Maybe Luke was the tether that kept his two adventurers grounded? Luke’s lips curled into a smile at the realization. No matter how far his lovers wandered, they always came back to Open Sky, the cattle ranch that had been in his family since the gold rush days.
The notion stoked his confidence. He hadn’t been worried about meeting Birdie’s new lover, Tucker. When she’d told Luke about the hotel fortune heir, he’d felt the green-eyed monster gnawing at him, mostly because this Tucker fellow could spend more time with Birdie. Tucker didn’t have a cattle ranch to help run. It helped the new boyfriend’s case when he and Birdie managed to meet up with Greyson for a weekend in New York. Greyson told Luke that Tucker was an okay guy. Greyson’d even said he’d be happy if Luke and Tucker hooked up.
Of course, Luke’s lovers saw each other more often than he actually saw them, that’s just how life rolled the dice. The excitement of seeing Birdie again tickled across his skin. Luke could see her in his mind’s eye, coming through the gate, dressed in those tight jeans with the holes in the knees and an oversized sweater. Her long black hair would be sloppily braided, the way she wore it when they went to bed so that she wouldn’t wake up with snarls and tangles. Of course, she’d be wearing those old boots that she’d picked out from the catalogue when Dad was ordering a new saddle for his mare.
Luke still remembered the smell of her shampoo that night, pears and azalea flowers. They were sitting in front of the fireplace, playing Uno with Luke’s sisters, Lauren and Samantha, when his father, Roy, asked the girls if they wanted to pick something from the catalogue. Birdie leaned in close to Luke, thumbing through the pages taking her time, unlike his two sisters that had made quick work of shopping.
“Do you like these?” Birdie asked, her bottom lip pushed out a little, making her mouth look fuller, kissable. Luke had almost kissed her then, but the dogs went off into a cacophony when someone rolled up the drive to the house, breaking the spell.
He didn’t kiss Birdie until a few months later when school started up. Birdie was a sophomore and Luke was in his Junior year. Luke got into a fist fight with Brody Cranford over something stupid, it’d been so long ago Luke couldn’t remember offhand. He knocked Brody’s front tooth out, but not before Brody’d got in a couple good licks.
Luke’d been sitting in the nurse’s office with an icepack held against his eye, every so often licking away the blood that oozed from his split lip.
“Brody is twice your size,” said Birdie as she sank down into the chair beside him.
“He swung first.” Luke tried to argue.
“Okay, dummy. Bet your lip hurts something fierce,” she said.
Luke was fixin’ to answer when the pleasant sting of Birdie’s mouth on his shot through his body. After that, neither could keep their hands off the other. It could’ve been the fact that they lived together, since Birdie had moved into the Johnson’s house after her gramma died, or it could’ve been all the raging teenage hormones, but Luke was pretty damned sure it was young love, plain and simple. Funny thing about young love, sometimes it doesn’t age well, but that wasn’t the case with Luke and Birdie.
I hope she still loves me after I tell her.
Luke hadn’t known Birdie’s mom was back in town until a few days ago when he saw Selena at Rigley’s, an old bar downtown—the only bar, in fact. The business had been there for longer than Luke had been alive and it was a town tradition that everyone went there for their first legal drink when were old enough, unless they were lucky enough to get out of the one-stop-light-town before then. Birdie had managed that, heading out to LA right after she turned eighteen, but she came back to visit on her twenty-first birthday. But, like the wind, she blew through town and then was gone again.
* * * *
Rigley’s wasn’t somewhere that Luke went on a regular basis, not being a big drinker, but he’d gone on Friday with his brothers-in-law, Andrew and Cody, for a boy’s night out while his mother was hosting one of those pyramid scheme parties like Tupperware or whatever silly thing her friend, Mae, was pushing this month.
The three men had been shooting pool and drinking beer for the better part of two hours that evening when a dark-haired woman sauntered past Luke and popped a dollar in the jukebox. She picked some pop country song. Luke didn’t recognize it right off, all those crooners sounded the same to him, the tenor voices with a Nashville twang, even if they were from somewhere like Chicago or Canada.
