Page 89 of A Rancher's Love

Dustin jerked upright then snickered. “Right.”

Tucker patted him on the back then turned him toward the horses and pushed him gently. “Let’s go. I think you still have some jobs you need to finish this afternoon.”

“Yes, sir.”

The response came so quick and natural, Ginny had to hide a smile.

The warmth inside her was back. It lasted all the way until they got the horses to the barn and everyone headed home or returned to work.

Ginny caught Tucker by the hand and pulled him toward her. “I knowyouprobably have some jobs you need to finish this afternoon, but come to my place when you’re done? I’ll make supper.”

He nodded. “I’ll be there in a couple of hours if that works for you.”

They both took off in different directions.

The first thing Ginny did when she got home was hop into the shower, steamy water all around her heating her up until every bit of tension washed right away.

Then she made another tea, mixing a couple of different combinations together before curling up on the couch and once again lifting the journal into her lap. Once again opening to a random page to write.

I don’t know how to do this right, but I suppose that’s part of the journey.

Every day we have to take the adventure as it comes, and while sometimes the road is not one we want to travel, today I learned a very important lesson.

The companions with us on the journey are vital.

I think that’s some of what you tried to teach us, Mom. About picking friends at school who were the rock-solid type and not ones who wouldonlylead us in mischief. I think that’s why you and Jacquie Hayes got along so well. You knew how to fight about what was important so that you could learn from each other.

Dare and I don’t always agree. We don’t always like the same things—although she’s totally going to get a kick out of the fact that I’m writing in this thing. Considering she’s the one who’s been journaling since she was sixteen…

Is that karma, or fate, or just some weird coincidence?

Doesn’t matter.

What does matter is that I have people in my corner who love me and care for me and want nothing but the best for me.

I don’t have to be strong on my own.

Ginny closed the book slowly, fingers slipping from between the pages in an almost caress. That had felt different. So very different from before.

It’d felt…right.

Then, because she had no idea when Tucker might get there, she headed into the kitchen and got started on dinner.

She may as well admit it. While there were a lot of things she couldn’t do, feeding a man—herman—was a thing she truly enjoyed.

To borrow Tucker’s favourite phrase, screw the rules.

When he got there shortly after five, he paused inside the door and took a deep appreciative sniff. “Ginny, it smells like heaven in here.”

She stepped forward, taking the colourful bouquet of flowers from his hand. “These are beautiful.” She went up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you.”

While he took off his boots, she went and put the flowers in a vase and arranged them on the table, then returned and brought him with her to the loaded kitchen table.

He paused with one hand on the back of the chair. “Wow. You went all out.”

Ginny laughed. “I had a few things in the freezer, but yes. I figured you deserved your favourites.”

She had warmed up leftover roast, made spiced cauliflower, and a mountain of mashed potatoes. “There’s also green bean casserole with rosemary, and bumbleberry pie for dessert.”