Chapter Twenty-One
DOC SHOWED UP for the last half of Lucas’s riding practice and enjoyed the hell out of watching him interacting with the other kids as well as seeing him ride. He was surprised by how those little moments took hold of a part of him that he hadn’t realized was there for the taking.
He took pictures of Lucas riding and sent them to Juliette with the caption He’s amazing.
Juliette: Like someone else I know . She added a smile emoji surrounded by four hearts.
She’d met with the therapist that morning and had really liked her. She’d told Juliette it sounded like they were handling things with Lucas well, keeping open communication but not pushing. They had a lot of ground to cover, but Juliette would continue to see her weekly, and she was going to talk with Lucas about talking with her as well. Doc had been glad to hear she’d advised Juliette to take some time to think about the situation with her father and Ana before making any moves. He’d shared the information with his father and brothers last night after church, and they’d agreed that he needed to be careful so nothing could come back on Juliette.
Doc had spoken with his mother earlier to see if she had any advice about how to handle things with Lucas during their driving lesson this afternoon. She’d reminisced about what it had been like to ride in the car with him and his brothers when they were learning to drive and how different it had been from teaching his sisters. Apparently Doc and his brothers weren’t very talkative, had tried to play the music too loud and drove too fast, while his sisters would talk the whole time, pointing out cute boys walking by, only occasionally putting the pedal to the metal.
Doc sent the pictures of Lucas to his family in a group text.
Doc: That’s my boy .
Mom: I’m having heart palpitations.
Tiny: Chip off the old block .
Dare: He’s a badass like his old man.
Cowboy: Make sure he keeps that helmet on.
Dare: We didn’t wear helmets.
Sasha: That explains a LOT.
Birdie: What a little heart stealer! Are there any hot guys my age there?
Birdie: I would make a cute buckle bunny.
A bunny emoji popped up from Birdie.
Tiny: Over my dead body .
Doc gritted his teeth, thumbing out, B, you’re banned from all bull-riding events.
Birdie sent an eye-roll emoji.
Sasha: Don’t worry, Birdie. I’ll sneak you in. She added a winking emoji.
Cowboy sent an angry emoji.
Three laughing emojis popped up from Birdie.
Birdie: Y’all are so easy to rile up. As if I’d ever chase a man?!
Mom: That’s my firecracker.
Sasha: When can we meet Lucas?
Birdie: After the way Doc acted when we saw them at the hospital, Lucas is probably afraid we’re all jerks.
Dare: Not all of us. He knows I’m cool.
Dare: And Cowboy’s pushy.
Laughing emojis popped up from Birdie and Sasha.
Doc: When he’s ready he’ll let us know. I’ve got to run.
He pocketed his phone and watched the rest of Lucas’s practice. Lucas had a rough ride his third time around. Doc held his breath when Lucas was thrown to the ground. But he popped up quickly and headed out of the ring.
When practice ended, Lucas put away his gear and headed over to Doc. “Hey.”
“Great practice. How’d it feel?”
“A’right, except when the bull turned back.” Turning back was a bucking pattern in which the bull bucked in one direction and made a sudden move in the opposite direction. “I don’t know what happened. I knew he was gonna do it. He’s got a history of turning back.”
“Cut yourself some slack. That’s how you learn.” As they headed to the truck, Doc said, “I always wanted to ride the bulls that never showed patterns.”
“Why?”
“They kept me on my toes. Ready for anything. Focusing on my grip and moving with the bull—keeping my free hand up, getting over its front end when it reared, and keeping my butt down when he kicked up his hind legs—and not what I thought he was going to do made me a better rider.”
Lucas’s brow furrowed. “I focus on all that, but I’m usually trying to anticipate what’s next.”
“Some riders do best that way, and you might be one of them. But consider this. Yesterday Layla didn’t plan on coming over, right?”
“Yeah. So?”
“She changed her mind while she was out, and when she showed up, how’d you feel?”
“Great, but what does that have to do with bull riding?”
“Because if you’d known she was coming over, you might’ve had time to get nervous, and it could’ve been awkward when she got there, and you wouldn’t have been at your best, right?”
“I guess.”
“Well, animals are like people. They have their own brains. Their thoughts can change with the wind. If you’re too focused on what you expect to happen, you’re not ready for the unexpected. Last night proved you’re damn good at handling the unexpected.”
