Only His (Fool's Gold #6)(83)

He wasn’t looking for permanent. Not personally or professionally. Sure, he would be taking over the company, but he still planned to go around the world for the big jobs. Maybe not to be in charge, but he wasn’t going to become some guy, stuck in an office. He needed more.

As for Nevada, he knew he’d screwed up there. Let things get too far. He’d been trying to back off before, but then Cat had happened. As always, having her around was like dealing with a natural disaster. He’d reacted to the situation and now Mayor Marsha thought things between him and Nevada were more than they were.

That made him wonder if Nevada thought the same thing.

He stood and returned to his desk. But once he was there, he found himself restless. He swore.

He didn’t want to hurt her. She was great and he really liked being with her. She got him and he got her. They were a good team, both in and out of bed. He liked watching her move, he liked making her laugh. He wanted to be around her.

Sure, he trusted her more than he’d ever trusted another woman and maybe, if things had been different, she would have been the one. But they weren’t different. He knew what would happen if he gave in to love. He knew the price and he wasn’t going to pay it. Not again. Not for anyone.

TUCKER’S LONG MORNING turned into an even longer afternoon. Nevada showed up after lunch, flushed and chilled from working with the guys. She talked about how the digging was going and which pipes had been delivered. Rather than pay attention, he watched her, trying to figure out how badly he would miss her when he was gone.

“Are you even listening?” she demanded.

“Sure. To every word.”

“I don’t think I believe you. You have the strangest look on your face.”

Will’s arrival was the perfect interruption. His second in command bounced into the trailer, grinning like a fool.

Nevada glanced at her watch. “Nearly two. Guess you’re not an early riser anymore.”

“I called.”

“You left a cryptic message on the voice mail saying you’d be late. Not exactly the same thing.”

“Good enough for the likes of you two.” Will crossed the small trailer, grabbed Nevada by the waist and spun her in a tight circle. “Congratulate me. I’m engaged.”

“Woohoo!” Nevada flung her arms around him. “Finally. I was tired of being mad at you.”

Will laughed and released her, then walked over to Tucker and held out his hand.

“I’m the luckiest guy ever,” Will told him.

Tucker did his best to conceal his shock. Will engaged? They’d always been nomads together.

“Congratulations,” Tucker said automatically.

“When did this happen?” Nevada asked, hugging him again.

“Last night. Technically, early this morning.” Will laughed. “She made me work for it, though. I’ll tell you that.”

“Married.” Nevada clapped her hands together. “I’m not sure Jo is the big wedding type. Are you two going to do something in town or run off and get married?”

“Whatever she wants is good with me.”

Will sounded happy. Or whatever was beyond happy, Tucker thought, confused by the rapid change of events.

“You’ll be staying here,” he said.

“Yup.” Will chuckled. “If I don’t, Jo’s gonna hunt me down. Gotta love that in a woman.” He sighed. “I’ll finish the job, then look for work in town.” Still looking pleased with himself, he laughed. “I guess I’m giving my two-year notice.”

Will leaving the company? Just like that? For a woman?

Nevada walked to her desk and picked up a stack of magazines. “My sisters left these for me,” she said, waving the bridal magazines at him. “Want to look them over?”

Tucker waited for his friend to make the sign of the cross and then run for the hills. Instead Will grabbed them.

“Sure,” he said with a chuckle. “That’ll get her attention. Hey, is there a jewelry store in town? I need to buy my woman a ring. A big one.”

“I know just the place. Jenel’s Gems. Jenel will be able to help you find the prefect ring.”

Will tucked the magazines under his arm, then headed for the door. “I’m out of here, boss. See you tomorrow.”

With that, he was gone.

Tucker stared at the closed door, not sure what had just happened. Everything was getting out of hand and somehow he had to figure out a way to stop it.

“THIS IS REALLY SUDDEN,” Nevada said, not sure how she felt about Cat’s announcement. Despite everything that had happened, Nevada wasn’t sure she was ready for Cat to leave. They’d barely become friends. Well, as much as anyone could be a friend with Cat.

“I’ve created and now it’s time for me to move on,” Cat told her.

They were in front of the Gold Rush Ski Lodge and Resort. A long, dark limo idled next to them, the driver and Herbert, her assistant, already loading piles of luggage.

“You know the sculpture is finished,” Cat said. “You’ll be the one to present it to the town.”

“Lucky me.”

“I knew you’d enjoy being the one.”

“You’ll miss the unveiling,” Nevada reminded her, thinking there was a whole lifetime of things she would rather do than be in charge of giving her hometown a giant vagina.