Of course, I didn’t. I’d only brought one of them. Except I had brought along my garment bag for the dresses… “Ashlee’s shipping everything else.” Now is not the time to joke with him about how she refuses to send them until after the wedding. “Thank you, Colt. Just let me find something to wear and we’ll be right down for dinner.”
“Supper,” Colt corrects me.
Tucker slides a scowl toward his brother. I know it’s silly. I know it doesn’t matter, but this is coming from one of the siblings who doesn’t hate me. “Supper,” I say. I’m tempted to add a few other cowboyisms…like “vittles” or “grub,” but again…not the right time.
Colt backs out of the room, looking like he’s not sure how he should feel about me. Heck, he probably saw my dismay at the condition of my luggage as well. I can only hope he won’t report to the women how Tucker’s city-slicker fiancé is overwrought that her suitcases got a little damp.
When he closes the door, I let out a deep breath. They’ll come around. I unclench my fists and try to relax.
Tucker runs a hand through his hair for about the tenth time since finding me in his room. “Tuck.” I pull his gaze to mine with my voice. “It’s okay.” And I shrug. “Not everything can be easy.”
He nods slowly and crosses the room. A thrill shoots though me, of course, when he takes hold of my braid and tilts my head back. “Sorry about your bags, sugar.” When he holds me like this I don’t care if I have to pack my clothing in grocery bags next time I take a vacation.
“Tuck…” I pull his face down to mine. “Like I said before.” I nip at his lower lip. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Oh, my famous last words.
Ten minutes later,wearing yoga pants and T-shirt– because everything else is pretty much sopping wet– I follow Tucker downstairs.
I know that they know– or at the very least, suspect– what Tucker and I were up to as soon as he came home, but I refuse to act shamefaced about it. I love him. He loves me. We’re two consenting adults.
Two engaged consenting adults.
“Daddy!” The smaller of the two boys I met earlier throws his arms around Tucker’s legs. Leeland. He’s all of four years old, just a baby who lost his mama way to soon.
Still holding one of my hands, Tucker bends down and scoops Leland into his other arm.
“Did you fix awe da fences?”
Okay. I’ve never seen my hot fiancé with his kids. I’m about ready to burst into tears at the sight.
Yeah, I’m a little emotional today.
“Sure did, kiddo. What did you do today? Did you feed Rascal for me?”
Leeland nods proudly.
“Mutt?”
Another nod.
“And Cody?”
“Yep. All of ’em, Daddy. L.T. helped me.”
“L.T.” Ah… “Little Tuck.” So freaking adorable.
Tucker hitches Leeland up higher on his hip and gestures toward me. “Did you say hello to Miss Isabella?”
Leeland nodded again. “She likes mud.”
I burst out laughing. “I’m all cleaned up now, though, Leeland. Is this better?” I’m no longer in a skirt but, alas, neither am I wearing dog prints.
He nods and then buries his head in Tucker’s neck. I can’t help but notice the tender skin on the back of his neck. Soft baby hair. To think of this baby losing his mama… One woman lost her fight for life, two boys lost their mother, and a man lost his wife.
And if she hadn’t lost her life, I never would have found the love of mine. I feel guilty and blessed at the same time.
“L.T.” Tucker’s voice commands his other son. “Come in here.”
