Page 7 of Lonesome Man (The Smith Brothers #4)

Chapter Six

Tucker

Ruth jumped up on the tractor beside me, again like she’d done it before.

“So how many cows do you have?” she asked as I started the engine and headed across the field.

“Enough that I won’t go hungry, but not so many that it takes up all my time.”

She grinned at me. “Sounds sensible.”

“I can be sensible,” I said, glancing at her gorgeous mouth. Yesterday I’d promised to show her around—hard to do that when we were playing, because my wife would already know everything about the property—so no black clothes this morning. Although I’d come prepared.

So far I’d taken her out to meet the chickens and let them out of their coop, though a few of the less brave ones had stepped out, seen the light dusting of snow, and headed straight back inside.

I glanced at Ruth again, and my lips twitched. She was fucking adorable in one of my woolen hats. It was too big for her and so were the mittens I’d dug out. They’d been mine when I was a kid, but they were still too big for those petite little hands of hers.

“So what do you do to make a buck?” she asked. “Or are you one of those reclusive millionaires who abandons the real world and hides away in a remote location?”

I chuckled. “Not a millionaire, sadly. I do a lot of carpentry. I make things and sell them to stores in the city.”

“What kind of things?”

“I can show you my workshop when we get back if you like?”

Her smile widened. “I’d love that.”

I stopped at the gate, and before I could open my door, Ruth had jumped down and run over to open the gate.

She stood waiting for me to drive through, shut it after us, then climbed back up.

The cows followed as I drove out to the middle of the field.

I expected Ruth to be scared, cows were large animals, but she got down when I did, climbed onto the trailer with me, and as soon as I cut through the baling twine, she grabbed a few slices of hay and tossed it out, helping me like a pro.

“You’ve done this before,” I said.

Her head spun to me, and there was a cute-as-fuck blush to her cheeks. “Well, yeah, I grew up on a farm.”

My brows shot up. “You did? Where?”

She bit her lip and glanced away, grabbing more hay. “Colorado.”

“Really?” That was seriously weird.

“Yep.”

I’m not sure why I was surprised, probably because Ruth’s story was so similar to Libby’s.

Libs had lived on a farm in Colorado, before she’d run off to California.

Both women had left farms to pursue acting careers, but then I guess that was the same story for a lot of folks.

Leaving a small town or whatever and heading to the city to try to make it big.

“Damn,” I said. “I could’ve had you out here working sooner. ”

Her laugher sent tingles dancing over my scalp and across my shoulders.

I fucking loved this woman’s laugh. It was sweet, musical, something else she had in common with my Libby.

I’d worked so hard to get her to laugh during our weekly radio calls.

I’d wanted to make her happy, and yeah, I’d wanted to feel those tingles I thought only she could give me. Apparently, I was wrong.

By the time we finished feeding the animals and I showed her a few of my favorite spots around the property, it was late afternoon.

I parked the tractor and Ruth jumped down.

I glanced at my bag where my black beanie was tucked inside.

The plan was to switch it out sometime during the day, but I was enjoying getting to know Ruth.

Jumping down from the tractor as well, I took her hand and led her into my workshop.

The scent of cedar washed over us when we walked in.

I flicked on the lights, and they blinked above us several times before lighting up the large space.

In the middle of the room was a huge table where my finished items were being prepared to send out.

The amount of orders I’d been getting was the reason I had Ruth here for only two weeks and not a month, something I was already regretting.

The first load of finished pieces would go with Cash at the end of Ruth’s stay, when he flew in to pick her up.

I watched as she took in the workshop, raised her eyes to the mezzanine above us, then rushed to the table, picking up one of my cedar bowls. She spun back to me, brows raised. “This is…this is stunning, Tuck.”

Each one was unique, designed around the individual piece of wood, following its own distinct shape, accentuating its knots and dips and ridges. It was a labor of love, and I charged well for the time I put into each peace. “Thanks, baby,” I said, the endearment slipping out easily.

She didn’t seem to mind or even notice as she walked around the table checking everything out. Honestly, it was starting to get hard to separate Ruth from the character she played for me.

When she looked up again, her eyes were bright and filled with joy. “You love this…doing this, don’t you?”

All I could do was fucking nod, unable to take my eyes off her. The sincerity of the emotion in her gaze, of how moved she was by my work—knowing how much I loved it and what it meant to me—was a fucking punch in the chest.

