Gunner and I exchanged a glance and then both grinned.
“Let’s do it.” I looked over to the guys working. “They’ll need upgrading.”
“I know but I think we can do it within a decent budget.”
“We shouldn’t skimp, though,” Gunner added. “Wear and tear will be pretty hard on rentals like that.”
“I know so you’re right, we won’t buy cheap.” Nash shoved a hand into the pocket of his jacket. “Right, I’m going. I’ve got some paperwork to do.” He started to walk away and then turned back. “Oh, and Wild, Lily says bring Tally to dinner tonight.” He pointed a finger at me. “No arguments.”
Gunner laughed loudly and slapped my back. “Seems like you got your orders, little brother. I’ll let Tally know if you like. I’m meeting her at the indoor arena now.”
“It’s fine. I’ll do it. Tell her I’ll grab lunch with her.”
He saluted me and walked away and for once I was jealous of one of my brothers. He was going to be spending time with my woman, when that was the only place I wanted to be.
Walking across to Tally’s cabin to take her to dinner, I felt nervous. I had no idea why. It wasn’t like it was a first date, or she didn’t know my family. Maybe because it meant something. What we were. What we were becoming. I didn’t want anything to go wrong because I was finally starting to feel worthy of it.
“I feel nervous.”
My head whipped to her direction, my hand tightening around hers. “Why do you feel nervous? You know everyone. You’ve spent time with them before.”
She shrugged. “I know, but this feels different.”
The air released from my lungs was like a deflating balloon. “God, me, too.”
Tally pulled us to a stop. “They’re your family. Why on earth are you feeling like that?”
My tongue flicked out to wet my lips, the uncertainty pushing itself back inside my head. “Because this is important,” I told her. “Because you’reimportant to me and I don’t want to mess it up.”
“And because they know you better than anyone, love you more than anyone, and if I’m not right for you I’m scared they’ll tell you. And then,” her eyes closed momentarily, “and then all this will be over.”
Drawing her in, I laced my fingers in her hair and kissed her softly. Tasting the mint of her toothpaste, the zing of the freshness.
“It’ll be fine,” I whispered. “We’ll have a nice dinner and then later I’ll show you exactly how good we are together. Okay?”
“Okay.” She smiled shyly and I decided I liked it. It was cute. I went in for another kiss only to be interrupted by Tally’s phone ringing in her pocket. “Damn, sorry. I’ll put it on silent.”
“It’s okay. Take it. It might be your folks.”
Taking her phone, Tally answered it. “Hello…hello.” She frowned. “Is anyone there? Probably a sales call.” She turned the phone off and then pocketed it. “Okay, let’s go for dinner so I can wow your family.”
“Please tell me that’s not true.” Tally threw her head back and roared laughing.
I glared at Nash who’d thought it was amusing to tell her the ‘teenage pregnancy scare’ story.
“Why?” I asked him, throwing my hands in the air. “Why would you do that?”
Tally’s eyes were bright and shiny as she looked at me, still rocking with laughter. “You poor baby.” She patted my arm. “Did no one ever explain the birds and the bees to you?”
“I was drunk. I had no idea I hadn’t even put it in.” Dropping my head in shame, I pouted like Bertie when she wasn’t allowed another ten minutes reading before bed.
“Who’d have thought he’d become so good at getting cattle pregnant.” Gunner joked.
“Yeah,” Lily added. “I heard how good he is at getting Gideon excited.”
“I do not jerk off that bull off.” I pointed at her, narrowing my eyes. “Anyone who tells you I did is a liar.”
The whole table erupted with laughter at my expense, but I didn’t care.I was loving every minute. Tally was loving every minute.
