Tucker

by Lori Foster

  Not what a man wanted to listen to while trying to sleep. In fact, it was kind of gross. But of course he hadn’t complained. The poor dog had been through enough, in his opinion, and if she wanted to dote on those babies, well, he’d encourage her all he could.

  “They’re so tiny,” Kady whispered.

  “But chubby. She’s taking good care of them, feeding them well.” In fact, that was something else he’d heard long into the night–the sound of little gluttons suckling.

  Damn it, he smiled again just remembering.

  Kady said, “Ohhh,” as the mama dog did an army-crawl out from under the bed. The dog turned her worried brown eyes on Tucker.

  “It’s okay, girl.” Odd how the dog had immediately bonded with him, but not Kady. Maybe it was his calm demeanor that she gravitated to. “She’s just here to admire you and those beautiful pups.”

  As if she understood, the dog’s curly tail wagged, and she disappeared back under the bed.

  “She looks very different without the mud.”

  Just as Kady looked very different kneeling beside his bed. “All the pups have the same white blaze on their faces. They’re like little miniatures of her.”

  “It’s dark under the bed and they’re in the blankets, so I couldn’t tell—oh!” She’d no sooner started to explain than the dog brought out a puppy and set it by her knees.

  Kady’s expression melted. “Oh, Tucker.” Gently, she cradled the fat, wiggling ball of yellow fur, brushing it against her cheek.

  “She’ll bring you the rest now.” Unable to stop himself, he came to sit near her, thought better of it and instead sat on the side of the bed.

  Dangerous territory, that. He reached down and took the puppy from her.

  “Careful! Don’t hurt your arm.”

  “My arm is fine.” It wasn’t, and it wouldn’t be for a while, but he didn’t want her mothering him.

  No, he wanted something entirely different from her—but he knew he shouldn’t. He knew, sure as he knew he’d eventually wear down, that she’d be trouble for him.

  But he wasn’t a man who ran from trouble; he preferred to face it head-on.

  “You should be wearing your sling.”

  “I’ll put it on before I leave the house.” He’d also steer clear of her until he was 100% again. God knew he’d need to bring his A game to deal with her and all the ways she tempted him. There’d be hurdles—quite a few of them, considering the size of her family—but he’d manage. On his terms, not hers.

  Before Kady could do more complaining, she had the other puppies in her arms.

  “She’s a proud little thing,” Tucker explained, “and she loves showing off her babies.”

  “I can see why. They’re so adorable.”

  “Yeah.” Tucker hefted the pup he held up to his face. Now clean and dry, the puppy smelled nice.

  “I love puppy breath.”

  Puppy breath? He’d never really thought about it, but yeah, he kind of liked it, too. The pup he held fit in the palm of one hand, but with a firm round belly overflowing. “I’ve always liked dogs,” he admitted.

  “Really?” Somehow she’d scooted closer so that her shoulder touched his shin, and her upturned face made her eyes look big and innocent.

  He wasn’t buying it. Physically, she might well be innocent; he had no reason to doubt her on that. In fact, his gut told him that everything she said was true.

  But the way she worked him now? The little manipulator knew exactly what she was doing. God help him, she did it well.

  “Why don’t you have one?” she asked.

  It would be so easy to bend down, to put his mouth to hers—or to draw her up onto the bed with him. He mentally shook his head to clear it. “I do now. Five, in fact.”

  That startled her and she leaned away again. “You’re going to keep them all?”

  “Maybe.” Conscious of his weakening resolve, he handed her the pup and stood, making the mama dog go on alert. “Come on, girl. While the babysitter is near, you want to do your business?”

  Once more proving her trust and intelligence, the dog hustled out the bedroom door ahead of him.

  “Wow, she’s a smart one.”

  “Very.” Looking at Kady, Tucker knew he didn’t stand a chance. “I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  He didn’t bother to tell her that her uncle, the local vet, was due to arrive any minute to check on the dog and pups. With luck, having a relative around would get her on her way, the sooner the better.

