Reckless Love (Cowboys & Angels 7)

“Looks like they started without ya!” Rip chuckled.

“Yeah, looks like it.”

Rip and I stood there and watched the scene play out. Each of my aunts and uncles were soon in each other’s arms, cutting up the dance floor like it was nothing. They were all such amazing examples of what love was, following in the same footsteps as my grandparents—well, at least in their own way. They’d been there for each other through all of the good and the bad. I was blessed to have been raised in such an amazing family.

Rip pointed off to the left and I gasped at what I saw. “Oh my gosh! Aunt Vi is here with Uncle Aedin!”

“Wow, they came back from Ireland just for your graduation!” Rip said, making his way toward the crowd. He loved talking to Aedin. Rip’s dream was to go to Ireland and learn everything he could about Aedin’s business of making whiskey. Once Aunt Vi and Uncle Aedin married, they spent most of their time in Ireland. It was a treat for us all when they came to visit. Of course, poor Uncle Cord still had a heck of a time understanding his father-in-law and I’m sure that would never change.

I stood back and took everyone in.

My family was big, loud, and crazy at times, but I loved each and every one of them. I was going to miss them all.

As I went to step off the back porch to join the party, I saw a flash to my left. Turning, I stopped and stared at the disaster heading straight toward the tents.

“Oh, no,” I whispered. “Patches!”

Patches, the goat I’d gotten from my granddaddy when we first moved to Oak Springs, was running at full speed. And behind him were three of his kids. All ready to crash the party.

“Daddy!” I yelled out and pointed. “He got out!”

Those were the magical words that everyone knew. Three simple words that spoke volumes. Everyone started for the food table. Even though Patches was up there in age, he was still a goat on a mission.

I covered my mouth with my hands and started to laugh as my childhood best friend and favorite goat in the entire world jumped onto the food table, the other three goats following their lead.

Gage and Merit both started yelling out, “Run, Patches! Run!” They had always been Patches’ cheerleading team when he got into trouble.

After getting his fair share of food, Patches spotted his arch nemesis, Aunt Waylynn, and took off back toward the barn, his three kids following after him. Aunt Waylynn was hot on their heels.

“Patches! I swear to God, I’m going to kill you this time! I mean it!” Aunt Waylynn screamed out.

Rip walked up to me, laughing while tears streamed down his face as he draped his arm over my shoulders.

“Damn, Chloe. No one can throw a party like your family!”

Smiling, I agreed. “If that isn’t the truth.”

Rip wiped at his tears. “Wonder what party he’ll crash next?”

I shrugged as I looked up at him with so much unspoken emotion in my eyes. “I can’t wait to find out.”