The edge of the cardboard box was taped down. She broke the seal and lifted the lid.
A dozen red journals were lined up neatly inside. “Oh my God.”
Dare peeked in and gasped. “More journals?”
“Wow.” Tucker laid a hand on Ginny’s thigh and held on. Centering her. Keeping her grounded while her heart took flight.
A quick check confirmed it—both boxes held journals. Ginny lifted a book from the pile and opened it at random. Her mother’s familiar handwriting once again covered the page with stories, and memories, and tales of love.
She stared at the ordinary bit of magic in her hands before turning to her sister. “It’s a treasure I never knew I needed. Thank you for guarding it for me all these years.”
“I love you, Truth,” Dare said softly.
“I love you, Dare,” Ginny said back before lifting her gaze to Tucker’s.
She couldn’t say another word, not even to tell him how much she loved him. How grateful she was that he was there, and that he’d promised to always be there. Her throat closed up with too much joy and sadness and full-on contentment.
It seemed she didn’t need words.
“I know, goddess,” Tucker said with a wink. “I know.”
Three months later.
The wooden stairs creaked a warning, and Tucker gave up on the idea of surprising her. He paced slowly to the small area still tucked to the side of the loft and discovered Ginny right where he expected her, doing what he expected.
She glanced up from the journal she’d been reading, wiping uselessly at the tears on her cheeks. “Hey, you.”
“Hey.” He noticed the tears, but also the sweet smile. He noticed everything about this woman who was his heart and soul. He settled beside her and leaned in for a quick kiss. “You okay?”
“Yup.” She glanced at the Operation Prove It headquarters. “I guess I need to accept this will vanish soon.”
“I don’t know. I think I have some pull with the powers that be. It’s important to have spots for…cats…to play.”
A laugh escaped her then, dancing away the sadness. “That’s good.”
“Face it. Hay lofts are multi-purpose at the best of times. The Stone family takes that to the extreme.”
Ginny nodded. “Secret forts when we were little. Operation Prove It headquarters this past year. Mysterious birthday treasure hideaways. It’s a bittersweet thought that so many years ago, my Mom crawled up here and hid my gift, all the while thinking about our family. She probably laughed over the tangled confusion she was about to cause, but I know she planned on clapping extra hard when the mystery was finally unraveled.”
“She would be proud that you solved it.”
“We solved it together.” She linked her fingers with his. “I love you.”
Getting to say it back was everything. “I love you, too.”
He leaned in, intending on offering a kiss, but she leaned away and held up the book in her other hand. “I’ve been reading the most fascinating entry in Mom’s journal. This one, you need to hear.”
Kisses temporarily put on hold—very temporary if he had any say in it—Tucker stretched back and pulled Ginny’s feet into his lap as he offered his full attention. “Go for it.”
She cleared her throat, glanced up at him with a shine in her eyes, then read out loud.
Walter gave me a family ring for Christmas. I didn’t say anything in front of the kids because thankfully none of them noticed, but I had to tease him.
* * *
The ring has eight stones, not seven.
* * *
I asked if he had someone on the side I didn’t know about, and for a minute or two, he clearly had no idea what I was talking about. The man is adorable when he’s flustered.
* * *
Then he told me he’d screwed up, but in the end decided it wasn’t really a mistake. See, he’d made a list of the kids and all our birthdays then sent it to the store. All our kids—as in he’d automatically included Tucker’s name and birthday.
* * *
We both sat there for a moment after he told me that, and I realized he was right. The boy might not be my flesh and blood, but he’s mine as much as if I birthed him. I’m proud to have Tucker as part of this family, and I hope in the future, we can find a way to make it not just a summertime thing, but an all-the-time thing.
* * *
He deserves a big happy family around him, and he’s already part of Silver Stone. When it’s appropriate, we’ll make sure it happens.
The longer Ginny read, the more Tucker’s throat closed as emotion swamped in. Having Deb and Walter’s approval and love stated so clearly meant…
Meant everything.
He took a deep breath and focused to control himself.
Ginny rearranged herself, wrapping her arms around him and holding him tight. Her cheek pressed to his, their torsos meshed. Not sexual, but intimate and connected. One soul, one heart.
He held her and let the tears come. Just now. Just once.
In the end, they both needed tissues to clean up and be ready for the next thing.
“You happy?” she asked, climbing back into his lap.
“Very,” he confessed.
“Good.” Mischief danced into her eyes. “Tucker? I want you. Today, tomorrow. Forever. I love you so much.”
Then she kissed him until he couldn’t think straight. Ginny, generous and warm, teasing until there was nothing to do and nowhere to go but right here and now. Slipping together intimately in another way. Bodies heating, kisses and panting breaths until she covered her mouth with her hand and her face twisted with pleasure. Coming hard around him. Taking him over the edge.
Together. Always.
Forever.
I hope you enjoyed this story for Tucker and Ginny. Thanks so much for reading, and if you do have a few minutes to leave a review for others, I’d appreciate it.
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There’s also audio for this series.
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I know, Dustin is still waiting for his happily-ever-after. Let’s give him a few more years to grow up, first. Don’t worry, I do have plans for him! We’ll let you know via newsletter when A Rancher’s Vow is in the works.
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Chronologically, the next thing to read in the overall Heart Falls series is A Cowboy’s Christmas List. Yup, Alex Thorne is coming back to Heart Falls, and ready to make some big moves!
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He’s positive he and Yvette Wright belong together. Only after years of butting heads, it’s going to take a holiday miracle to convince her he’s right.
* * *
A miracle aided by a hand-made Advent calendar filled with the perfect gifts to check off everything on their list.