A Rancher's Love

by Vivian Arend

  “Ha, ha,” Dustin pretended to be grumbly, but he winked at Tamara. “I guess you’re right. I haven’t always been the hottest fashion plate in the family.”

  “What’s acid wash?” Emma asked. Sasha reached over the album to point them out.

  Meanwhile, Dustin continued to stare at the page, confusion twisting to outright glee. “Hey, Ginny. I think I have another clue to add to your puzzle.”

  That got everyone’s attention.

  Ginny rushed forward, Tucker following hard on her heels. “There’s something in the album?”

  “Sort of,” Dustin said. “I thought about it the other day. Why didn’t I have a present in the box? You know, the one Tamara found that had things for everyone else, all wrapped in the same paper.”

  Ginny paused. “Not sure.”

  Her little brother grinned. “Because I’d already opened it.”

  The room went silent.

  His shoulders lifted in a gentle shrug. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think Mom was the type to do anything without a reason. If she gave Ginny a puzzle that involved gifts for all her kids, and they were all wrapped up at the same time, and we were supposed to work together to solve the puzzle, it makes sense that I should have gotten a gift as well.”

  They all looked down at the photo album. “That’s your birthday party, yes?” Ginny asked.

  Dustin nodded. “December, which means I opened one extra gift that was actually part of Ginny’s mystery package. Then Luke would open his in February, Walker in March, Caleb in April, and Ginny in June.”

  There’d been so many disappointments before, Tucker didn’t want Ginny to get her hopes up only to have them dashed again. Yet maybe, just maybe, this was going to actually happen. “So what did you get?”

  Dustin pointed to the page, then lifted the entire album in the air so everyone could see.

  Cute as anything, eight-year-old Dusty showed off a gap-filled smile made of a mix of baby and adult teeth. Against his cheek he held a stuffed calico cat.

  “That is eerily lifelike,” Tucker said.

  “I remember that thing,” Ginny said. “You hauled it everywhere forever.”

  “I still have it,” Dustin confessed, quieter now. “I put it in the box along with the rest of my baby stuff Mom had saved.”

  Caleb laid a hand on Dustin’s shoulder, but didn’t say anything.

  Luke held up fingers. “Okay, work together was the clue. Caleb got straw bales and I got a horse. Add in Dustin’s cat, and the first place I think of is the barn.”

  “God, I hope not. I don’t see how anything could still be hidden in there after all these years.” Ginny leaned harder into Tucker’s side.

  He curled an arm around her and squeezed. “Keep going. Walker—how does your treasure box fit into the barn theme?”

  Her brother shook his head slowly. “It’s not made of barn wood, it’s not even a real box.” He frowned. “Why does it feel as if I’m missing something? Like something teasing at the edge of my memories.”

  Tucker turned to Ginny. “And your present. Don’t forget to include it.”

  She blinked. “Mine? How do the journals possibly mix in?”

  He tapped her on the nose. “No, goddess. The journals were part two. You got the puzzle page and a necklace.”

  Her jaw dropped. “I totally forgot.”

  “You didn’t tell us you got something else,” Kelli said.

  Ginny reached into her shirt and pulled out the wooden piece she’d started wearing constantly. “I didn’t think of it as a present.”

  The instant she held it up in her palm, a loud whoop echoed through the room.

  “Holy cow, that’s it,” Walker shouted. “I think I know the answer. To all of it.” He turned on his heel and headed toward the door.

  “Walker?” Ginny asked.

  “Come on,” he insisted. “We’re headed to the barn for a trip down memory lane.”

  They must have looked quite the sight. The entire Stone family, all eleven of them, plus Tucker, marching across to the main barn and climbing into the old, old hay loft. The place where Tucker had so many memories from summers filled with love and laughter.

  Surprisingly, Walker led them straight to the Operation Prove It headquarters.

  He grinned as he glanced at his sister. “Seems Caleb isn’t the only one good at making hay forts.”

  Ginny tilted her head toward him. “Tucker’s got skills.”

