Cowboy Crazy(13)

“We’ll work it out. Maybe get some used parts.” He knew damn well that even buying everything used, he wouldn’t be able to keep the cost low. If it came down to it, he’d dig into his savings and help her.

It’s what a Dalton boy did.

When she didn’t reply, he laid a hand on her forearm. She jumped, and he removed his hand. Feeling awkward, he scuffed a boot on the floor. “We’d best not keep Momma waiting. She looks sweet, but you’ll see her bad side if you dawdle when she calls. One time she threw a whole stack of flapjacks at Cash. He had to wash his hair three times to get the butter and syrup out. And he went to the fields hungry.”

She giggled, and he relaxed. Leading her out of the garage and across the yard to the house felt as natural as walking with one of his brothers. None of that weirdness he’d experienced the few times he’d taken girls to dinner or the movies. He bit off a laugh, thinking of the hoops his brothers must be jumping through.

As they reached the house, Charlotte mounted the porch steps before him. She stood at the top, head high, scanning the fields beyond him. His breath caught, and another snapshot was captured, imprinted in his mind.

The breeze toying with her wild curls, a slender hand set on her hip, eyes stormy gray. Even the stubborn set of her little jaw made his heart do a belly flop.

For a second he couldn’t breathe or move. This was more than some small attraction—if he’d met her anywhere besides on the road under duress, he would have pursued her hard and fast.

Luckily, he had her trapped on the ranch, where he could get to know her. And if he took his time fixing her car, maybe he’d get a chance at those ripe lips.

She moved toward the door, and he leaped the steps to get there first. When he pushed a hand between them to turn the knob, she looked up, startled. Craning her neck, lips parted.

His gaze zeroed in on that sumptuous pout, hungry for a taste. Need was a giant fist in his gut. Charlotte issued a soft sigh.

With as much strength as he could muster, he pushed the door open and gestured her inside. She went, but he’d swear her cheeks were pinker.

What was he thinking to stare at her like that?

He hadn’t—he’d been feeling.

The house was filled with the aroma of frying bacon. Pausing in the mudroom, he knocked most of the dirt clumps off his boots and followed Charlotte’s tormenting backside into the kitchen.

Momma and Pa were already seated, platters of scrambled eggs and bacon before them. A basket of muffins was settled between two empty places—for him and Charlotte.

“Have a seat and dig in.” Pa’s gruff tone made Charlotte stop in her tracks.

The urge to remove the tension from her spine burned hot and bright. Hank pulled out her chair, and she took her seat.

“Have you met my pa yet? Charlotte, this is Ted. Pa…” He wanted to say “be nice,” but that might invite teasing. So he leveled his gaze at his father instead.

Amusement played around the corner of his lips, and he forked some eggs. “Nice to meet you. You’re a might down on your luck.”

“Yes, a bit. Hank was kind enough to stop and help me. Otherwise, I might still be walking.”

“Boy’s good that way. He’s always taking in strays.” Momma kicked him under the table, in a very noticeable way. He laughed and went on. “Not that you’re a stray, miss. I’m just saying Hank has a soft spot for helping.”

“He hasn’t brought home any stray animals for a while,” Momma interjected, joyfully buttering her muffin. Actually, her joy came from ribbing Hank for the nine dogs, cats, goats and a fawn he’d carried home over the years.

He groaned and held a spoon of eggs over Charlotte’s plate. She nodded, and he served her. Then he passed her bacon and a muffin.

“It’s nice to have animals around. I never had pets growing up,” Charlotte said.

“No? That’s a shame. Animals make life happier.” Pa polished off his eggs. “What are your plans while Hank’s fixing your car?”

“I…don’t know.”

“Why, she’ll stay right here. We have room and there’s no need to abandon the girl at a costly hotel in the city without her vehicle,” Momma said.

“No, I couldn’t impose—”

“Of course you can. The other Daltons won’t return home till the end of the week. When they do, we’ll kick Hank out to sleep in the barn. You’ll still have a bed.”

Charlotte’s gaze flashed to his, and his heart began to beat faster, a steady drum that sounded like the opening number of a lust-filled night. “I couldn’t put him out.”