I engulfed her slim frame. “I know. I just want the best for you.”
When she pulled back, there were tears in her eyes. “I could say the same. And I’m not sure the best is alone.”
I stood from the stool. “And, sometimes, alone is exactly what’s best.”
I pushed openthe door to the Cole Ranch house. Noah’s squeals of delight were followed by an array of deep chuckles. As I moved through the entryway littered with a variety of family photos, jackets hung haphazardly on a coat rack, and a few of Noah’s toys scattered on the floor, warmth flooded my chest. This space was home. More than the three-bedroom craftsman I’d bought in town. More than the sprawling ranch I’d grown up on. This place was comfort and chaotic peace.
“Tuck!” Noah flew towards me at a speed that seemed otherworldly for a nine-year-old. I lifted him high into the air as he launched himself at me. “Liam taught me a new song on the guitar. Can I play it for you?”
“Of course, you can. You getting rock star lessons, too?” I glanced into the living space, giving our resident superstar a grin. Liam grimaced. He might be a multi-platinum-selling musician, but he was much more at home here in Sutter Lake with his girlfriend, Tessa.
Noah nodded rapidly. “Yup. I’m gonna be a rock star, fighter pilot, karate superstar.”
I held in my chuckle. “I guess it’s good you’re practicing.”
I greeted Liam, Walker, and Walker’s father, Andrew, with backslaps and half-hugs as Noah pulled out his guitar and proceeded to play a barely recognizable rendition ofTwinkle Twinkle Little Star.
My gaze caught on Jensen. She looked on from the kitchen, adoration filling her amber eyes. Her hair, so dark brown it was almost black, fell in loose waves framing her heart-shaped face. There was something about the shape of that face that always had my eyes zeroing in on her perfect lips. Plump and pouty, without her trying. Lips that could enchant and entice. And they did.
That mouth was not one I needed to be thinking about. I blinked rapidly, forcing my gaze back to Noah as he hit the final chord. “That was great, little man.”
He beamed up at me. “I’m getting better.”
Liam ruffled his hair. “You’ve been practicing.”
“Tucker Harris, I didn’t see you come in. Don’t you think you can sneak by me. Come over here and give me some sugar.” The voice that called out above the din of the various conversations was roughened with age but still clear as a bell.
A smile spread wide across my face. “Now, Miss Irma, I would never neglect you.” I crossed to the kitchen where Walker and Jensen’s grandmother leaned against the counter, sipping a glass of wine, surrounded by the other ladies. I plucked the glassware from her hand, set it on the bar, and pulled her into my arms, dipping her back. “When are you finally going to run away with me?”
Irma cackled, smacking my chest with her hand until I righted her. “I’m too much for you to handle, cowboy.” She took a step back, giving me an exaggerated once-over. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the view.”
Laughter erupted around us. Jensen rolled her eyes and took a sip of her wine. I slipped behind her, giving a strand of her hair three quick tugs. “How are you, Little J? Get some rest?” At first, I thought she had, the circles under her eyes seemed somewhat muted even if the eyes themselves still looked tired. But as I studied her more closely, I saw that makeup disguised the dark blooms of color. A muscle in my cheek ticked. She still wasn’t sleeping.
Jensen swatted my hand away. “What? You’re not feeling the need to tell me I look like crap?”
My hands fisted at my sides. The urge to grab her and kiss that smart mouth was overwhelming.
“Jensen! Language,” Sarah chastened.
“Sorry, Mom.” Jensen sent a scowl in my direction.
I held up my hands in mock surrender, backing away. “I was just asking how you were.” I rounded the counter to brush my lips against Sarah’s cheek. “Hey, Mama Sarah.”
Sarah set down the spoon she held and wrapped me in a hug. “It’s so good to see you. It’s been too long.”
Jensen refilled her wine glass. “You saw him last week.”
Sarah released me and returned to stirring her pot of chili. “And that is much too long to go without my Tuck fix.”
I turned my grin from Sarah to Jensen. “It’s a difficult cross to bear, being this desired, but someone has to do it.”
Tessa and Taylor giggled, but Jensen picked up a carrot from the salad fixings and pelted it at me. I caught the veggie before it could hit. “You didn’t.”
Jensen arched a brow. “Sometimes, it takes drastic measures to bring someone back to reality.”
I shrugged, taking a bite of the carrot, but as soon as Jensen turned back towards her wine, I made my move. Darting around the counter, I grasped J by the waist and threw her over my shoulder. She let out a high-pitched shriek that I swore almost pierced my eardrum. “I think someone needs her own dose of reality. What do you think, ladies? Would a dip in the pool do it?”
Tessa and Taylor tried to hide their laughter behind their drinks with minimal success. Irma raised her glass to me. “You show her, sweetheart. But you gotta go in after her. And you gotta take off your shirt so I can get the full show.”
