Page 16 of Country Winds (King Creek Cowboys #9)
On their way out of town, they stopped at a drive-thru for burgers and fries so they wouldn’t drink wine on an empty stomach.
“Did you graduate from Gold Canyon High School?” She tipped her head to the side. “You’re a big guy. Did you play football?”
“Yeah, I graduated from GCHS.” He nodded. “Never played high school sports, though—I rodeoed.”
She smiled. “Don’t tell me you were a bull rider.”
He flashed her a grin. “Bronc riding.”
“You were one of those cowboys.” She shook her head. “I bet you broke some bones over the years.”
He nodded. “A few.”
“Bareback or saddle bronc riding?” she asked.
“Both.” He glanced at her. “Participated in steer wrestling and tie-down roping, too.” He focused back on the road. “My favorite was always working with horses, even if it meant getting bucked off.”
She shook her head. “Sure you didn’t get kicked in the head a time too many?”
“Could be.” He guided the truck around another bend on the curvy two-lane highway, and they passed a road that led to another ranch. “How about you? You mentioned rodeo. Did you rodeo in high school?”
“I participated in junior rodeo only—barrel racing and breakaway roping.” She thought about her secondary school years.
“I went to King Creek High School for two years. I didn’t rodeo anymore and focused on graphic arts.
I was offered a scholarship to a private school in Florida, the Ringling College of Art and Design.
I got my BFA in graphic design. It was a natural fit when I started working with websites and eventually social media. ”
He slowed the truck as the speed limit changed in one area before hitting a 45-mile-per-hour speed limit sign again. “You’re a website designer?”
“I don’t have time for websites anymore.” She shrugged. “I love the social media side, and with the voicework, something had to go.”
He guided the truck around another curve. “I’d like to see your artwork.”
“I still have the portfolio that helped me get into art college.” She looked out at the beautiful grassland with its rolling hills.
“I do some creative social media posts, but they don’t showcase my art skills.
” She sighed. “I miss it, but at the same time, I’ve found a new place in the arts with my voicework. ”
“You’re a talented lady.” He smiled at her. “One of the reasons I’m crazy about you.”
She laughed. “So now you’re crazy about me?”
“Have been all along.” His voice softened. “Since the moment you told me I was in the wrong century at the Renaissance fair.”
“I’d sworn off cowboys, but you intrigued me.” She watched him as he focused on the road. “I had more than one bad experience that put me in that frame of mind. When I met you, that changed.”
He met her gaze a moment before looking back to the road. “Do you think you’d ever want to move back to the country?”
“Yeah, I do.” She studied him. “I miss it sometimes. It’s in my blood, and I’ll always be a country girl at heart. I’d trade asphalt and concrete for rangeland.” She shrugged. “One of these days.”
She thought she saw him relax as if he was relieved to hear her say that.
“We’re officially in Sonoita.” He pulled up to a stop sign and turned left onto another highway.
To either side of them was a short stretch of country stores and restaurants, not a commercial building in sight.
“It has a charm of its own.” Ellie smiled as she looked from one side of the road to the other, which wasn’t a whole lot.
He smiled. “Don’t blink.”
She laughed. “Too late, it’s gone.”
“I bought tickets for a tasting at a local vineyard, which will be coming up soon.” He looked along the left side of the road, and they both pointed to the sign at the same time.
“Here we are.” Tucker slowed the truck, put on his blinker, and waited for a car coming from the opposite direction to pass.
He turned onto a short road that curved and opened up to a beautiful view of the grassland and the vineyard’s red-roofed main building, a long, low building on the opposite side.
The dirt parking area was full of cars, but Tucker found a space big enough for the dually between an SUV and a small truck.
Tucker helped her out of the dually and rested his hand on her lower back as they walked to the building.
It wasn’t a possessive touch, more like he wanted to be close to her.
She liked the feel of his hand through her cotton blouse.
They went into the tasting room and found seats. Ellie soaked up the experience and pulled her camera out of her bag. She’d post the pics to her and Tucker’s social media by Sunday evening. She didn’t want to take away from their time together to post while they were here.
They decided on two flights of wine. The vineyard employee was delightful and talked about each wine they were about to sample.
Ellie had sipped from the first glass in her flight when a woman said, “You’re Ellie McLeod.”
