Page 13 of Country Winds (King Creek Cowboys #9)

She swallowed and dabbed her mouth with a napkin.

“I started it about seven years ago when I helped out a friend and found I enjoyed it and was good at it. Now, I have a long list of clients and my own YouTube channel, where I provide tips and tricks for social media. It has garnered a great following and more clients.”

He took a healthy swallow of Coke, then set the cup down. “You must keep busy.”

“Too busy.” She sighed. “I can’t complain, but I will hire someone, and it won’t be soon enough. With the voicework I’ve been doing, I’m having a terrible time keeping up.”

He raised a brow. “Voicework?”

“I’m a voice actor.” She smiled. “I’ve been doing it for three years, and I’ve recently started being cast more frequently, making it even harder to keep up with my business.”

Her voicework career piqued his interest. “What does a voice actor do?”

She swallowed her bite. “I do voices for animated shows and movies. I started with anime and have flown to Japan a few times. I did a major motion picture, which will be out this fall.” Her excitement in her work was evident.

“I was also selected to be the main character's voice in a Lara Croft-style game called Myth Hunter, which will be out in less than a month.”

“You’re always doing voices.” He thought about it. “You’re a natural.”

“Thank you.” She picked up her cup. “I’ve been doing them since I was a little girl—I would make my toy horses, dolls, and stuffed animals talk to each other.”

He grinned at the thought of the little girl she’d been. “I can see why you’d feel overwhelmed.”

“You don’t know the half of it.” She sighed. “I should have hired someone a while ago—I’m being torn in two. But I love both, so I don’t feel like it’s a hardship. I need help so that both careers get the attention they need.”

Her schedule gave him pause, making him wonder how she could fit a relationship, much less children, into her life.

“I keep busy with one career.” He shook his head. “Can’t imagine having two.”

“We’ll see what happens when I have help.

” Ellie gave a sheepish grin. “It’s hard to turn over something you’ve worked so hard to build.

Tanner thinks I should consider selling the social media business.

I hadn’t seriously considered it, but maybe I should.

There is something to our twin connection, and he’s always looking out for me.

We look out for each other. I think he might be right.

My schedule would slow down, which I think I do need. ”

“It’s a big step.” Tucker studied her, glad to hear she was trying to ease the pace she was keeping now. “Give it some time to chew it over. If and when you decide to sell, you’ll know you’re doing what’s right for you.”

Ellie nodded slowly. “I’ve got a lot to think about.”

“Tell me how you got involved in being the heroine’s voice in the game.” Tucker’s interest had been piqued. “ Myth Hunter , am I right?”

“That’s right.” She tilted her head to the side as she thought about it.

“They came to me. The producer heard me on a short film I did, and he said he loved my voice and thought I’d be perfect for Myth Hunter .

” She shrugged. “I auditioned, and next thing I knew, they offered me a contract through my agent.”

“You mentioned you’ve done voicework for anime in Japan?” He wrinkled his brow. “I assume that means dubbing English?”

“Yes, dubbing.” She pushed away her plate and folded her arms on the tabletop.

“I learned Japanese from a friend in high school and learned more through Rosetta Stone and the Duo app. I’m not fluent, but I understand and read it well and am not too bad at communicating verbally.

” She said something in Japanese and then translated.

“Fall down seven times, stand up eight. That’s a popular Japanese proverb and my approach to life. ”

“I’m impressed.” Tucker sat back in his chair. Ellie kept surprising him. “I speak Spanish well, but that’s my only foreign language. Do you speak any other languages?”

“I have a knack for them.” She nodded. “I’m fluent in Spanish and German and not too bad with Italian and French.”

“You told me you want to visit relatives in Hamburg and Berlin one day,” he said. “Communicating with them won’t be a problem for you.”

He didn’t recognize a word as she spoke her following sentence in German. She smiled. “It’s one of my mom’s favorite sayings. It translates to ‘Life is no pony farm,’ which means, ‘Life can be challenging.’”

Tucker chuckled. “She’s got that right.”

“I just started learning Swedish.” She shifted in her seat. “I’ll get back to you when I’ve got that one down.”

“Why Swedish?”

“I want to go there in the future.” Her eyes had a faraway look. “Maybe I’ll take a Baltic cruise and visit other Scandinavian countries. Oh, and I want to go to Estonia while I’m there. I hear Tallinn is gorgeous.” She sighed and met his gaze. “What about you? Are you interested in traveling?”

He nodded. “I’ve thought about traveling to Great Britain and Europe, but never sat down and made plans.”

“Life gets away from a person, doesn’t it?” She leaned forward. “Just think of all the adventures you could have. Three of my cousins spent their honeymoons in Europe. They went to different places from each other, and they all came back with wonderful stories.” She smiled. “I’m quite envious.”

“I’m sure you’ll make your dream of visiting Europe happen.” He returned her smile, thinking about going on a trip like that with her, if things went the way he hoped they would. “Are you ready to head home?”

She glanced at her watch. “I didn’t realize so much time had passed.” She looked at him. “Spending time with you makes me forget everything else.”

