Page 24 of Country Winds (King Creek Cowboys #9)

T ucker swung his duffel out of his truck after hefting Ellie’s bag over his shoulder.

She admired his muscular legs—he looked great in the pair of khaki cargo shorts and the blue T-shirt he wore today.

Ellie smiled at the sight. She liked men in Wranglers, but she also enjoyed seeing them like Tucker was dressed now.

He took both duffels, and they started across the marina to the pier, where the houseboat the family had rented was moored. Her brothers and parents had arrived earlier this morning. It was Friday, and Ellie and Tucker planned to stay for an extended weekend until Monday afternoon.

A nice breeze off the lake swept over them, and she put her hand on her straw sunhat to keep it in place as they passed a group of buildings that included a shop for drinks and snacks, as well as fishing and boating equipment.

There was also a gas station for watercraft and a repair shop for Jet Skis and boats.

She felt perfectly wonderful in the July sunshine with the breeze cooling her skin and her man by her side. “What a beautiful day.”

He nodded. “Great for playing on the water.”

The wooden pier creaked as they walked to where the sixty-seven-foot houseboat, the Serenity , was moored.

The black and white luxury craft had beautiful lines and all the amenities you could want, more than if you’d stayed in a hotel or B&B.

On the back of the boat, four Jet Skis had been secured on a platform.

“Isn’t she gorgeous?” Ellie looked up at Tucker as they walked down the pier. “We’ve rented this same houseboat for a few years now. We could do some serious partying if we were into that. We have entertained friends who joined us for dinner a couple of times, but it’s usually just us.”

She went on. “It has a huge hot tub, a wet bar, a nice outdoor grill, and lots of dining seating on both the lower and upper decks. And it has a full kitchen. This thing is bigger than my townhouse.”

“She’s mighty fine.” Tucker looked the houseboat up and down. He nodded toward the Jet Skis. “I’ve never driven one of those. I want to give it a try.”

“They belong to my brothers. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn.” She smiled at him. “I can teach you. It’s not too hard.”

“What took you so long?” Tanner walked from beneath the overhang to stand a few feet away on the lower deck as Ellie stepped onto it.

“You know I like making a grand entrance.” She pretended to be a movie star on the red carpet, her chin raised while affecting a cultured, snobbish voice. “Do be a dear and fetch me a glass of your finest Chardonnay.”

Tanner chuckled. “Dad’s making drinks on the upper deck.”

Ellie grinned at him while Tucker stepped onto the deck behind her.

“Hey, Tucker.” Tanner held out his hand. “Good to see you.”

“It’s been a while since you were out at my ranch.” Tucker set a duffel down and gripped Tanner’s hand, then released it. “How’s that mare doing?”

“Angelfire is a beauty.” Tanner smiled. “Her training is coming right along. Glad we bought her from you.”

Ellie knew Tucker had met two of her brothers, but she hadn’t known that Tanner owned one of Tucker’s horses.

Tanner narrowed his eyes at Tucker as he shifted the topic. “You’re sleeping in separate beds, right? This is my little sister, you know.”

“I’m not little.” Ellie rolled her eyes. “Are we staying in the room I usually take?”

Tanner nodded. “Hurry up. In a few minutes, I’m gonna get this thing out on the lake.”

Tucker, carrying both duffels, followed Ellie as she led him to the small stateroom.

She’d never brought a man with her family and was surprised her mom had even asked if he’d like to come.

However, Ellie had chatted so much about Tucker over the past few months that her mom knew their relationship was serious.

They took a moment to unpack, and Ellie put on a brightly colored one-piece swimsuit, wearing a filmy cover over it, and vivid pink water shoes.

Tucker left his T-shirt on and changed into a pair of navy-blue swim trunks and dark blue water shoes.

While they dressed, Tucker said, “In the bright sunlight, I could see that Tanner has the same sea-blue eyes and wheat-blond hair that you have. It’s easy to see that you’re fraternal twins.”

When they were ready, they climbed up to the top deck.

Ellie heard her family long before she stepped onto the deck.

Her brothers, all in swimming trunks, were arguing over a baseball game between the Diamondbacks and the Padres.

Her mom and dad were at the wet bar, her mom on a stool, and her dad handing her a hard lemonade.

“Elsa.” Her mom set down the bottle, slid off the stool, and walked over to them. She smiled. “You must be Tucker.” She took his hand and gripped it in both hers with a smile. She was not a hugger. Ellie had always figured it was part of her German heritage.

Ellie smiled. “Tucker, this is my mom, Greta.”

“A pleasure, ma’am.” Tucker gave her a nod and smiled. “Thank you for inviting me.”

