Page 56 of A Rancher's Heart

“If you’re handing out change…” Luke slipped into the space next to Tamara and. “My hand is always willing and ready.”

“That might not be something you want to advertise too loudly,” Kelli teased, jumping out of reach as Luke took a mock swing her direction. “You sound as if you’re…”

“And hello to you two,” Tamara interrupted, lifting the cash in the air and nodding at Caleb. “Thanks. I’ll add it to the record in the kitchen, but I figured twenty-bucks-as-a-gift limit?”

He paused. “Each, or together?”

“Together.”

Kelli raised a brow. “Wow, you two are just as tight with the coin as each other. I like that.”

“Until you ask for a raise, at least,” Luke returned.

“They’ll take my raise out of your earnings. Since I’m the one who did your work today.”

Caleb glanced between the two of them. “Luke?”

His brother sighed as if he’d been hard done by. “She out-roped me.”

“Tell him how many times,” Kelli said perkily. She was gloating.Definitelygloating.

Luke ignored the question, turning his back on Kelli, probably so he didn’t have to see her grin. “I vote we find out what Tamara’s got happening. What’s on your agenda for tomorrow?” Luke asked.

Caleb considered returning to his raking, but this was too interesting.

“Birthday party with the girls for someone in Sasha’s grade two class. Of course, that means twenty-four girls and a dozen chaperones, so I get to meet all the young mothers in town.”

“Should be fun.” Luke nodded approvingly.

Kelli laughed. “Watch yourself. That group is only fifty percent sweet, homegrown sunshine.”

“What’s the other half?”

“Homegrown noxious weeds. No way to get rid of them but to burn them to the ground.”

“Kelli,” Luke chastised. “You don’t even know who’s going to be there.”

“I know their type,” she insisted. “Dangerous, all while looking like peaches and cream.”

“Don’t judge so fast. Maybe Tamara will make some good connections in the group. Be nice for her to have friends nearby instead of being stuck out here on the ranch without any women to chat with.”

Tamara opened her mouth to protest, but Kelli had gone rampant straight, cheeks flushed as she glared at the man who seemed oblivious to his impending doom.

“Yeah, right. Because I’m chopped liver.” She gave Tamara a quick farewell wave. “Have fun, stay safe. Talk to you soon.”

She marched past Luke, stomping extra hard at the opportune moment.

“Owww. What the hell?” Luke lifted his foot and shook it as he glared after her. “What is wrong with you? Watch where you’re going next time.”

“Oh, I think she hit where she was aiming,” Tamara said coldly, raising a brow.

“She’s a cranky creature these days.”

Caleb stepped out quickly. His brother was one step away from being skinned and stuffed. “Luke, go grab Ashton for me.”

Luke blinked at the rapid change of topic. “Why don’t you—?”

“Go,” Caleb snapped.