Beloved by Brothers (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 6)

“So do I.” He shook his head, looking at his Grecian costume. “At least I put in some effort.”

Doc laughed. “A fake beard, white sheet over jeans, and a pair of boots are hardly effort, Lucas. You might be ready for the toga party at Phase Four next week, but I’m certain you won’t be bringing home the top prize for the costume party. What are you supposed to be?”

“Not what—who. I am Phidias.” He fluffed his gray beard. “One of the most important architects of all time. He oversaw the building of the Parthenon.”

“You look great, Lucas.” Gretchen didn’t stop to add more, but passed by with a tray of delicious snacks. The dear woman was dressed as a character from one of the latest children’s animation movies, per usual. This year, she’d gone all out with a blonde wig, white smock, and every inch of her exposed skin was blue.

The three of them gave her thumbs up.

Mick smiled. “She’s going to win again this year.”

“I think you’re right.” Doc nodded and then turned to Lucas. “Are you all set for the new clinic’s ground breaking?”

“Yes. I finished the model this morning.” He loved being an architect. His career was the one thing in his life that made sense and gave him purpose. “It’s ready for the big reveal.”

“Everyone is going to love it, I’m sure,” Doc said.

“How’s the Boys Ranch coming along?” Mick asked. “Don’t Amber and the Stone brothers want to open it in December?”

“By the number of orphan boys Amber’s sister, Belle, is already carting around town, I think it is open now.” Doc grinned. “Have you seen how Juan is big man on campus with those five other boys?”

“He’s twelve now, going on thirty.” Ethel O’Leary walked up, wearing the regal gown of a queen. It suited her. “Juan is quite the paintball player, too.”

Mick put his arm around the wonderful lady. “I bet by next year’s tourney, he’ll come home with a trophy.”

“He might win the whole thing,” she added.

“I wouldn’t doubt it.” Doc’s tone turned serious. “You are taking it easy?”

She saluted him. “Yes. I’m taking it very easy.”

Ethel had gotten a bullet in her leg less than a week ago when Mitrofanov’s men had come looking for Jena. The woman had bounced back beautifully.

“I want you sitting more than standing, young lady,” Doc ordered.

“Fine. I’m just glad we could have this party.” Ethel’s eyes welled up. “Everyone has been so sad about what happened to Shannon. The town needed this more than ever.”

Lucas agreed. Shannon Day’s murder hung heavy on all their hearts. She was a wonderful, eccentric woman. Jason was taking it harder than most since the middle-aged lady had been his dispatcher and all-around go-to gal.

“The first dormitory and barn will be completed December fifteenth,” Lucas told them, spotting Jason standing next to Dylan Strange.

Those two were dead set on bringing back Niklaus Mitrofanov to face trial here in Destiny. They remained away from the bulk of the crowd in a corner of the room. Dylan was CIA, a man who got the job done, whatever it took. Jason, Lucas’s brother, was the lawman, the everything-by-the-book guy, and the very proud sheriff of Destiny.

“That’s great.” Ethel smiled. “You should be very proud of all you’ve accomplished, Lucas.”

“I will be when it’s completed. We still have a main house, another dormitory, a library, a school, and who knows what else Amber will come up with. The Stone Boys Ranch is going to be a wonderful addition to our town.”

“You can say that again,” Mick said.

Doc looked at his watch. “Isn’t it about time for Patrick’s story?”

She nodded. “He’s added something that I think the kids are going to love.”

“The kids and us,” Lucas said, noticing Mitchell by the buffet table.

He wasn’t sure why his brother was standing behind Kaylyn with his eyes closed. Not surprising. Mitchell was the dreamer, the musician, the artist.

Lucas didn’t understand either of his brothers much. He was more pragmatic, landing somewhere in between the two extremes of his siblings. He could never chase the wind like Mitchell, nor could he stand so rigid when the loss was so great like Jason had done.