Taken aback, Ellie turned to see a woman with wild red ringlets and heavy makeup. She had no idea who the woman was.
“I’m Sarah.” She held out her hand, and Ellie took it. “I’m a big fan.”
A fan? How could this woman know who she was? Ellie wasn’t in publicity photos for any project she’d ever done, and it was too soon before Myth Hunter’s release.
At Ellie’s confused look, the woman said, “I subscribe to your YouTube channel with social media tips and tricks. I love your videos. They’re informative and fun.”
“Oh.” Ellie slid her hand from the woman’s and held it to her chest. “Honestly, no one has ever recognized me in public before.”
Sarah laughed. “Well, you’re just as beautiful in person as in your videos.” She turned to Tucker and held out her hand. “You must be Ellie’s husband. It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Mr. McLeod.”
Ellie flushed and started to explain that Tucker wasn’t her husband or a McLeod. But Tucker winked at her and smiled at the woman. “A pleasure, Sarah.”
“I’d better get back to my friends.” The woman faced Ellie and gushed one last time. “You’re just amazing. I had to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Ellie smiled back at the woman, who gave a little wave and slipped into a group just getting up from their table.
She found herself giggling as she looked at Tucker. “Mr. McLeod?” She held her hand to her belly. “Oh, my. And you handled it so well.”
Tucker’s amused expression turned into a grin. “That’s not the worst I’ve been called.” He picked up his wine glass. “Tell me about this YouTube channel.”
Ellie sipped from the first wine glass and lowered it. “When I started my business, I set up the channel to attract customers. It took time to build, but I now have around 105,000 subscribers.”
“That sounds impressive.” Tucker looked intrigued. “To be honest, I don’t know what it means to have that many subscribers.”
Ellie explained how it worked. Some social media influencers had a massive number of followers compared to those simply considered popular. “I’m popular with people interested in promoting themselves or their business with social media, but by no means am I a big name.”
He studied her. “Is it safe to use your own name?”
“I never thought of using a pseudonym or screen name.” She shrugged.
“Everything I’ve done has been with my real identity.
Leeann, my cousin, is becoming a famous author.
She used her maiden name—she wasn’t married at the time.
She’s kept that rather than publishing the books using Gann.
So, Leeann McLeod is now her author name. ”
“She’s married to Porter Gann.” Tucker glanced at her. “Porter shoes my horses. Last time he was out to my ranch, he mentioned you did some work for him a while ago.”
Ellie nodded. “He’s a good man.”
“Sure is.” Tucker smiled. “He’s usually not much of a talker, but he lights up when he talks about his wife and kid sister.”
An idea popped into Ellie’s head. “I bet you’ve never been to a con. A convention for gamers, creative artistry, cosplay, and other stuff.”
“Never heard of such a thing.” Tucker raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know what cosplay is for starters.”
“Where do I begin?” Ellie thought about it. “Cosplay is short for costume play. It’s where fans dress up as fictional characters from a game, anime, or maybe a character from a popular movie franchise like Star Wars or Star Trek. ”
He shook his head. “Can’t imagine.”
“I’ve got a proposition for you.” She folded her arms on the table and leaned forward. “If you come with me to the Universal Game Expo next weekend, you can find out for yourself.”
Tucker studied Ellie. She could proposition him for just about anything. He wanted to tell her he’d go anywhere she wanted him to. “If it means dressing up like Chewbacca, I’m not inclined.”
She giggled. “I can imagine that just as much as picturing you dressing up for the Renaissance fair—which means not at all.”
He liked the sound of her giggle. It was cute. “I’d like to hear more. Are you going in costume?”
“Nope.” She shook her head. “The VP of the game company that designed Myth Hunters asked me if I’d go on Saturday and sign autographs as the voice behind Nyx Cox, the heroine. I don’t expect anyone to want my autograph, but he thinks there will be. We’ll see.”
He watched her. “You’re not dressing up as Nyx?”
She looked a little surprised at the thought. “That would be a bit much—I hope he doesn’t expect me to. He’ll be sadly mistaken.”
“It sounds interesting.” He leaned back in his chair. “All right. I’ll go just to see the line of people begging for your autograph.”
Ellie laughed. “As if.” She smiled. “I’m glad you’re going with me. I hope you won’t be bored.”
