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The thought was morose, and he gave himself a mental shake.
“We should hit the bed. Golf in the morning,” he said gruffly.
“Golf?” Her eyebrow shot up.
“Shit, did I forget to tell you? We’re playing a round before the rehearsal dinner. It’s a family thing.”
“Oh Tucker, I don’t have the right clothes for golf.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll hit the pro-shop and as for clubs, I’m renting, too.” His brows furrowed. “You do play, don’t you?”
She didn’t answer right away and then shrugged, a soft smile on her face. “A little.”
“Good. We’re buddying up with Beau and his brat of a girlfriend. Don’t let her scare you.”
Abby’s eyes glistened as she stared back at him, and he got the impression she was trying to figure something out.
“Betty Jo Barker, isn’t it? Model turned actress?”
He nodded.
“She…she seems interesting.”
Abby had no idea. “Yeah,” he answered. “Interesting, infuriating, opinionated and …” He groaned. “Maybe this isn’t a good idea after all.”
“It takes a lot to scare me, Tucker,” she murmured.
He held her gaze for a few more moments, thinking he should say something or do something, but then she turned and headed inside. She was nearly to the patio doors that led into the suite when he spoke.
“Abby?”
She stopped but didn’t turn around. “Hmm?”
“I like your pajamas. Ranger wear is always appropriate.”
“Good
to know,” she said softly and then disappeared inside.
Tucker glanced back at the half-empty bottle of whiskey. He could finish the bottle which meant that he most likely would play a shit round of golf, for which his brother Beau would never let him hear the end of…
Or he could pack it in and try to get some sleep.
Except Abby was in there, in that hot little Ranger outfit, and there were no benefits to be had. Hell, if he didn’t get his shit together, there would be no friend to be had either.
Tucker fell back into his chair, sank into the shadows and reached for the bottle. It was gonna be a long night, but he decided to keep company with his good buddy Jack. He didn’t want to think about his family, or Abby, or even Marley. He just wanted to lose himself in the stars and the smell of the ocean—even if it was only for tonight.
He filled his tumbler once more as the shadows enveloped him.
Chapter Four
The smell of coffee woke Abby. A roasted blend and something else…caramel?
Or was it the smell of clean, fresh soap?
Whatever it was, it was nice, and she sighed, sinking deeper into the mattress. Inhaling that lovely scent once more, she relaxed for a moment as whatever the heck smelled so good infiltrated her nose and wove its way through her body. She was warm, heavy from sleep and content.
A noise sounded, something that didn’t belong—waves?—and she rolled over, nearly falling out of bed. For a moment, she had no idea where she was.
