Page 64 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“He said he has riding practice three times a week. Barring an emergency at the ranch, I can pick him up Wednesdays and Fridays after practice and take him out driving. If he wants to do a few hours of driving on Saturdays, I can make that work, too. I have church on Tuesdays, and I try to go riding with the guys when I can on Sundays.”

“Are you sure that’s not too much of a commitment? I don’t want you to feel trapped.”

He reached across the seat and took her hand. “I can’t think of a better way to spend my time than getting to know our son.”

“I love that you want to, but I worry that spending too much time together might be harder than you think. You’re not used to a teenager’s attitude, and what if it’s too much for him?”

“I can handle his attitude, but you’re right. I don’t want to overwhelm him. How about if we take it one day at a time? See how it goes Wednesday, and go from there?”

“That sounds like a better idea.”

“Great. I forgot to mention earlier that when we were talking about the ranch and my family, I invited him to come over when he’s ready. I told him there was no pressure, and I know it might take some time, but it’s an open invitation for both of you.”

“Thanks, but how did Lucas respond?” She was surprised by how much they’d talked while she was gone. Lucas must have felt safe with him, because he was excellent at shutting down if he was upset.

“He asked a lot of questions, but he didn’t say much about coming over. We’ll play it by ear.”

“Okay.” Thankful things went well, she tucked those thoughts away as they drove out of Weston. “Where are we going?”

He squeezed her hand. “You’ll see.”

They chatted as he drove into Hope Valley, and when he turned into Redemption Ranch, an anticipatory thrill ran through her. “Are you wining and dining me at your place?” That sounded perfect to her.

“No. I have something a little more fun in mind.”

He parked at his house, and as he helped her out of the truck, his dogs scampered off the porch to greet them, their tails and tongues wagging. They petted them, getting lavished with sloppy dog kisses that made Juliette laugh.

Seeley whistled. “Enough.” Sadie and Pickles went to his side, while Mighty pushed his snout between Juliette’s legs. “Hey, that’s my girl.” He redirected Mighty. “Sorry about that.”

My girl sent a shiver of delight through her. “It’s okay.”

Seeley grabbed a flashlight from the glove compartment of his truck and took her hand, leading her around the house.

“Where exactly are we going?” she asked.

“You’ll see.”

The dogs trotted beside them, but Seeley stopped in the backyard and petted them again. “I love you guys, but you can’t come with me this time.” He straightened to his full height and in a stern voice said, “Porch,” and pointed toward the house. The pups doubled back toward the house.

“That’s impressive.”

“Show them love and teach them right from wrong, and they’ll listen most of the time. Like kids, I’d imagine.”

“Most of the time,” she agreed. “Unless they’re mad and they disappear to a dangerous ravine.”

“He’s a good kid,” Seeley said as they walked across the wooden bridge.

He turned on the flashlight, and they made their way into the woods. Seeley held branches to the side and helped her over fallen tree trunks and rocks, like he had all those years ago, when they’d ventured into the same woods to be alone.

“This is where we went on our first date,” she said. “When you told me about how your grandfather used to take you camping, and you and your brothers would chase each other around a boulder and play boss of the boulder and moonlight tag.”

“I think you’re mistaken. This is the place I took my first and only serious girlfriend.”

She smiled as he guided her around two trees and tried to process what he’d said about her being his only serious girlfriend. That couldn’t be true, could it?

“I wanted so badly to share the most meaningful parts of my life with her, and that night, I learned exactly how sheltered of a life she’d led,” he said. “She’d never played boss of the boulder or moonlight tag.”

“You taught me to play that night.” She remembered how much fun they’d had, running wild in the woods, laughing, hiding, and climbing that big boulder, and how she’d ended up in his arms, which was where she always wanted to be.