Page 75 of Sweet Like Whiskey

“A raccoon,” I say dryly.

He rolls his eyes as Virginia joins us. “Obviously. What are you doing with it?”

I glance over at the family to make sure the children aren’t listening before saying, quietly, “Getting rid of it.”

Both Ash and Virginia look as if I slapped them.

“What?” Ash asks. “You’re not…killingit, are you?”

I hesitate, and Snickerdoodle kicks up her mane and whinnies, as if to say,duh.

“Jackson Darling,” Ash says, stepping close and speaking low. “Please tell me you’re not planning on killing that defenseless raccoon.”

“It’s a pest,” I say slowly.

“It’s ananimal.”

“So are you,” I counter before I can think better of it.

Ash’s eyes turn almost flinty. “I’m not sure if you’re calling me a pest or helping my case, so I suggest you choose your next words carefully.”

I flounder, opening and closing my mouth a couple times, not sure what the hell is even happening.

Virginia pipes up, a chuckle in her tone. “As fun as it is seeing a grown man’s testicles retreat up his body in real time, I needa get home and wash the goat off me before the bar opens. See yalater, baby boy.” She gives Ash a quick hug before turning my way. “Don’t make me regret rooting for you, Darling.”

With that, she’s off, and I’m left staring at the stone-cold face of mypartnerwhile I try to figure out what goddamn hole I just dug myself into.

“Jack,” Ash says, the one syllable slow.

“Christ,” I mutter, rubbing over my eyes. “What would you have me do?”

“Let it go.”

“It’ll come back.”

“Let it gofaraway,” he proposes.

I groan, the sound lasting a small eternity. “Another goddamn bleeding heart around here.”

“You say that as if compassion is a bad thing,” Ash accuses.

I can’t help it. I lean forward and kiss the scowl off his face. He makes an aborted sound, looking shell shocked as I step back.

“The things I do for you lot,” I grumble, heading briskly toward the exit. A few goats smartly step out of my way.

“You’re going to let it go?” Ash asks, following after me.

“I have a feeling I’ll regret it, but yes, I’m gonna let it go.”

He holds the gate open, blocking Snickerdoodle’s path as I pass through. “You’re a good man, Jackson.”

“I’m a sucker, is what I am,” I mutter, eyeing Ash as he keeps in step beside me. “What’re you doing?”

“Coming with.”

“Of course you are. Ever ridden in a UTV?”

Ash shoots me a grin. “Not unless a golf cart counts.”

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