Tucker nodded. “I feel the same way.” He eased up out of his chair as she stood. He gathered the empty containers and drink cups, carried them to the waste bin, and disposed of them.

Yeah, he could spend hours with Ellie, but it felt like it would never be enough.

Ellie had a delicious feeling as they walked out of Honey Bear’s, and she was high on the pleasure of spending time with Tucker. The night was cool. He retrieved her quilted coat from the back seat of the king cab and helped her into it.

He opened the passenger side door of his vehicle and closed the door when she was settled inside. It was a big step onto the running board to get into the dually truck, and she appreciated his gentlemanly efforts.

The drive from Phoenix to Chandler passed quickly as they chatted. They talked about local happenings in King Creek and Gold Canyon. The former was a small town, but the latter was even smaller.

He glanced from the road and looked at her. “Do you miss living on a ranch?”

“Sometimes.” She thought about it. “You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl.”

He flashed a smile. “I knew you’re still a country girl at heart.”

Ellie studied him. He was interested in her enough to see if she’d consider living on a ranch again.

One thing you couldn’t do was part a cowboy from the country, as their roots ran deep.

So, she needed to decide if she’d be willing to create a life there again.

It was a decision she had to make before their relationship went any further.

It wouldn’t be fair to continue if that wasn’t a path she was willing to follow.

Truth was, she could imagine herself living in the country with Tucker and starting a family one day in the future. The thought filled her with warmth. She wasn’t sure why she was having such serious thoughts about the man so soon, but there it was.

When they reached her community, he parked, opened her door, helped her down, and walked her to her front door. They were both quiet, and she wondered what he was thinking.

Should she ask him inside to continue the evening and have a drink? But would he think that would be an invitation to take it farther than she was ready to go?

But they could just talk, right? Nothing more. He was a gentleman, so she knew he wouldn’t pressure her.

They reached her doorstep. She faced him, her back to the door. “Would you like to come in?” She stumbled over her words, feeling utterly off balance, her confidence deserting her for the moment. “It’s fun talking with you.” God, if that didn’t sound lame.

He braced one hand on the doorframe, caging her in. He held her gaze, his eyes dark and smoky. “It’s not a good idea.”

Her heart stuttered as he ran his thumb along her lower lip, and tingles raced through her. His voice was a low rumble as he spoke. “Before I go, can I kiss you?”

A surge of pleasure made her almost lightheaded. “I’d like that.” Her voice was husky as her self-confidence returned. She moved closer to him so their bodies touched.

He lowered his head, and she shivered as she slid her palms up his chest and clasped her hands behind his neck, waiting for him to complete the connection. His breath was warm as it brushed her lips. Anticipation made her heart beat faster before his mouth met hers.

Her sigh of pleasure flowed through her limbs as a hum of desire rose in her throat. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, and she answered, returning his kiss with intensity, tasting him as he tasted her.

Everything about him intoxicated her. She’d read somewhere that a woman had to be attracted by a man’s scent, which was so true with Tucker. She couldn’t get enough of him. He filled her up.

They kissed for what seemed like hours, but it must have been minutes.

Tucker parted from her, leaving her breathless as he stared into her eyes. “You are the most intelligent, funny, interesting, beautiful, and sexy woman I’ve ever met.”

His words sent warmth spiraling through her belly. The first thing he’d mentioned was her intelligence. The last was “sexy.” The man kept winning her over with everything he did and said.

“You know just the right words to say to me.” She smiled as she rested her palms on his chest, his heat melting her. “It’s nice to be appreciated for more than my looks.”

“Honey, there is so much to you. That list doesn’t begin to say it all.” He skimmed his knuckles along her cheekbone. “The more I get to know you, the more I appreciate you. You are one surprise after another.”

“Just you wait, darlin’.” She spoke like a Southern Belle and batted her eyelashes.

He chuckled. “I’d better go, or we’ll be kissing all night on your doorstep. What would your neighbors say?”

“Who cares?” She smiled. “Kissing me all night out here doesn’t sound bad at all. It sounds wonderful.”

His lips curved into a grin. “You are my kind of woman.” He straightened and rested his hands on her upper arms. “Are you available next Sunday for a horse ride and a picnic? I can take you up to see the petroglyphs.”

“I need to fly to L.A. the next two weekends for voicework on a new project, and then it will be complete.” She placed her hand on one of his hands that lightly gripped her arm. “Are you available later in the week after next? I can arrange my schedule and have that Wednesday afternoon free.”

“I can make that work.” He gave a slow nod. “We’ll talk on the phone in between now and then.

She smiled. “Great.”

He let his hands slide down her arms as he released her. “Get on into your house now. I’m not leaving until you are safely tucked inside.”

She laughed. “Thank you for a lovely day.” She took her keyring out of her purse and gripped the door key as she looked up at him.

He stole her breath again as he lightly kissed her. He took the key from her and opened the door, then handed the set to her. “Good night, Ellie.”

“Good night.” She gave him another smile before she slipped inside her home and closed the door behind her.