Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
JULIE
My eyes flutter open, and I read the time displayed on the wall from my projecting digital clock.
5:45a.m.
I flip the covers back, knowing good and well that it’s parade day, which means that Carson will have Carly at the barn early—and I still need to hunt my dad down and talk to him about the business plan for Tucker…
And I swore I saw a business plan folder in his truck.
I make quick work of pulling on a pair of faded jeans and a red sweater, and then sneak out of the room, my boots in my hand. I slip them on my feet when I make it to the ground floor, grab my jacket, and head out into the cold morning.
The lights are already on down at the barn, and so I know my dad is already starting on the morning chores. My breath fogs in the morning air, and I make a beeline to Tucker’s truck, happy to see the doors are unlocked. As I swing open the driver’s side door, I’m greeted with the strong scent of him, and my heart catches in my throat. I like the smell.
Brushing it off, I climb halfway into his truck, knowing I’m invading his personal space, but also knowing I have to do this to make good on my word. I flip the center console open and grab the brown folder, flipped it open, and purse my lips as I read over the detailed plan.
It’s… good.
I smile to myself and slip back out, shutting the door. I clutch the folder to my chest as I jog to the barn, knowing that I look like a mess… But… This is important. By the time I make it to the barn, I’m almost out of breath. Lucky for me, my dad is right there, scooping grain for Rudy before he has to get ready for the parade.
“Morning,” he says to me, cocking a gray eyebrow as he takes in my disheveled appearance.
“Hey,” I clear my throat of the cold. “I wanted to know if we could talk.”
He frowns, his eyes studying my face. “Is everything okay?”
I nod, forcing the sincerest smile I can. “I just really wanted to talk to you about Tucker’s business plan for his cattle expansion—I know that he won’t push it, but I will.” I hold out the folder for him. “It’s really solid, Dad.” That’s the truth, too.
“Hmm,” Dad hums unconvinced, but takes it from me. He flips it open and starts flipping through the pages. His expression softens as he snaps it shut. “He does seem to know his stuff—numbers, anyway.”
“So, you think you could offer him a lease? I mean, you said you’re ready to lease some of the land, right?”
Dad purses his lips, and he finally shrugs. “Let me think about it. I don’t take business deals lightly. Tucker seems to be a nice young man, but I’ve heard what’s been said about him.”
“He never did anything wrong, Dad,” I urge, taking a step toward him. “Nate was vicious toward him—and me. You know that. I don’t know the exact reason that Nate and Tucker fell out, but I know it wasn’t because Tucker did anything wrong.”
“Well, I’ll have to talk to Carson first, then I’ll make my decision.”
I nod, my heart sinking. “Okay.” All I can hope is that my brother will agree to it.
“If Tucker ranches here, I’ll be around a lot more,” I blurt out stupidly, instantly wishing that I hadn’t made that kind of promise as my dad’s face lights up.
“That would sure be nice—to have you around more.”
“Yeah,” I choke out. “It’s just hard to come home when I see Maddie and Nate everywhere. I know it’s been years, but it’s a reminder that I’m alone?—”
“But you have Tucker,” Dad says slowly. “I thought you were serious about him.”
“No,” I stop him, realizing my slipup. However, as I begin my coverup, emotions swarm my chest. “I just meant that’s why I wasn’t around much—before Tucker. Now that I have Tucker, they don’t intimidate me anymore. They found their person, and now… Now, I have my person. I don’t feel so lost anymore.”
A smile grows across Dad’s face, and his eyes flicker behind me. My heart jumps to my throat as I turn around to see Tucker standing there, looking impossibly handsome in his sherpa and jeans.
“Oh hey, ” I croak. “Good to see you up early.”
He grins, his smile reaching his eyes. “Yeah, I figure it’s time to get ready for this parade thing.”
I blush at his attentive gaze. “Oh yeah, the Santa suit is at the rodeo grounds. They’re bringing it for you…”
“I better get off to breakfast and let you two get to work.” My dad chuckles to himself, as he slips off toward the house, giving us both an amusing smirk.
I sigh and turn back to Tucker, his brows furrowed. “What?” I ask him, folding my arms across my chest.
“Does he have… Is that my…” Tucker can’t seem to find the words, but I don’t need him to spell it out.