  Before he jumped the gun and asked more questions about virgins...and what she’d meant about not wanting anyone except him.

  CHAPTER THREE

  THE BLASTED, STUBBORN sheriff was dodging her. Kady was sure of it. Three days ago her Uncle Jordan had shown up to check over the animals, catching her in Tucker’s bedroom. Why that should have made her face red hot, she couldn’t say, but Jordan had definitely noticed.

  He’d given her a long look that promised more questions later, then he’d gotten busy with the dogs. “Did you know they’re all males?”

  “Really?” She’d grinned. “Maybe we should name them Sawyer, Morgan, Gabe and Jordan.”

  “Your grandmother wouldn’t be pleased if you named a dog after her sons.”

  The grin turned into a laugh. “Bull. She’d love it.”

  Jordan smiled. “Yeah, she probably would.” And he’d gone back to his work with the animals with single-minded—and gentle—concentration.

  In her opinion, Jordan Sommerville was the best veterinarian in Buckhorn. Heck, in Kentucky.

  Maybe the best ever, anywhere.

  He was the third son, a changeling to hear the family tell it, with Uncle Sawyer the eldest, then Uncle Morgan, and her dad the youngest. The family could be rowdy, especially her dad and Uncle Morgan, but Jordan was the quiet type, with a voice that could melt the hardest heart, or soothe the most frightened animal.

  She loved them all, so, so much, but a big close family meant that someone was always in her business. Jordan, at least, was a little more subtle than the others.

  It wasn’t uncommon for him to do a house call, especially for a friend, and she supposed they all considered Tucker that. She’d been relieved to know the dog and her babies were okay, but she really could have used more alone time with the sheriff before family intruded.

  But intrude, they had.

  She’d been summoned to Uncle Sawyer’s house for a family gathering tomorrow, which was code for we want to know what you’re up to and none of your secrets are safe.

  Her family had tried a more casual approach, first with her dad dropping in with the suspicious pretense of checking up on her after her “ordeal.” Ha. Tucker was the one injured, not her. It had taken all her finesse to dance around his barely veiled curiosity.

  Then Morgan and Sawyer had caught her at lunch where they’d tossed out multiple baited questions about her job and whether or not she had enough free time.

  Since then, her cousins had sent her various texts inquiring about the upcoming craft bazaar, and the community picnic after that, and the skiing competition...always wanting to know if she’d be bringing a date.

  So frustrating.

  She knew she’d be the topic of conversation at Uncle Sawyer’s house, and she didn’t like it. Oh, it was all fun and games when someone else was in the hot seat, but things were still so uncertain with Tucker.

  Other than that one kiss, the man hadn’t shown any interest at all.

  “You have steam coming out of your ears,” Cleets said as he pulled down the long drive to the Jenkinses’ farm. “Problem?”

  “No, I’m fine.”

  He gave her his big boyish grin and said, “Liar. But I won’t pry.”

  “Clearly, you’re not related.”
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br />   “What’s that?”

  Kady shook her head. None of her family minded prying, and to be fair, she’d been the same on numerous occasions...when the curiosity involved a different relative. She knew they were motivated by concern, and that they wanted only the best for her.

  Would any of them agree that Tucker was the best, even though Tucker himself needed convincing?

  “Best get your game face on,” Cleets said. “It’s almost time to go on the air.”

  They’d been sent out to the Jenkinses’ farm to do a small feature piece on the damage done to the barn after that last big storm. Nothing new in that—they often filled the weather reports with local news bits. And while she usually loved doing them, today her heart wasn’t in it.

  That was, until she saw Tucker’s SUV parked in the front drive.

  Well, well, well. His presence brightened her day.

  Then she noticed that he was talking to not only Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, but her dad, too.

  “Why’s Gabe here?” Cleets asked, as he parked the van.

