“It sounds interesting.” He leaned back in his chair. “All right. I’ll go just to see the line of people begging for your autograph.”
Ellie laughed. “As if.” She smiled. “I’m glad you’re going with me. I hope you won’t be bored.”
“I like to people-watch.” He shrugged. “It’ll be a new experience.” Not to mention the biggest reason he’d go—he’d get to spend more time with Ellie.
She sipped from the next wine in her flight. He watched her, admiring her lips as she drank from her glass and the graceful curve of her neck as she swallowed. Everything about her was beautiful.
When they finished their wine flight, he thought about how much he wanted the day to last. “How does an early supper sound? There’s that steakhouse we passed on our way through.”
“I think I saw it right before I blinked.” She smiled. “That sounds good.”
They headed out to his truck and were soon off to the steakhouse.
Minutes later, they reached the restaurant and Tucker escorted Ellie inside.
A hostess wearing a western blouse, jean skirt, and boots led them to a small corner table. He seated Ellie, then took one of the chairs closest to her. The hostess handed each of them a laminated menu and returned to the front.
Ellie bent over her long menu, and Tucker had to force himself not to stare at her, but instead scan the choice of meals.
She turned her page over to the side with lunch specials and beverages, then flipped it back to the dinner entrees. “Can’t go wrong with a steak in a steakhouse.” She glanced up and caught Tucker watching her. “What are you having?”
He hadn’t looked at his yet. He gazed at the menu again, where the steak entrees were at the top of the page, and met her pretty eyes. “The cowboy steak sounds good.”
The waitress arrived to ask what they’d like to drink, and they told her they were ready to order their dinner as well. Once she had their order, she retreated, and Tucker turned his attention back to Ellie.
He said the first thing he could think of that didn’t involve how intelligent and beautiful she was. “How do you like working on the game versus voicework on series and movies?”
Ellie considered his question. “They’re different experiences. Nyx Cox in Myth Hunter was fun, but didn’t involve a lot of dialogue. Dubbing Japanese movies was interesting, but I don’t feel I truly got to use my voice acting skills.” She pushed loose strands of hair behind her ear as she spoke, and he found himself watching the motion.
She went on. “I’d have to say that the short film and the movie allowed me a better range for my talents. The series I just worked on was also a place where I got to use my acting skills.”
“I’d like to hear you in action,” he said.
“The movie will be in theaters this fall, and the series is still in production, but you can stream the short film.” She gave him the particulars.
Their drinks arrived, and Ellie sipped her margarita while Tucker drank from his beer mug.
Ellie turned the conversation to his ranch, and he told her more about his operation.
“Have you reviewed the list of awards your horses have won?” she asked. “Maddee wasn’t sure the list was complete.”
“Haven’t had a chance yet.” He shifted in his seat. “I’ll go through our records to make sure everything is on there later this week.”
“Sounds good,” Ellie said. “I’ll get any changes on the website when I have them.”
The waitress served their meals, and the steaks looked damned good. The aroma of hickory smoke and the freshly baked bread rolls made his mouth water
“It all smells wonderful.” Ellie picked up her knife and fork and cut into her cowgirl steak.
Tucker discovered he was hungrier than he realized. As they ate and talked, he devoured the baked potato and corn on the cob, and the steak was gone before he knew it. Time flew by when he was with Ellie.
When they finished their entrees, they shared a peach cobbler with the biggest scoop of ice cream he’d seen on top.
After they’d eaten the last bit of the cobbler, Ellie leaned back in her chair and put her palm on her belly. “That was delicious. This is a terrific restaurant—I wouldn’t mind returning here again.”
Tucker paid for the meal, and they headed out into the night, back to the truck. Once they were both in the cab, he hesitated before starting the vehicle.
“I don’t want the day to end.” Ellie’s face was shadowed in the near darkness as she spoke the words he’d been thinking.
