Cowboy Crushin' (Dalton Boys Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

while he fed him apple.
    Shelby came forward with a sniff. “I can’t believe it.”
    Witt stared at her, feeling like a young kid standing in the school yard, liking a girl too much and without a clue as to how to talk to her.
    She gestured. “My son…Alex. He hasn’t…” She dragged a shaky breath into her lungs and shook her head as if unable to continue.
    “Is everything okay? I won’t let Kiser hurt him.”
    “No, no. It’s fine. It’s…he hasn’t shown any affection or allowed anyone close to him since his father and I split.”
    Ah, so she was a single mom starting fresh in Vixen. And her emotional state raised Witt’s protective instinct.
    He leaned close. “I’d offer you my hanky but it has donkey spit on it.”
    The giggle burst from her and it was like sun beaming through rainclouds. Witt folded his fingers into a fist to keep from thumbing away the tear trickling down her beautiful face.
    She met his gaze, and again that electricity snapped between them. No denying it on his part, and the way she sucked in a breath made him believe she’d felt it too.
    “More apple?” Alex asked, still twined around Kiser.
    “You’d better not fill him too full. We have a long drive.” Witt wasn’t in the mood to clean the whole trailer. “Do you want to see the piglet?”
    Alex stared across the yard at the group clustered around the pig.
    Witt glanced up to find Shelby staring at him. Eyes bright, lips parted. Dark need slammed him—what he wouldn’t give to plunge his tongue into her mouth and sample her sweetness.
    “I don’t want to see the pig. I want to pet Kiser.”
    “Looks like you’ve made a good friend in Kiser. He doesn’t like everyone.”
    “Is that true?” Alex peered up at Witt and he melted just a little. Momma had totally taken advantage of Witt’s soft spot for kids and animals—putting them together meant Witt couldn’t refuse. He was glad to have come today. Seeing Alex happy and knowing he might have found a bit of healing balm in meeting Kiser made Witt’s day.
    As did the gorgeous woman beside him.
    “Your name is Witt.”
    His memory of her melodic voice hadn’t come close to the real thing. “Yes’m. Witt Dalton.” He thumbed his hat.
    “I’m Shelby. I own the candy shop.”
    “I know.” His words sounded low and serious. Hectic red color appeared on her cheeks. She ducked her head to talk to her son.
    Witt watched her, smitten by her looks, her voice and the way she treated her little boy. His vow to give up searching for a woman vanished. And any thought of a platonic friendship with Shelby had been blasted away in about six seconds.
    His jeans were painfully tight and his chest tighter.
    She straightened and looked him in the eyes. He grew mighty hot around the collar. “Thank you so much for bringing the animals today. I haven’t seen Alex this happy in a long time.”
    “My pleasure. You know, we have a lot more animals on the ranch. Maybe sometime you’ll both come and see them.”
    “Can we, Mom?” Alex chirped.
    “I…. That’s very kind, but I don’t know if it’s such a good idea. And I’ve been so busy.” She folded her arms and moved a few steps away from Witt.
    If that body language didn’t speak loudly, he didn’t know what did. Maybe she was still getting over her ex. Or seeing someone else. Or she just didn’t find Witt appealing. Whatever the reason, he wouldn’t get over the bruising crush of disappointment for a while.
    He nodded and looked around. “The school bell’s about to ring, so I’m going to round up my animals and head home. It was good to meet you, Alex.” He extended a hand and shook the boy’s.
    “Can I put your hat on for a minute? I wanna pretend I’m a cowboy.”
    He tugged his hat off, aware that his hair was smashed and sweaty. He set the huge hat on Alex’s head and took him by the hand. “Cowboys help with animals, so you grab Kiser’s rope and follow me.”
    He caught Shelby’s gaze, stomach