“I like to people-watch.” He shrugged. “It’ll be a new experience.” Not to mention the biggest reason he’d go—he’d get to spend more time with Ellie.
She sipped from the next wine in her flight. He watched her, admiring her lips as she drank from her glass and the graceful curve of her neck as she swallowed. Everything about her was beautiful.
When they finished their wine flight, he thought about how much he wanted the day to last. “How does an early supper sound? There’s that steakhouse we passed on our way through.”
“I think I saw it right before I blinked.” She smiled. “That sounds good.”
They headed out to his truck and were soon off to the steakhouse.
Minutes later, they reached the restaurant and Tucker escorted Ellie inside.
A hostess wearing a western blouse, jean skirt, and boots led them to a small corner table. He seated Ellie, then took one of the chairs closest to her. The hostess handed each of them a laminated menu and returned to the front.
Ellie bent over her long menu, and Tucker had to force himself not to stare at her, but instead scan the choice of meals.
She turned her page over to the side with lunch specials and beverages, then flipped it back to the dinner entrees. “Can’t go wrong with a steak in a steakhouse.” She glanced up and caught Tucker watching her. “What are you having?”
He hadn’t looked at his yet. He gazed at the menu again, where the steak entrees were at the top of the page, and met her pretty eyes. “The cowboy steak sounds good.”
The waitress arrived to ask what they’d like to drink, and they told her they were ready to order their dinner as well. Once she had their order, she retreated, and Tucker turned his attention back to Ellie.
He said the first thing he could think of that didn’t involve how intelligent and beautiful she was. “How do you like working on the game versus voicework on series and movies?”
Ellie considered his question. “They’re different experiences.
Nyx Cox in Myth Hunter was fun, but didn’t involve a lot of dialogue.
Dubbing Japanese movies was interesting, but I don’t feel I truly got to use my voice acting skills.
” She pushed loose strands of hair behind her ear as she spoke, and he found himself watching the motion.
She went on. “I’d have to say that the short film and the movie allowed me a better range for my talents. The series I just worked on was also a place where I got to use my acting skills.”
“I’d like to hear you in action,” he said.
“The movie will be in theaters this fall, and the series is still in production, but you can stream the short film.” She gave him the particulars.
Their drinks arrived, and Ellie sipped her margarita while Tucker drank from his beer mug.
Ellie turned the conversation to his ranch, and he told her more about his operation.
“Have you reviewed the list of awards your horses have won?” she asked. “Maddee wasn’t sure the list was complete.”
“Haven’t had a chance yet.” He shifted in his seat. “I’ll go through our records to make sure everything is on there later this week.”
“Sounds good,” Ellie said. “I’ll get any changes on the website when I have them.”
The waitress served their meals, and the steaks looked damned good. The aroma of hickory smoke and the freshly baked bread rolls made his mouth water
“It all smells wonderful.” Ellie picked up her knife and fork and cut into her cowgirl steak.
Tucker discovered he was hungrier than he realized. As they ate and talked, he devoured the baked potato and corn on the cob, and the steak was gone before he knew it. Time flew by when he was with Ellie.
When they finished their entrees, they shared a peach cobbler with the biggest scoop of ice cream he’d seen on top.
After they’d eaten the last bit of the cobbler, Ellie leaned back in her chair and put her palm on her belly. “That was delicious. This is a terrific restaurant—I wouldn’t mind returning here again.”
Tucker paid for the meal, and they headed out into the night, back to the truck. Once they were both in the cab, he hesitated before starting the vehicle.
“I don’t want the day to end.” Ellie’s face was shadowed in the near darkness as she spoke the words he’d been thinking.
He hesitated. “There are some nice bed and breakfast places in Tucson.” He paused again. “If staying at one is something you’d like to do. We could see if there’s a place with two rooms available.”
“Yes, let’s extend our evening.” She said the words softly. “We’ll find a place.” It was her turn to pause. “Is it too forward of me to want to share a room with you?”
“It’s not forward at all.” The prospect of spending more time with Ellie and the possibility of becoming more intimate with her made Tucker’s heart thump harder.
She searched on her phone for locations and called two that didn’t have rooms available. The third B&B she tried had a cancellation, so they booked the room. It was on the west side of Tucson, toward Oro Valley.
Ellie lowered her phone to her lap. Tucker took her hand, looking forward to having her in his arms.