Page 5 of Country Winds (King Creek Cowboys #9)
“I was tempted to get my Masters, but I was ready to start my own business.” He shrugged. “I missed the land and the horses.”
He headed out of the building with Ellie at his side. “Does your family breed horses?”
“They’re cattle ranchers.” He smiled. “I had a great upbringing with ranching, but my love was always horses.”
Her boots kicked up dust around her feet. “How big is your family?”
Tucker blew out his breath. “Mom, Dad, four brothers, and Maddee. Loads of cousins, too, as well as aunts and uncles. However, our grandparents are gone now.”
“I have a big family, too,” she said. “Both of my parents, four brothers, no sisters, and a lot of extended family in King Creek on the McLeod side. My mom is from Germany, and my relatives on her side are still back there. Hopefully, I will meet them in Hamburg and Berlin within the next few years.”
“Your family get-togethers must be as big as mine.” He came to a stop, and she halted beside him.
“You mentioned that you want to take pictures of things that happen at the ranch. We’re having our annual barn dance for family, neighbors, and customers this Saturday.
The family also has a chili cookoff, and the winner attends the county competition.
” His eyes held hers. “If you’re free, you can use whatever you think will help to engage our audience, like you suggested. ”
Excitement made her limbs tingle at the thought of seeing him again so soon without jumping right into a date. “I’m free that day, and it sounds perfect.”
They started walking again, and he looked ahead before glancing at her again. “The cookoff starts at five, and the potluck and dance start right after the competition.”
She smiled. “I’ll be here a little early if you don’t mind so that I can be here when people start to arrive.”
He nodded. “No problem at all.”
They reached a corral where a man worked with a beautiful bay mare.
Ellie stood on the bottom rail and watched the man. She looked at Tucker, who could easily stand by the corral with his arms resting on the top rail.
“Luke,” Tucker called out. “Got someone I want you to meet.”
The sandy-haired young man led the auburn horse to them, and Tucker introduced him to Ellie.
Luke introduced the horse to Ellie as he patted her neck. “This is Melody. She’s a two-year-old I’m training for show.”
The mare reached out and nuzzled Ellie’s hand. “She’s looking for a treat.” Ellie smiled at Luke. “I think I’m going to have to start filling my pockets before I come here.”
The young man slid his hand into his pocket, pulled out a couple of peppermints, and handed them to Ellie. She held one on the flat of her hand, and the mare snuffled her palm, her muzzle soft and tickling.
As Ellie fed the other peppermint to the bay, she asked Luke questions about the type of training he did.
“I train them in western pleasure, western riding, and horsemanship.” Luke stroked her mane. “This girl has always been a fast learner. I’ll show her at the next competition coming up in April.”
They let Luke get back to training.
“You mentioned horses for rodeo.” Ellie looked at Tucker as they walked away. “Who trains them?”
Tucker started back toward the house, keeping his strides shorter so that she could keep up. “Jose handles most of it, but Maddee helps him with team roping, and she trains horses for barrel racing.”
“Did Maddee rodeo?” Ellie asked.
Tucker nodded. “Sure did. That girl can ride.”
“How about you?” Ellie hooked her thumbs in her front pockets. “Did you rodeo?”
“During my middle and high school years.” He shrugged. “I stopped when I attended the U of A.”
She nodded as they reached the backdoor to the kitchen. “I competed in middle and my first year of high school. My cousin, Leeann, and I had a lot of fun competing against each other. We both had other interests that eventually took our attention off rodeo.”
He smiled at her as he opened the door. “And here I thought you were a city girl.”
Delicious smells of refried beans, taco meat, and chili peppers met them when they entered the kitchen.
“Oh, that smells so good.” Ellie went up to the dark-haired woman who beamed at her and Tucker. Ellie held out her hand and introduced herself. “You must be Lupe.”
Lupe took it. “Are you staying for lunch?”
Ellie shook her head as they released hands. “I have an appointment I’m heading to after I leave here. If I don’t get going, I’ll be late.”
“I’ll walk you to your vehicle,” Tucker said
“Thank you.” She smiled at him. “First, I need to grab my briefcase from your office.”
Tucker guided her through the house and back to his office, where she retrieved her case. He then walked her out to her SUV. Piper and Penny came tearing across the yard from the stables and stopped, one on either side of Tucker.
When Tucker and Ellie reached the driver’s side door, she paused. “Thank you for hiring me and for showing me around.”
He gazed into her eyes, and heat eased through her, melting her from the inside out. “I hired you because I think you’re a good fit for the job.” His smile softened. “But I’m glad you’re here so that we get a chance to know each other better. I enjoyed the time we spent at the Renaissance fair.”
She felt off balance again, a nervous sensation skittering through her body that was unusual for her. “I’m glad, too.”
Ellie turned and fumbled with the handle, then opened the door, climbed inside, and closed it behind her. Tucker still stood beside the SUV.
She buzzed down the window. “See you Saturday.”
He gave a nod. “See you then.”
She started forward in the circular driveway, buzzing up her window to keep dust out of the car.
Tucker was standing, watching her leave as she glanced in the rearview mirror. She looked forward, focusing on her driving as thoughts of the morning churned through her mind.
It was unbelievable that he was her new client. What were the odds? She smiled. She was more than looking forward to Saturday.