  Kelli snorted.

  Tamara gave her a look, but her lips were curved at the corners. She let Tyler down to play in the pen-like area formed by the bales. “You plan on letting the rest of us in on the big mystery, Walker?”

  “Hold on.” He leaned toward the window, examining the boards closely. “Ginny, this is your discovery to make. Come here.”

  Ginny squeezed Tucker’s fingers before letting go and joining her brother at the window. “Time for the big reveal, Houdini.”

  Walker glanced around at his siblings. “Confession first. When I was little, Mom caught me digging holes in her garden to bury treasure. Which she said was creative, but a poor way to get a carrot crop. So she gave me a treasure box and told me to find places to hide it that didn’t involve her garden. It was a magic box, so if someone did discover it, they couldn’t open it without having the secret key.”

  Ginny frowned, placing a hand on the wooden sill at the right edge of the window. “A magic treasure box?”

  “Made of wood. I stopped using it at one point and gave it back, but I had told her some of my favourite hiding spots. I think she used it for your present.”

  The entire group of them leaned forward with Ginny as she examined the vertical wall closer. And when she wrapped her fingers around what looked like part of the windowsill and pulled, Tucker held his breath.

  In her fingers, she held a brick-sized box.

  “Oh my word.” She lifted her gaze to Tucker. “We found it.”

  “Now use your magic and open it,” he said softly.

  Everyone settled on the bales. Luke and Kelli cuddled together, Ivy and Walker doing the same. Tamara and Caleb were surrounded by their children, all wide eyes and eager smiles.

  Dustin sat to one side, feet up, elbows on knees. “Is it a trick box? Walker, you know how it works.”

  Walker shook his head. “This is her moment. I know Ginny can figure it out,” he said quietly.

  Ginny took off her coat and spread it on the bale that was usually their footrest. She placed the box in the middle, turning it slowly as she examined it.

  Her eyes lit up as she figured something out. “That’s wonderful.”

  She slipped the necklace over her head and tucked the strangely-shaped wooden piece into a small slot on one side of the box.

  The top of the box pivoted. The side slid open, and a brightly coloured bag fell to her coat.

  “Treasure,” Emma said excitedly.

  Ginny’s eyes had filled with moisture. Tucker couldn’t stop himself; he dropped next to her and slipped an arm around her waist, supporting her the best he could. “Emma’s right. It’s treasure from your mom.”

  A collective inhale echoed through the space as Ginny opened the bag and tipped the contents into her palm.

  Coloured stones flashed in the light from the window.

  “Oh.” Ginny glanced up at them all. “It’s Mom’s family ring.”

  She slipped it on her finger and held her hand in the air.

  Tucker thought it was Luke who started the slow clap of approval. But whoever it was, the rest of them picked it up. Laughter rose as well, and the next minutes were filled with a happiness Tucker was so grateful to be a part of.

  When the hugs and back pats of congratulations were done, Tucker was amused to discover the four sets of couples had remained settled in place, while Uncle Dustin did his duty and took the girls and Tyler to say good night to the kittens.

  Tamara held Ginny’s hand and admired the ring. “It’s very pret
ty, but do you know why there are eight stones? There are five of you, plus your parents.”

  “Mom got the ring when I was about ten. I just remember thinking it was wonderful because it sparkled.” Ginny shook her head. “Caleb? Do you know?”

  He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Don’t remember them telling us anything more than Dad bought it for Mom to represent all of us. I didn’t really understand what the ring was about, so I didn’t know it was slightly off.”

  “I thought maybe they had a baby they lost somewhere in there, but they never explained. And we never asked,” Walker admitted.

  “Well, it’s beautiful,” Tamara said. “And a very wonderful sweet-sixteen present.”

  “Plus the journal,” Ginny reminded her. “Maybe I’ll find an explanation for the ring in one of her entries.”

  Then she turned her bright eyes to Tucker’s, leaning hard into his side and wrapping her arms around him, silent but happy.

