When Sparks Fly (68 page)

I closed the door, turned and locked it after having Tucker leave ahead of me. I stood staring at the glass plate debating if letting this man drive me home was a good idea. I was perfectly capable of driving myself home. He was the reason I nearly dropped to the floor. I mean who wouldn’t be a little taken back by a man who looked like him? His body had been kissed by the sun, and his muddy colored hair was a little lighter on the top. His straight nose led to a perfectly pouty pair of defined lips and a strong, square jaw that looked absolutely lickable.

Tucker Jackson… no words. My brother would be impressed. I don’t lose my voice often, but in this moment, I truly was at a loss for words.

His deep sultry voice brought me back from wherever my mind had drifted. “Kennedy, are you ready?”

I pushed away from the door and turned to face him. With a slight nod, I followed him to the old Ford parked a few vehicles down from mine. He stepped aside to let me go around him. As he moved to open the door, he held out his hand. I slid my hand into his, feeling the rough callouses coating his large fingers. I slid into the seat of his truck with hesitance.

As he let go, he allowed his hand to gradually slip from mine. I locked eyes with him as the fire burned low and slowly built as his eyes bore into me. Damn! I suddenly felt lightheaded again. What in heaven’s name was wrong with me? I don’t do this shit!

Tucker slammed the door and nearly tripped over the curb as he jogged around the front of the truck. I covered my mouth trying to keep my laughter to myself. It really was funny, but I knew he would be embarrassed. I personally thought he was showing off. Poor guy.

“Are you okay?” I add as he hopped into the truck. Trying not to let the giggle escape my mouth.

He started laughing. “Yes.”

He didn’t say another word as he placed the key in the ignition and started the truck. I watched him silently. As he backed out of the parking space I noticed the soft scar on the side of his cheek. I wanted to ask him, but I refrained. I shifted to sit sideways in my seat. I leaned my head against the headrest and watched him drive.

In simple subtle ways, he would glance and give me a smile or a nod as I would give directions to the house. In between, I tried to muster up enough courage to ask more personal questions, but my ‘lady’ balls just were not big enough. So I stuck with simple questions like where did he live? How long had he been riding bulls? I felt kinda stupid. I should have asked him what I really wanted to know. Did he have a woman in his life? Not that I was really looking, but you never know what a few beers might bring out.

Tucker pulled his Ford into the drive and parked where mine should have been… I didn’t wait for him to exit the truck before I popped the door open. No sooner had my feet hit the ground did my brother and his buddy come walking out of the barn. I rolled my eyes because I knew the hundred and one questions were about to begin. Lord, help me.

“Hey sis. Who’d you bring home?” I could see my brother sizing up the man who stood before him.

“Evening, I’m Tucker Jackson.”

“Tucker, I’m Kaleb. Kennedy’s older brother.” His voice had a hint of ‘you fuck with my sister and I will fuck with you’ in it. I tried not to laugh as Tucker reached out to shake my brothers’ hand. My brother took his hand without a single hesitation. Damn! I was impressed when Tucker locked eyes with Kaleb and didn’t flinch. I stood back and observed the two men take a look at each other. It took me back to the night Nate had officially told my brother we were dating. Kaleb never had an issue with Nate, but it took every ounce of courage to tell his best friend he was shagging his little sister and that he loved me. Then in return it took everything Kaleb had not to lay him out flat on the ground.

Kaleb sized up the smaller version of himself. He smirked and nodded. “Well Tucker, it’s nice to meet you. Come with me, I could use some help in the barn.”

“Oh Lord, Kaleb. Please be nice. I will call you when dinner is ready.” All three boys turned and nodded as they headed towards the barn.

*

An hour later I put the final touches on dinner … Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and salad, along with some fresh garlic bread from the local bakery. I pulled a few beers from the fridge and popped the tops before heading out the back door to gather the boys. I could have just called up to the barn, but I wanted to see what the hell my brother was doing to break Tucker in. I just shook my head and headed out the back door.

I strolled into the barn and stopped. I had only been out here twice since Nate’s death. Something about the fresh baled hay triggered my memories of that horrible day, but the smell of Tucker’s sweat had my hormones going into overdrive and my thoughts straying from that fateful day.

Gathering my stupidity, I strolled through the barn to find them literally ass deep in tagging calves and pigs. Tucker nodded as soon as he spotted me. I just closed my eyes and shook my head. He really did know how to join in.

“Kaleb David.” All three of them stopped and turned around and looked at me. “I can’t leave you alone. Is this how you treat guests?” I tried to hold a smirk back. I knew what he was doing. He was breaking in Tucker; making sure he was man enough to talk to his baby sister. I would say without a doubt he had passed with flying colors.

“Well little prissy thing… if you would actually get out here and tag your own animals then I wouldn’t be in this pen covered in shit!” He smirked before standing.

“Well honestly I thought you would have done a better job. I’ve never seen you covered in so much… well, shit.” I couldn’t hold back the giggle any longer. “Here, I brought you a peace offering.” I held up the three bottles.

