Page 148 of Stone

It was small but beautiful, exactly what she would’ve wanted. Mom and Dad were together. They’d transcended, and I couldn’t help thinking she’d wanted that too.

It was crazy how death had become such a big part of my life. Dad, John, Connie, Stevie, now Mom. So many people who were so pivotal were now just a memory.

And I was officially an orphan, though I couldn’t be mad about it because at least my folks experienced love, laughter, and a happy marriage, unlike me.

Robert was never home, and I didn’t give one ounce of a fuck. The only downside was that mine and Dave’s investigation had stalled. If Robert wasn’t home to leave threads of evidence, I had nothing to hand over to be analyzed. We’d gotten a lead on Constance about six months before. Dave had gone to Las Vegas to check it out, but the address we had didn’t turn out to be correct.

But I’d never stop looking.

I startled slightly as a bulky figure slid onto the barstool beside me. I’d been so deep in my thoughts I hadn’t even sensed anyone approach.

“Evening,” a deep, husky voice greeted. “Can I get you another one of those?”

He was big and masculine, and he wore jeans and cowboy boots with a button-down. It shouldn’t have worked, but it did for him. But then I guessed most things did. He was very handsome.

I drained my martini and placed the glass back on the bar. “You know what? Thank you. I think I’d like that.”

He motioned to the bartender, then turned on his stool to face me head-on. A large, strong, work-calloused hand came toward me. “Tucker.”

My eyes raised and met warm, brown ones. He was good-looking, in an earthy, country, cowboy way. He reminded me of Gerard Butler but with more salt and pepper in his hair. There were no frills with this man, no airs or graces. What you saw was what you got, and he made no apologies for it.

Tucker’s hand engulfed mine, its warmth seeping through my skin, and I murmured, “Elise.”

“Pretty,” he said, the huskiness in his tone almost making the word a growl. The way his gaze flicked across my features indicated he wasn’t talking about my name. “You here alone?”

The bartender placed my drink in front of me and I smiled my thanks to him. “Yes. You?”

He nodded. “Here on business, stayin’ until Friday.” He reached for his beer bottle, slugging some back. “You married?”

“Yes,” I replied. “My husband is an asshole. I buried my mother yesterday, and he didn’t come to the funeral. Usually, he’s all about keeping up appearances, but these days, he cares less than I do, and believe me when I say Ireallydon’t care.”

A soft laugh escaped his throat. “I like your honesty, Elise. My wife was the same. She said exactly what was on her mind, and it was usually inappropriate.”

“Was?” I questioned.

“Two years ago,” he murmured. “Brain tumor.”

My hand automatically covered his, resting on the bar. “I’m sorry, Tucker.”

His fingers lifted and touched mine, arranging them until they laced together. “Thank you. Miss her every day.” His eyes met mine. “You ever been in love?”

Involuntary tears sprang to my eyes, and I nodded. “Yes. I’ve been in love. Deep, soul-ripping, heart-shredding love. And it was beautiful.”

“It was like that for me,” Tucker rasped. “Sometimes, I still feel her.”

“Because love like that knows no bounds.” I smiled. “And that’s beautiful, too.”

“Wasn’t gonna come in here tonight,” he stated. “Had a day full of meetings. Plus, a business dinner and drinks. Was dog-tired. Got as far as the elevator, and something turned me back around. Walked in, saw you straight away.”

I wondered who guided him to me. His wife? My mom? Stevie? Connie? It wouldn’t have been my dad. He probably still looked down at me like I was twelve.

The thought made my lips twitch.

“You’ve gotta great smile,” he muttered. “But I get the feeling you don’t do it enough.”

I lifted one shoulder nonchalantly. “You’d be right.” I took a sip of my martini. “What do you do?”

“Ranch owner.”

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