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“How can you be so carefree about this?”
She looked up at him and put one hand on her hip, all sassy like. “First of all, who areyouto complain that someone else is carefree? And second of all, let’s get over there and find out if there’s something to freak out about before we freak out!” She looked him up and down. “Now, go get dressed. You look like you just rolled out of bed.”
Appropriately chastised, he turned to do as he was told, but his mind kept spinning. Gunner? Married?
Chapter 39
When Tucker and Wynona reached the ranch, Ryker and Frankie were already there. Little Waylon was running around with a herd of goats in the front yard. Tucker couldn’t tell if he was chasing them or if they were chasing him.
When Waylon saw them, he yelled, “I gave them some grapes, and now they won’t leave me alone!”
So the goats were chasing him then. “Better get some more grapes,” Wynona said.
“I think they’ll follow me into the house!” Waylon said.
Wouldn’t be the first time, Tucker thought.
“I’ll go get you some!” Wynona picked up her pace.
Tucker followed Wynona into the house and into the kitchen. She went straight to the fridge as if she owned the place. Tucker hoped Nova wouldn’t mind.
Nova gave him a sheepish smile, and he smiled back, trying to be encouraging. “Hi, Nova. Nice to see you. Congratulations.”
A gaggle of children exploded into the kitchen through the back door. General Lee tried to follow, but a child Tucker didn’t know expertly nudged her back outside before closing the door. Tucker knew the kid must be one of Nova’s siblings because he didn’t know her, and he was impressed that she’d already figured out how to manage General.
Gunner finally noticed him and said, sounding a bit defensive, “This is my wife, Nova, and these are our kids.” He pointed as he said, “Gabby, Conley, and Mona.”
Tucker nodded. “I know Nova. Congratulations, Gunner.” He was a little alarmed at Gunner calling the kidsour kids, but Gunner sure looked happy, so Tucker tried not to worry about it.
Wynona handed Waylon a bag of grapes. “It’s lovely to meet all of you. Welcome to the family.”
Nova said thank you, but she sounded nervous. Tucker couldn’t blame her.
Frankie was moving dishes around on the counter, and Wynona went to help her, but Tucker overheard Frankie ask, “Have you convinced him yet?”
“No, but I’m thinking about doing it without him,” Wynona said.
Frankie laughed with more glee than Tucker thought Wynona’s statement deserved. He sighed. Maybe they weren’t going to stay long.
Behind him, he heard the front door open and turned to see Kash, Polly, and Bella come in. Instead of walking like a normal person, Polly twirled all the way to the kitchen. Tucker expected her to arrive dizzy and falling down, but she stopped her spinning and gracefully strode toward Frankie, her arms up for a hug, which Frankie quickly bent to give.
Kash nodded his greetings and then his eyes landed on Nova, and he looked suspicious. “Is Colton coming?” Kash asked.
“I couldn’t get a hold of him,” Frankie said, “but I left a message.”
“Did you try Adeline?” Ryker asked. “Colton doesn’t like to answer his phone.”
“I did,” Frankie said. “Does anyone know what they’re up to today?”
“I imagine that he’s working,” Kash said.
Kash and Bella sat down as Frankie asked Wynona, “Have you told Kash and Bella about your idea?”
“I did.” Wynona glanced at Tucker, probably to check his irritation levels, which were about to spike.
“We are not starting a new church,” Tucker said levelly, trying to sound as emphatic as possible.
Wynona looked at Frankie. “Like I said, I’m still working on him.”
