Page 92 of Sassy Love
He reminds me of Manuel, happiness personified, so I guess it fits.
“Rubes, Gracie, you remember Carlie.” Lawson extracts himself and folds me into his chest.
Ruby rolls her eyes at him with a laugh. Grace says a soft hi and hugs me lightly, kind of sideways.
“Adds, this is Carlie. We work together.” He waves at the pretty brunette with big brown eyes and curly brown hair. “Carlie, this is Addy, Huddo’s wife.”
“Hi, it’s amazing to meet you all,” I say.
“Where is that big brother of mine?” Lawson says.
“Tending the bar tonight with Mack.” Addy nods to a long rustic bar where two cowboys in hats are busy serving drinks. “They lost the toss this year.”
Lawson laces his hand with my own and we wander through the long tables toward the bar. I feel a little out of place in a cocktail dress and heels. But when I take a closer look at Ruby’s outfit, something right off 5thAve, I feel much better.
One white hat bobs and weaves behind the bar as the man wearing it serves drinks and makes change. The other, in a black hat, smiles at me and wipes down the counter before tossing the tea towel down and rounding the bar. “You must be Carlie. The Reed grapevine travels at lightning speed round here. I’m Mack.” He pulls me in for a hug then fist-bumps his brother.
“Busy as ever, Mackie-boy,” Lawson says with a grin.
Mack points a finger as he returns to his post, his face turning to stone. “You’re cut off already.” His face splits with a grin as the man I assume is Hudson flicks him on the jaw and comes out from behind the counter, sliding his white hat off with one hand and one-arm hugging Lawson. “Hey bud. So good to see you.”
Lawson pats him on the back, hesitating before he lets go.
Emotion burns behind my eyes. God, he must miss his brothers. His family. And I haven’t even met his parents yet.
“Hey, I’m Hudson. You must be the firecracker who’s keeping Laws on his toes, hey?”
Heat flushes my neck and face. The hell? Since when do I blush at the mention of Lawson?
“Yep, that’s me,” I force out before leaning into Lawson’s side.
Mack hollers for backup, and Hudson glances over his shoulder.
“Y’all have a good night, you hear?” Hudson says with a smile before tapping Lawson’s hat with a finger and wandering back to his station and taking an order.
“Overwhelmed yet?” Lawson asks, bending his head down.
“No.” I’m being honest. I love seeing him in his element. Seeing this side of Lawson Rawlins. It’s endearing.
“Oh my lord! Will you look at that!” A woman’s voice cuts through the air, and we spin back. A blonde woman in her sixties stands by an old cowboy, who looks... suspiciously like an older version of Hudson.
“Ma,” Lawson calls, closing the distance as she folds her son into a hug. Even from here, I can tell it’s one of those warm hugs that only a mother can give. That unconditional love makes.
A second later, the old cowboy has his hat in his hand, and Laws moves in for another one-arm hug. This lot are ridiculous. When the hugs are out of the way, his father moves across the floor to where I stand. “Howdy, darlin’. Welcome to the family tradition.”
“Hi, I’m Carlie.” I hold a hand out for him to shake, and he chuckles. A heartbeat later, I’m wrapped in strong arms, looking over his shoulder to Lawson, whose face is utterly amused.
By the look on mine?
“Harry Rawlins, you let that sweet girl go before you suffocate her.” His mother’s smile stretches her face.
Harry releases me with a nod and smile.
“Hun, you look just stunning.” Lawson’s mother casts her eye over my dress.
“Thank you, Mrs. Rawlins.”
“It’s just Louisa.” She pats my cheek like Mills does, and I tamp back the emotion that rises with the gesture.