Luke leaned on his pool cue, gaze floating over the woman’s slim figure, narrow waist, and softly rounded hips. She turned, the blue neon from the juke illuminating some of her features and throwing shadows over others. Luke lost his balance and skittered forward a step or two before getting his feet under him.
“I think I know you.” Luke sputtered.
“You’re Helen Johnson’s boy, aren’t you?” The woman had a two-pack-a-day growl and her black eyes held the glaze of too much liquor.
“Yes, ma’am.”
By then, Andrew and Cody had stopped their game to listen to the conversation.
Luke remembered thinking, Jesus. She looks just like Birdie.
“You probably don’t remember me.” A wisp of a smile floated across her face, a vacant gesture trying to hide the sadness in her eyes. “Your ma and I go way back. I’m Selena Bird.” She held out her hand.
“Luke.” Out of politeness, he shook her hand. Of course, Birdie would look like her mother. Luke steeled himself. He didn’t know a lot about Selena, but he knew enough to reason that she wasn’t here for the beer nuts.
“I think you and my daughter went to school together. Do you know Mary?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Like I know myself. A chill slid down Luke’s spine, the distinct notion that he was being played. He wasn’t about to give her what she might be looking for, whatever that was.
“Are you still friends?” She took a step closer and brought the beer bottle she’d been gripping to her lips and took a dainty sip.
“Yes, ma’am.” The conversation was turning into an inquisition. “What brings you back to town?”
Selena shrugged her shoulders, her dark hair tumbling across the sharp slope of her collar bone. “You seen her lately?”
“No, ma’am,” said Luke. That was the truth. Birdie had been in New Zealand, filming the sixth season of Gilded Swords.
“Oh.” She pursed her lips like she’d just bit into a lemon. “But she’s coming back to town soon, though.”
Luke swore that Selena could see right through him. He couldn’t lie, so he shrugged his shoulders and was about to go back to his pool game when Andrew piped up. “I thought Birdie was getting here next Friday?”
Andrew was damn lucky he was married to Luke’s sister, Lauren, or else Luke might have cracked his pool cue over the guy’s skull. All Luke could do was narrow his eyes at his brother-in-law and hope he got the message, shut up.
Luke opened his mouth to tell Selena that Birdie had no interest in seeing her, but Selena was already walking away.
* * * *
A tap on the bottom of Luke’s boot brought him back to the present. He tipped his hat back and looked up at Birdie. He was out of the chair, arms wrapping around his girlfriend’s waist. He pulled her to him, his mouth crushing against her, pleasant, bruising passion. He wanted to run his tongue over every inch of her soft skin. Maybe they could dip into one of the restrooms and he’d have her up against the wall, her teeth biting into his shoulder to keep from screaming out loud as he fucked her hard. In his jeans, Luke’s cock liked the idea, eager.
Birdie let out a soft moan, her tongue fluttering over Luke’s bottom lip. She broke their embrace, her breath coming out in soft huffs through her nostrils. “I missed you too,” she said, straightening the sunglasses and baseball cap that he’d knocked askew.
Someone cleared their throat and Luke’s turned toward the sound. His gaze fell on the long drink of cool water standing beside them. Tall, dark, and handsome in slim fit jeans, a white
V-neck T-shirt, and an unbuttoned navy blue blazer. The guy had the most incredible eyes Luke had ever seen, greener than a virgin pasture and his hair, a soft mop of dark brown curls.
“Howdy,” said Luke when he managed to make his brain and mouth start working at the same time. Fuck me…Howdy?!?! Derp-de-derp-derp…
“Luke, Tucker. Tucker, Luke.” Birdie made the quick introduction.
“Good to finally meet you.” Tucker extended a hand.
Luke shook the offered hand, making note of Tucker’s soft skin. The man probably hadn’t done a day of hard labor in his life. He’s breakable. “Likewise.”
“Can we get to baggage claim before the paparazzi catch up?” Birdie glanced over her shoulder.
“Sure,” said Luke, taking Birdie’s hand and twining their fingers together.
Tucker fell into step on Birdie’s other side and she slipped her arm around Tucker’s elbow. “My guys,” she said, a smile on her beautiful face.
As the threesome walked, they talked. Birdie told Luke about what had happened on the plane and what was going on with her work. Luke loved the sound of her voice, velvet smooth like a good whiskey. He could listen to her forever. Tucker and Birdie collected their luggage from the carousel.
