Chapter Thirty-Four
LUCAS HADN’T BEEN too nervous when they first arrived at the hospital, but by the time he had his pre-treatment blood drawn and they finally got to the infusion room, he was trembling. The nurse was wonderfully patient, and she explained everything step by step, which helped. Lucas handled it like a champ, but Juliette couldn’t claim the same.
Seeing the son she’d spent her life trying to protect hooked up to an IV in a fight against a disease they’d never seen coming brought a vast range of emotions, from grief to anger and everything in between. But none was stronger than the hope in her heart. It helped that Seeley was there with them, making sure they were comfortable, offering to get them food and drinks, and trying to distract them, and probably himself, from what they were feeling. He kept the conversations light and positive, suggesting they plan another camping trip for the spring and talking about the upcoming holidays.
Lucas was quiet on the way home, and when they pulled up in front of their house, Juliette swore there was a collective sigh of relief.
“One treatment down,” she said as they climbed out of Seeley’s truck. She noticed Seeley and Lucas exchanging a glance she couldn’t read. “What?”
“What, what ?” Lucas snapped.
“Never mind,” she said, wondering if she was seeing things. “Long morning.”
Seeley grabbed the bags they’d brought to his house for the weekend and slung his arm over her shoulder. “Now you can relax.”
“We all can,” she said as they headed up to the house.
Her thoughts stumbled when they reached the porch. Hanging from the rafters was a gorgeous, and enormous, porch swing, with a blue cushion along the seat and several colorful throw pillows. “What is that ?”
“It’s your new porch swing,” Seeley said. “Cowboy and Dare set it up while we were at the hospital.”
“It’s gorgeous , but it’s more like a swinging couch,” she said with awe. “I’ve never seen one so big.”
“We made it extra-long and deep so we could all fit,” Seeley said. “We’re going to make one for my place, too.”
“You guys made it?” She looked at them with disbelief. “This is what you’ve been working on?”
“It was Doc’s idea,” Lucas said flatly.
“But it was Lucas’s design, and he worked really hard to get it done for you today,” Seeley said.
“Lucas…?” she said with utter astonishment.
He pushed his hands into his pockets, his shoulders rising in a shrug, a smile finally curving his lips. “I know how hard all of this is for you. I wanted you to have something to be happy about when we got home.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” Tears sprang to her eyes. With all he was going through, he was worried about her happiness? “I love it, but knowing you’re getting the treatment you need to be healthy is the only gift I need to be happy.” She hugged him. “I love you so much. Thank you.”
“I love you, too. I’m kind of tired. I’m going to lie down for a while.”
“You don’t want to try out the swing first?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Maybe later. Hey, Doc, would it be too much trouble for you to bring the dogs over?”
“I’ll be happy to. I need to check on the horses anyway.”
“Thanks.”
“Let me know if you need anything, honey,” Juliette said as Lucas headed inside. She wrapped her arms around Seeley, smiling up at him. “You guys are sneaky. Thank you for thinking of me.”
“I’m always thinking of you, but the swing was also for Lucas. Tiny suggested he might need a purpose. Something to focus on other than treatments, and he was right.”
Her heart took another hit. “Well, Dr. Whiskey, he’s seemed so depressed lately, the last few weeks have rarely pulled a smile from him, and he just gifted us one. I think it was exactly what he needed today, too.”
“And that smile on your face tells me it was what you needed, too.”
She went up on her toes and kissed him. “Will you try it out with me?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
They climbed the porch steps, and he put his arm around her as they sank into the cushions. She rested her head on the front of his shoulder and put her hand on his leg with a sigh. “This brings back memories.”
“Try to keep your hands to yourself this time,” he teased. “I wouldn’t want Lucas to catch you feeling me up.”
“Fine. How about my lips?” She got up and straddled his lap, smiling down at him.
Heat flared in his eyes, and he threaded his fingers into her hair, drawing her lips closer to his. “I think you mean my lips, darlin’.” He nipped at her lower lip, giving it a gentle tug with his teeth, sending desire skittering through her. “And I never want you to keep them to yourself.”
AFTER SEELEY LEFT to pick up the dogs, Juliette answered the group texts that had come in from his family, updating them on how the treatment had gone and sharing that Lucas was resting. Then she went inside and checked on him.
