Page 91 of A Rancher's Love
Alex shrugged. “When it’s right, it’s right. Besides, they’ve been good friends since they were young.” He gave Tucker a pointed look. “You might know someone like that. Someone who’s currently involved with a woman he spent a lot of time with when they were young, and who knows where it could lead?”
“Enough,” Tucker said, but he was amused. It was nice to have someone like Alex around who was willing to banter back more than just a ‘yes, sir.’ “What does Ryan need?”
“They’re holding the wedding over at Red Boot Ranch, but they hope to have all their friends join the party. Can you make sure everyone on the list has Saturday off?”
Tucker whistled. “Wow, talk about getting the job done double quick.”
“Ryan’s talking about them trying for a baby right away. Seriously, the man is very action-oriented, shall we say.” Alex grinned. “And that’s not me gossiping. Ryan has been telling absolutely everyone the same thing. Madison has given up getting him to stop oversharing. She thinks it’s funny.”
“Hey, whatever works for a couple’s relationship,” Tucker said. “Give me the list, and I’ll see what I can do.”
Which meant if he had to work a double shift, he would. Impulsive last-minute activities like this needed to be encouraged as far as he was concerned—
A second later he caught himself. “Damn, I must be feverish.”
Alex frowned. “What?”
Tucker pressed a hand to his forehead. “I just caught myself thinking being spontaneous and impulsive was a good thing. The Tucker of a couple years ago just got indigestion and went and checked a few spreadsheets to calm down.”
Laughter burst from the other man. “You’re all right.” Alex looked him over with satisfaction. “It’s been good to have you around. Seriously.”
“Thanks. Get me the list as soon as you can.” Tucker took off, because if he needed to juggle the schedule, he needed to get a couple other things done first.
“I will,” Alex called after him.
Tucker had just stepped from the warmth of the training barn and into the darker passage between buildings when something solid barreled into him and shoved him against the wall.
Tucker moved instinctively, rolling away from the force and bringing up his hands protectively as he found his balance.
“Fucking asshole. Course you’d hide behind her skirts. Know who’s got the balls in your relationship.” A fist snapped toward him.
Tucker ducked to the side, blinking hard to focus. “Jim. What the hell? Back up and talk this out.” Tucker ordered.
Instead, another fist flew at his face. Tucker deflected, but not hard enough, and the blow made contact with his shoulder, spinning him slightly.
“She told you to get rid of me, didn’t she?” Jim demanded.
“Still don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tucker said, retreating quickly toward the second door. While he could defend himself, fighting with one of the men was not something he wanted to do unless it was absolutely necessary.
Jim jerked his chin upward. “That cold Stone bitch. I didn’t even touch her. I guess I should’ve, considering you’ve managed to fuck your way to a pretty prime position. Next time I see her, I won’t be so polite. Maybe track her down in that greenhouse of hers and have some fun, right?”
Which meant the dammed bastard had watched Tucker and Ginny fool around. He wouldn’t have seen much, not with the frosted tint on the windows, but Tucker’s fury shot to high.
Yet it was the rest of what Jim had said that crossed a line there was no coming back from. Somehow, instead of killing the man, Tucker shoved open the door behind him, light pouring into the space. “Get your ass out there.”
Jim rushed him, catching hold of Tucker’s arm at the last moment to spin him into punching distance. “Fight, you fucking pansy. Cut my hours? Make me redo training? It’s all that damn bitch’s fault.”
Tucker and Luke had spent a lot of years fighting. Fighting because they wanted to learn, fighting sometimes because they were seriously pissed at each other.
Jim might’ve been in a few bar brawls, but he’d never actuallyfought. That much was clear as Tucker stood back and got into position.
“You don’t want to do this,” Tucker said. “Walk away, and I’ll let Ashton deal with you. But you’re done. You’re not working another day at Silver Stone.”
“Eat shit,” Jim shouted, snarling like a rabid dog.
He would’ve been better off simply swinging instead of working to look fierce. Tucker avoided the next blow and got in a satisfying jab to Jim’s ribs.
A crowd moved toward them, which had been Tucker’s hope in shifting them into a more public place. He had zero objection to taking the man down, but legally, he needed to stay on the right side of the law for the ranch’s sake. Which meant staying in defensive mode.