Lucas grinned as they stopped by the truck. “Yeah, I am.”
“If you want my advice, practice on the bulls that challenge you to hone your basic skills, because you can’t control the bull, but you can control your grip and your form.”
Lucas nodded. “That makes sense. Thanks.”
“Ready to roll?”
“Hell yeah.”
Doc tossed him the keys. “Try not to kill us.”
He scoffed. “I’m a great driver.”
“Don’t get too cocky. You haven’t tried parallel parking this beast yet.”
AFTER THEY’D DRIVEN around town for a while, Doc was satisfied that Lucas was driving as carefully as he had the other night. He gave him directions on some larger roads, heading through Allure to Hope Valley. “Watch your speed on town roads.”
“’Kay.”
“You know, there are perks to being related to me.”
“Driving lessons?”
“Yes, but also, now that you know Birdie’s my sister, which means she’s your aunt, the next time you go in there”—he pointed to Birdie’s chocolate shop as they drove past—“you can charm some chocolate out of her.”
Lucas grinned and stopped at a red light.
As they passed the park, Doc said, “That’s where they hold the Festival on the Green.”
“What’s that?”
“A weeklong event with live music and a sea of tents where people sell all types of things. They have a huge fireworks display when it’s over. The ranch and the club have booths there every year. People come from all the neighboring towns. Maybe we can go next year.”
“Fireworks are cool, but why would a ranch or a motorcycle club need a booth at a festival?”
“Take the next left, and remember to watch the oncoming traffic.” After Lucas navigated the turn, he said, “That’s how we spread the word about the ranch’s programs, and my father founded the Dark Knights and made it our mission to keep the residents and businesses of Hope Valley and the surrounding areas safe. So it’s good to let people know we’re around.”
“How do you keep them safe?” he asked as he drove along a larger road.
“Lots of different ways. We work with schools to stop bullying and raise awareness about mental health issues and drug and suicide prevention, and we patrol certain neighborhoods. Keep an eye on the seedier operations that are known to be connected to troublesome activities.”
“Like drugs?”
“Sometimes. If you want to check us out and meet the guys, the ranch is hosting the club’s Ride Clean anti-drug event in a few weeks. There’ll be food and games, horseback riding, all sorts of fun stuff. No pressure.”
“So, you guys are like badass do-gooders?”
Doc laughed. “You could put it that way.”
Lucas gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Do you ever do bad things?”
“Let’s just say we do whatever it takes to keep the good people of our community safe.”
“I’m taking that as a yes,” he said with a rascally grin. “Why were you at the hospital that day we saw you? We saw a bunch of bikers in the parking lot.”
“That was our annual fundraising event for the hospital called a Reindeer Ride. We go on a ride with the club dressed up for the holiday so people pay attention. It’s a gentle reminder for the community to give back to the hospital and medical staff that’s there for them every day, rain or shine. People donate money for the hospital and gifts for the kids who are in it. After the ride, we visit with each of those kids and give out the presents.”
“Why? I mean, I get the fundraising, but why give kids gifts in the middle of summer and not at Christmas?”
“Because some of them won’t live that long,” Doc said carefully.
“Oh.” Lucas swallowed hard, readjusting his hands on the wheel tighter. “That sucks.”
“Yeah. It’s really sad.” He told Lucas to take the next right, giving him a minute to digest what he’d said. “Each time we do an event like that, it reminds me to be grateful for every little thing I have.”
Lucas’s brow furrowed, as if he was thinking that over as he drove down the street.
“You’re doing great. Take the next right.” After Lucas turned, Doc pointed up ahead. “See that building with the motorcycles parked out front? Pull into that parking lot.”
Lucas did as he asked and stopped in front of the building. Doc watched him taking in the brick wall with the words Dark Knights painted above the club emblem—a skull with dark eyes, sharp brows, and a mouth full of jagged fangs—and Hope Valley Chapter painted below.
“Is that your church?” Lucas asked.
“That’s our clubhouse.”
“Can I go in? Does it have a bar inside?”
Doc was surprised by his interest. “Sorry, but kids aren’t allowed inside. If you ever prospect the club, you’ll see for yourself what it looks like.”
Lucas’s gaze shifted to the open garage bay, where Rebel was working beneath the hood of a classic car. “Is this your club’s auto shop?”
“No. My cousin Rebel rents that bay for his classic car restoration business.”