  He leaned in close, ignoring the fact that all her family were right there, watching closely, because this moment was too important to let pass by. “Love you, goddess. I’m very happy for you right now.”

  “I love you, too,” she whispered, lifting her lips for a kiss before resting her head on his chest and letting a huge sigh escape. “Happy birthday to me.”

  23

  June 18, Ginny’s 30th birthday

  The birds were singing, calling back and forth to each other. One on a nearby tree would say hey you, and a second later, one farther in the bush would respond hey you back.

  Tucker sat a little straighter in the saddle to stretch his back, breathing deep and truly enjoying where he was.

  “Need any help later today getting things set up?” Luke swayed comfortably as he rode at Tucker’s side, lazily covering a yawn. “Damn, I need a nap before the party.”

  “Of course you do. Old people like you should always have a nap in the afternoon.”

  A snicker greeted him. “You’re the same age as me,” Luke pointed out.

  “It’s the extra five days you've been alive. Makes a man tire far more easily,” Tucker deadpanned. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you don’t get caught drooling in your sleep.”

  Luke eased his horse close enough to offer a brotherly punch to Tucker’s shoulder. “Ass.”

  “Jerk.”

  His friend turned his horse toward his house. “On that note—call if you need help.”

  “Will do.”

  Tucker headed back to the cottage—back home—and wasn’t that an outright thrill to acknowledge? Ginny had thrown down and demanded he give up the pretense of living anywhere but with her.

  Moving in had not been a hardship, although Tucker now eyed the small cottage with ideas for improvements that would fit their new future.

  A future together.

  A future he’d like to define a little more clearly, and today seemed as good a day as any.

  Ginny stood outside at the picnic table he’d built, wooden spoon moving through a massive bowl as she mixed up enough potato salad to feed the horde of people expected to descend for her birthday barbeque.

  “Need a hand?” he asked.

  She paused and offered her lips for a kiss. Then smiling contentedly, she considered. “Food is under control for now. Kelli and Tamara are making the rest of the salads, the steaks are marinating, so until the barbeques need heating up, you are off the hook.”

  Exactly where he didn’t want to be—off the hook. He wanted hooks, and strings, not to mention promises of forever.

  Tucker glanced around, but for once, miracle of miracles, there were no Stone nieces or Silver Stone ranch hands in sight.

  He pulled the spoon from her fingers and dropped it in the bowl. Then he went down on one knee beside her, holding her hands in his.

  Their fingers slipped, mayonnaise from the salad coating them in a slippery, mustardy layer with bits of thyme thrown in for good measure. He made a second grab, holding tighter this time even as amusement rose.

  Of course they’d end up slathered with food with Ginny involved.

  “Goddess.”

  Ginny frowned for a second, then snickered. “Really?”

  “You love me, I love you. It makes sense.”

  She brayed out a laugh. “Points for the least romantic proposal ever.”

  Tucker raised a brow. “What makes you think I’m proposing? I just wanted to know if I could have your potato salad recipe.”

  She plopped onto the picnic bench, snickering so hard she gasped for air. Her cheeks shot to rosy red, and she smiled with her heart in her eyes. “I do love you, superman.”

  “I know, which means it would be a really smart move if you were to marry me.”

  She tilted her head to the side. Adorable, sexy. Everything he’d ever wanted. “What if I want you as a boyfriend for a little longer?”

  He gave up kneeling and sat beside her on the bench. “Nothing can be simple with you, can it?”

  “Probably not. Yet you seem willing to sign on for more of this delectable torture.” Ginny wiped her palms carelessly on her shirt then cupped his face. “Do I want to be with you? Absolutely.”

  “Then marry me.”

  “I thought we’d get engaged a year after the night Tamara gave me your naked booty as a Christmas present.” Ginny suggested. “Although we won’t mention that part to her, okay?”

  “Christmas Eve? No, that’s unacceptable.” Arguing wasn’t part of today’s agenda, but neither would he stop until he had her agreement. One way or another this was happening sooner than six months from now. “I’m yours,” he said simply.

