Page 7 of Country Winds (King Creek Cowboys #9)

E llie touched the back of her head and felt the tight French braid beneath her fingertips as she drove her SUV toward the ranch’s entrance.

She slowed when she saw that a gate before it, to the right, was open and contained several parked cars.

A couple in Western garb walked through a smaller gate that opened up across from the stables and barn.

She parked near one of the cars, grabbed her cross-body bag, and headed in the direction the couple had gone. A cool spring breeze skimmed the back of her neck, which was bare beneath the braid. Her lace-trimmed denim skirt swung around her legs, brushing the tops of her boots.

On her way, she retrieved her camera from her bag and paused to take photos of the stables, barn, and the few people who had arrived. She was early, and the number of guests there already surprised her.

Piper and Penny gave cheerful barks as they bolted from the barn to greet her. Ellie bent and patted each dog’s head. “You are such beautiful girls.”

Ellie straightened and headed on, the dogs on her heels.

She reached the barn and checked to see if she recognized any of the people there, but so far, she hadn’t seen anyone she knew.

She smiled, approached couples and individuals there, and introduced herself.

She’d always been comfortable at events and talking to strangers. She’d never been accused of being shy.

Smells of barbeque beans and scalloped potatoes wafted her way from the potluck dishes already on the tables to the right of the barn doors, and Ellie groaned as she passed by. She’d left the platter of cookies she planned to bring on the counter at home.

About fifteen picnic tables with benches stood to the side of the huge area in front of the barn. She peered inside, where equipment for a band was set up amongst bales of hay. The scents she inhaled made her feel at home. Alfalfa, sweet oats, and horses.

Families had come to the event with children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers.

Tingles ran along the back of her spine as if someone watched her. She turned and saw Tucker several feet away.

A shiver skittered over Ellie’s skin, and she smiled at the man who was too good-looking and sexy for words. She wanted to press her body against his, slide her arms around his neck then kiss him.

Whoa. Things were progressing too quickly in her mind. She needed to slow way down.

He flashed a grin and met her halfway. “I’m glad you made it, Ellie.”

Oooh, she loved the way he said her name. Maybe it wasn’t going to be so easy to keep her libido under control.

“It’s a wonderful day for a barn dance.” She looked up at the cloudless sky before meeting his gaze again. She nodded toward three long tables behind him, each covered in a red-and-white checked tablecloth. “Are those for the chili cookoff?”

He gave a nod. “The Rawlings family has six branches, and one member from each represents their family. Winner goes to the county contest.”

“I’ve never been to a chili cookoff before today.” Strands of hair that had escaped her braid tickled her shoulder. “I love chili.”

“Good thing.” He smiled. “’Cause you’re going to be tasting six different recipes.”

“I’m up for the challenge.” She tipped her head to the side. “Who’s representing your branch of the family?”

Tucker hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “You’re looking at him.”

“The pressure is on.” She gave him an impish smile. “Don’t try to bribe me. I can’t be bought off.”

“Well, shoot.” He gave a shake of his head. “There goes my evil plan. I’ve got to come up with a new one.”

Ellie laughed. “I’d better get to taking pictures. Gotta do my job.”

“Your job is to have fun.” He held her gaze. “You’re not here to work.”

“Then it’s a good thing I love to take photos.” She backed away. “See you and your pot of chili soon.”

He touched his fingers to the brim of his hat, his lips twitching with amusement.

She blew out her breath as she walked away from him. It wasn't easy to make herself do what she was here to do rather than hang around him as much as she could. This was his time to meet with his family and friends, not to spend too much time with her.

Ellie chatted with guests and asked if they’d mind if she took a picture of them, possibly to go on the ranch’s site. About half had no problem with it, and the other half declined. Ellie ran into some people she was acquainted with and others she knew pretty well.

“Hey, Ellie.” A male voice drew her attention, and she saw that it was a King Creek Fire Department firefighter, Grady Donovan, whom she’d met through Leeann last year.

“Fancy meeting you here, Grady.” She gave him a warm smile. “How’d you end up in Gold Canyon?”

The man, who looked fantastic in uniform or the jeans and T-shirt he now wore, gave her a little grin. “Maddee Rawlings and I have gone out a few times. She invited me, so I thought I’d stop by and say hello.”

“I liked her a lot when I met her and Tucker earlier this week.” Ellie held up her camera. “They hired me for my social media skills, so I’m here to get things started.”