“Cool.”
Rebel ducked out from under the hood and strode toward the truck with a curious expression. “What’s going on, Doc?” His dark hair hung nearly to his eyes as he looked at Lucas, and said, “Hey.”
“Hi,” Lucas said.
“Rebel, this is”—Doc was surprised by how my son hung on the tip of his tongue, but he didn’t want to make Lucas uncomfortable—“Lucas. Lucas, this is my cousin Rebel.”
The glint in Rebel’s eyes told Doc he’d already made the connection. “How’s it going, Lucas?”
“Not bad. Is that an old Mustang?”
“Sure is. Sixty-five convertible GT. You like old cars?” Rebel asked.
“Heck yeah,” Lucas said excitedly.
Rebel looked at Doc. “You got time for him to take a peek?”
“Sure.”
“Really?” Lucas’s eyes shimmered with joy. “I gotta park!”
Lucas’s excitement was contagious as Rebel showed off the Mustang. When Rebel let him sit in it, he raved about how cool the car was, and asked Doc to take a picture. He listened intently to every word Rebel said when they looked under the hood, and asked questions about the engine like a real gearhead.
“How’d you get into doing this?” Lucas asked.
“My family owns a restoration business in Salvation Falls, which is in Upstate New York. I grew up doing it from before I could see over the hood of a car.”
“So why are you here?” Lucas asked.
“I went through a messy divorce and needed to get away. Couldn’t think of a better place to get out of my own head than with my cousins.” Rebel clapped a hand on Doc’s shoulder.
“We’re glad you did,” Doc said.
“Are you a biker, too?” Lucas asked.
“Hell yeah,” Rebel said. “It’s in my blood, just like Doc and the rest of the guys. My old man and his buddy founded the Salvation Falls chapter.”
Rebel took them behind the building, showing Lucas more classic cars he was working on. Lucas was like a kid in a candy store, taking pictures of each one, rattling off questions and car facts. Doc knew he was getting a glimpse at the kid he’d been before having his life turned upside down. He hoped one day soon Lucas could get back to being that kid.
When they got back on the road, Lucas talked up a storm about the cars he’d seen and how cool it was that Rebel got to work on them.
“Dare’s into restoring old cars, too. He’s got a bunch of them in his garage.”
“On the ranch?”
“Yeah. We can drive by if you’d like.” That had been his plan all along. “We don’t have to go in, but that way you’ll know where I live in case you ever need anything.”
“Okay.”
Doc gave him directions.
“Layla said she’s been to the ranch a bunch of times for events. She said it’s cool.”
“It is cool. We’ve known her family forever. They’ve got a big family, like ours. Layla’s grandfather Hal Braden is one of my old man’s closest friends. I was glad you offered to ride home with her last night. It’s always best to think of your girl’s safety before anything else.”
“She’s the coolest girl in school and definitely the prettiest. If I want to set the standard, I’ve got to aim high, right?”
Knowing Lucas had listened to his advice filled Doc with pride. “That’s right. Between us guys, were you two really just hanging out when we showed up, or were you making out?”
“We were hanging out.” His lips tipped up in the corner. “But I kissed her when I took her home.”
Doc laughed. “I figured you might. Were you nervous?”
“No.”
“You’re braver than I was. I remember being nervous at your age.”
“Really?” Lucas didn’t take his eyes off the road. “I was nervous. I really like her.”
“I know you do, and she obviously likes you. Kissing is okay, but y’all are young. I know it doesn’t feel that way, and you probably want to do a whole lot more. But nothing good comes from rushing things. Part of setting a standard is waiting until you’re both ready for more, which hopefully won’t be for a few years.”
“I’m just glad I got to kiss her. I’m in no hurry to do more.”
For the love of God, please let him hold on to that feeling for a few more years .
“Good. I know you probably want to brag to your friends, but—”
“No, I don’t,” Lucas said urgently. “She’s too special. I don’t want to embarrass her. She’s the only person I really talk to about anything important. We trust each other. I don’t want to mess that up.”
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.”
“Okay.” Doc lifted his chin to Sasha and Tiny as they came to his window. “Hey, guys, this is Lucas. Lucas, this is my sister Sasha and my father, Tiny.”
“Hi,” Sasha and Lucas said in unison.
