Chapter Twenty-Five
THE FLAMES FROM the bonfire danced in a gentle breeze, sending sparks crackling against the night sky. The din of conversation and laughter hung in the air, serenaded by the soft sounds of Sasha’s guitar and Gus’s chirpy voice as Ezra helped him make s’mores. Doc stood by the cooler, taking in the familiar scene of his family and friends around the bonfire. Only this time, his family included Juliette and Lucas. This was how it was always supposed to be.
He might be getting ahead of himself, but it sure didn’t feel that way.
For the first time since that awful summer, he finally felt whole again, like all the broken pieces of himself had come back together stronger than ever. Not even the emotional turmoil they were all dealing with or the need for vengeance that was eating away at him could steal that sense of completeness. He’d make sure they all got the help they needed, and he’d find a way to take down Juliette’s deceitful fucking father while protecting Lucas and Juliette if it was the last thing he did.
He glanced at Juliette, sitting by the fire wearing one of his sweatshirts, her eyes shimmering in the moonlight. She flashed that easy smile that never failed to hit him square in the center of the chest. She looked so comfortable, to an observer it would seem like she’d never left as she chatted with Billie, Sasha, Sully, and Simone Davidson, one of their employees. When Doc had introduced Lucas to Simone, Lucas had been as surprised to learn she’d gone through their program and had remained on to work at the ranch as he had been about Kenny, Hyde, and a handful of their other employees he’d met at dinner.
He looked at Lucas on the other side of the fire, laughing at something Kenny, Rebel, Dare, or Hyde, had said. For all the heartache Lucas had shared earlier, he had laughed a lot tonight and had clearly enjoyed the banter around the dinner tables in the main house. It had taken some time for him to loosen up and realize it was safe to be himself. Meeting that many people in one day would be a lot for anyone. But with a little encouragement, he’d come out of his shell, and by the time they’d finished dinner, he’d set up motocross lessons with Billie on Sundays and he and Kenny were heckling Doc and his brothers like it was old hat.
“Hey, Tiny,” Lucas called across the fire.
Tiny lifted his chin in acknowledgment.
“If I get my license to drive a motorcycle next year, can I prospect the club?” Lucas asked.
Tiny’s mustache split with a big-ass grin.
“Tiny Whiskey, do not answer that,” Juliette said. “He’s not driving a motorcycle at sixteen.”
“Come on, Mom ! Doc and Dare and Cowboy did!”
She looked expectantly over her shoulder at Doc.
He shrugged, laughing. Sasha tapped Juliette’s knee, and Juliette turned away.
As he reached into the cooler to get her soda, his mother sidled up to him.
“Things never get dull around here, do they?” she said with a knowing smile.
“They sure don’t.”
“I spent some time talking to Lucas earlier. He’s a special young man. He’s got a big heart, like you and Juliette, and big hearts feel everything deeply.”
“Yeah. That’s what worries me.”
“I think he’s going to be okay. Things like this aren’t fixed in a day or a week, and even after they’ve been dealt with and you all move forward, it might arise again and again. Like what you and Juliette have dealt with over the years. You never know when it’ll hit. But that’s how life goes.”
“At least I’m with them now. I can help.”
“And they can help you, too. Being around family is good for them. I noticed Lucas is wearing the necklace you and Grandpa made.”
Doc smiled. “You saw that, huh?”
“I never thought we’d see it again.”
“Neither did I. I was shocked to find out Juliette had kept it, much less had given it to Lucas after everything she thought had gone on.”
“How does that make you feel?”
“Happy. Proud to see him wearing it.” He gazed across the yard at Lucas before meeting his mother’s gaze again. “And so damn grateful, I feel like my chest is going to explode.”
She laughed softly and leaned into his shoulder. “That’s the best feeling, honey.”
“It’s pretty wild. I’m glad he has that necklace. It’s part of me and Grandpa. Did I tell you Juliette gave him my middle name, too?”
“No.” She smiled. “Isn’t that something? It’s not surprising though.”
“It surprised the hell out of me.”
“I’m sure it did. What I mean is, you and Juliette had a special bond as teenagers that reminded me of me and your father. We were older, of course, but the love was the same.”
“In what way?”
“Every way. You filled gaps in each other’s lives that weren’t just physical or rebellious. Don’t get me wrong. You two lusted after each other like starving kids who couldn’t get enough, but you helped each other grow, and you encouraged each other to figure things out. You helped her become stronger, more confident, and you showed her what it was to be loved.”
“She was confident and strong when I met her. That was one of the reasons I was so drawn to her.”
“She most certainly was, but you helped her grow to become even more so. She helped you in the same ways.”
“Are you saying I wasn’t confident? Because I beg to differ.”
“No. You were overly confident, if not a bit cocky. You had direction and friends and all the hallmarks of a happy life. But your father and I always felt like you were a little unsettled. Searching for something. You’d had plenty of girlfriends, and that never seemed to settle whatever it was we were seeing. Then Juliette came to the ranch, and everything changed.”
He grinned. “She definitely knocked me for a loop.”
