Page 32 of Bourbon and Secrets

Lark chimes in, “The curse purse.”

Lily reminds her while looking at me, “Five dollars for every curse word. Dad had to start capping it at twenty-five per day instead of easing up on his word choices.”

“I have one flaw,” I clap back playfully, throwing my hands up.

The three of them look at me with annoying smiles, but it’s Hadley that digs in. “Just one?”

I push my glasses up the bridge of my nose with my middle finger, making sure she sees it.

“Dad, we know what the middle finger means,” Lark says matter-of-factly. “You do it to Uncle Grant all the time and you know it’s ten bucks.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I smile into my glass as I finish my drink.

Julep follows Laney outside, stopping at Lily’s side first for a pet and then moving over to Lark.

“Dad, did you know that all puppies are born deaf?” Lark asks.

I smile at the randomness of some of the things that come out of her mouth. “I did not know that.”

“Do you think that’s why dogs like people so much? Because we talk to them?” Lily asks no one in particular.

“It would make sense,” I say, watching Lark. And I can almost tell what might be coming next. I’m just wondering which one is going to ask this time.

“Highland cows actually form the same kind of bonds with humans as dogs tend to do, which isn’t typical for most cows,” Lark says as she folds her legs under where she’s perched on the arm of my chair. “Maggie said that she and Faye used to livein Wyoming before they moved to Kentucky, and they had cows everywhere.”

Hadley smiles at me as I say, “Cattle. They probably would have called them cattle in Wyoming, and I doubt they were highland cows.”

Lily swats at the air. “I think dogs are cuter than cows, Lark.”

“Well, nobody asked you, Lily.”

I clear my throat. “Be nice,” I say to Lark before I look to Lily so she knows I mean both of them.

“I’m with Lily,” Hadley says as the last log finally cracks and catches the flame. “I prefer horses, but if I had to pick, I’d pick a dog over a cow any day.”

“Me too,” Laney says as she pets Julep’s head.

Lark looks to me to weigh in, and I narrow my eyes.

“What am I missing here? Why is this a conversation?” I try to shift the topic. “Laney, please tell me you brought dessert.”

“I brought dessert,” she says with a laugh as she tips back her glass of bourbon, then looks at me for a beat. “Chocolate mousse bombs. They might pair nicely with one of the bourbons you’ve been working on, yeah?”

I send her a grateful smile. “Maybe.”

“Keep pushing for what you want, Linc,” she says as she hands Hadley her glass to take a sip from. “You know bourbon better than anyone. I might be the new kid here, but I knowthat.” It feels good to hear that from someone who hasn’t been here for years.

Lark picks at her mostly chipped nail polish and says, “Dad, if you had to pick. Which one would you choose?”

Before I can answer, Lily says, “Hypothetically, of course.”

This doesn’t feel hypothetical. “Of course,” I repeat, giving both of them a look that says I’m on to them. I know my girls. I’m going to get their birthday wish lists this year with both a cow and a dog scribbled across the top, just like their Christmas lists,with pictures and hyperlinks included. They’re going to wear me down. I did the same to Griz countless times growing up. I know exactly where their tenacity comes from.

“Highland cows seem like oversized outdoor dogs. And if it’s a dog like Julep, then I’d have to say both. I couldn’t choose.”

“Seriously?” Lark says, eyes lighting up, genuinely surprised.

The sliding door opens, and Griz peers out. “I just ate three of those chocolate mousse things. I suggest you all get in here before I polish off the rest.”

---