“You made it, both of you.” Maddee swept up to them and flashed her beautiful smile. “Are you two friends?”

“We met last year.” Grady hugged Maddee. “Nice to see another person from King Creek.”

“Since we’re in the same county, there’s some crossover.” She hugged Ellie, which surprised her since they’d just met a few days ago. “Can you take our picture, Ellie?”

“Absolutely.” Ellie smiled at Grady. “You’re going on the website and social media no matter how much you bellyache about it.”

“You bet,” Maddee said.

Grady laughed. “Just get my name right.”

Ellie snapped several photos, lowered the camera, and glanced at the cookoff tables. Six people, including Tucker, stood behind them. “It looks like the main event is about to happen.”

She turned to Grady. “Can you take photos for me? One of each contestant and a couple of the other judges?”

“Sure thing.” He took the cameral from Ellie as she handed it over and thanked him.

“Go on now.” Maddee shooed her in the direction of the tables. “Can you be bribed?” she called out as Ellie walked away.

Ellie looked over her shoulder and gave Maddee a quick grin. “Tucker already tried. No go.”

Maddee gave a dramatic pout, and Ellie headed toward the tables. Tucker stood on the far right, behind a large metal cookpot. He wore a blue apron with the words “ Whatever happens, we’re eating it ” scrawled across the front in white.

For a moment, she studied the tall, sexy cowboy, and imagined being married to him—they’d be in his kitchen while he made his chili just for her and their kids.

She blew out her breath—where was this coming from? She never jumped straight to marriage and children when she barely knew a man. Not to mention, she had a career to think of, and it was too soon to start a family.

She mentally shook her head and pushed the crazy thoughts to the back of her mind and continued walking toward Tucker.

When she was about ten feet away, Tucker spoke with a cheerful-looking woman who must have been closing in on seventy and nodded in Ellie’s direction.

“There you are.” The woman bustled up to Ellie. “I’m Marge, and I’m loud and in charge. I’m Tucker’s aunt.”

Ellie caught Tucker shaking his head and smiling. She held out her hand to Marge. “It’s a pleasure.”

“None of that.” Marge enveloped Ellie in a firm hug. “I’m a hugger. Most of the Rawlings clan are.”

“What do you need me to do?” Ellie asked when they parted.

Marge drew a pad and a blue pen from her apron front pocket. “Here you go, sweetie.” She went on to explain how it worked, then introduced Ellie to the two other judges, who were also pretty new acquaintances to the Rawlings bunch.

The six chili cooks ranged in age from seventeen to eighty-two. Ellie and the other two judges started on the left and stopped at each cookpot or crockpot, with three samples in small plastic ramekins and little spoons in front of their pot.

On their pads, they had to rate each contestant’s chili on appearance, color, aroma, taste, consistency, and heat balance.

The eldest contestant’s chili was so hot that Ellie’s ears burned, and she was no stranger to hot foods.

The judges could not share notes, so the winning chili would be based on the highest score.

When they reached Tucker, Ellie struggled to keep a straight face. He had a teasing glint in his eyes as he looked at her.

The best pot had been the last pot she tasted. Ellie was glad no one could see her score so she wouldn’t look partial. She absolutely loved Tucker’s chili the best, gave him top marks across the board, and then put her totals at the bottom of the paper.

All three judges folded their papers in fourths as instructed and put them into a white and blue patterned Polish pottery bowl. Marge didn’t look in the bowl and swished the papers around, then moved over to a small table and went through each slip, totaling the scores.

When she finished, a young girl who looked a lot like Maddee brought out a small trophy with a gold cookpot on top of a wooden base. The bottom half of the trophy had “World’s Best Chili Cook” in bold letters on a brass plate.

Marge shook her head and gave a dramatic sigh. “And the winner, for the third year in a row, is Tucker.”

Tucker thanked the girl who handed him the trophy, then smiled and thanked those congratulating him. There were quite a few good-natured boos, with “The whole thing is rigged,” called out by a jolly-looking cowboy who beamed a broad, genuine smile when he offered his congratulations to Tucker.

After Tucker had shaken the last person’s hand, Ellie stopped before him. “Amazing chili, Mr. Rawlings. I want a whole bowl, please.”

He chuckled, removed his apron, and laid it across the table. “That can be arranged.” He came around the table until they stood facing each other. “Marge told you the Rawlings are huggers.” He smiled. “Are you ready?”