“Nice to meet you, son,” Tiny said. “For a minute there, I thought I was seeing things. You look a lot like Doc did at your age. You flew the coop the other night like he used to, too.”
Lucas glanced nervously at Doc. Doc gritted his teeth, sure Lucas was offended by his father’s correlation, but before he could string two words together to soften it, Tiny spoke.
“With any luck, you’ll grow up to be a hell of a man, just like my boy is.” Tiny smiled. “Welcome to the family, son. I look forward to getting to know you.”
“Thanks,” Lucas said. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“Doc said you’re a great bull rider like he was,” Sasha said.
Surprise rose in Lucas’s eyes. “I guess so.”
“Let us know when your next competition is,” Sasha suggested. “We’ll come cheer you on.”
“Um… okay ,” Lucas said tentatively.
Worried he was overwhelmed, Doc said, “We’d better get going.”
“It was really nice meeting you, Lucas. I hope we see more of you,” Sasha said.
“I do, too,” Tiny said, then more sternly, “You drive safe now, you hear?”
“Yes, sir,” Lucas said.
Tiny gave a curt nod, and as he and Sasha stepped back from the truck, Tiny crossed his arms, his thick fingers drumming.
As they drove away, Lucas exhaled like he’d been holding his breath that whole time. “Your father is a finger drummer, too.”
“Yeah,” Doc said with a grin. “He is.”
“Weird.”
“Sure is.” Doc showed him the clinic, and as they drove back toward the main road, he pointed in the direction of his own house. “I live down there. Want to see my place?”
“I guess.”
When they got to his house, Lucas instantly spotted his other truck. “Is that your old truck?”
“Yeah, it used to be my father’s.”
“Why do you need two trucks? Why don’t you sell one?”
“That truck isn’t going anywhere. It’s my old man’s legacy. But I needed a double cab and something more reliable I could take on longer trips to pick up horses.” The dogs barreled out of the woods beside the house. “And they’re my beasts.”
“Whoa. Are they all yours?” Lucas asked excitedly.
“Yep. Sadie’s the Irish setter, Mighty is the black Lab, and Pickles is the one barking up a storm.”
“I always wanted a dog, but my mom said she had her hands full with me and the horses. Can I get out and pet them?”
“They’d love that, but how about you put the truck in park and cut the engine first?”
Doc had never seen the dogs so enamored with anyone. They sniffed Lucas up and down, and Sadie whined for his attention despite the fact that he was showering her with it. Lucas didn’t just play with the dogs; he turned into a whole different kid, laughing and loving them up, tossing sticks, and cheering them on as they ran to retrieve them.
“Do you leave them out all day?” he asked, tossing a stick for Pickles.
“No. They come in and out as they please. They have doggy doors.”
Lucas looked up at the house. “This place is cool, back here in the woods.”
“There’s a creek behind the house and a lake up in the woods. When I was a little kid, my grandfather used to take me camping back there.”
“I’ve never been camping.” He threw another stick for the dogs. “I think Mom’s afraid to go camping because she’s never gone.”
That saddened him, but not because he thought Juliette was afraid. She loved the outdoors. He was sad she’d never gone. “Is that something you want to do?”
He shrugged. “Kinda, yeah .”
“I’d be happy to take you both camping sometime. Here or somewhere else if you’d like.”
Lucas didn’t respond as the dogs barreled over with sticks in their mouths. Sadie plunked down beside Lucas, and he threw the other dogs’ sticks again.
Doc wanted to get through to him, but he knew better than to push. “I have something I think you might find cool. It’s from when your mom was here that summer. Mind coming inside for a second?”
“I guess not.”
The dogs followed them in, sticking to Lucas like glue as he walked through the living room, trying awfully hard to look like he wasn’t checking out the pictures of Doc’s family. “What’d you want to show me?”
“It’s this way.” He led him to the bedroom and lifted the area rug, showing him the heart with his and Juliette’s initials carved into the floor.
Lucas looked at it with confusion.
“There was an old cabin here the summer your mom and I met. We used to hang out there, and I carved that into the floor of that old cabin right before your grandfather yanked her out of here. When I tore down the old cabin years later and built this house, I couldn’t get rid of it. It’s one of the only tangible things I have from that summer.”
“Why are you showing it to me?”
“Because I want you to know that I’m not just some asshole who knocked up your mom.”
