Page 72 of Promise Me a Forever Texas Love

“Oh, come on, Pops,” he said. “Camden would love it if you came out to the ranch and taught him how to play the guitar.”

Poppy hadn’t picked up her guitar once in the last couple months and he was hoping teaching her nephew would change that. Poppy had a soft spot for Camden. Even though she liked to act otherwise.

“I’m not teaching that hyper kid how to play the guitar. He can’t even sit still for a game of checkers. And I know what you’re trying to do, Huckle. But I’ll pick up my guitar when I’m good and ready. And just so you know, I’m not sad about you leaving. Now I won’t have to compete with you for the washing machine and dryer. Or for hot showers. Or bacon.”

He grinned. “I never doubted that my tough little sister will survive quite nicely without me. Especially now that you have a project.” He glanced at the house. She’d had him make shutters for the front windows and was in the process of painting them a sky blue.

She followed his gaze. “The house needed a facelift. And with all the spare time I have on my hands, I figured why not.”

Jaxon and Tully had hired more employees, giving Poppy more time off. Everyone had hoped it would help her get over her ex-boyfriend and back to singing. Instead, it seemed to have just pissed her off.

“I still can’t believe Jaxon and Tully hired that asshole bouncer from Booby Trap to replace you at the front door.”

Huck was as surprised as his sister when he’d heard his replacement was the huge hulk of a man who had thrown him and Poppy out of the men’s bathroom that night. Although Huck figured Steele wouldn’t last more than a week. Not when Poppy still seemed to be holding a grudge.

“Do you know what he called me the other night?” Poppy’s eyes flashed with anger. “Pop Tart!”

Huck bit back a smile. “Give the guy a break, Pops. Steele is just trying to make friends with you.”

“Well, he’s going about it the wrong way. Besides, I don’t need a friend.”

He ruffled her hair. “Because you have so many.”

She glared at him. “It’s hard to have friends when you have three annoying brothers.”

“Three annoying brothers?” He placed a hand on his chest. “And here I thought you loved me better than Dawson and Jax.”

“Well, you’re wrong. I don’t love any of you Hooligans.” But the teary emotion in her eyes said something different. “Now if you’re done screwing around, we need to get ready. If I don’t get the groom to the church on time, Cadee will have my hide and yours too.”

Due to his fruitless efforts to get his wayward cowlick to stay down and Poppy losing one of her boots, they barely made it to the First Baptist Church on time. When he finally got to the room where his groomsmen were waiting, Huck worried about what he’d find. Hennessys and Stocktons hadn’t ever gotten along.

Of course, that was before they shared a nephew.

Huck walked into the room to find Dawson and Camden lying on the floor in their tuxedos having an arm wrestling match while Jaxon, Cooper, and Callum stood around them issuing encouragement and advice to Camden.

“Don’t give up, Cam!” Callum yelled.

“You got him!” Cooper agreed.

“Keep eye contact,” Jaxon said. “First Hennessy rule of fighting, don’t show any weakness.”

About then, Dawson’s arm gave out and Camden pinned it to the floor with a crow of victory. “I won!”

Dawson sat up and rubbed his arm. “You sure did. Have you been lifting weights?”

Camden shook his head. “Just bales of hay.” He shot a glance at Cooper and Callum. “With a little help.”

“Well, it sure shows.” Dawson glanced at Huck and winked. “You’re much stronger than your daddy was at your age. I whooped his butt on a regular basis.”

The night after they’d gotten into it at the Stockton Ranch, Dawson had shown up at the Hennessys’ house to apologize to Huck. Cadee and Camden had been there watching Jurassic Park and Dawson had apologized to Cadee too, then joined them for the ending of the movie.

That’s what brothers did. Fight and then make up.

Although while Dawson had been pissed at Huck for robbing Mickey’s, Jaxon had forgiven Huck immediately.

“You were a kid, Huck. We all make stupid decisions as kids. Let’s leave the past in the past.”

And that’s exacted what Huck intended to do. There was too much happiness in the moment to worry about the past.