Page 19 of Country Winds (King Creek Cowboys #9)

Ellie had looked at him those few times with appreciation in her gaze. But it made him wonder what she would do if he weren’t by her side. Would men come up to her when she walked around on her own?

The protective urge he felt for her was nearly overwhelming. He’d never been overprotective, and it wasn’t jealousy by a long shot, but with Ellie, he wanted to shield her from anything that could harm her and anyone who might try to hurt her.

“I’m starving.” Ellie’s sweet voice took him out of his concerned thoughts as she tugged on his hand and drew him to a food court inside the convention center. She pointed straight ahead. “A sandwich sounds perfect. How about you?”

He nodded. “Works for me.”

Tucker purchased two sub sandwiches with kettle chips, sodas, and chocolate chip cookies. They found a table and dug into their late lunch.

“I can’t believe I’m up for a newcomer award.” Ellie shook her head. “The game has only been out for a short time.”

“I bought it in the booth while you talked with fans.” Tucker raised the bag he’d been holding. “I’m going to play the game when I get home.”

“I’ll have to play it with you.” Her smile brightened the room. “I don’t have a game system in my townhouse.”

“Why don’t you spend tonight at my ranch?” He smiled at her as she nodded. “We can have a light dinner and play Myth Hunter .”

She ran her finger lightly over the back of his hand. “I hope that’s not all we’re going to play.”

“Oh, honey.” He put his hand over hers and grasped it. “Not by a long shot.”

He loved how her eyes sparkled when she was excited and the enthusiasm that came out when she was raring to go, whatever she wanted to do.

“I’m so there.” She tipped her head and kissed him softly on his lips before drawing back. He loved how she didn’t wait for him and took the initiative whenever she felt like it. “We could pick up some fast food.”

“Great idea.” He kissed her in return, then gathered their wrappers and other trash and carried them to the waste can.

They returned to the convention and wandered through the vendors. Darth Vader, accompanied by a pair of Stormtroopers, passed them, followed by someone dressed as a cross between an elf and a chipmunk.

He didn’t know if he’d ever get used to this kind of thing, but he was willing to go if it meant being with Ellie.

Ellie felt like she’d been in her element today.

It was a new experience, yet it felt like she’d done it a hundred times before.

She loved talking with new people and chatting about things she enjoyed.

She loved everything about her new career path and could now imagine herself letting her other business go.

She had signed over a hundred autographs and had probably been in just about as many selfies. The amount of cash now in her purse amazed her.

Ellie enjoyed having Tucker with her and hadn’t minded when he’d moved in close in situations that made her feel uncomfortable.

She didn’t think she needed it, but she liked that he cared enough to ensure she was okay.

It reminded her of the first day they’d met, and he’d gone on stage, swooped her up, and carried her away like a knight rescuing a princess.

“Have you enjoyed yourself today?” She tipped her head to look up at him as they walked down Artists’ Way, which was lined with art and artists. “I know this is a lot different than what you’re used to.”

His lips twitched with amusement. “That’s putting it mildly.” He nodded and smiled. “I’ve enjoyed watching you and seeing you out in public. You’re a natural when it comes to engaging people.”

“Thanks.” She smiled up at him. “I’ve been having a great time. I can’t imagine ever getting tired of meeting people who are fans of my work.”

They paused at a booth where the artist was doing an anime caricature of a young boy. The caricature made him look like one of the characters in an anime series she had dubbed.

Ellie loved all kinds of art and film, including anime.

They stopped and briefly watched a couple of tournaments, one of which was the finals for player contestants for the most recent version of Mario Kart .

Next, they went down a merchandise aisle and Ellie bought the Pop! version of the Nyx Cox character as well as a Nyx action figure.

By the time the awards program was supposed to start, Ellie was feeling a little tired. She and Tucker sat in the audience and clapped as award after award was handed out.

When it came time for the newcomer awards, Ellie sat a little straighter in her seat, her energy returning. Her name and two others were announced.

“And the winner is…” After a long, dramatic pause, the pixie-like girl said, “Ellie McLeod as Nyx Cox in Myth Hunter !”

Ellie’s heart pounded as Tucker gave her a quick hug. She slid out of her seat and felt wobbly as she walked up to the stage. The pixie-girl beamed at her and handed her a plaque with her name and the award engraved on it. Ellie thanked her and returned to her seat.

“I can’t believe I won.” Ellie stared at the plaque. “I never expected this.”

“And now the Universal Game Expo popular vote for best voice actor.” For someone so small, pixie-girl’s voice carried across the room. “UGE attendees have voted throughout the convention, and now we have the results.”

Pixie-girl opened an envelope. “The UGE’s most popular voice actor award goes to…Ellie McLeod!”

For a moment, Ellie sat stunned in her seat.

“You won, honey.” Tucker hugged her. “Congratulations.”

Several heartbeats passed before she stood before a cheering crowd and returned to the stage. She accepted the award, glad that she didn’t have to give a speech, because she was so overwhelmed that she wasn’t sure she would have been able to speak.

The awards wound down after that, and Ellie and Tucker walked out of the room, Ellie shaking her head. “How could I have won anything?” She looked up at Tucker. “How do people even know who I am?”

He smiled down at her. “I have a feeling you need to get used to it.”

Tucker put his arm around her shoulders as she held the awards close to her chest. She leaned against him, enjoying the feel of his presence enveloping her.

After they reached his truck, he put the bag he’d been carrying for her that contained her action figures, figurines, the game, and awards. She set her purse on the bag.

They climbed in, and Ellie put on her seatbelt and sank against the leather seat. “The entire convention was filled with some of the craziest moments of my life.” She shook her head. “There were so many things I could never have imagined happening before today.”

Tucker put the dually into gear. “Too tired for a game tonight?”

She shook her head. “I’m still hyped from today. It will take a little time to come down from the excitement. Playing the game might be what I need to wear off some of this adrenaline.”

Tucker took her hand and held it on the console. “I’m proud of you, Ellie. You accomplished a lot today, and that’s an understatement.”

“Thank you.” She smiled at him, feeling on top of the world. “I think this could all go to my head.”

“Nah.” He shook his head. “You’re one of the most down-to-earth people I know, and this isn’t going to change you.”

“I still feel like me.” She thought about the day. “It feels weird that some people were intimidated to talk to me. I’m just me, you know?”

He glanced from the road, smiled, and squeezed her hand. “Ellie McLeod, you’re going places.”