“Yes, she did. We were concerned when we first realized how close you two had gotten and how fast it happened, because she was not quite seventeen, and that’s awfully young.”
“I tried to keep my distance.”
“We know that, too. During that week when you were trying to hold back, you were as tense and restless as a bull in the chute, dying to break free and conquer.” She smiled. “Well, we won’t go there.”
“ Please don’t. But how did you know I made it a week?”
“Oh, honey. You were oblivious to everything around you except her, but we weren’t.”
“Why didn’t you stop me?”
“You can guide your kids, but you can’t stop them. If we’d told you she was off-limits, you’d have only wanted her more. But we could tell it was deeper than a summer fling for both of you. It was like looking into the eyes of two horses that had been rescued. Your eyes got clearer and brighter, and you and Juliette had this aura, this energy that I swear threw sparks. When we saw those changes in you, we knew you’d found your one and only.”
“I wasn’t looking for a relationship, much less to fall in love, but she knocked my boots off.”
“That’s how love happens. When your father rolled into the Roadhouse the first time, I had plans for graduate school and then building my career off the ranch. I wasn’t looking for a gruff and gritty, possessive, tatted-up biker. But your father, like each of you, has his own brand of charm, and I was a goner by the end of our first date.”
Doc had heard the story a million times. Tiny had walked up to her in the Roadhouse, taken one look at her, and said, Hey there, darlin’. I’m Tiny Whiskey, and I’m going to be the last man you ever go out with . The fact that he was indeed the last for a strong woman like his mother said a lot about his father, who had been raised by a heavy-handed misogynist biker who believed women should be seen and not heard.
“Any regrets?” Doc asked, though he knew the answer.
“Honey, your father is a brilliant, big-hearted hunk of a man who came from a horrible situation and tries to make the world a better place every day of his life. How could I regret giving my heart to a man as special as that?”
“I hope Juliette feels that way about me someday, and I hope Lucas feels as proud to have me as a father as I am to have you and Dad as my parents.”
“I think they both already do,” she said. “They may not be ready to admit it, but I can feel it, and I can see it in the way they look at you.”
“Thanks, Mom. Any parenting advice?”
“I could fill your ears, honey. Parenting is the hardest and the best thing you’ll ever experience. Some days you’re sure you’re doing everything right, and others, you feel like you’re sledding down a hill on a bed of razor blades.”
He laughed. “Ain’t that the truth.”
“But that’s what makes the good times even sweeter. Keep following your heart, honey. You’re doing great so far.” She looped her arm around his. “Shall we?”
As they made their way back to the fire, Birdie’s car pulled into the lot. “About time your sister arrived.”
His mother went to sit with Tiny, who had Gus on his lap, and Doc headed for Juliette. He handed her the soda and kissed her tempting lips. As he drew back, he caught an imploring look from Juliette and froze. Fuck . Lucas . He turned to see if Lucas saw them kiss and caught the same worried expression from Sasha and Cowboy.
“Try not to look so guilty,” Ezra said under his breath.
Lucas was staring right at them.
“Doc, you look like you did when you were six years old and you got up in the middle of the night and opened everyone’s Christmas presents,” Tiny said.
Fuck. “Lucas, your mom and I were going to tell you we’ve gotten close—”
“Give me a break,” Lucas said. “You’ve been telling me you love my mom in one way or another since we first met. Did you really think I wouldn’t put two and two together? My mom never texts with guys or hangs out with them. You think I don’t hear you guys on the phone late at night? And you’re always at our place.”
“We should’ve told you right away,” Juliette said. “But we didn’t want to make things more complicated. I’m sorry.”
“Mom, chill . It’s not like you lied to me,” Lucas said. “You always tell me when you guys are going out. Knowing you’re together makes it easier than guessing.”
“So, you’re not upset?” Juliette asked.
“No.” Lucas looked at Doc. “He’s cool. Besides, he is my father. It’d be weird if you were kissing some other dude.”
Relief swamped Doc, and he laughed. “Thanks, bud.”
“Thank goodness.” Juliette got up and hugged Lucas.
“ Mom ,” he complained, and everyone laughed.
Juliette headed back to her chair as Birdie breezed into the group wearing high-waisted floral bell-bottoms and a sleeveless peach crop top, carrying a small bag from her chocolate shop. “Sorry I’m so late. I can’t believe I missed dinner and paintball!” She planted a hand on her hip, her gaze trailing around the fire and landing on Lucas. “Aha! There’s my cutie-pie nephew!” She strutted over to Lucas, who was kind of checking her out, and said, “Hi! I’m Birdie, your coolest aunt!”
“Hey.”
“Don’t hey , me. I’ve missed out on fifteen years of hugs. Stand up and give me a hug like a cool nephew.” She waggled the bag. “I brought you chocolate.”
“You are a cool aunt.” Lucas stood and hugged her.
“The coolest,” she corrected. “I wasn’t sure if you were allergic to anything. I stayed away from nuts, but are you allergic to anything? Tell me now before you eat something you shouldn’t.”
“I’m not.”
