Page 14 of A Rancher's Love
“Darlin’, Luke and Kelli are two of our favourite people,” Diane said, her voice sweet southern honey. “And from the way he’s been talking about you, you’re one ofhisfavourite people.”
“That’s because he’s currently ahead of me in our annual summerwho’s better than whoscore,” Tucker said conspiratorially. “But I aim to change that up pretty quick.”
“You also beat me up the last time we fought,” Luke reminded him, “But I’m not holding any grudges. Much.”
“Not what I heard…” Tucker said before clearing his throat and glancing toward the tree. “Oh, look. Decorations.”
They were still laughing as he turned toward Kelli who had leapt to her feet and was now approaching with a grin. He knew her from way back as well. One of the Silver Stone ranch hands, and if he remembered correctly, she’d been around since the summer he turned nineteen. Now no longer a ranch hand, but married to the man Tucker still considered his best friend, her changed situation gave him a kick. “Kelli James—excuse me, KelliStone. Congratulations and hot damn. You always knew how to pick the best.”
She squeezed him tight, patting his back with enthusiasm. “We missed you,” she complained as she pulled away and offered an uncharacteristic glare. “The first summer you didn’t show up, I got stuck with most of your shitty chores.”
“Sorry about that. As much as I loved coming out here, the reality of a full-time job finally reared its ugly head.” There’d been more at play than that, but the answer sufficed for now. He glanced to the side, looking for Ginny.
The damn woman was in the kitchen.
“Hey. Ginny. Come and say hi to our friends,” Luke ordered.
“Coming. Just have to get some wake-me-up happening.” She grabbed two mugs and walked boldly toward them, handing one to Tucker before placing her own on the side counter and going through the whole greeting routine. “It is really nice to finally meet you,” she told Jack and Diane sincerely.
“And you.” Jack settled back on the couch, arm curled around Diane’s shoulders.
Kelli all but vibrated with excitement. “I know I got to hug you last night, but it wasn’t enough. Plus, I kind of want to repeat what Emma said and declare you’re not allowed to ever go away again. I missed you, girlfriend.”
“Missed you, too,” Ginny agreed, hugging the other woman tightly.
Tucker was the only one in the room who could see Ginny’s face, and the slow breath in she took, and the way her eyes squeezed up tight. Her expression was laced with so much sadness—which seemed odd in conjunction with what the women had both said was a happy event.
He pushed aside his curiosity, waiting until Ginny was free to gesture her toward the only other chair in the U-shaped seating arrangement. “Sit. I’ll grab us some food.”
“I can wait,” Ginny countered. “You sit.”
Nothing was ever straightforward with this woman. Still, he wasn’t about to start arguing in front of Luke’s very classy friends. Tucker planted his ass in the oversize easy chair.
Then he barely held onto his coffee when Ginny settled on the oversized arm rest, hip against his torso.
“How long are you visiting?” Ginny asked Diane.
“Two weeks.” Diane glanced out the window and shivered visibly. “Which goes to show how much I love you guys, because there issnowon the ground.”
“Right? What’s up with that?” Jack asked, deadpan serious. “Snow in Alberta in December. Who would have guessed?”
Diane snickered, but she tapped her fingers on his shoulder. “Stop it.”
Ginny crossed her legs, which pressed her hip a little tighter against Tucker’s side. He could not get over how oblivious Luke and Kelli were to the fact that Ginny was inches away from sitting in his lap.
He focused on keeping his drinking arm steady as he took a sip.
“That’s a very shiny looking ring,” Ginny commented. “I seem to recall Luke telling me that you two weren’t married, so theMr. and Mrs. must be a recent addition.”
“It is. Shiny and brand-new.” Jack tightened his embrace around Diane’s shoulders, and pointed a finger across at Luke and Kelli. “Took a page from their book and finally managed to sweet-talk my woman into getting hitched without any pomp and circumstance.”
Diane curled against him, and pressed her hand with the ring against his chest. Diamonds flashed bright enough to blind. “He surprised me on the way here. We stopped in this cute little chapel before we even hit the airport. The next thing I knew, we’d said I do, and the deed was done.”
Kelli snickered lightly. “So to speak.”
Diane shook a finger. “You’re such a naughty girl.”
Beside Kelli on the couch, Luke grinned hugely. “I’m glad it turned out well for you. You have no idea how much trouble we got into with our impulsivelet’s hold a wedding right nowmoment.”
