know me—I’m like a bad penny. Always turning up.”
“You got that right. When you’re needed, you’re not here. When you’re not needed, you turn up and usually with complications.” Dallas followed Tucker from the tent. “So what brings you up here? Did you drive or ride?”
“Drove. I need to make myself scarce.”
Anxiety squeezed Dallas’s chest. “And you have to do that...why?” He’d had about enough of bailing his younger brother out of all the trouble he was good at getting himself into. Did he really want to know what he’d done this time?
“Oh, nothing. Just a little misunderstanding.” Tucker drew in a sigh and stopped, turning to face Dallas. “Do you really want to know?”
Dallas narrowed his eyes and planted his feet, crossing his arms over his chest. He stared hard at his brother before answering. “Unless it’s got something to do with jail, murder or losing the ranch, then no. Fair warning, though—don’t make a fool of yourself or the family. I’ve—we’ve—worked too hard to keep our upstanding reputation. I don’t need you to bring it down by doing anything stupid.”
The look that flashed through Tucker’s eyes wasn’t what Dallas expected. He saw relief, pain in them and something else...defeat? Ah, shit, maybe he did need to know. He was his brother, after all. Under his cavalier and crusty exterior, Tucker was a softy. To the bone. Dallas had been hard on him, hoping the tough love would work. Last thing he wanted was his brother to fall down the rabbit hole again. “Like I said. Not unless it falls into any of those categories. But know that I’m here for you.”
Tucker nodded and Dallas was relieved to see the stress ease a tiny bit from around Tucker’s eyes. “I brought the truck. A few bags straggled in and Larson sent up some more wedding trinkets.”
“More wedding crap? Take a look around—there’s enough lace and ribbons and girlie stuff to sink a ship. What more could possibly be needed?”
Tucker shrugged a shoulder. “Who the hell knows. It’s chick stuff. Anyway, we need to get it unloaded.”
Dallas followed his brother to the half-ton dually. The wranglers had unloaded most of the additional supplies and late luggage, and carried stuff into the storage tent under Samantha’s care. He checked the labels on the suitcases. Nothing for anyone named Jimi.
“Did Larson say anything about the other suitcase coming?”
Tucker shook his head. “She said something about a woman upset her bag hadn’t arrived.”
“Yeah, she’s already made her displeasure known. Hopefully it turns up in the morning,” Dallas muttered.
“So what’s first now?” Tucker inquired.
“We should get the coals lit. Easy dinner tonight—everything’s on the grill.” He checked his watch and then looked to the sky. “Probably should get the guests out to Bridge Rock. The first night is supposed to be a sunset-cocktail thing.”
“Seriously?” Tucker shook his head and gazed around the camp. “This really is a stretch for us, isn’t it?”
Dallas nodded in agreement. “All I can say is thank God for Samantha. I didn’t want any wedding responsibilities. This is important, though. If we can pull this off, it could open up a whole new niche for us. Weddings and glamping. I think there’s a market.”
Tucker gave him a skeptical look. “Where did you get that idea? I thought all brides wanted to be pampered, five-star, not roughing it like we are up here.”
Dallas shook his head. “Apparently not, according to Sam. If there’s a need, I will provide. Be warned and on your best behavior. Nothing is to go wrong. And no fraternizing, either.”
“What, moi? Fraternize?” Tucker gave him a devilish look, but Dallas kept his demeanor stern. Tucker had to understand the importance of professionalism, something Dallas would have to remind himself where Jimi was concerned.
“So who is this wedding planner?” Tucker asked.
“Haven’t you met Samantha Ray? She’s Larson’s friend.”
Tucker shook his head. “Can’t say that I have.”
“They met at college, but she’s not like Larson at all.” Dallas looked over Tucker’s shoulder. “Well, speak of the devil.”
Tucker turned around as Samantha approached. She was a small thing. With red hair that hung in a riot of organized ringlets almost to her hips and pale blue eyes under ginger brows that easily drew you in, she exuded a serenity unlike Larson. Sam was calm, where Larson was wild.
“Well, well. No, I haven’t met her,” Tucker muttered in a low voice. “She might be worth a little bit of a chase.”
Dallas found that funny and chuckled. “I think she’d run you a merry chase, that’s for sure. She’s way out of your league, bro.”
Tucker ignored him, but Dallas saw the muscle in his jaw twitch, usually a sign he’d been offended. But sometimes the truth hurts and it needed to be heard.
“Hey, Sam, everything good?” Dallas asked.
“So far so good.” She gave a bright smile and turned to Tucker, sticking her hand out. “Hi, I’m Samantha, wedding planner extraordinaire.”
“Tucker, the evil brother of Larson and this paniolo here.”
Dallas watched him take Sam’s hand. They both fell silent and stared at each other for a little bit too long. Samantha’s Tinker Bell mannerisms were momentarily quiet as she gazed up at Tucker. Dallas looked from one to the other. He sensed the attraction between them. They were polar opposites.
“Right, then. Anything else we can help with or do you just want us to disappear?” Dallas nudged Tucker out of the way, which forced him to drop Sam’s hand. “Here, you take this last box, Tucker.” He pushed the box with his boot until it was between him and Sam.
“Um, thanks.” Sam’s gaze lingered on Tucker as she bent to reach for the box.
“No, let me. I insist.” Tucker reached and scooped it, hefting it into his arms. “Now, Miss Samantha, if you’ll just show me the way...”
Her smile was bright as she spun on her heel and walked off, fingers sweeping her phone, red curls bouncing jauntily. But not without a little side glance and cute smile at Tucker.
Dallas sighed as he watched the two of them stride off. He wondered what sort of catastrophe was waiting to rear up next.
JIMI HAD NO WORDS. The sight held her spellbound, and she was stunned when tears pricked at the back of her eyes. A sunset had never moved her so deeply. She stood in hushed silence along with the rest of the wedding guests. All facing west watching the sun slip to the horizon.
She hadn’t wanted to hike up to this ridge while they were told the barbecue was being readied, but, boy, was she glad she had. She’d been too ready
