“Cullen?”
Her saying his name broke the last of his resistance. He lowered his head and bushed his lips across hers. He was quickly becoming lost. His mouth moved over hers gently, and when she didn’t show any resistance, he wrapped his arms around her back and held her close.
Oh, God. She felt wonderful. Her taste, her softness and that sexy body... He tilted her head, getting a better angle to deepen the kiss. She moaned and her hands moved to his chest, and he burned. He wanted more. He cupped her face and drank from her, his tongue moving against hers, tasting her sweetness, mixed with the mint flavor of her toothpaste.
Reluctantly he ended the kiss and released her. He watched her blink those startling-blue eyes, and he almost went back for more. Instead, he slipped his hands into his pockets and said, “Wow! I didn’t mean to do that... Did you want to ask me something?”
She opened her mouth and paused as if to clear her head. “Uh, I just was going to offer to help you with the horses.” She couldn’t look him in the eyes. “Look, I should go. Ryan’s in the car.”
He started to argue. “Okay.”
She nodded. “I’ll see you later.” She turned and walked out the back door. He watched her until she got into her car and drove off.
“Well, that was just great, Brannigan. Talk about overstepping your boundaries.”
How was he going to fix this?
* * *
AFTER SHELBY RELUCTANTLY left Ryan at Saint Theresa’s preschool, along with several phone numbers for them to call if he needed her, she arrived at the café.
In the kitchen, she tied on her apron and began her morning prep. She liked this time getting everything ready for the day. She put together the ingredients for her hollandaise sauce, along with adding sausage to the white gravy, for one of the customers’ favorites, her biscuits and gravy.
As busy as she was, she was still able to relive Cullen’s kiss over and over. Whatever she thought it would be like with the man, it had been a hundred times better. She swore she could still taste him on her lips, that incredible mixture of coffee and the man. Wow. Wicked combination.
Okay, just calm down.
If Shelby knew anything, it was that she couldn’t get involved with Cullen. She had trouble trusting anyone in law enforcement. She couldn’t take the chance. Gil had killed her sister, but there was no way to prove it.
The last thing she needed right now was for that crazed cop to show up on her doorstep. After all, Gil had accused her of having something that Georgia took from him. That was why Shelby had to sneak out of town in the middle of the night. If Cullen had done a background check on her, it might send out a red flag, alerting Gil where she’d gone. Yes, she needed to make some money in case she had to take off again.
And a new rule. No more kissing Cullen Brannigan.
Bess walked into the kitchen and smiled. “Need any help?”
“Sure.” She gave the owner a task, and Bess began to put a tray of biscuits into the industrial-size oven. “Did Ryan get settled in to school okay?”
“He seems to be doing better with the separation than I am. Of course, he already knows Addy Rawlins. She’s in kindergarten, but promised to help take care of him.”
They both laughed. “That child is something else.”
“All I know is Ryan likes her and listens to her. Last night at Joe’s, he wasn’t going to try a rib, but Addy got him to.”
Bess folded her arms and looked at her. “You saw the Rawlinses last night?”
Uh-oh. “Yes, I did. Trent and Cullen invited us to go. It seems that Laurel has been craving ribs.”
“So you went with the entire family?”
Before Shelby could answer, the double doors opened and Bill shouted back, “Incoming customers.”
“Well, we better get to work,” Shelby said and turned away from any more questions.
Chapter Seven
Around four o’clock, Shelby drove back to the ranch while Ryan told her all about his first day at school. It was Addy this and Addy that. He had played with the little girl at recess and ate with her at lunch. According to his teacher, the child had taken it upon herself to be Ryan’s guardian.
“You know, Ryan, Addy is in kindergarten and you won’t be in that grade until next year. So you need to make some friends in your class.” That had never been easy for her nephew. She prayed that he hadn’t been bullied, or made fun of.
“Sister Helen took me to a boy named Noah.”
Shelby glanced in the rearview mirror. “Noah?”
Ryan nodded. “He’s in my class. He plays video games like me.”
“That’s great.” She felt a sense of relief as she turned the car onto the ranch road and made her way up the driveway. She passed the main house, toward the gray-and-white cottage, and parked the car.
She smiled. This was their home...for now.
“Aunt Shellie, can we go see the new horse?”
She looked toward the corral to discover the gray horse Laurel had talked about last night had been added to the herd.
“I don’t know, Ryan, maybe we shouldn’t bother them right now.” She also wasn’t sure she needed to run into Cullen at this moment. Just the thought of the lawman’s kiss sent her into a turmoil of emotions. She didn’t need this complication.
Speaking of the man. She saw Cullen coming out of the barn. She couldn’t help but watch his long, easy gait as he made his way across the compound toward them. His faded jeans hugged his narrow hips, and his black henley shirt seemed to embrace all those muscles along his arms and chest.
She blew out a breath to calm her racing heart and got out of the car. By the time she opened the back door, Ryan was already out of his safety seat.
“Cullen will take me to see the horses.” He jumped down and took off toward the man. When Ryan reached him, Cullen lifted him up in the air. Her nephew giggled as he was swung around. She hadn’t heard that wonderful sound in a very long time.
Cullen boosted Ryan up in his arms. “You have a good day at school, sport?”
The boy nodded and gave him a big grin. “I got a new friend, Noah. He’s five, too.”
“Hey, great.” He tickled his stomach. “Noah is also pretty lucky to have you as a friend, too.”
“Can I see the horses?”
Cullen enjoyed the boy’s excitement. He just hoped his aunt felt the same way. After this morning, he wasn’t sure she even wanted to speak to him. “Let’s see what your aunt says.”