He’d dozed off, so she brought a blanket outside and snuggled under it with her feet tucked beside her on the swing like she used to. She sat there for a long time, thinking about not only the last few months, but her life and all that she’d been through. It still hurt to think about how all the people she should have been able to trust had deceived her. But she’d made the right decision not going after her father. It would have upended their lives even more, and none of them needed that.
She looked out at the barn, remembering how her grandmother had taught her about horses. Hazel was a tough lady. “ I miss you ,” Juliette whispered. “I wish you were here to see how brave Lucas is and to see me and Seeley back together after all this time. I’m scared for Lucas but hopeful. I’m sad for what he’s going through, but I’m happy our family is finally together. You should see him with Seeley, Gram. Seeley is an amazing father, and I think Lucas needed him more than I ever knew.”
She drew in a deep breath. “These last several weeks were harder than everything I ever went through with my parents put together. I don’t think I could’ve gotten through them if you hadn’t taught me to be strong. Who am I kidding? I couldn’t have gotten through the last sixteen years without you telling me I could do it. I wish I’d visited you more often. I hate that I let my fear of my father keep me away. I hope you know how much I love you and how much I appreciate everything you have ever done for me.”
A gust of wind swept over her cheeks like a caress, and she closed her eyes, her grandmother’s voice tiptoeing through her mind. I love you, too, Juliegirl. She smiled into the breeze, goose bumps rising on her arms. “I love you, Gram.”
The sound of a horse galloping brought her eyes open, and she saw Layla riding toward the house from one of the trails. She pushed to her feet, hoping Lucas had reached out to her. She waved to Layla and heard a truck pulling down the driveway. It was Seeley.
Juliette looked up at the sky. “Why do I feel like you had a hand in this?”
Seeley climbed out of the truck, and the dogs bounded toward the house. She loved them up as Seeley strode toward her with a duffel over one shoulder, carrying a deep, covered crock. Layla slowed her horse to a walk, and the dogs ran toward her.
Seeley whistled, commanding, “ Here ,” and the dogs doubled back to him. He gave Juliette a curious look that she knew was about Layla’s arrival.
She tried to silently relay that she was just as curious.
He nodded and held up the crock. “Dwight made Lucas chicken and dumplings.”
“That was nice of him.” She came off the porch as Layla dismounted. “Hi, Layla.”
“Hi, Dr. C. Hi, Doc,” she said sweetly, looking cute in jeans, a tan sweater, and a down vest. “How’s Lucas?”
“He’s doing well, resting,” Juliette said.
“Would it be okay if I talked to him for a minute?” she asked.
“He’s in his room. Let me make sure he’s up to company,” Juliette said. “You can come in and wait inside.”
They headed inside with the dogs and found Lucas coming out of the hall into the living room. Sadie ran to him, but Seeley kept Mighty and Pickles by his side.
Lucas looked tired, but when he saw Layla, he looked a little guilty, too.
“Hi,” Layla said nervously. “I just came by to talk to you for a minute.”
“Is that okay, Lucas?” Juliette asked. “If you’re not up to it—”
“It’s fine,” he interrupted, petting Sadie.
“Jule.” Seeley nodded toward the kitchen. “Help me find a place for this?”
“Sure.” She followed him and the dogs into the kitchen.
Seeley set the crock on the counter, told the dogs to sit and stay, and whispered, “Any idea what’s up with them?”
Before she could answer, Lucas’s voice cut through the silence. “What are you doing here?”
Juliette put her finger over her lips, shushing Seeley. She knew she shouldn’t eavesdrop, but she couldn’t help it.
“Checking on you. I’m worried about you. What do you think I’m doing here?” Layla snapped. “You haven’t answered my texts in over a week, and you’re avoiding me at school. If you don’t like me anymore, and you don’t want to go to the dance, then tell me to my face.” Her voice escalated. “Don’t hide behind your stupid phone or pretend you don’t see me at the other end of the hall. You told me your heart was mine forever . If you didn’t mean it, that’s fine .”
Juliette grabbed Seeley’s arm, aching for them.
“But I meant it when I gave you mine,” Layla fumed. “If you’re pushing me away because you’re sick and you’re scared, don’t . I want to be with you whether you’re sick or not. If you only have a week or a month or a year, I want to spend it with you. So please just be honest. Look me in my eyes and tell me if you’re done with me, and I’ll give you your mom’s necklace back.” There was a beat of silence. “Here. Take it.”
