“Bareback or saddle bronc riding?” she asked.
“Both.” He glanced at her. “Participated in steer wrestling and tie-down roping, too.” He focused back on the road. “My favorite was always working with horses, even if it meant getting bucked off.”
She shook her head. “Sure you didn’t get kicked in the head a time too many?”
“Could be.” He guided the truck around another bend on the curvy two-lane highway, and they passed a road that led to another ranch. “How about you? You mentioned rodeo. Did you rodeo in high school?”
“I participated in junior rodeo only—barrel racing and breakaway roping.” She thought about her secondary school years. “I went to King Creek High School for two years. I didn’t rodeo anymore and focused on graphic arts. I was offered a scholarship to a private school in Florida, the Ringling College of Art and Design. I got my BFA in graphic design. It was a natural fit when I started working with websites and eventually social media.”
He slowed the truck as the speed limit changed in one area before hitting a 45-mile-per-hour speed limit sign again. “You’re a website designer?”
“I don’t have time for websites anymore.” She shrugged. “I love the social media side, and with the voicework, something had to go.”
He guided the truck around another curve. “I’d like to see your artwork.”
“I still have the portfolio that helped me get into art college.” She looked out at the beautiful grassland with its rolling hills. “I do some creative social media posts, but they don’t showcase my art skills.” She sighed. “I miss it, but at the same time, I’ve found a new place in the arts with my voicework.”
“You’re a talented lady.” He smiled at her. “One of the reasons I’m crazy about you.”
She laughed. “So now you’re crazy about me?”
“Have been all along.” His voice softened. “Since the moment you told me I was in the wrong century at the Renaissance fair.”
“I’d sworn off cowboys, but you intrigued me.” She watched him as he focused on the road. “I had more than one bad experience that put me in that frame of mind. When I met you, that changed.”
He met her gaze a moment before looking back to the road. “Do you think you’d ever want to move back to the country?”
“Yeah, I do.” She studied him. “I miss it sometimes. It’s in my blood, and I’ll always be a country girl at heart. I’d trade asphalt and concrete for rangeland.” She shrugged. “One of these days.”
She thought she saw him relax as if he was relieved to hear her say that.
“We’re officially in Sonoita.” He pulled up to a stop sign and turned left onto another highway.
To either side of them was a short stretch of country stores and restaurants, not a commercial building in sight.
“It has a charm of its own.” Ellie smiled as she looked from one side of the road to the other, which wasn’t a whole lot.
He smiled. “Don’t blink.”
She laughed. “Too late, it’s gone.”
“I bought tickets for a tasting at a local vineyard, which will be coming up soon.” He looked along the left side of the road, and they both pointed to the sign at the same time.
“Here we are.” Tucker slowed the truck, put on his blinker, and waited for a car coming from the opposite direction to pass.
He turned onto a short road that curved and opened up to a beautiful view of the grassland and the vineyard’s red-roofed main building, a long, low building on the opposite side.
The dirt parking area was full of cars, but Tucker found a space big enough for the dually between an SUV and a small truck. Tucker helped her out of the dually and rested his hand on her lower back as they walked to the building. It wasn’t a possessive touch, more like he wanted to be close to her. She liked the feel of his hand through her cotton blouse.
* * *
They went into the tasting room and found seats. Ellie soaked up the experience and pulled her camera out of her bag. She’d post the pics to her and Tucker’s social media by Sunday evening. She didn’t want to take away from their time together to post while they were here.
They decided on two flights of wine. The vineyard employee was delightful and talked about each wine they were about to sample.
Ellie had sipped from the first glass in her flight when a woman said, “You’re Ellie McLeod.”
Taken aback, Ellie turned to see a woman with wild red ringlets and heavy makeup. She had no idea who the woman was.