Greta smiled. “We are glad you came. Our little Elsa has talked about you quite often.”

“I’ve heard a lot about your family as well.” Tucker smiled then spoke in a light but serious tone. “I can see where Ellie gets her beauty. There is such a strong resemblance that you could be sisters.”

Greta laughed and cocked her head at him. “And I can see why she thinks you are such a hot catch.”

“Mom.” Ellie knew her face had reddened as Tucker chuckled. “I never said he was a ‘catch,’ just that he’s hot.” She looked up at him and smiled. “But you can catch me anytime.”

Tucker grinned. “You mean I haven’t already?”

Ellie gave an amused look, then hugged her father, who had come from behind the bar, and turned to Tucker. “This is my dad, Hoss.”

“Welcome, boy.” Hoss shook Tucker’s hand.

Tucker gave a nod and a smile. “Thank you, sir.”

“Call me Hoss.” Her dad rested his hand on Tucker’s shoulder. “Let’s see what the boys are up to.” He guided him past the hot tub, toward three of Ellie’s brothers, who sat on lounge chairs near the stern as they argued.

Tucker looked over his shoulder and mouthed, “Elsa?”

Ellie rolled her eyes and shrugged. She’d explain later.

She turned back to her mom as the boat’s engine came to life. It rumbled, and soon they were gliding out onto the lake.

“As you said, he’s a very handsome man.” Greta spoke a little too loudly for Ellie’s comfort. “You have done well.”

Ellie groaned. “Mom, he can probably hear you.”

“He knows already.” Greta shrugged. “I can see it in your eyes and his.”

“That obvious, huh?” Ellie glanced in Tucker’s direction and saw him in the middle of her brothers. “Now if those guys don’t chase him off.”

Tucker had taken a seat in one of the lounge chairs at the stern, and Ellie’s brothers thoroughly grilled him while her dad looked on with an amused expression.

Tucker had three brothers of his own, and they were all protective of Maddee.

These guys were just as protective of Ellie.

They made a point of letting Tucker know they’d be watching him and that he’d better take care of their little sister.

And then there was Hoss. It had been clear as daylight that he’d taken Tucker over to the brothers to let them have a go at him.

Tanner took the Serenity out on Lake Havasu, and the craft cut through the water as Tucker talked with the male portion of Ellie’s family.

It wasn’t long before they were all cracking jokes and making Tucker feel right at home with the guys.

He had no doubt that if he screwed up with Ellie, they’d let him know about it.

He knew Tanner and Jace but had never met Braxton and Levi. During a conversation about the Diamondbacks’ chance to make the playoffs this year, Braxton asked who’d like a beer, and everyone chimed in that they’d take one.

“I’ll give you a hand.” Tucker got up from his lounge chair and fell into step with Braxton as they headed to the wet bar, where Ellie was chatting with her mom. Behind the bar was a cooler stocked with beers and sodas. They had a selection of beers from several craft breweries.

“It’s kind of a grab bag.” Braxton reached for five different beers, handing three to Tucker. “You get whatever you end up with.”

Tucker smiled at Ellie, who was sitting at the bar. She was so beautiful, wind teasing her wheat-blonde hair, her sea-blue eyes sparkling. He winked at her, and she gave him her radiant smile.

She had clearly inherited her looks from her mother, Greta, who was a gorgeous woman who could have been a model in her youth. He smiled at Greta and turned to head back to her brothers and dad. He wondered if Elsa was Ellie’s given name. Likely it was, and she’d shortened it. Ellie suited her.

Tucker handed beers to Jace and Braxton. He settled back on the cushions of the lounge chair. The sun was warm on his arms and legs, and he breathed in the scent of the lake.

He popped the tab of his beer can. “You all are on the boat for a week?”

“Every summer since we were young.” Levi tipped his head in the direction of the lake. “It’s one of the highlights of the year.”

Jace lowered his beer. “Last year was the only time any one of us had missed the trip, when Ellie had to go to L.A. to work on voicework for that game that just came out.”

“It wasn’t the same without that kid.” Hoss glanced in her direction before looking back at Tucker. “But we had a great time as always.”

“At least she got to come for the weekend this time.” Braxton shrugged. “That girl has gotten busier than a bee in a beehive.”

Tucker looked toward Ellie, who was laughing at something her mom said.

She certainly was a lot busier now than when he’d met her.

It was already a strain on their relationship.

He didn’t feel that he had to be with her every moment, or that she should change her plans because of him.

But he missed her when she was gone and didn’t like the idea of her trips becoming more and more frequent.