  “I don’t know.” Surely her dad wasn’t grilling Tucker...though he did wear a serious frown. She knew he was overprotective, and she had dodged his questions, but that didn’t give him the right to intrude.

  The more she thought about it, the more irate she got until she was suddenly very anxious to interrupt their possible confrontation.

  She climbed out the van and slammed her door, her strappy sandals slipping on the loose gravel drive as she started forward.

  Both Tucker and her dad looked up. Tucker said something, her dad nodded, and then Tucker grinned.

  Kady pulled up short still a good distance away. Why was he grinning? That made her even more suspicious than her dad’s frown had.

  Cleets almost bumped into her. He was a big man, a gentle giant in her opinion, and somewhat clumsy. The quick halt had him juggling his camera and tripod, as well as the pack of other equipment on his back.

  Now they’d drawn everyone’s attention!

  “Hey.” Cleets scowled at her once he had everything securely held. “Are you trying to trip me?”

  Impatient, she turned her back on the men and whispered, “Why is he grinning?”

  Cleets narrowed his eyes at her, then looked beyond her. “The sheriff? Who knows? Maybe Gabe said something funny.”

  Possibly...but then why did it feel like she was the topic of the conversation? “They’re looking at me.”

  Cleets snorted. “When aren’t you the center of attention?” He nudged her forward. “Think you’d be used to that by now.”

  Stumbling from his push, she glared over her shoulder at him. “If you’re insinuating that I—”

  “Not saying you do it on purpose—though sometimes you do.” He winked when her glare darkened even more. “But looking like you look, and being an outgoing sort, people are naturally drawn to you. No way you don’t know it.”

  She supposed she did. Being bold had always been her defense against relationships. Whenever she drew back, showing any vulnerability, guys approached her and that was awkward for everyone. As long as she appeared to embrace her freedom, they tended to leave her be.

  That was easier than turning them down.

  Seeing no hope for it, she tried her best to look serene and sauntered onward as if she didn’t have a care.

  “Dad,” she called, sending him a familiar, silly wave and hoping she didn’t sound suspicious. “What are you doing here?”

  Gabe nodded to the damaged barn roof. “Giving an estimate for repairs, though it looks like a teardown to me.” He pulled off a backward ball cap, ran a hand over his fair hair and stuck the hat back on. “Sometimes it’s cheaper—and smarter—to start over.”

  Mr. Jenkins groaned. “What am I supposed to do with the animals until then?”

  When Gabe started to answer, she held up a hand, stopping him. “Wait! This would all be good for the camera. Let us get rolling first.”

  Mr. Jenkins groused, but Mrs. Jenkins, who was all decked out in one of her better housedresses, preened in excitement. She even wore lipstick, a first as far as Kady could remember.

  They were a sweet older couple who still ran their very small farm alone. The barn animals consisted of chickens and a rooster, two cows, an ancient horse and a very sweet mule. The animals were in a temporary enclosure at the moment, but close enough to be included in the shot.

  Kady looked pointedly at Tucker. “Are you joining us on air, Sheriff?”

  His slight frown lifted in surprise, and he stepped aside. “No.”

  Kady tracked him as he moved to a tree farther away, but near enough to still watch.

  Cleets, who had been setting up the camera, came over to Kady and did some quick adjustments, pulling up the strap of her dress that had gone askew on her shoulder, smoothing back a long curl that sprang free of her chignon and guiding her to a slightly sunnier spot a foot to her right.

  She could feel Tucker staring at her, his gaze almost tactile—and if she didn’t miss her guess, a little disgruntled. She also felt the impatience of Mr. Jenkins along with her dad’s amusement.

  They went live with Kady talking first about the past storm and the upcoming forecast, then about the damage that had been done around the area. She’d worked many times with an audience, but never before with Tucker standing so close, taking it all in. His presence disconcerted her, and at one point, she even lost her train of thought.

