“Hey, you retired from bull riding, remember? You’re a ranch hand now. Let someone else be a celebrity for once,” I say.
The truth is, he’s not a ranch hand. He convinced me to hire two actual employees soon after we were married. I pushed back, but when I finally gave in to the idea, I soon realized how much more time we had to spend together.
“I think this good luck charm thing has gone to your head.” He drains his milkshake.
Under the table, I work off my boot and stroke his calf with my socked foot. “Says the man who doesn’t seem all that interested in enjoying the magic pussy. Tell you what, I’ll let you do whatever you want while I wear the tiara and the sash,” I say.
“Are you naked with the sash on?” His eyes grow heated.
I tongue my straw and slowly nod, letting my foot travel upward until it rests at his crotch.
Tanner hisses a low curse. “This is a family establishment, Casey.”
“Then you’d better take me home.”
He places a stack of small bills on the table, then we leave the Corner Cafe through a gauntlet of friendly faces and well wishes.
Instead of heading straight to the truck to go home, Tanner asks if we can take a short walk along the creek that winds through downtown.
“A walk sounds good,” I say, even though it’s freezing outside. The creek itself is still moving and babbling, not yet frozen solid this winter.
My guy walks up the street with his arm around my waist as we make our way down the shoveled sidewalks. He makes me feel loved and cherished every day. This Saturday afternoon, the sky is blue, and everyone around us is in a great mood despite the cold weather.
It’s not until the high school football coach walks by and high-fives Tanner that I realize why he wants to go for a walk.
“Are you serious right now?” I ask.
“Hey, your grace, share the spotlight once in a while, why don’t you?” Tanner replies.
That’s it. He’s going in the creek.
With all my might, I tackle my husband.
“Whoa! Too soon for a polar plunge, babe!” Tanner laughs.
All I manage to do is take him down into the snow, with me landing on top of his broad chest.
Both of us laughing, Tanner angles his face up to kiss me, and the warmth of his mouth heats me down to my toes.
He lucks into my mouth, and we stay like that, making out like teenagers until I start to shiver.
“Better get you home and warm you up by the fire,” he says.
“Oh, don’t worry. I’ve got that good luck charm glow to keep me warm,” I say, teasing.
“Oh brother,” Tanner laughs, rolling his eyes, cupping my rosy cheeks with his gloves hands.
“And you,” I say.
He presses a kiss to the tip of my nose. “Always.”