I watched the three stand and walk over to me. I locked eyes with the six foot plus tall stranger. There was no denying the chemistry between us. Kaleb and Aaron just took the bottles from my hand, but as Tucker reached for his… his hand lingered a little longer sliding them across mine. This boy knew how to work it. I nearly dropped to my knees. I was done for.

Yes, I knew he was only in town for a few days, but what an interesting few days they could be. I closed my eyes and the vision of him over the top of me filled my brain. I leaned forward grasping the top rail to keep me on my feet. The sound of my brother’s voice brought me back to the reality of where I was at. I felt my face turn fifty shades of red when I looked up and met Tucker’s eyes. In some roundabout way I knew he felt the fire between us. I looked away. I couldn’t let him look too closely. Only one other person had been able to read me through my eyes and he was dead. I wasn’t sure if anyone else would be able to read me as easily as Nate did, and that scared me.

I had only known Tucker Jackson a few hours, but there was something about him that told me he was brought into my life for many different reasons. I knew no matter what, even when he did leave, I would be okay and he somehow would still be in my life.

“You okay sis? You look like you’re a little lightheaded.” Kaleb stepped forward towards the gate.

I smiled. “Trust me I am more than fine. Dinner is on the table and getting cold, so I would suggest you get cleaned up, because none of yawl are coming in my house.”

Without a single hesitation, Aaron and Kaleb jumped the gate and started stripping in the middle of the barn. Tucker stood there for a moment before jumping the gate. I turned to leave the barn. No way was I going to stand in there. I knew what was coming next – the water hose – and I’ll be damned if I was going to get wet.

No sooner had I stepped outside the barn, I heard Tucker scream ‘Ah shit man.’ Part of me wanted to turn back around and witness the torture, but I knew better, because somehow I knew I would be in the middle of it if I did.

I had only been back in the house a few minutes when all three of them walked in the back door…. Soaked and in small towels that barely covered their lower half. I tried to keep my eyes from wandering too far south. But I couldn’t help gazing at the washboard stomach Tucker sported. There was no denying that man was built to ride a bull.

Kaleb passed by and leaned over to me and whispered, “Sis you need to make it a little less obvious you want to jump him.”

I nearly choked on the air I took in. Son-of-a-bitch my brother. I snapped my head around and glared at him. I growled out. “I am not.”

“Then why is your face the color of Gus’ backside?” Kaleb smirked. “He’s a good guy. Just be careful.”

I avoided looking in Tucker’s direction, because I knew there was no way to hide the fact that my face was bright red, just like Gus, my Golden Retriever. At first I hated him because he was a constant reminder of Nate, but now he keeps me warm at night. He took over Nate’s side of the bed and I never complained.

Kaleb planted a soft kiss on my cheek. I would never repay my brother for his love and friendship and keeping my ranch going after Nate died. Aaron stepped in just as quickly. He quit his job to help out fulltime.

Aaron winked as he left me alone with Tucker. I raised my eyes finally to meet him. He shuffled towards me with the towel tightly in his grip. I noticed the towel he had barely covered his lower region. No wonder he stayed in the back. His whole right hip bare and his fist was the only thing keeping it from falling down.

“Remind me later to kill my brother.” I spoke shaking my head.

“No worries.” He said. “At least they didn’t make me walk naked back to the house. I have had that happen a few times.” He smirked as he passed by and let his towel fall.

I shrieked and my head hit my hands just in time to see his fine thick firm ass shuffle around the corner. I cocked my head to one side not sure if he knew where he was headed. I started towards the hallway and I stopped. Clearly Kaleb must have given him the layout of the house. I mean you really couldn’t get lost in the house. It had been Nate’s grandparent’s home. When we got married his parent’s gave us the house and fifteen hundred acres. The small farmhouse needed some major updates when we acquired it so Nate and I spent a great deal of our first six months married replacing and fixing the old house. I told them when he died I would give it back and they wouldn’t take the land back. I still see his mother once a month. Her only child was gone, but in her eyes I was still the daughter she never had.

I turned back to the kitchen to set the table. I didn’t want to know what the three of them had discussed in the barn. Heaven only knows. By the time I had set the last plate on the table, Tucker appeared with unbuttoned jeans and a t-shirt. I raised an eyebrow.

“My clothes didn’t fit him very well.” Kaleb said opening the fridge. “Hey Tuck you want another beer?”

Tuck? So when did they become best friends? I wonder to myself.

Kaleb looked up from his bent position in the fridge and winked as if he could read my mind.

“Sure. After we eat, I’ll go grab my bag and find something that actually fits.” Tucker half grinned as he slipped by me rubbing his body against my backside.

I inhaled quickly. “Make yourself at home and grab a seat.” I spoke almost rushed. The air escaped behind the words.

Aaron and Kaleb took seats towards the end of the table leaving Tucker to sit directly beside me. I knew my brother was up to something. Meddling like he always does.

*