Cowboy Up (Lucas Brothers)

“That’s it, Adam. Now get him to move forward. That’s it, son. You’re doing awesome,” Blue says, and tears sting my eyes.

“Blue’s good with kids,” Black says, stating the obvious.

“He is,” I agree.

“He told me he’s working on getting you to trust him.”

I swallow. “I trust him for the most part. I just… I’m not sure I trust this change in him when it comes to me, Black,” I answer.

“Blue is difficult to understand. He’s quiet as hell, but he feels deeply. Maybe what you’re seeing isn’t so much a change as much as he’s finally letting you see past the barriers he’s kept up.”

“I’m not sure what you mean,” I answer, unable to pull my gaze away from Blue and Adam. Eventually Adam gets down, but he hugs Blue tight, and I don’t know what he tells Blue, but whatever it is means something. Blue ruffles his hair and keeps his hand on Adam’s shoulder. When they get River up on the pony, Adam gets to lead. I smile. The pony looks like he’s barely moving, but the pride on Adam’s face and the way he keeps searching for Blue’s approval is unmistakable. Tears sting my eyes because Blue never fails to give it either. He’s either bragging on him out loud or giving him a fatherly touch of praise.

Fatherly.

Oh, God…

“The night Blue found out you were marrying Clark, I found him drunk in the barn crying. Does that sound like a man who didn’t love you, Meadow?”

“That was years ago, Black. Besides, everyone seems to forget that Blue and I were broken up for a year before I started dating Clark. It’s not like I broke Blue’s heart.”

He’s the one that broke mine.

“I get that, but you both were kids for the most part. Maybe you could move past what has happened and look at what Blue is showing you now.”

“Did he put you up to talking to me?” I ask Black.

“Hell, no. He’d kick my ass if he knew I told you about him crying. I’m doing it because my brother has loved you before he knew what love is. Even when he got stupid, he still loved you. I want to see him happy, and I know in my heart, that happiness depends on you Meadow.”

“Black—”

“And if I didn’t think your happiness is with Blue, too, I wouldn’t even bring it up.”

He gets up and kisses me on top of my head and walks away without giving me a chance to respond. It’s just as well, I’m not sure I know what to say anyway.

I’m staring into space, thinking about everything Black says, when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I jerk in response.

“You okay, baby?” I look to see Blue staring at me, his face worried.

“I’m okay,” I respond, pasting a smile on my face. “I’m just really tired. I think when we go back to the doctor next week I’m going to see if they can give me extra vitamins or something. I mean, I was tired with Adam, but I’m dragging all the time with this one.” Blue crouches down in front of me and I frown. “Blue, get up. You’ll hurt your knees.”

We’re on brick pavers that the family uses for a dance floor at weddings, and apparently barbecues during family time. There are several tables set up—enough to accommodate the entire Lucas clan, including Faith and her husband Titan, their kids, and Faith’s sister Hope and her husband Aiden. I saw Parker earlier, but he seems to be keeping his distance and I let him. Blue seems to get irritated whenever he sees him. No sense in borrowing trouble. Green has brought a couple of other guys from his team. I recognize Finn and Slater from my time hanging out with Parker. Parker’s brother Mike and his fiancé Violet are both here, too. I also see Rooster, which is unusual. He doesn’t like traveling now that he’s settled in his own apartment. He also doesn’t seem to have Gladys with him.

Of all of them, I can’t get over the fact Aiden is here. He’s starred in some movies that I loved. I’m not the kind of girl to get starstruck, but I can admit that I was for a hot minute.

“Do you want to go back to my house and lay down, Doe? I don’t want you out here if you’re miserable.”

“I’m not. Just tired. Your mother would kill us both if we left without hearing her big news.”

“She’d understand and if she didn’t, she would just have to get over it.”

He leans down and kisses my stomach. I find myself forgetting everything and everyone around. I let my fingers tangle into his hair and close my eyes. Right now, I feel cherished, and it’s something I haven’t really felt before. Even when Blue and I were together, we were too young to realize that moments like this meant everything in the world. He looks up at me, and it feels like his eyes bore into me.