“Holy shit,” Seeley whispered. “He gave her our necklace?”
Juliette shushed him again. She peeked around the corner and saw Layla holding out her hand with the necklace in her palm.
“I don’t want it back,” Lucas said angrily. “When a Whiskey gives his heart away, it’s forever.”
Seeley put his arm around Juliette, drawing her back against his chest, and kissed the top of her head.
“Then what do you want?” Layla asked a little softer.
“ You ,” Lucas snapped. “ Us . The way we were. Without cancer, or a port in my chest. I just want to be a normal kid and hang out with you without worrying about if I’m going to feel too sick or too tired to hang out. You don’t need that shit in your life. You can have any guy you want. It’s not fair for you to be with someone like me.”
“My cousin was right. Boys are stupid,” Layla said exasperatedly. “You’re the only someone I want, Lucas. I get that having cancer sucks, but I’m not going anywhere. I read about what you have, and you’re going to get better. But if you get sicker along the way, you can rest your head in my lap, and if you’re tired, you can sleep and we’ll see each other when you’re not too tired. I’m made from hearty stock, whether I’m a Braden by blood or not. And if you think I’ll get bored or whatever, then know this . I’d rather have time to get bored with the boy I love than no time with him at all.”
She thrust her palm with the necklace in it toward him. “It’s your call. What’s it going to be?”
Juliette held her breath as Lucas looked at the necklace.
His brows slanted, his face a mask of pain. “It’s not even a question for me.” He took the necklace out of her hand, his head bowed, eyes downcast.
Layla’s shoulders sank, a pained sound falling from her lips.
Tears welled in Juliette’s eyes, and Seeley held her tighter.
“I’m sorry,” Lucas said quietly but emphatically, and finally met her gaze. “I never meant to hurt you.” He lifted the necklace between his finger and thumb, the charm dangling. He took the chain in both hands, ducking his head a little as he held it open wider, to put it on, but then he slipped it over Layla’s head and said, “Fair warning, I might lose my hair.”
She half laughed, half cried, and threw her arms around him. “You’ll still be the hottest boy in school.”
“ Yay! ” Juliette exclaimed, and the kids spun around, wide eyed. She slapped her hand over her mouth. “Ohmygod. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
“Yes, she did,” Seeley said at the same time Lucas said, “Yes you did.”
Layla laughed, and then embarrassment pinked up her cheeks. “I can’t believe you heard all of that. I’m sorry for raising my voice.”
“I’ve already forgotten it,” Juliette said, wiping her tears.
“I haven’t,” Seeley said. “It was beautiful, Layla. Lucas is a lucky guy.”
“I am lucky.” Lucas laced his fingers with Layla’s and said, “But she did call me stupid.”
“You were being stupid,” Layla insisted.
Seeley laughed. “That’s a rite of passage, buddy. All teenagers are stupid sometimes. Girls and boys.”
“It’s true,” Juliette said. “That’s why God makes teenagers cute, so when your egos get in the way, there’s a little something keeping your friends close.”
“Now that the romantic crisis is over, is anyone hungry?” Seeley asked.
“I am,” Lucas said. “Want to stay for dinner, Layla?”
She nodded. “But I have to be home before dark.”
“Am I allowed to ride?” Lucas asked.
“I don’t think you should tonight,” Juliette said. “In case you get tired or feel bad while you’re out.”
“It’s okay. I can ride by myself,” Layla said.
“I’ll make sure she gets home safe, buddy,” Seeley offered.
As they headed into the kitchen, Lucas said, “Mom, can I talk to you for a sec?”
“Of course,” she said.
“Layla, I’ll be right in,” Lucas said.
“Come on, Layla. I could use your help,” Seeley said.
Juliette waited until Layla and Seeley were in the kitchen to ask, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, but are you mad about the necklace?”
Boy, her heart was taking a beating today. “No, honey. It’s your necklace. You can do whatever you want with it. I know how much it means to you, and now I know how much Layla means to you, too.”
His lips quirked into a slightly bashful smile, but it only lasted a second before he said, “Do you think Doc is mad?”
“No. I know he’s not. If there’s one thing you can count on with us, it’s that we’ll never tell you not to follow your heart.”