She nodded, running her fingers over different pieces.

“I can see it. God, I can feel it in every piece on this table.” She looked up again.

“I’m so happy for you, Tuck, that you have this.

Not everyone understands what it’s like to create something they love, something that they’re proud of. You did that.”

Jesus, my fucking throat felt tight. “You do,” I said. “With your writing, and when you’re acting.”

Her smile widened, but it didn’t seem to reach her eyes. “Yeah,” she said. “Exactly.” She motioned across the room. “So what’s up the stairs?”

“A guest room. Cash and Riley use it when they come and stay.” There was a look in her eyes I couldn’t read, and I wanted to know what was going on in her head right now.

I had no right to push for more from this woman, she didn’t owe me more than she was already giving me, but I couldn’t stop myself.

“Talk to me. Tell me what you’re thinking. ”

She laughed softly, trying to make light, to pretend I hadn’t seen what I had in her eyes. “Oh nothing, ignore me.” She motioned to the table. “Just…not all of us are as talented as you, Mr. Smith. I’ve had a script with my agent for close to a year, and no one’s biting.”

“They will,” I said.

She laughed again. “You’re sweet.”

“Not being sweet, Ruth. Okay, sure, I’ve only known you a handful of days, but I just…I know I’m right.”

“See, totally sweet.”

I winked. “What’s the play about?”

She stilled, blinking up at me. “Lost love.”

Her voice had grown husky. “Yeah?”

She nodded.

“You writing from experience?” I asked, because I had to fucking know.

“I am,” she said, her gaze sliding from mine.

Why the hell did I feel, shit, jealous, of whoever this asshole was who had loved Ruth, then let her slip away? “Sorry to hear that, darlin’, but that’s why it’ll be too good to pass up. I know it’s only a matter of time before you sell it.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Thanks, but now I’m going to blame you for jinxing me if nothing comes of it.”

I grinned. “If anything, I’m manifesting it for you. The universe will have to listen now.”

“You’re very charming,” she said out of the blue. “But I think you know that.”

I knew no such thing. Still, I winked. “I try.”

She closed the short distance between us and looked up at me. “I’m glad I came here and that I’m getting to spend time with you.”

There was nothing but sincerity in her pretty eyes.

Fuck, I liked this girl.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, I slid my hand down the side of her lovely face and held her chin. “I’m glad you’re here too, darlin’.” Then I went with it, this moment that was genuine, and real, and leaned in and kissed her.

I’d kissed her quite a few times now, but only when we were playing.

This was the first time I’d kissed Ruth, and she was just as eager now as she’d been the other times.

She pressed her curvy little body more tightly against me and wrapped her arms around my waist. Gently squeezing her soft hip, I pulled her closer and slid my other hand into her hair, kissing her deeper.

When I finally lifted my head, I smiled down at her, trying to keep things light for now.

It wasn’t easy when all I could think about was bending her over my workbench and fucking her.

As much as I wanted to do that—and I got the feeling Ruth would be down for that as well, going by her shaky breaths and the hot look in her eyes—it would have to wait.

We’d been out most of the day, taking longer than I’d expected.

“I need to feed you before I fuck you again,” I said and gave her another soft kiss.

“I’m fine. Honestly, I’m happy to wait—” Her stomach rumbled, loudly .

Her cheeks went up in flames, and I had to bite back my moan. Fuck, I loved those blushes. “What were you saying?”

“Fine, you win.”

Chuckling, I took her hand, led her outside, and across to the house.

Ruth helped me make a quick supper. Nothing fancy, just some steaks and eggs.

“You wanna eat in the living room tonight?”

“Sounds good.” The fire was lit and it was warm and cozy.

Ruth carried our plates to the couch, and I poured us both a drink.

“What’s this?” Ruth asked, studying her glass.

“Apple pie moonshine.”

“Moonshine? I’ve never had it before.”

“Make sure you just sip it. It’s potent.”

She took a tentative sip and coughed. “Oh wow, you’re not wrong.” She tilted her head to the side and her brows lifted. “It has a really nice aftertaste though. I get the apples now.”

“It’s a Smith family recipe.”

She took another sip and her cheeks turned pink again, but this time I’d guess it was from the moonshine. “I like it.” She put her glass aside. “So do you have family in the area?”