Page 107 of A Rancher's Love

“One step at a time,” he reminded her with a wink. “I do love you, Ginny.”

Then he kissed her.

They’d had so many kisses over the years. Sweet and innocent. Wickedly hot, nearly spontaneous combustion. They’d had lazy kisses that rolled along until an energy-consuming spark ignited them.

But this kiss was about forever. About love and about being together for all the right reasons.

No regrets.

A shot of hot air blasted past her ear, and Tucker chuckled, his lips curling into a smile even as they stayed pressed to hers. “I think we’re being told to move along.”

Ginny glanced over her shoulder to discover one of the horses had come over to investigate what they were doing, sticking its nose past her cheek and between her and Tucker.

“I didn’t request a horse chaperone,” she said, glancing around to discover Luke grinning at them.

“Hey, you interrupted our foreman in the middle of a task. I can’t help it if you get interrupted when you’re in the middle of something as well.”

Tucker straightened, curling Ginny against his side. “I’d apologize, but after all these years, Ginnyfinallycame to her senses and told me she loves me, so it was kind of important.”

Ginny pinched the bridge of her nose. “I do not believe you just said that.”

“She has this thing about privacy. I simply don’t get it,” Tucker said. “Very shy and retiring, our Ginny.”

“I noticed,” Luke said dryly. He waved a hand toward where the rest of the ranch hands had begun whistling and cheering. “We all noticed.”

Laughter floated up from somewhere around her toes and rose skyward. It was the contagious type, because Luke laughed as well, and Tucker stared at the ground and shook his head as if the two of them had lost their minds, but she knew he was amused.

He didn’t need to grin from ear to ear for her to know how he felt, what he thought.

How much he loved her.

Spring arrived.Tucker hovered between exhaustion and bliss, each day starting with early chores and often dragging late into the night.

But no matter what time he was done, his days also finished with him at the cottage with Ginny by his side, and he woke up wrapped around her. And that made it all worthwhile.

Alex came rushing into the office one morning. “It’s time.”

Tucker blinked for a second. “Damn, the way you’re buzzing, I’d have guessed you had a baby on the way.”

His friend grinned. “Nah, that’s Ryan and Madison.”

“Damn, they do not fool around—” Tucker stopped as Alex outright guffawed. “Okay, bad phrasing.”

“Sorry to laugh and run, but Dad is up for preliminary tests in two days. And Mom just messaged that her doctor says he suspects her appointment will be within the week.”

Wow. “Good news, although we’ll miss you while you’re gone,” Tucker shared honestly.

Alex held out his hand and shook Tucker’s firmly. “I’ll be back. There’s a lot I still need to accomplish.”

“Need me to look after anything while you’re gone?”

The other man’s smile turned sheepish. “Don’t think it’s a good idea to ask you to run interference if Yvette starts dating any of the hands, but I’m still tempted.”

Tucker patted him on the shoulder as he walked Alex to the door. “Sorry, can’t make any promises in that direction. But I will try to sing your praises as often as I can.”

“More than I could hope for.” Alex tipped his hat and left.

Changes were happening, although still not all the ones Tucker hoped for. His uncle, for example, was still tight-lipped and uncooperative when it came to his relationship situation. Or the seeming lack of it.