Page 100 of A Rancher's Love

21

The final days of February approached, and mischief was afoot. Luke’s birthday, and Tucker’s, were just around the corner, so ideas were being bandied about behind closed doors and out of ear shot of two curious men.

No. Nottwo.

Honestly, Luke was being a royal pain in the butt, popping out of the woodwork every time Ginny and Kelli attempted to make plans.

Tucker? Seemed to have zero inkling that anyone wanted to celebrate with him—another reason to despise his parents.

Especially after the entry Ginny had found in her mom’s journal a couple of days earlier. Just thinking about it pissed her off and made the need to plan a super surprise all the more important.

Like poking a sore bruise, Ginny opened the book just to read it again.

I’m so stinking mad right now, I could spontaneously combust.

Tucker called this afternoon to say thank you for the birthday present we’d sent. He caught us before we could call him—we expected he’d be busy with his birthday party until after dinner.

It appears “something came up” and his parents cancelled the party. So instead of swimming with his friends, Tucker is at home while his parents attend an event at the university.

I get it. Work emergencies come up, but damn those people. He’d already given up what he really wanted to do to please their biases, and now he gets nothing?

They have no idea how special their son is. With the bullshit he puts up with, he should be a rebellious tyrant instead of a level-headed young man. He’s got such a good heart and so much potential. Every time he’s around here I clearly see he means to take advantage of every good opportunity he’s given.

There’s a little of Walter in him, in fact, and I’m glad.

Which means, along with being mad, I’m also in problem-solving mode. Walter and I already agreed—Tucker gets a birthday party when he arrives this summer. Not that we’ll call it that, but still.

He deserves to have some fun. Plus, I’m pretty sure we can convince the rest of the horde to join in, official party or not.

Mischief-making and problem-solving seemed like similar tasks at the moment to Ginny. She was as determined as her mother had been.

Tucker needed a surprise birthday party.

“We could rent space at Rough Cut so the guys could play pool,” Kelli suggested.

“They did some of that at Ashton’s party,” Ginny said grumpily. “I mean, it's a good idea, but what I’d really like is to make this something that’s part of the past and celebrating the future.”

“Hey. Kel, you never told me my sister was coming over.” Luke sauntered into the kitchen and rested his elbows on the island, grinning maniacally at them both. He was supposed to be out picking up something for Ashton, so showing up in the kitchen unexpectedly like this meant he was trying to get in their way. “Hi, sis. What a surprise. Good to see you.”

“You’re such an ass,” Ginny offered her brother dryly.

“Yeah, but he’s my ass,” Kelli countered. “So no poisoning him.”

Ginny rested her fists on her hips. “It was one time, alongtime ago. I don’t know why you all keep bringing it up.”

Luke slipped behind Kelli, sliding an arm around her waist. “We figure it's better to keep ahead of potential danger.” He winked at Kelli. “I'm glad to be your ass. That means this one’s mine, yes?”

A small squeak escaped Kelli, and she jumped as if Luke had goosed her butt. “Behave.”

“No idea why you think I'd start now,” he drawled.

Ginny rolled her eyes. “Since you have a good memory about some things, let's see how far back it goes. What did we do for your fourteenth birthday?”

Luke paused, blinking in surprise. “That's a strange question.”

Ginny raised a brow.

He looked thoughtful. Frowned, then his eyes widened. “Oh, yeah. Pretty sure that's the year we went to the indoor amusement park. Foosball, indoor go karts, that sort of thing.”