  Her dad, of course, was a natural, stepping in smoothly to keep the flow, answering her questions about the repairs and at the same time appealing to the locals to lend a hand to neighbors hurt by the storm.

  Nothing flustered Gabe Kasper, ever.

  In that respect, she was her father’s daughter, usually just as unflappable. But not around Tucker. The sheriff had a way of turning her upside down.

  What would she do if he never returned her feelings?

  “Is that it?” Mrs. Jenkins asked, her wide eyes locked unblinking on the camera that Cleets held.

  Kady nearly jumped, then found her professional smile. “Yes, that’s it for now.” She went on with her usual sign-off spiel until Cleets gave her the all clear.

  “I want to talk to you before you go,” Gabe said. “Stick around.” Then he walked Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins to the barn to finish going over his estimate.

  Cleets started for the van to store the equipment.

  And that left her with Tucker. Cautiously, Kady turned to where he stood leaning against a large shade tree. He had his left arm in the sling, his right hand resting on his holster and dark sunglasses hiding his eyes.

  Keeping her confident smile in place, she strolled over to him. Her heart beat faster with every step she took. As casually as she could manage, she said, “I’m surprised to find you here, Sheriff.” She couldn’t see his eyes, but a corner of his mouth lifted. “There aren’t any lawbreakers lurking about, are there?”

  After two beats of silence, he replied, “Actually, I heard you were shooting live and came to watch.”

  Never, not in a million years, had she expected that. “You did?”

  He nodded once. “You look nice, Kady.”

  Oh, that pleased her. The husky way he’d said her name, the admission that he’d come just for her.

  “You look great in dresses.” He tilted his head just a little. “If I had my druthers, though, you’d wear your hair down.”

  She reached up for the wayward curl that kept drifting loose. “I have to be professional and...” Her explanation faded away. “You like my dresses?”

  He still wore those blasted glasses, but she knew he looked her over, from the wide straps of the sleeveless dress, down to the nipped-in waist and then to the hem of the soft, flaring skirt that landed just above her knees.

  “I’m alive, aren’t I?”

 
With the suggestive way he said that, her breath constricted and her skin warmed. She looked up at him, desperately wishing she could see his eyes. Was he flirting?

  Making an admission?

  Oh, she hoped so.

  They stood in heavy silence, the air pulsing around them. There were so many things she wanted to say, but she wasn’t sure...

  “Am I interrupting?” Her dad stepped up next to her, his heavy arm going around her shoulders in a familiar, protective way.

  His protectiveness was one of the things she loved most about him. Even though he and her mom had been married a very long time, her dad still doted on her. He’d see Elizabeth Kasper—though he called her Lizzy—in a room and he’d look at her as if she were the only woman alive. Gabe might tease other women, especially his sisters-in-law, but no one could ever doubt his dedication to his wife.

  Or to his daughters.

  She, April and Briana had grown up knowing their dad would do just about anything for them...but he hated for them to date. He trusted no one with his “little girls,” so naturally it was a chore to get him to accept a boyfriend. April and Briana took it as a challenge, dating often—though neither of them had gotten serious with anyone.

  But Kady, for the most part, had been happiest to concentrate on her education and then her career. Until she’d met Tucker, no one had interested her much anyway.

  Uncle Sawyer said it was Gabe’s own misspent youth that made him so untrusting of young men and their motives, and her mother always backed that up.

  Uncle Morgan, who was known to be blunt, claimed that Gabe had sowed his wild oats throughout all of Kentucky...until he’d met her mom.

  Well, her dad would just have to accept that Tucker was to her what Elizabeth had been to him, and—

  “Not at all,” Tucker said to her dad.

  For the life of her, she’d forgotten the question.

  “In fact,” Tucker continued, “I wanted to ask you about tomorrow.”

  Kady went still, her breath held, her thoughts tumbling. She’d be going to her uncle Sawyer’s house tomorrow. All the family would be there. “What about tomorrow?”

  “I’ll be there.”