LUCAS WAS QUIET on the way home, and Doc feared he might have overwhelmed him. After they’d left his house, he’d seemed interested in seeing the rest of the ranch. They’d driven by the main house, the paintball field, and each of his family member’s houses.
When they pulled down the driveway, Doc said, “I hope seeing the ranch and meeting Sasha and my father weren’t too much for you.”
“It wasn’t. The ranch was cool. That paintball field is huge.”
“It’s a good one. Sasha and Cowboy love paintball. Every few years they expand the field.”
“That’s awesome.” Lucas parked by Juliette’s truck, and after cutting the engine, he stared down at the keys and said, “Do you think Sasha meant what she said about coming to watch me ride?”
“She wouldn’t have suggested it if she didn’t. My family— our family—doesn’t fake anything well. What you see is what you get. Sometimes it’s suggesting to go see you ride, and other times it’s calling you out for being a dick.”
Lucas eyed him cautiously. “But your dad welcomed me to the family, and he doesn’t know me.”
“Because that’s how he feels. You’re half Whiskey, which means you’re Tiny’s blood. In our family, that’s all that matters.”
“What if they think I’m a jerk?”
“I can tell you without a shred of doubt that we all think that about each other at one time or another.”
Lucas smiled.
“Look, you’re a good kid going through a hard time. But even if you weren’t a good kid, and you were stealing or treating people badly, you’re still family, and we don’t turn our backs on family. Not if you’re a jerk some days, or if you’re going through a rough patch and need to be handled with kid gloves, or if you’re turning into an asshole and need to be tough loved.”
Lucas looked down at the keys in his hand again.
“I’m sure the idea of a big, loud, welcoming family seems weird and overwhelming because it’s been just you and your mom for a very long time. But you can trust that the love we will show you is real. Your mom was out of our lives since she was sixteen, but when you went missing, my family showed up for her. No questions asked. My father rallied the club, and my mother sat with your mom until you were safely home.”
“I didn’t know your mom was there.” Lucas looked at him again.
“I know. She and my father left when we were down by the barn. Everything about our situation is new for you and your mom and for me and my family. We’re bound to have ups and downs. But how boring would life be if it was easy all the time?”
Lucas almost smiled. “I never thought about that.”
“As I said before, family means everything to us, and they’re going to be there for you in good times and bad. Honestly, if you choose never to meet the rest of them, they’d still show up for you.”
Lucas fidgeted with the keys again, nodding.
“Look, there’s no pressure. We’re not going anywhere. We’re Hope Valley born and bred, and we’ll be there until we’re buried six feet under.”
“Will they be there for my mom if her father comes after her?”
Christ, you’ve got way too many worries for a kid. “Your grandfather isn’t going to come after her.”
“But my mom said you guys are going to make sure he pays for what he did, and that he’ll go to jail for the other bad things he did.”
“We are, and he will, eventually. But that’s not something you need to worry about. We would never do anything that would lead to him coming after your mom. Your grandfather can’t hurt any of us anymore, okay?”
Lucas nodded.
“Any other worries you want to talk about?”
He shook his head.
“Come on, let’s find your mom.”
As they got out of the truck, Juliette came out the front door, looking like a ray of sunshine in a yellow tank top, her hair bouncing with each exuberant step, her hips swaying in sexy cutoffs, and those cowgirl boots that made Doc want to toss her in the back of his truck and make out with her like they were carefree kids.
“I’m glad to see you’re both in one piece,” she said. “You were out so long, I was starting to worry.”
“He’s a lot more fun to drive with than you are,” Lucas said. “We went by his clubhouse, and I met his cousin Rebel, who showed me a bunch of classic cars.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Doc showed me the ranch, too,” Lucas said.
Her eyes widened. “Wow. How’d that go?”
“Good,” Lucas said. “I met his dad, Tiny, who’s not tiny at all, and his sister Sasha, who’s really hot.”
“ Lucas ,” she said with amusement.
“What? She is hot—for an older girl.”
Juliette nudged Doc. “No wonder he thinks you’re more fun than me.”
“That’s not why,” Lucas said. “Doc doesn’t slam his foot on a fake brake or grab the dashboard like you do.”
She and Doc laughed, and she said, “Yeah, yeah.”
“He did great today,” Doc said, knowing she’d realize he meant overall, not just driving.
“See? I’m a good driver,” Lucas said cockily.