Luke arched an eyebrow once the other two had all their bags. Birdie had one suitcase and Tucker had two. “You don’t pack light, do you?” Luke smirked, eyeing the designer logo and matching luggage tag on the rolling luggage.
“Nope.” Tucker adjusted the strap of his laptop bag on his shoulder.
“Let me get that for you.” Luke held his hand out and Tucker surrendered the handle of the wheeled case.
“If we’d taken Luke’s father’s jet, there would be four bags. Two for his hair products and cologne.” Birdie winked at Tucker. “Right, babe?”
Tucker rolled his eyes.
“I can appreciate a well-groomed, good smelling man,” said Luke.
“Luke, I’m sure anything smells better than cows,” said Birdie as she walked past him headed for the door. “You drive the truck?”
“Cows don’t smell that bad. Mom made me drive the Expedition. She said Tucker would probably like that better than the rust bucket.” Luke glanced over his shoulder at Tucker.
Tucker’s mouth was turned up into a bemused smile, his green eyes hidden behind a smart pair of sunglasses. The man looked like a movie star and Luke understood Birdie’s attraction to Tucker. He was goddamned gorgeous to look at. Tucker was slim, but strong, lithe. Every move he made reminded Luke of a graceful cat. If Tucker had actually been a cat, he might’ve been a bobcat and Luke would open the door to the hen house himself and let Tucker in any damn time.
“No offense,” said Luke.
“None taken.”
Luke opened the back of the SUV and loaded in the suitcases.
“What’s been going on with you? Anything interesting?” Birdie asked Luke as she buckled her seatbelt. In the safety of the car, she removed her hat and sunglasses. She shook her hair loose and ran her fingers through it, trying to fix where her cap had pressed her black locks to her scalp. Her black eyes looked right through Luke.
Fuck. How could he tell Birdie that her mother was in town?
* * * *
Tucker enjoyed the view as he followed Birdie and Luke to the car. Luke had the nicest butt Tucker had ever seen, wrapped up like a Christmas present in faded Wrangler jeans. The denim hugged more than just Luke’s rear end. The denim didn’t hide chiseled thighs or the hefty bulge beneath Luke’s large metal belt buckle. Truthfully, Luke probably didn’t need that belt, that ass could hold up a fucking skyscraper.
There were other things about Luke that Tucker liked too. If Birdie was worried about the hat, Tucker didn’t mind the chocolate colored Stetson with the paler leather hatband studded with little replicas of buffalo nickels. The hat coordinated perfectly with Luke’s well-worn cowboy boots. The only thing he was missing were a pair of spurs and a bull between his legs. He can ride me.
Tucker blushed at the thought and slid into the seat behind Birdie.
“What’s been going on with you? Anything interesting?” Birdie asked Luke.
Luke tossed his hat up on the dash and put the SUV in reverse. When he got to the exit, he paid the booth attendant with a five.
In the rearview, Tucker could see Luke’s eyes. Tucker took his sunglasses off and hung them on the collar of his V-neck.
“Told you he doesn’t talk much.” Birdie leaned around her seat and smiled at Tucker.
Tucker chuckled. “But I like him anyway.”
Luke took the exit to get on the highway and merged into traffic. He let out a heavy sigh, something obviously on his mind.
“I know that sigh. What’s wrong?” Birdie asked, laying a hand on Luke’s forearm.
Luke shrugged her off. “Ain’t got anything to do with me.”
“Is it Greyson?” Birdie asked.
“Nope.” Luke changed lanes.
Tucker’s gaze flitted back and forth between Birdie and Luke. After a moment, Birdie sat back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest, frustrated. Stoic was an accurate description. Luke’s demeanor wouldn’t lead the average person to believe that anything was bothering him, but whenever Tucker caught sight of Luke’s beautiful blue eyes in the mirror, they told another story. Worry fluttered to their surface with every blink.
“You know if something is bothering you, it’s safe to talk to us,” said Tucker. He leaned forward between the seats. Big talk when you’ve known him for like ten minutes.
“All good and well, but Birdie, you’re not going to like what I’ve got to say,” Luke said.
