“Glad you liked it.” He smiled and gathered the plates and bowls. “Leave the cups here to save our places.”
She climbed off the bench seat and walked with him to one of the big, rusty oil drums that had been converted into garbage cans. After disposing of the waste, Tucker rested his fingertips on her lower back and escorted her to the barn. She appreciated that he wanted to be close to her, yet not too much so.
“Have a seat, Ellie.” He gestured to one of the hay bales just inside the barn, across from the band. “I’ll be right back.”
* * *
Tucker wanted nothing more than to spend the entire evening with Ellie. He did need to mingle a bit, and he figured she would be okay about it and hopefully join him.
He strode over to Johnny, the big guy with the bass guitar. “Good to have you here tonight. You guys ready?”
“You bet.” Johnny gave a nod. “Say the word.”
Tucker took the mic Johnny handed him and looked at the crowd gathering around.
He moved across the front of the barn as he started talking. “Welcome friends, neighbors, and family to the Rawlings family’s eleventh annual barn dance and chili cookoff.”
The crowd hooted, hollered, and applauded.
“This is my fourth year hosting the events, and I’m happy to have you all here at Rawlings Ranch.” Tucker smiled as more people cheered and swept his arm out to direct attention to the band. “Please welcome Johnny and White Lightning to our shindig, everyone.”
The crowd cheered. JWL was popular and in high demand in the area, and it was slowly gaining an audience outside of their county.
Tucker faced the crowd. “Enjoy yourselves and dance a two-step while you’re at it.”
JWL started out with a well-known country-western tune, and it wasn’t long before the dancefloor filled.
Tucker passed a couple of his cousin’s adorable kids, a three-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl. He ruffled Caleb’s hair and tweaked Cindy’s braid, causing the kids to giggle. They were cute as could be, and he smiled. He was looking forward to having a family. He was already in his thirties, so it was about time to have some kids of his own, but he had to find the right woman. He barely knew her, but he couldn’t help wondering if Ellie could be the one.
He returned to where he’d left her, and he held out his hand. She smiled and took it, and he drew her to her feet. “I need to welcome folks personally. Will you join me?”
“Sure, if I won’t be in the way.” She produced her camera from the cross-body bag still slung over her shoulder. “I’m also neglecting my plan to photograph the heck out of your event.”
“I’ll let you take a photo or two.” His eyes glinted with amusement as he teased her. “But I would like to introduce you to friends and family.”
Tucker touched the small of Ellie’s back and escorted her around the floor. He liked the warmth and feel of her just through that slight touch.
Due to the loud band, he had to speak up to be heard, but at least it was still light. He introduced Ellie, and she was charming as she met each person.
He liked how she interacted with his mom and dad when he introduced them to her. His fourth brother, Gabe, flirted enough with Ellie to make Tucker feel possessive, and he had no claim on her.
Tucker had been watching Ellie almost since her arrival, and he had observed her interacting with guests. He admired her natural self, her elegance, and her well-spoken manner.
Tonight, he found himself seeing her in a different light. She was a little goofy, silly, and just fun when they met at the Renaissance fair. She had impressed him, yet there was more to her than he first realized.
After making the rounds, Tucker faced Ellie and smiled as the band struck up a lively tune. “Ready for a little dancing?”
“You bet.” She walked close to him, his arm brushing her shoulder.
He placed his palm on her lower back as he escorted her to the dancefloor, and her warmth heated him through.
They stepped onto the floor, and he drew her into a country waltz. She laughed as they danced, her eyes sparkling when they met his.
The waltz shifted into a two-step when the next tune started. A Western promenade. Ellie was an excellent dancer. Tucker and his sister were close in age, and they’d partnered up when they were young and learned to dance together, so he felt comfortable on the dance floor.
When a line-dance song started, Tucker and Ellie left the floor and returned to their seats, where their drinks still awaited them. It was dark now, and Ellie was backlit, her face shadowed as he faced her.
“It’s cool out here, but all that dancing made me hot.” She fanned herself with her hand. “I should probably get going soon.”