“But you do need to watch your speed,” Doc corrected. “Vehicles are dangerous machines.”
“I will.” Lucas handed him the keys. “Thanks for taking me.”
“Let me know if you want to do it again.”
“Can we?” Lucas asked Juliette. “Do you mind if he takes me driving again?”
“I would hate for you to be forever traumatized by my fake braking,” she teased.
“I can pick you up Friday after practice,” Doc offered. “I can also do a few hours Saturday. Your pick, or we can do both.”
“I want to do both,” he said. “I told Layla I’d try to hang out with her this weekend, but I can do that after we go driving, and, Mom, Robert invited me to spend the night Saturday. Is that okay?”
“Sure, as long as his parents will be home.”
“They will.” Lucas shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans, looking nervously at Doc. “Do you think next weekend you could take me driving through the ranch again and maybe I can meet some more of your family?”
Doc’s heart soared, but he tried to play it cool. “Absolutely. How about we have your mom meet us there next Saturday afternoon and I’ll show you both around? You can join us for dinner, and we can kick Dare’s and Cowboy’s butts in paintball. Maybe have a bonfire afterward if you’re up for it.”
Lucas looked hopefully at Juliette. “Can we?”
“Sounds fun to me. I’d love to see everyone again,” she said.
“Awesome. I’m starved. Is there still leftover pizza in the fridge?” Lucas said.
“Yes,” Juliette said, and Lucas ran up to the house. She turned a curious gaze on Doc. “Did you add kid whisperer to your résumé when I wasn’t looking?”
“I’m as surprised as you are. I thought we’d drive by the ranch so he’d know where it was, but he asked if it was okay to drive through it.”
“ Wow. I’m floored.”
“I think Layla had a little something to do with his change of heart. He told me that he told her I was his father.”
“He did ? He must really trust her. He doesn’t even want to talk to the therapist yet. He said he doesn’t need to.”
“He may not right now. Kids are pretty resilient. But we shouldn’t give up on him talking to a professional. Maybe wait a couple of weeks and then bring it up again.”
“That was my plan. I’m glad he trusts Layla, but if they’re that close, their relationship could progress quickly, and she’s way too young.”
“They both are. But the reality is, we can’t control what they do. All we can do is teach Lucas respect for himself and for her, guide him in the right direction, and hope that if or when they do more, they’re safe.”
“Lucas is proof that passion can obliterate safety. Did you talk to him about yesterday?”
“Yeah. They weren’t fooling around in the barn, and he’s in no hurry to do more than kiss.”
“He kissed her?” She put a hand over her heart. “My baby boy is growing up too fast.” She looked up at the sky. “I’m not ready for any of this.”
“There’s nothing we can’t handle.”
“We,” she said a little dreamily. “I like how that sounds.”
He stepped closer, wishing he could pull her into his arms, but they were in view of the windows. “Then I hope you love how this sounds. Saturday night, you on the back of my motorcycle, dinner and dancing at the Roadhouse, and a slumber party at my place.”
“A slumber party, huh?” she teased. “Will there be snacks?”
“Darlin’, if you agree to stay over, then I’ll have my favorite snack, and I’ll happily be yours.”
“Seeley Whiskey, you do know how to entice a woman.”
“Well, you deserve to be spoiled on your birthday.”
Her brows shot up in surprise. “I can’t believe you remembered. Did Lucas mention it? He always makes me cinnamon toast for breakfast on my birthday and gives me a homemade card.”
“He didn’t mention it. I told you I haven’t forgotten a single thing about you, but it sounds like I better up my game. So what do you say?”
“I say I can’t wait. But I haven’t ridden on a motorcycle or been to a bar or gone dancing since you took me to the Roadhouse for lunch that summer.”
The biker in him was thrilled she hadn’t warmed another man’s back, but his heart was eating up the rest of what she’d said. “You’ve never gone on a date to a bar?”
“Nope.”
A slow grin slid into place. “Is it bad that it makes me happy knowing no other man has held you close on a dance floor?”
She laughed softly. “I’d be disappointed if it didn’t.”
He couldn’t resist taking her hand and leading her around to the other side of the truck, out of eyeshot from the house. “I missed you today, and if I don’t get to kiss you right now, I’m pretty sure I’m going to lose my mind.”
“We wouldn’t want that to happen.”
As she wound her arms around him, he lowered his lips to hers, kissing them both breathless.