Colt by Duncan Leigh

Author:Duncan, Leigh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gardenia Street Publishing
Published: 2018-09-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Emma squinted at the clock on the nightstand. Two in the morning. She flipped over onto her back and stretched one arm above her head. When alligators still prowled the backs of her eyelids, she admitted defeat. No matter how many cute, fluffy sheep gaily jumping over fences she counted, she’d never be able to relax as long as every one of them landed in a puddle of snapping jaws and swishing tails.

She eased herself out of bed. Careful not to disturb the child sprawled across the mattress, she tucked the covers beneath a tiny chin and pressed a kiss against her daughter’s cheek. Bree didn’t so much as stir.

“Thank goodness,” she whispered. She had Colt to thank for the child’s peaceful sleep. The man had turned their brush with danger into an adventure for her four-year-old. Over dinner, he’d shown even more of his protective side when he’d impressed his men with a lecture on watching out for all their guests, including her daughter. Especially her daughter.

A slow sigh escaped Emma’s lips. The man was full of surprises, not the least of which was the moment she’d spent in his arms. She could still feel his hands at her waist. Still hear the steady thudding of his heart. Hours later, she caught his faint scent whenever she ran a hand through her hair. None of which helped her relax. Quite the opposite, it stirred an odd restlessness within her.

Tugging a sweatshirt over her pajamas, she headed downstairs for the one tried-and-true method of calming her nerves. In the pantry, she gathered ingredients for one of her favorite recipes. She set to work, confident her activities wouldn’t disturb Bree.

As for Colt, well, the rancher’s temporary quarters were on the far side of the house. She doubted the noise she made in the kitchen would reach him, though it took more effort than she liked to resist a quick peek in on him to double-check.

Soon, the makings for a special cake littered the counter. Dense and dark, with a rich peanut butter filling, the dessert would make the perfect thank-you gift for the man who had rapidly made a habit of saving her daughter’s life. Only, she had a sneaking suspicion that Colt Judd, with his brilliant blue eyes and easy swagger, was even more dangerous than wild animals.

The man was an enigma. At once cold and hot, fierce and tender. She wished she knew what lay beneath his brusque exterior. At his core, was he like her dad, her first husband? Or did he have a compassionate heart?

Uncertainty gnawed at her as she beat together flour and sugar, eggs and cocoa. Colt could have read her the riot act this afternoon. Yet, he hadn’t. She couldn’t forget how he’d whispered into her ear, practically begged for her forgiveness. His kindness stirred a longing she thought she’d securely locked away, if not forever, then at least until she and Bree had a home of their own.

The only thing that hadn’t

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