Birdie rounded on him. “Why don’t you tell me and let me decide that for myself.”
A thick silence slid between the three of them. Tucker rubbed his chin with his palm, unsure if he should say something to get them talking. He watched the mile markers on the highway tick by and when he couldn’t stand the tension anymore, Tucker opened his mouth.
“Alright. I see what’s going on here. Luke, you’re upset because you think what you’ve got to say is going to make Birdie angry.” Tucker looked over at Birdie. “And you’re frustrated because he finds opening up to be difficult.”
“Swear to God, you’re a walking inspirational self-help book.” Birdie rolled her eyes.
“It’s the yoga,” said Tucker.
Luke snorted a laugh. Birdie snickered and Tucker grinned.
“Am I right?” Tucker asked.
“You’re not wrong,” Luke said. He pressed his lips in a tight line and breathed out through his nose. “Will you wait until I’m done talking to get angry?” he asked, looking at Birdie.
“If I get angry at all,” said Birdie. “Yes. Just tell me what’s spinning around in that brain of yours.”
Luke took a deep breath. “Went to Rigley’s with Andrew and Cody last week. You know, boy’s night, Mamma was having a bunch of ladies at the big house for a party. So, we’re playing pool.” His brow furrowed as though he were thinking how he wanted to phrase his next sentence. “Your mother was there.” Luke flinched, anticipating a fiery reaction from Birdie.
Tucker’s gaze slid over to Birdie.
Her pretty mouth was drawn into a tight line, jaw tensed. She turned to stare out of the windshield. After a moment of silence, she uttered one word. “Okay.”
Tucker sat back against his seat. Birdie didn’t talk about her mother, as much from lack of general knowledge as from the hurt of being unwanted by the one person in her existence that should have given a shit. He could relate too well to that. Tucker might’ve been the heir to a family fortune, but he didn’t have a family, per se. His father was constantly busy, overseeing the vast Winthrop empire, and Tucker’s mother was off being philanthropic—sometimes it was actual charity, but mostly it was being charitable with other men that weren’t Tucker’s father. The last time that the Winthrop family had all been in the same room was Christmas of 1994, the only time
his mom had hosted a charitable event at their home in LA. Tucker was more familiar with the house staff than his own parents.
Luke took an exit to get off the highway and before too long the Expedition was rolling through small towns and down roads that didn’t have any discernible lanes. Every time they had to get over to allow a vehicle going the opposite direction to pass, Tucker’s heart hammered faster. The last time he’d been this stressed out in a moving car was riding the rollercoaster El Toro at Six Flags in New Jersey and he’d vomited afterwards.
“Selena’s back in town, then?” Birdie asked after a long silence.
Luke shrugged. “More likely she’s passing through.”
Tucker touched Birdie’s shoulder, his thumb stroking the curve of it. I’m here if you need me.
Birdie placed a hand on Tucker’s. “Does she know I’m here?”
Luke nodded slowly. “I didn’t tell her. Andrew let it slip. You know how he is, doesn’t keep his mouth shut for shit.”
“Damn,” breathed Birdie. “She’s ruined my life enough. I’m not going to let her do it anymore. Maybe I just need to talk to her.”
Tucker’s heart ached for his lover. He’d do anything to keep her from getting hurt. By the look on Luke’s face, he shared that sentiment. “Whatever you decide, we’re here to support you. Right, Luke?”
“Damn straight.” Luke said, taking Birdie’s free hand in his and kissing her on the knuckles.
With a right turn, the narrow, paved road turned into a narrow gravel drive. The gently sloping pastures stretched out as far as Tucker could see, a sea of green blanketed by a bright blue sky. Ahead of them, a large, two-story ranch house reached upward from the earth. In front of the house, the shrubbery was composed of azalea bushes, lilies, and an assortment of colored pansies. A long driveway with four paths that wound out into the fields, ended in a roundabout with a large fountain at its center. A small statue of a rearing stallion topped a rock-stacked sculpture, and water trickled over the rocks collecting into the clear pool below. The lapis lazuli tiles in the pool reminded Tucker of the fountains he’d seen in Italy. In fact, the house reminded him a great deal of the sprawling palazzos of wine country.
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