Page 16 of Tucker

Other than that one kiss, the man hadn’t shown any interest at all.

“You have steam coming out of your ears,” Cleets said as he pulled down the long drive to the Jenkinses’ farm. “Problem?”

“No, I’m fine.”

He gave her his big boyish grin and said, “Liar. But I won’t pry.”

“Clearly, you’re not related.”

“What’s that?”

Kady shook her head. None of her family minded prying, and to be fair, she’d been the same on numerous occasions...when the curiosity involved a different relative. She knew they were motivated by concern, and that they wanted only the best for her.

Would any of them agree that Tucker was the best, even though Tucker himself needed convincing?

“Best get your game face on,” Cleets said. “It’s almost time to go on the air.”

They’d been sent out to the Jenkinses’ farm to do a small feature piece on the damage done to the barn after that last big storm. Nothing new in that—they often filled the weather reports with local news bits. And while she usually loved doing them, today her heart wasn’t in it.

That was, until she saw Tucker’s SUV parked in the front drive.

Well, well, well. His presence brightened her day.

Then she noticed that he was talking to not only Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, but her dad, too.

“Why’s Gabe here?” Cleets asked, as he parked the van.

“I don’t know.” Surely her dad wasn’t grilling Tucker...though he did wear a serious frown. She knew he was overprotective, and she had dodged his questions, but that didn’t give him the right to intrude.

The more she thought about it, the more irate she got until she was suddenly very anxious to interrupt their possible confrontation.

She climbed out the van and slammed her door, her strappy sandals slipping on the loose gravel drive as she started forward.

Both Tucker and her dad looked up. Tucker said something, her dad nodded, and then Tucker grinned.

Kady pulled up short still a good distance away.Why was he grinning?That made her even more suspicious than her dad’s frown had.

Cleets almost bumped into her. He was a big man, a gentle giant in her opinion, and somewhat clumsy. The quick halt had him juggling his camera and tripod, as well as the pack of other equipment on his back.

Now they’d drawn everyone’s attention!

“Hey.” Cleets scowled at her once he had everything securely held. “Are you trying to trip me?”

Impatient, she turned her back on the men and whispered, “Why is he grinning?”

Cleets narrowed his eyes at her, then looked beyond her. “The sheriff? Who knows? Maybe Gabe said something funny.”

Possibly...but then why did it feel like she was the topic of the conversation? “They’re looking at me.”

Cleets snorted. “When aren’t you the center of attention?” He nudged her forward. “Think you’d be used to that by now.”

Stumbling from his push, she glared over her shoulder at him. “If you’re insinuating that I—”

“Not saying you do it on purpose—though sometimes you do.” He winked when her glare darkened even more. “But looking like you look, and being an outgoing sort, people are naturally drawn to you. No way you don’t know it.”

She supposed she did. Being bold had always been her defense against relationships. Whenever she drew back, showing any vulnerability, guys approached her and that was awkward for everyone. As long as she appeared to embrace her freedom, they tended to leave her be.

That was easier than turning them down.

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