His Convenient Husband: Innamorati, Book 1 by J. L. Langley
Authors: J. L. Langley
Tags: Romance
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better off without him, but it wasn’t just Micah. Tucker missed his family and his…life. The ranch had been his life.
Dad touched his shoulder. “Don’t do this to yourself. You can’t change the past. You can only move on.”
Swallowing hard, Tucker nodded and fought back tears again. Geez. He was emotional today, but then why wouldn’t he be? It wasn’t every day he buried his grandfather.
“And don’t worry about the ranch. It’ll work out. Your granddad wouldn’t leave us high and dry.” He headed toward the door and stopped once he had the screen door open. “Don’t be too long. From the sounds of it we’re already receiving guests.” He opened the door, leaving Tucker alone with his thoughts.
Could he just come back? Was it that easy?
Something vibrated against his chest, startling him. What the—? Oh, his phone. Tucker extracted it from his suit jacket and looked at the display. He had an email. It was probably from his secretary. Tucker had neglected his work the past few days. He’d spent most of his time following Micah around in the guise of learning the ranch again. True, he’d been discussing the ranch decisions with Micah, but he’d also been keeping an eye on Micah. It had worked. Micah had let Tucker help, taking some of the load off Micah’s shoulders.
Tucker pushed the touchscreen to bring up his email. The mail was from the P.I. Tucker had looking into Duncan. Tucker scanned it quickly, learning that Duncan was broke. He’d filed bankruptcy a few years back, and Tucker’s mother had left shortly after. Tucker winced. That woman was a piece of work.
A soft breeze knocked his hair into his eyes and Tucker brushed it out. A nervous flutter settled in his stomach. It looked like Duncan was after money, which meant he’d fight their claim on the ranch. Could Tucker’s and Micah’s wedding of convenience hold up in court? If it didn’t, could they contest it in Dad’s favor? Would Dad’s living and working on the ranch all these years count? He wasn’t the oldest son. Maybe Duncan would allow Tucker to buy him out. Tucker’s heart sank. Dad, AJ and Micah would never allow Tucker to buy them the ranch…especially Micah. He’d think Tucker was abusing the power of money. Micah might want the ranch, but he was all about fairness and not using money to get one’s way. Which Tucker supposed he understood given Micah’s past.
“What’re you doing out here?” Micah appeared around the corner of the porch. He’d removed his suit jacket and tie and had his shirt sleeves rolled up.
Tucker swiftly put his phone away and held out his arm. “Nothing. Come here.”
Micah nestled himself against Tucker’s side and wrapped his arms around Tucker’s waist with ease.
Tucker’s heart leapt as he hugged Micah tight. Tucker didn’t want to lose this renewed closeness he had now with Micah, but could he keep from it? Even if he stayed, could he keep the ranch? He kissed the top of Micah’s head, marveling at the change in their relationship these past few days. It was almost too good to be true.
“ Dios , I love it out here. Think anyone would notice if we don’t go back in?” Micah mumbled against his chest.
Tucker inhaled the fresh scent of Micah’s dark hair and glanced out over the pasture. He could almost see his granddad sitting on Cherry Blossom, a wad of chewing tobacco in his mouth. What would Granddad want? Tucker knew he wouldn’t want the ranch to go to Duncan. He knew that as sure as he breathed. If only you’d been more specific in your wishes, Granddaddy.
The image in his head smiled. “Fix it, Tucker. Do whatever it takes.”
Tucker squeezed Micah, making him yelp a little. Whatever it took, he’d keep the ranch where it belonged, even if Micah didn’t approve. To Tucker, his family’s and Micah’s happiness was worth more than his own.
Chapter Ten
“This is horse shit. You”—Duncan pointed at Micah—“you little— You knew about this.
Dad touched his shoulder. “Don’t do this to yourself. You can’t change the past. You can only move on.”
Swallowing hard, Tucker nodded and fought back tears again. Geez. He was emotional today, but then why wouldn’t he be? It wasn’t every day he buried his grandfather.
“And don’t worry about the ranch. It’ll work out. Your granddad wouldn’t leave us high and dry.” He headed toward the door and stopped once he had the screen door open. “Don’t be too long. From the sounds of it we’re already receiving guests.” He opened the door, leaving Tucker alone with his thoughts.
Could he just come back? Was it that easy?
Something vibrated against his chest, startling him. What the—? Oh, his phone. Tucker extracted it from his suit jacket and looked at the display. He had an email. It was probably from his secretary. Tucker had neglected his work the past few days. He’d spent most of his time following Micah around in the guise of learning the ranch again. True, he’d been discussing the ranch decisions with Micah, but he’d also been keeping an eye on Micah. It had worked. Micah had let Tucker help, taking some of the load off Micah’s shoulders.
Tucker pushed the touchscreen to bring up his email. The mail was from the P.I. Tucker had looking into Duncan. Tucker scanned it quickly, learning that Duncan was broke. He’d filed bankruptcy a few years back, and Tucker’s mother had left shortly after. Tucker winced. That woman was a piece of work.
A soft breeze knocked his hair into his eyes and Tucker brushed it out. A nervous flutter settled in his stomach. It looked like Duncan was after money, which meant he’d fight their claim on the ranch. Could Tucker’s and Micah’s wedding of convenience hold up in court? If it didn’t, could they contest it in Dad’s favor? Would Dad’s living and working on the ranch all these years count? He wasn’t the oldest son. Maybe Duncan would allow Tucker to buy him out. Tucker’s heart sank. Dad, AJ and Micah would never allow Tucker to buy them the ranch…especially Micah. He’d think Tucker was abusing the power of money. Micah might want the ranch, but he was all about fairness and not using money to get one’s way. Which Tucker supposed he understood given Micah’s past.
“What’re you doing out here?” Micah appeared around the corner of the porch. He’d removed his suit jacket and tie and had his shirt sleeves rolled up.
Tucker swiftly put his phone away and held out his arm. “Nothing. Come here.”
Micah nestled himself against Tucker’s side and wrapped his arms around Tucker’s waist with ease.
Tucker’s heart leapt as he hugged Micah tight. Tucker didn’t want to lose this renewed closeness he had now with Micah, but could he keep from it? Even if he stayed, could he keep the ranch? He kissed the top of Micah’s head, marveling at the change in their relationship these past few days. It was almost too good to be true.
“ Dios , I love it out here. Think anyone would notice if we don’t go back in?” Micah mumbled against his chest.
Tucker inhaled the fresh scent of Micah’s dark hair and glanced out over the pasture. He could almost see his granddad sitting on Cherry Blossom, a wad of chewing tobacco in his mouth. What would Granddad want? Tucker knew he wouldn’t want the ranch to go to Duncan. He knew that as sure as he breathed. If only you’d been more specific in your wishes, Granddaddy.
The image in his head smiled. “Fix it, Tucker. Do whatever it takes.”
Tucker squeezed Micah, making him yelp a little. Whatever it took, he’d keep the ranch where it belonged, even if Micah didn’t approve. To Tucker, his family’s and Micah’s happiness was worth more than his own.
Chapter Ten
“This is horse shit. You”—Duncan pointed at Micah—“you little— You knew about this.
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