  “Darn tootin’, you are,” she agreed.

  “If you don’t want to do it today because it’s your birthday—although I’d remind you it's a wonderful chance for everyone to find out quick—we can officially get engaged in a week or so and then get married next Christmas.”

  She turned thoughtful. “Does it sound morbid if I kind of want to get married in February?”

  Tucker brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “Not morbid at all. You want a new, happier memory to balance the sad.”

  Ginny popped easily into his lap and proceeded to kiss him senseless. Turning him on and turning him inside out, so that his ears were ringing when they finally came up for air.

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out the box he’d hidden away for today. “Marry me, Ginny. Next week, next month, next February. Those details don’t matter, but I want my ring on your finger.”

  “Let me see,” she said, popping the box open and inhaling appreciatively. “Oh my God, Tucker, it’s beautiful.”

  “Just like you.” He pulled the diamond ring from its pillowy perch and slipped it on her finger.

  Ginny held out her hand and the diamond sparkled in the sunlight. Then she faced him again. “Just to make it official, yes. Yes, I’ll marry you, because you’re exactly who I need. Past, present, and future.”

  “I love you.” He whispered it this time, so many years of memories built up between them coming together in this moment. “I’m yours,” he said again.

  It was the utter truth.

  The yard between the main ranch house and Ginny’s little cottage was full of friends who had come to celebrate her birthday and to spend time in the beautiful June sunshine.

  And, unexpectedly, to celebrate her and Tucker’s engagement.

  The last-minute addition to the agenda had been received with everything from shouts of approval and a massive back pounding for Tucker from Luke, to adorable kisses as Emma and Sasha welcomed their new uncle-to-be into the fold.

  Everywhere she looked, Ginny saw happy faces and people close to her heart. But one thing was still missing.

  Which was why, when her sister’s truck pulled into the yard, Ginny all but vibrated with excitement.

  Jesse and Dare had made the drive from Rocky Mountain House for the birthday party. They’d brought their three boys, and Ginny couldn’t wait to not only get ca
ught up, but to sniff a few toddler cheeks.

  Babies were on the someday list. Which meant using her sister’s children to stave off the craving that had begun to simmer deep inside.

  Getting engaged was enough excitement for right now.

  “Don’t get run over,” Tucker warned with a chuckle when she shot to her feet and went to rush forward.

  Ginny held herself back long enough for Jesse to put the truck into park, and then she hauled open Dare’s door and swamped her sister with a massive bear hug. “You’re finally here. Oh God, it’s so good to see you.”

  “Can you see anything but my backside?” Dare teased, but she squeezed just as hard. “Welcome to your thirties, babe. The water’s fine.”

  “Tucker,” Jesse called. He walked from around the truck carrying one of the twins in his arms while three-and-a half-year-old Joey blasted forward out from under his feet and headed at a toddler sprint toward his cousins up the hill. “Come and shake my hand then buy me the drink you owe me.”

  Ginny frowned at Tucker. “Why do you owe him a drink?”

  Her brother-in-law adjusted the infant he held. “It’s a permanent debt. I plan to collect from now to eternity.”

  Tucker raised a brow but turned to answer Ginny. “You told Dare about us fooling around. She told him, which means for the past three plus years, he’s had to keep it secret.”

  “You know how hard it’s been to know such a juicy tidbit and not spill the beans every time I saw your brothers? You totally owe me.” Jesse wrapped an arm around Ginny’s shoulders and squeezed. “Hey. How’s my favourite poisoner doing?”

  “Peachy,” she said with a smile.

  “That’s a fine flavour. Distracts from the convulsions and paralysis that follow.” Jesse held out a hand to Tucker. “About time you proposed.”

  “I didn’t know you were waiting,” Tucker deadpanned. “Sorry, sweetheart, I’m taken.”

  Laughter welled around them as always. The four of them, carrying the nearly year-old twins, moved up the hill to join the party. Tamara came forward, hugged her cousin and Dare, then handed toddler Royce to Kelli before stealing little Ryan for herself.