Maddee was so sweet. Ellie hoped Tucker’s sister would find the love of her life, like Ellie had.
In a couple of moments, Maddee responded. Tucker read the text and set his phone aside again. “Looks like we have a whole night together.”
“We always stay at your ranch whenever we have a free night.” Ellie rested her hand on his. “This is the first time you will have stayed at my home. It’s nice.”
“I’m sure it won’t be the last.” He kissed her softly.
She eased off the couch, stood, and reached out to him. He got to his feet, and she tugged on his hand. “Let’s go upstairs and continue where we left off earlier.”
13
Tucker swung his duffel out of his truck after hefting Ellie’s bag over his shoulder. She admired his muscular legs—he looked great in the pair of khaki cargo shorts and the blue T-shirt he wore today. Ellie smiled at the sight. She liked men in Wranglers, but she also enjoyed seeing them like Tucker was dressed now.
He took both duffels, and they started across the marina to the pier, where the houseboat the family had rented was moored. Her brothers and parents had arrived earlier this morning. It was Friday, and Ellie and Tucker planned to stay for an extended weekend until Monday afternoon.
A nice breeze off the lake swept over them, and she put her hand on her straw sunhat to keep it in place as they passed a group of buildings that included a shop for drinks and snacks, as well as fishing and boating equipment. There was also a gas station for watercraft and a repair shop for Jet Skis and boats.
She felt perfectly wonderful in the July sunshine with the breeze cooling her skin and her man by her side. “What a beautiful day.”
He nodded. “Great for playing on the water.”
The wooden pier creaked as they walked to where the sixty-seven-foot houseboat, the Serenity, was moored. The black and white luxury craft had beautiful lines and all the amenities you could want, more than if you’d stayed in a hotel or B&B. On the back of the boat, four Jet Skis had been secured on a platform.
“Isn’t she gorgeous?” Ellie looked up at Tucker as they walked down the pier. “We’ve rented this same houseboat for a few years now. We could do some serious partying if we were into that. We have entertained friends who joined us for dinner a couple of times, but it’s usually just us.”
She went on. “It has a huge hot tub, a wet bar, a nice outdoor grill, and lots of dining seating on both the lower and upper decks. And it has a full kitchen. This thing is bigger than my townhouse.”
“She’s mighty fine.” Tucker looked the houseboat up and down. He nodded toward the Jet Skis. “I’ve never driven one of those. I want to give it a try.”
“They belong to my brothers. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn.” She smiled at him. “I can teach you. It’s not too hard.”
“What took you so long?” Tanner walked from beneath the overhang to stand a few feet away on the lower deck as Ellie stepped onto it.
“You know I like making a grand entrance.” She pretended to be a movie star on the red carpet, her chin raised while affecting a cultured, snobbish voice. “Do be a dear and fetch me a glass of your finest Chardonnay.”
Tanner chuckled. “Dad’s making drinks on the upper deck.”
Ellie grinned at him while Tucker stepped onto the deck behind her.
“Hey, Tucker.” Tanner held out his hand. “Good to see you.”
“It’s been a while since you were out at my ranch.” Tucker set a duffel down and gripped Tanner’s hand, then released it. “How’s that mare doing?”
“Angelfire is a beauty.” Tanner smiled. “Her training is coming right along. Glad we bought her from you.”
Ellie knew Tucker had met two of her brothers, but she hadn’t known that Tanner owned one of Tucker’s horses.
Tanner narrowed his eyes at Tucker as he shifted the topic. “You’re sleeping in separate beds, right? This is my little sister, you know.”
“I’m not little.” Ellie rolled her eyes. “Are we staying in the room I usually take?”
Tanner nodded. “Hurry up. In a few minutes, I’m gonna get this thing out on the lake.”
Tucker, carrying both duffels, followed Ellie as she led him to the small stateroom. She’d never brought a man with her family and was surprised her mom had even asked if he’d like to come. However, Ellie had chatted so much about Tucker over the past few months that her mom knew their relationship was serious.
They took a moment to unpack, and Ellie put on a brightly colored one-piece swimsuit, wearing a filmy cover over it, and vivid pink water shoes.
Tucker left his T-shirt on and changed into a pair of navy-blue swim trunks and dark blue water shoes.
