Page 81 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

Doc remembered having that feeling with Juliette when they were teenagers. “That’s great, and it’s really smart not to mess it up. Trust is hard to come by.”

“I know.” He was quiet for a beat. “Did you know her dad isn’t her biological father?”

“Yeah, I did.” Hugh and Brianna had met when Layla was little, and he’d adopted her after they were married. “Why?”

“I was just wondering if you knew. She never knew her real father, and she loves her dad. I mean the dad she has now.”

“That’s good, because I know Hugh loves her very much.”

Lucas was quiet for a minute or two. “I told Layla.”

“Told her what? Watch your speed.”

He slowed down. “You know. That you’re my father.”

Doc tried to hide his shock. “What’d she have to say about it?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.

“That I was lucky. She said she knows lots of kids who would love to have you as a father.”

Relief swept through him. “That’s good to hear.” He wanted to ask how that made Lucas feel, but he was worried he might clam up.

“She said I look like you. That’s why I told her. I also told her I didn’t want to like you, but you’re kind of hard to hate.”

A low laugh slipped out, and to his relief, Lucas smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”

Doc reveled in that breakthrough. When the ranch came into view, he said, “There it is.”

“That’s where you met my mom?” Lucas asked with a mixture of tension and intrigue.

“Yeah.”

Lucas gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Can we drive through?”

“Sure, but you’ve got to go real slow. Vehicles don’t own the roads at the ranch. The animals and people do.”

“Okay.” Lucas turned into the entrance and slowed way down, nearly to a stop, pointing up at the Redemption Ranch sign. “Why is the R backward?”

“Good question. The people who come here are trying to move past wherever they came from or the things they’ve done. The backward R represents where they are when they get here. They’re kind of stuck looking back. The forward-facing R represents them when they leave, moving forward, heading in the right direction.”

Lucas drove under the sign, taking in the sprawling ranch before them. “This place is huge.”

“A couple hundred acres.” As they made their way along the main road, Doc said, “My vet clinic is down that road.”

“Can we drive by?”

“Sure.”

Doc pointed out the well-horse and rehab barns. There were a few ranch hands milling about, and Sasha and their father were talking in front of a rehab barn.

“Is that big guy one of the clients? He looks like he was in prison.” As he said it, Tiny looked over and held up a hand, indicating for them to stop. “Should I pull over?” Lucas asked nervously.

“Yes. That big guy is my father, which means he’s also your grandfather. He’s rough, and he’s gruff, but he’s one of the fairest, toughest, and most loyal men you will ever meet, and he was out searching for you that night you took off, so show some respect.”

“Sorry,” Lucas said remorsefully as he pulled over. “Does everyone here know I’m your kid?”

“Pretty much. He and my sister are heading over, but if you’d rather not meet them, I can get out to talk to them.”

Lucas stole a glance at Tiny and Sasha and sat up a little taller. “It’s okay. You don’t need to.”