my parents watching me get gored because my concentration was shot.”

Lucas swallowed hard, empathy rising in his eyes. “Did you miss it?”

“Yeah, I did. But not as much as I missed your mom.”

That seemed to give Lucas a moment’s pause, but then he mumbled, “Whatever,” and turned his attention to Juliette. “Robert’s having some kids from school over tomorrow night. Can I go?”

“Are his parents going to be home?”

“Yes,” Lucas said exasperatedly.

“If we get the work around the property done in time and you don’t give me too much attitude, then sure.”

“We have all day Sunday to get it done,” he complained.

“They’re calling for rain, remember?” Juliette reminded him.

“I can give you guys a hand,” Seeley offered. “We can knock out whatever work you need done quicker if there are three of us.”

There was a lot to be done, and she could use all the help she could get. But she didn’t want to push Lucas. “Lucas, how would you feel about that?”

Lucas’s face was so serious as he eyed Seeley, she was sure he was going to say no way. “Whatever. It’s your house.”

“Does that mean you’re okay with me helping?” Seeley asked.

“I guess. If it’ll get it done quicker,” Lucas said.

A smile tugged at Seeley’s lips. “Smart man.”

Juliette stifled the urge to do a happy dance. It wasn’t an open door, but it was a fissure in her wounded son’s armor, and she knew Seeley would treat it with care.

Chapter Fifteen