Page 115 of A Rancher's Love

Kisses temporarily put on hold—very temporary if he had any say in it—Tucker stretched back and pulled Ginny’s feet into his lap as he offered his full attention. “Go for it.”

She cleared her throat, glanced up at him with a shine in her eyes, then read out loud.

Walter gave me a family ring for Christmas. I didn’t say anything in front of the kids because thankfully none of them noticed, but I had to tease him.

The ring has eight stones, not seven.

I asked if he had someone on the side I didn’t know about, and for a minute or two, he clearly had no idea what I was talking about. The man is adorable when he’s flustered.

Then he told me he’d screwed up, but in the end decided it wasn’t really a mistake. See, he’d made a list of the kids and all our birthdays then sent it to the store.Allour kids—as in he’d automatically included Tucker’s name and birthday.

We both sat there for a moment after he told me that, and I realized he was right. The boy might not be my flesh and blood, but he’s mine as much as if I birthed him. I’m proud to have Tucker as part of this family, and I hope in the future, we can find a way to make it not just a summertime thing, but an all-the-time thing.

He deserves a big happy family around him, and he’s already part of Silver Stone. When it’s appropriate, we’ll make sure it happens.

The longer Ginny read, the more Tucker’s throat closed as emotion swamped in. Having Deb and Walter’s approval and love stated so clearly meant…

Meanteverything.

He took a deep breath and focused to control himself.

Ginny rearranged herself, wrapping her arms around him and holding him tight. Her cheek pressed to his, their torsos meshed. Not sexual, but intimate and connected. One soul, one heart.

He held her and let the tears come. Just now. Just once.

In the end, they both needed tissues to clean up and be ready for the next thing.

“You happy?” she asked, climbing back into his lap.

“Very,” he confessed.

“Good.” Mischief danced into her eyes. “Tucker? I want you. Today, tomorrow. Forever. I love you so much.”

Then she kissed him until he couldn’t think straight. Ginny, generous and warm, teasing until there was nothing to do and nowhere to go but right here and now. Slipping together intimately in another way. Bodies heating, kisses and panting breaths until she covered her mouth with her hand and her face twisted with pleasure. Coming hard around him. Taking him over the edge.

Together. Always.

Forever.