Page 42 of Sweet Like Whiskey

He makes a sympathetic sound. “That happen often?”

“Unfortunately, yeah. Ever since he was a kid.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Ash says, and I think if anyone could understand what it’s like to deal with pain you can’t always control, it’s him. “Anything I can do?”

I’m about to shake my head when I reconsider. “Maybe biscuits tomorrow morning?”

He smiles gently. “Consider it done.”

I give a quick nod of thanks and leave the kitchen. When I get back upstairs, neither of my brothers has moved. Remi doesn’t even open his eyes as I gently pull the pillow away to switch out his ice pack. I wrap the new one in the same towel and set it against his forehead, but Remi lifts a hand to tap the back of his neck. I move it there before placing the pillow back over his eyes.

“Thanks,” Remi says quietly, his voice muffled.

“How long have you been up here?” I ask Colton.

He shrugs, careful not to jostle Remi too much. “Couple hours?”

“I’ll bring you some dinner.”

His smile is appreciative but tired.

The dining room is buzzing when I get back downstairs. I grab a plate, loading it for my brother. My mom catches my eye from down the table and signs Remi’s name, a question on her face. I give her a nod, and she touches her chest. She knows what it’s like for him.

Deciding to eat upstairs with my brothers, I make up a second plate and head back to Remi’s room. Colton thanks me when I hand him his dinner, and I sit down on the floor in front of the bed, not wanting to dirty my brother’s sheets with my jeans. We’re quiet as we eat. Remi shifts once, turning onto his other side. Colton moves the ice pack for him.

When there’s a soft knock on the door, I expect to see my mother. Instead, it’s Ash.

“Hey,” he says quietly. “Can I come in?”

I give him a nod, and he steps inside the room, a small basket in his hands. He stops in front of me, crouching down and speaking quietly. “I’m not sure what your brother usually does for his migraines, but I made up some ginger tea in case it might help. It’s in the thermos there to keep warm. There’s also a bottle of water and a can of pop. You know, for the caffeine. Plus some chocolate because I swear it works miracles.”

“Thanks,” I say, my throat tight.

He nods once, handing the basket over. “The peanut butter cookies are for dessert. There’s one for me, too, if I can have a seat?”

My swallow feels rough. “Sure.”

Smiling, Ash sits down next to me, his knee settling against the outside of my leg. He plucks a cookie from the basket in my lap and takes a small bite, humming. I pick out my own before passing the basket back to a smirking Colton. He puckers his lips, and I flick his shin, ignoring his responding hiss.

As Ash and I eat our cookies, Colton rouses Remi as gently as he can, explaining what Ash broughtand asking if he wants anything. Our younger brother sits upright after a minute, leaning against the wall with his eyes mostly shut. He doesn’t say a word about Ash’s presence, only raises an eyebrow my way before accepting the ginger tea. He sips it with a gentle sigh.

The four of us sit in companionable silence for quite some time, long enough for Remi to lie back down and fall asleep. No one seems to be in a hurry to be anywhere else. And when Ash’s hand finds a tentative, questioning home on my knee?

I don’t make a single move to discourage him.

Chapter 11

Ash

“Too much?” I ask my reflection, checking over my hat and boots in the standing mirror at the corner of the room. I can’t decide if I look ridiculous or like a real Montana cowboy.

Deciding maybe the hat is one step too far—for now—I leave it on my bed and make my way downstairs.

It’s cool today, and I’m grateful for the lining in my jacket as I head across the grounds to the horse barn. Jackson texted me not long ago to say he was there getting the horses ready for our trail ride. I’ve had butterflies in my stomach ever since.

He didn’t call this a date, not exactly. But I’m fairly sure that’s what it is. Especially considering Jackson told me we’ll be going out on our own, not with either of today’s scheduled trail-riding groups.

Definitely a date.