Page 82 of A Rancher's Love

He wasn’t terribly surprised when Luke and Kelli were suddenly dancing beside them, his friend’s expression absolutely hysterical.

Unexpected was Luke stealing Ginny out of his arms while Kelli stepped in to replace her.

Tucker watched Ginny dance away with reluctance. “Well, drat. That’s a conversation I was supposed to have,” he complained, turning his attention on Kelli. “Hi. Having a good evening?”

“I don’t know if I should give you an award or hogtie you right now,” Kelli said sweetly.

“Let’s go with the award.”

She laughed. “I thought Luke was about to lay an egg.”

“So that’s what his expression meant.”

Kelli snickered again. “You’re terrible. Also, I think you and Ginny will make a great team, so please put up with whatever nonsense happens over the next few days until this all settles, yes?”

Interesting observation. “Ginny and I will do just fine,” he assured her. “I’m in it for the long haul. Or at least, that’s what we’re aiming for, a fact Ginny knows.”

Kelli nodded. “Luke’s not upset that you guys obviously…”

Her lips twitched as she seemed to struggle for the right word.

“Like each other?” Tucker suggested.

“Have carnal knowledge of each other seems more appropriate,” Kelli suggested.

Well. “It was a better kiss than I expected.”

Kelli fanned her fingers in front of her face. “Hell-o. Every one of Ginny’s cohorts plans to interrogate her as soon as possible. Just in case your ears are burning later tonight.”

It was impossible to keep in his smile. “I really do like her,” he said more seriously. “I’m glad she’s got all of you in her life again. She needs you, Kelli. She needs you and all her girlfriends more than she’ll probably ever admit.”

Kelli nodded slowly. “Yeah, she does. But you can’t help somebody who doesn’t ask. Know what I mean?”

Boy, did he ever. “We’ll have to figure out how to be the best secretTeam Ginnysupporters.”

Kelli patted him on the shoulder and tilted her head toward the side of the room where their things were. “Come on. Time to face the firing squad.”

Tucker braced, uncertain exactly what would happen next. But Luke simply gave him a brief chin nod then took Kelli back out onto the dance floor.

Then, because Ginny insisted, Tucker danced with Tansy who was downright gleeful about the kiss. Then he took Rose for a spin before handing her over to Alex.

It was a normal, ordinary evening out dancing with good friends. The only change was that he had a pretty woman he wanted to call his by his side most of the time.

A number of the ranch hands were there. Ginny accepted their invitations to dance, coming back each time to Tucker with amused updates.

“Some of them are buttering me up in order to get on your good side,” she said with a grin, stealing a long drink from his beer. “You okay with this?” she asked, leaning in close so she didn’t have to yell over the music.

“Being here with you, or you dancing with other guys?”

“Both.”

He shrugged. “You like to dance. As long as they’re respectful, I’ll put up with it tonight.” She blinked in surprise. “They’ve got questions. Some of them are probably double-checking you’re okay with what’s going on. They’ll be happier hearing it come from you.”

She curled her arms around his biceps and squeezed for a moment. “You’re smart. And you’re right.”

“I’m smart, yet I also fucked up royally.” Tucker saw Alex making his way over and gestured to the man. “Dance with him. I need to talk to your brother.”

Ginny frowned. “I told Luke—”