Page 79 of A Rancher's Love
She eased in closer. “Good. I’ll let you take care of that. And trust me. It’s not that I plan to stand up and announce to all and sundry that we’ve been fooling around for the past nine years.”
“Jesus, has it been that long?”
She smirked. “But knowing this town, at some point, the information will come out.”
“I’m okay with that,” he said, still reeling a little at how long it had been. “Does it still count as nine years if you were gone for three of them?”
“It’s a little easier to say nine years than to say, ‘nine years less the three that Ginny was out of the country,’ don’t you agree?” She smirked at him.
“We don’t always have to take the easy route,” he reminded her.
She turned serious for a moment. “I hope this works. I want this to work,” she admitted, “but if you need us to take a break. If you need us to do something different, let me know.”
He caught her chin, and his fingers shook her gently. “Stop trying to fix things for everyone. It’ll be okay. You and I will figure things out going forward. Together.”
She took a deep breath and nodded decisively. “Together.”
16
The warm glow inside wasn’t getting any fainter. Ginny felt like a teenager getting ready for a date. It was pathetic, really.
Before she could stop herself, she sent a text to her sister.
Ginny:Please laugh at me and tell me to calm down.
Dare: LOL. What are you all kerfuffled about? Wait— It’s tonight, isn’t it?
Ginny: I have changed clothes four times. Which you will know is truly ridiculous considering my wardrobe consists of jeans, jeans, and more jeans.
Dare: Oh, sweetie. We both know there are umpteen different kinds of jeans. I hope you picked the sexy pair that makes your ass look great.
Ginny: My ass looks great in all my jeans.
Dare: There’s my Ginny! Of course it does. You’ll have fun tonight, and you don’t have anything to worry about. This is Tucker we’re talking about. He’s an amazing guy. I’m so glad you’re coming out of the shadows, so to speak.
Ginny: Great. Now I have this image of him as a giant spider.
Dare: LOL. I just meant the whole secret sexy rendezvous thing was pretty spectacular, but this has more long-term potential. That makes me happy.
That was the bit that scared Ginny to death. The long-term part. She wanted it—she was sure she did. But was she good enough for him?
Ginny: He is a great guy, and I’m really happy to try the next thing. I hope it works.
Dare: It will. If you need me for anything, give me a shout. I will rain down sisterly indignation on anyone who needs it. Now go. Enjoy your evening.
Ginny: <3
She put her phone away and turned back to the mirror one more time. Her jeans were newer, the dark blue contrasting with the pale powder blue shirt she’d layered over a creamy tank top. She’d left her hair down, which she would probably regret somewhere after the third or fourth dance.
Ginny grabbed an elastic and shoved it in her pocket for the inevitable moment she’d return to a ponytail.
A final check. The faint layer of cosmetics, including a lip balm she’d made, were enough to make her look bright and happy yet not overdone. She looked good, so it wasn’t concern over her appearance making her heart pulse rapidly as a knock sounded on the door.
She swung it open to discover Tucker standing in front of her. Sheepskin-lined jean jacket, his dark hair slightly messy as always. Clean-shaven with not a trace of five o’clock shadow.
His face was sheer perfection because of the look of appreciation in his eyes. “Damn, you’re beautiful.”
She snickered, grabbing her coat and pulling it on quickly. “Thanks. I’m glad your taste runs to low-key and casual.”
