Page 21 of Tucker

At the time, though, Sawyer had folded his arms on the table and asked, “Something on your mind, Sheriff?”

Seeing no reason to beat around the bush, he’d replied, “Kady.”

Jordan’s brows had climbed. “I suspected as much.”

“Did you?” Morgan turned on his brother with a scowl. “You didn’t say anything.”

“You’ve been out of town, if you’ll recall.”

Gabe had leaned forward. “What about my daughter? She’s okay?”

“Far as I can tell,” Tucker had said with a direct look, “she’s perfect.”

There were general remarks of “Ah,” “I see,” and “Well, well,” from the others. But Gabe hadn’t blinked.

Tucker had proceeded to tell them he’d been interested for a while, that he suspected that to be true of most men, but that they collectively had a way of discouraging interest.

They tried to deny that, all except Sawyer who shook his head and called his brothers thickheaded.

“She likes me,” Tucker explained. “And I’ve decided she’s more than worth any trouble the bunch of you might cause, so I’m letting you know now.”

There were more denials, which he ignored. “I’m not asking permission,” he said. “Kady’s a woman with a mind of her own. She’s smart and independent—but she loves the lot of you.” He shrugged. “I just figured it’d be nice if I could avoid any hassles.”

“Well.” Gabe sat back, looked at each of his brothers and then frowned.

“Give it up,” Morgan said to Gabe. “She gets it from you, going after what she wants.”

Jordan said, “I seem to recall you chasing Misty pretty hard.”

Sawyer smiled. “She’s Gabe’s daughter through and through.”

Which made Gabe wince. “If I’m supposed to be complimented, I’m not.”

Morgan snorted. “Should scare you to death, actually.” He softened that by adding, “She is like you, but she’s circumspect like her mama. And Tucker’s right. She’s smart enough to know what she wants.”

In the end, Gabe had seemed pleased by the conversation. However, Tucker hadn’t expected him to talk to Kady about it.

But given Kady’s reaction after the shoot at the Jenkinses’ farm, that’s exactly what had happened. Which meant she probably wouldn’t wait until tomorrow to see him again.

Despite his well-laid plans, anticipation crept in. He wasn’t sure if seeing her tonight would be a good thing or not, but he hoped she’d show up anyway.

If nothing else, at least he could get another kiss.

CHAPTER FOUR

AFTERWORK, KADYtried to bide her time. Unfortunately, she wasn’t a patient woman. She took a long shower, washing and drying her hair, then dressed in her favorite shorts and cami—and all the while her thoughts were on Tucker. He should have talked to her first, instead of her family. She was still irked about that, and she wanted to give him hell for it.

She sighed.

He probably had no idea of the firestorm he’d started, and honestly, it’d serve him right to figure it out the hard way.

But she didn’t want him scared off.

After doing some laundry and eating her dinner, she gave up. Obviously she knew her family a lot better than he did, and she couldn’t in good conscience let him walk into their masses tomorrow without first warning him.

When she decided to head to Tucker’s, she considered changing into a dress. He had said that he liked her in dresses. That would be so obvious though—when she’d already beenveryobvious. So instead she stepped into flat thong sandals, grabbed her purse and keys, and headed out the door.

Was he home by now? It was nearing eight o’clock, so he should be off work. Did he have other plans? Would he be glad to see her?

---