AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It has to be the sangria.
It must be the alcohol because walking away today was always what I would do—brunch and then goodbye. I have met his family and friend, we had good conversations, and he shared food and drink with me, and that will be that.
The merchandise T-shirt he is still wearing for the Fainting Goat Ranch directs the conversation to my tiny house Airbnb venture and my animals, the goats and Pearl.
Talking about Pearl’s amusing behavior helps to draw attention away from my lack of immediate family. However, I have my cousin and his family, and I have CJ to dote on, so I am blessed to have them in my life.
Alice all but asked to visit and meet Pearl and the Mini-Ms with the look in her eyes and the not-so-subtle hints, but I make no promises because that is a big step, but at the same time, I want to grant her every wish.
I’ve had my glass filled with sangria more than enough times, all thoughts of how I am getting back to Temecula dissipating the more laid-back I get surrounded by Tucker and his family.
I haven’t let my hair down and relaxed like this in a long time. It feels nice. It feels easy spending time with these people.
I subtly check the time on my phone and realize it is after two in the afternoon. Time has flown by while I enjoyed the company of Tucker’s inner tribe.
“Oh, my, look at the time. I um… really should be heading back home. I’ll book an Uber—”
“Pleease,Ophelia, have a sleepover,” Alice pleads with a hopeful grin on her face.
Tucker snorts a laugh next to me while Teagan joins in, ganging up on me by adding her two cents worth of enthusiasm.
They are railroading me. In cahoots because twins always are. I should have seen it earlier. Teagan and Tucker have been letting Alice—sweet, sweet,Alice—lure me in with her innocence and adorability.
“Oh… um…” I am not at all prepared for this question, and the hope on Alice’s face to shatter. I desperately don’t want to crush her, but it can’t happen. Can it? I narrow my eyes. “Ooh, you are good, Tucker Royal. Shame on you.” I waggle my pointer finger at him with an unbridled accusation.
Tucker laughs.
“Shame. On. You.” My amusement is obvious if not sangria fueled.
He almost chokes on a louder burst of laughter. Palms fly up in the air. “Honestly, I fully intended to fly you back home in the helicopter I have access to when you are ready. But, if you would like to accept Alice’s offer, then I can fly you home early tomorrow before I jet my family to Alaska. Alice is just looking for a friend tonight, that’s all.”
Is Tucker sending me a subtle message using Alice? Could I have been entirely off base with Tucker’s interest in me?
“I’m sorry, I think I have drunk more sangria than I should have. I don’t drink often, and when I do, I usually only have a couple of drinks and not this early in the day. Did you say, ‘fly me home in a helicopter?’”
Tucker knows I won’t let Alice down, but a tsunami of embarrassment flows through my veins. I’ve all but accused Tucker in front of his family of setting me up.
“Yup! I sure did.” Tucker beams me his specialty cocky smile. He points to himself. “I’m a qualified airplane pilot and a helicopter pilot. I fly my family to Alaska a couple of times a year for short visits with our parents, bar Christmas time when we go for a lot longer. You can call me Captain Royal.”
I badly want to roll my eyes at that last part because is he being serious for once? And my intelligent response? “But you’ve been drinking alcohol.”
“Youhave been drinking alcohol; I’ve been drinking from the other jug on the table with no alcohol in it.” He points to himself. “Responsible. Person.”
My mouth forms a large O, and everybody laughs.
I think I may be slightly drunk.
“Ophelia, will you have a sleepover?” Alice is so sincere. “Please say yes, and then I can come tomorrow and see your cow and goats.”
“But—?”
“I am going to be collecting Shamus in the morning, anyway, using the helicopter because he lives right next door. What you were just about to say is now a moot point,” Tucker swiftly cuts me off, rubbing my nose in what he knew I was going to say, which was to point out his sister could see the animals today. “And one of his brothers can come back with us to get his Harley and ride it back,” Tucker adds.
Am I seriously contemplating a sleepover at Tucker’s place?
If my math serves me, I’ve spent less than twelve hours in the company of Tucker, and he’s managed to get me on a non-date without really trying hard, and I am here. He managed to get my cousin and Aubrey on his side. I’ve met his family and friend, been served delicious food and alcohol making me pliant, and now he’s inadvertently wrangling a sleepover using his sister. Still, he is going away for ten weeks tomorrow.
“Chance and Aubrey need to get back to Hermosa Beach with little CJ,” I respond as though my decision to go home today gets decided.
