Then she turned her bright eyes to Tucker’s, leaning hard into his side and wrapping her arms around him, silent but happy.
He leaned in close, ignoring the fact that all her family were right there, watching closely, because this moment was too important to let pass by. “Love you, goddess. I’m very happy for you right now.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered, lifting her lips for a kiss before resting her head on his chest and letting a huge sigh escape. “Happy birthday to me.”
23
June 18, Ginny’s 30th birthday
The birds were singing, calling back and forth to each other. One on a nearby tree would say hey you, and a second later, one farther in the bush would respond hey you back.
Tucker sat a little straighter in the saddle to stretch his back, breathing deep and truly enjoying where he was.
“Need any help later today getting things set up?” Luke swayed comfortably as he rode at Tucker’s side, lazily covering a yawn. “Damn, I need a nap before the party.”
“Of course you do. Old people like you should always have a nap in the afternoon.”
A snicker greeted him. “You’re the same age as me,” Luke pointed out.
“It’s the extra five days you've been alive. Makes a man tire far more easily,” Tucker deadpanned. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you don’t get caught drooling in your sleep.”
Luke eased his horse close enough to offer a brotherly punch to Tucker’s shoulder. “Ass.”
“Jerk.”
His friend turned his horse toward his house. “On that note—call if you need help.”
“Will do.”
Tucker headed back to the cottage—back home—and wasn’t that an outright thrill to acknowledge? Ginny had thrown down and demanded he give up the pretense of living anywhere but with her.
Moving in had not been a hardship, although Tucker now eyed the small cottage with ideas for improvements that would fit their new future.
A future together.
A future he’d like to define a little more clearly, and today seemed as good a day as any.
Ginny stood outside at the picnic table he’d built, wooden spoon moving through a massive bowl as she mixed up enough potato salad to feed the horde of people expected to descend for her birthday barbeque.
“Need a hand?” he asked.
She paused and offered her lips for a kiss. Then smiling contentedly, she considered. “Food is under control for now. Kelli and Tamara are making the rest of the salads, the steaks are marinating, so until the barbeques need heating up, you are off the hook.”
Exactly where he didn’t want to be—off the hook. He wanted hooks, and strings, not to mention promises of forever.
Tucker glanced around, but for once, miracle of miracles, there were no Stone nieces or Silver Stone ranch hands in sight.
He pulled the spoon from her fingers and dropped it in the bowl. Then he went down on one knee beside her, holding her hands in his.
Their fingers slipped, mayonnaise from the salad coating them in a slippery, mustardy layer with bits of thyme thrown in for good measure. He made a second grab, holding tighter this time even as amusement rose.
Of course they’d end up slathered with food with Ginny involved.
“Goddess.”
Ginny frowned for a second, then snickered. “Really?”
“You love me, I love you. It makes sense.”
She brayed out a laugh. “Points for the least romantic proposal ever.”
Tucker raised a brow. “What makes you think I’m proposing? I just wanted to know if I could have your potato salad recipe.”
She plopped onto the picnic bench, snickering so hard she gasped for air. Her cheeks shot to rosy red, and she smiled with her heart in her eyes. “I do love you, superman.”
“I know, which means it would be a really smart move if you were to marry me.”
She tilted her head to the side. Adorable, sexy. Everything he’d ever wanted. “What if I want you as a boyfriend for a little longer?”
He gave up kneeling and sat beside her on the bench. “Nothing can be simple with you, can it?”
“Probably not. Yet you seem willing to sign on for more of this delectable torture.” Ginny wiped her palms carelessly on her shirt then cupped his face. “Do I want to be with you? Absolutely.”
“Then marry me.”
“I thought we’d get engaged a year after the night Tamara gave me your naked booty as a Christmas present.” Ginny suggested. “Although we won’t mention that part to her, okay?”
“Christmas Eve? No, that’s unacceptable.” Arguing wasn’t part of today’s agenda, but neither would he stop until he had her agreement. One way or another this was happening sooner than six months from now. “I’m yours,” he said simply.
“Darn tootin’, you are,” she agreed.
“If you don’t want to do it today because it’s your birthday—although I’d remind you it's a wonderful chance for everyone to find out quick—we can officially get engaged in a week or so and then get married next Christmas.”
She turned thoughtful. “Does it sound morbid if I kind of want to get married in February?”
Tucker brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “Not morbid at all. You want a new, happier memory to balance the sad.”
Ginny popped easily into his lap and proceeded to kiss him senseless. Turning him on and turning him inside out, so that his ears were ringing when they finally came up for air.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the box he’d hidden away for today. “Marry me, Ginny. Next week, next month, next February. Those details don’t matter, but I want my ring on your finger.”
“Let me see,” she said, popping the box open and inhaling appreciatively. “Oh my God, Tucker, it’s beautiful.”
“Just like you.” He pulled the diamond ring from its pillowy perch and slipped it on her finger.
Ginny held out her hand and the diamond sparkled in the sunlight. Then she faced him again. “Just to make it official, yes. Yes, I’ll marry you, because you’re exactly who I need. Past, present, and future.”
“I love you.” He whispered it this time, so many years of memories built up between them coming together in this moment. “I’m yours,” he said again.
It was the utter truth.
The yard between the main ranch house and Ginny’s little cottage was full of friends who had come to celebrate her birthday and to spend time in the beautiful June sunshine.
And, unexpectedly, to celebrate her and Tucker’s engagement.
The last-minute addition to the agenda had been received with everything from shouts of approval and a massive back pounding for Tucker from Luke, to adorable kisses as Emma and Sasha welcomed their new uncle-to-be into the fold.
Everywhere she looked, Ginny saw happy faces and people close to her heart. But one thing was still missing.
Which was why, when her sister’s truck pulled into the yard, Ginny all but vibrated with excitement.
Jesse and Dare had made the drive from Rocky Mountain House for the birthday party. They’d brought their three boys, and Ginny couldn’t wait to not only get caught up, but to sniff a few toddler cheeks.