“Good!” she exclaimed. “There’s a bunch of different chocolates in there. If you have a favorite, tell your aunt Birdie, and I’ll hook you up. But if you hate them all, you can either lie to me or show up at my chocolate shop and we’ll make something you love.”
“That’s awesome,” Lucas said. “Thank you.”
“I think Aunt Birdie wants you to share those with your mom,” Juliette said.
Lucas flashed a grin. “I think Doc can afford to buy you your own chocolates.”
Everyone laughed.
“You’re gonna fit right in here,” Birdie said.
“He already does,” Dare said.
There was a flurry of conversation, as Birdie talked a mile a minute, asking Lucas how he liked the ranch and chatting about everything he’d seen and done, bringing everyone else into the conversation. She asked if Doc was annoying when he gave him driving lessons, and Doc was glad to hear Lucas say he wasn’t, but Birdie proceeded to tell Lucas stories about when Doc had taken her driving and had apparently annoyed the heck out of her.
“You did everything you could to push my buttons,” Doc chimed in.
“Well, duh ,” Birdie said. “I had to entertain myself somehow.” She continued her inquisition as she made s’mores, egging on Lucas to eat the ones she burned.
Lucas didn’t seem to mind.
“So, when can we see you on the back of a bull?” Birdie asked.
“Yeah, when can we?” Sasha asked.
“I would like to see you ride, too, son,” Tiny said. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen a competition.”
“Can I go, too?” Gus asked.
“Of course, buddy,” Ezra said.
“We’d like to cheer you on,” Sully said. “Right, Callahan?”
Cowboy nodded. “Absolutely.”
“Really? All of you?” Lucas’s eyes brightened.
Everyone talked at once, excited to see him ride. Doc’s emotions were running high, and Juliette appeared just as delighted. Leaning closer in his chair, he hugged her against his side.
“I’m competing in the Carlisle Ranch Rodeo in two weeks,” Lucas said with elation. “It’s a small competition, not a qualifier or anything. But if I win the bull-riding event, I get five hundred dollars and a belt buckle.”
“Five hundred bucks?” Birdie asked. “Heck, maybe I should start bull riding!”
“ No ,” Doc, Dare, Cowboy, and Tiny all said at once.
Birdie narrowed her eyes and said, “That only makes me want to do it more. You know, Lucas, I do hold the record for the longest ride on the mechanical bull at the Roadhouse.”
Lucas laughed. “You’re right, Doc. She’s totally a Birdie, not a Blaire.”
They all laughed.
“Juliette,” Dare said. “Can you send us the info for his competition?”
“I don’t have anyone’s number. I’ll give it to Seeley, and he can text it to everyone,” Juliette said.
“I’ll give you their numbers,” Doc said. “You should have them anyway.”
“Okay,” she said softly, but he could see how pleased she was by the suggestion.
“Good idea,” Dare said. “You never know when she’ll need us to come kick your ass.”
The guys laughed. Doc shook his head.
“Are you guys really going to come watch me ride?” Lucas asked.
“Heck yeah!” Birdie exclaimed.
There was more excitement and conversation, and when it finally calmed, Cowboy reached for Sully’s hand and said, “Sully and I have an invitation to extend as well.”
All eyes turned to him.
“Sully and I would like to cordially invite you to our wedding.”
Birdie squealed. “You picked a date?”
“We’re going to do it on the same day we got engaged. On our birthday, April seventeenth, at midnight,” Sully said.
“ Midnight? ” his mother asked.
“We know that might be too late for some of you,” Sully said. “That’s why we thought we’d have a celebration dinner beforehand.”
“It’ll only be family, and Treat Braden is officiating,” Cowboy explained. Hal Braden’s son Treat was a real estate mogul who lived in Weston. He’d also married Dare and Billie. “Jax is making Sully’s wedding gown, and he and Jordan are flying in for the ceremony.” Sully’s brother-in-law was a world-renowned wedding gown designer.
“Ansel and his mom, Gaia, are flying in, too,” Sully said. “I can’t get married without my childhood best friend and the woman who took care of us on that awful compound.”
“Well, I did say family, darlin’,” Cowboy said.
“Oh, Callahan, of course you did.” Sully leaned in and kissed him. Then she turned back to the everyone else, and said, “But if any of you would rather skip it, we understand.”
“You must be kidding if you think we’d miss your wedding. Midnight it is!” his mother announced, and a round of cheers rang out.
“Am I the only one who wants to know why you’re doing it at midnight?” Sasha asked.
Cowboy and Sully exchanged a loving glance, and he said, “Because we fell in love during our late-night walks, and we want to exchange our vows in the moonlight.”
“That’s so romantic,” Juliette said a little dreamily.
Birdie exclaimed, “We have to plan a bachelorette party!”
As commotion rang out, Doc pulled Juliette closer, whispering, “Our wedding will be even more romantic.”
He kept her close, her eyes widening with surprise, as he’d known they would. But he could no sooner hold that truth back than he could keep from falling head over boots in love with her all over again.
“Wipe that look off your face, Peaches.” He brushed his lips over hers, whispering, “You know you’re going to be my wife one day,” and he sealed those plans with a kiss.