“Yes,” I squeak. “I’m sorry, I just… I had to get him on track with it.”
Tucker seems unbothered by my snooping. “What did he say? Did he look at it?” The hope in his eyes makes my heart squeeze. He reminds me of a kid on Christmas morning, wishing and hoping for the big fancy bicycle.
“He looked at it, seemed impressed, and I won’t stop until it happens for you.” I smile, praying that Carson will approve of the deal. Otherwise, I’ll have to hunt him down and convince him myself—but that’s not something Tucker needs to worry about. “We should probably start getting the horses ready.”
“Ah, yeah, today’s the day.” Tucker huffs, his smile fading. “Nothing like dressing up like an elderly, overweight man who bribes children with candy to sit on his lap, promises toys, and then breaks into their houses afterwards. Only thing keeping him out of prison is the fact we can’t extradite him from the North Pole.”
“And the fact he’s a saint, but okay,” I mutter. “Let’s do this.”
A few hours later, I’m in a cute elf costume consisting of a red and green tule skirt over a pair of black breeches with a red sweater and hat. I’m on my mule, Rudy, who’s in his usual costume—an obnoxious red nose and fake antlers. Carly is on her spotted pony, in a matching costume, though Clyde, her ride, only has the antlers.
Oh, and there’s Tucker.
I look over to him and giggle. He shakes his head at me, sitting atop the hotheaded Young Gun, who he chose. His horse wouldn’t put up with anything on his face, and so naturally, now Santa is sitting upon the spawn of Satan, the black thing pawing and snorting the ground like he might take out the whole crowd of onlookers.
However, Tucker? Yeah, he’s a sight for sore eyes in his red coat and pants, fake beard, and of course, a cowboy hat.
“Santa doesn’t wear a cowboy hat,” Carly calls over to him, her pony situated between the two of us. Her blonde hair is in pigtails, and she actually looks like she could be a little elf. It’s adorable.
“This Santa does,” Tucker tells her, shrugging his shoulders.
“Daddy said you picked the crazy horse.”
Another shrug. “He needs exposure.”
I giggle, and Tucker shoots me a playful glare. “You’re being a really good sport about this, you know.”
“I had no idea your horse wasn’t a real horse,” Tucker motions to the mule I’m sitting on, his sorrel ears three times the same as a horse’s.
“He’s the best.” I pat my loyal steed’s neck. “He’s never let me down in all his nineteen years. I got him when he was four.”
“Daddy calls him an eyesore,” Carly hums, giggling. “I don’t know what that means, but it sounds ouchy.” Tucker bursts into laughter, and I roll my eyes, leaning into Rudy’s neck.
“Just gotta ignore the haters. We all know you’re the best.” I give him more pat, just as Mandy, the director calls for line up to begin. We all get in a formation, and Tucker and I keep Carly between us.
“This is so exciting!” Carly bounces in her saddle. “I can’t wait!”
“Don’t forget to throw candy,” I tell them both. “That’s what the bags are full of.” I motion to the canvas sack attached to the horns of both their saddles. “Just try not to hit anyone.”
Carly and Tucker both giggle at that one, and don’t stop until we’re already marching down the street. My heart jumps to my throat, reminded that Maddie and Nate are more than likely somewhere in the crowd, watching. I straighten my shoulders, as our group of equine follows behind the Baptist Church’s youth float, with all the teenagers dressed up like the nativity scene.
My niece giggles and waves, throwing candy. Tucker, on the other hand, seems to just kind of toss it half-heartedly. As we pass the hardware store, I catch sight of Maddie and Nate, standing there… And pointing at Tucker.
I don’t think he notices—mostly because Young Gun has now decided he’s had enough of the parade, and as we’re about halfway down the quaint Main Street…
He gives it up. Entirely.
“Watch out,” I grab the reins of Carly’s pony, and pull her off to the side, switching places as the hot headed horse comes undone, tucking his head and bucking. Tucker hangs onto his hat, and the crowd fills with gasps and screams, only serving to fuel the fire lit beneath the punchy horse.
“Get ‘em!” I hear Carson shout from the crowd. Everyone else has cleared, but not my brother. No, he’s standing a few yards away, waving his hat and whooping and hollering like we’re at the rodeo…
Oh. My. Gosh.
Tucker is going to hate me for this.