He set Ryan down, then watched as the pretty brunette walked toward them. Her long slender legs, encased in jeans, had him thinking about things that had no business being on his mind right now. Like that kiss this morning. Not that he regretted it, but not the wisest move on his part. He had no business giving in to temptation. He needed to set the record straight that it wouldn’t happen again.
She finally made her way to him. “Hi,” she greeted him in that soft husky voice that sent a warm shiver down his spine.
“Hi.”
She nodded to the corral. “I see Laurel talked you into the horse.”
“Yeah, I think I need a new sign out front, Brannigan Animal Rescue.” How could she look so appealing after working since dawn? “Would it be okay if I show Ryan the new boarder?”
Those sparkling blue eyes met his. “Sure.”
“Yeah!” An excited Ryan ran ahead to the corral fence, leaving them alone.
“Seems you’re getting a new addition daily,” Shelby said.
He kept his eyes on the boy. “I think I’ve been had. My free house isn’t so free, since I’ll be feeding stock for a while.”
She smiled, and his heartbeat shot off. Damn, he needed to stop reacting to her every time she smiled.
He touched her arm, to stop her. �
�Shelby, about this morning. I need to apologize to you. I had no business kissing you.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “I just thought you kissed all random women who come to your door.”
He shook his head, then caught her mouth twitch. “Not random women. Only beautiful women with big blue eyes who appear at my back door at five in the morning.”
She cocked her head, and desire shot through him again. “Cullen, I can’t have a relationship right now.” She glanced away. “My life has to be focused on Ryan.”
He held up a hand. “I feel the same way. I’m only here for a few months. My job isn’t even permanent.”
She laughed. “Well, with all those complications, I’d say we don’t have to worry.”
He nodded, just as Ryan called to both of them.
“You want to meet the new guy?” Cullen asked.
“Sure.”
They made their way to the corral fence, and he lifted the boy on the high rung of the railing so he could see. “Put your fingers in your ears, kid, so I can whistle for them.”
Ryan did as he was told. Cullen turned away and let go with a sharp whistle. Soon all four horses trotted over to the railing. “They’re a friendly bunch, but they won’t hurt you, son.” He put his hand out to slow down their eagerness.
Shelby stepped on the bottom rung, and the gray quarter horse went to her, seeking attention. “He’s beautiful.”
“Cloud had been a show horse. A lot of times when horses can’t compete any longer, the owners don’t have time to spend with them. I’m not sure how Laurel got ownership of him. He’s not that old, either.”
“He’s gentle, too.”
She asked, “Wouldn’t someone want him as a saddle horse?”
“Well, for now, he has a home here. Should I get Cloud and Sassy saddled and we go for a ride?”
* * *
TWENTY MINUTES LATER, with the other horses in their stalls, Cullen had saddled Cloud and Sassy and he led them out into the corral.
He smiled seeing little Ryan waiting patiently with his aunt standing beside him. Cullen walked ahead of the mounts.
“I want you to know these two are well trained, by both voice and touch commands.” He handed Sassy’s reins to Shelby. “You want to try her out?”
He could see the apprehension. “You trust me with her?” she asked.
“You said you rode as a kid, so I figure you didn’t forget how. Besides, I doubt this mature lady will buck you off.”
She smiled. “We’ll see.” With reins in hand, she went to Sassy, grabbed the pommel and stuck her sneaker-covered foot into the stirrup, then climbed into the saddle. The horse shifted a little, but Cullen could see her reactions were easy and relaxed.
“Walk her around the corral,” he suggested. “Come on, Ryan. It’s your turn.” He picked up the smiling boy and set him down in Cloud’s saddle, then he quickly mounted behind him. After situating the child onto his lap, he swept the reins across the horse’s neck and they turned around. “Want to go for a ride?”
“Yes. Go fast,” Ryan said.
Cullen smiled, feeling the boy’s slight weight against him, bringing out his protective instincts. “How about we walk first? I need to see how well Cloud likes us on his back.”
“Okay.” The boy waved at his aunt. “Aunt Shellie, look! I’m riding with Sheriff Cullen.”
“I can see that.”
Cullen watched the woman atop Sassy. She stopped and pulled out her phone. “Smile,” she called out.
Cullen found he wouldn’t mind smiling all day at this woman. That was good and bad. He still didn’t know much about her and Ryan’s situation. Only that she loved her nephew, and she could cook up a storm. All he’d heard around town were raves about her food. Maybe Shelby would stay here permanently.
The easy movement of the horse was relaxing. “How are you doing, sport?”
“Good.”
He held out the reins to the boy. “You hold them. If you want to turn, move them this way, and if you want to go the other side, move this way.” Cullen let go. “Now you do it.”
Ryan took charge and moved the reins, and Cloud turned. Cullen couldn’t help but smile as he rested his hands on his legs, ready to take control back if needed. “Good job.”
Shelby rode over to them. “Well, look at you two. Ryan, you’re handling Cloud all by yourself.”
“Take my picture, Aunt Shellie.”
Shelby bit down on her lower lip, fighting a smile. She snapped another picture. “You two look good.”
She brought Sassy up beside them as they continued the slow, easy journey around the large corral. Cullen enjoyed sharing this time with aunt and nephew. After about thirty minutes, they returned to the barn.
Cullen placed Ryan up on one of the storage trunks outside Cloud’s stall.
“Rules of the barn, Ryan. You never go inside the stalls without an adult. Sometimes horses get spooked and they might step on you, or kick you.”
“That will hurt,” the boy said.
“That’s right.” Cullen pulled the saddle off the horse and hung it over the railing. “Another rule. We never throw anything at animals, not even if you’re just teasing.”
Ryan shook his head. “No. That’s mean.”
“You’re right. And you never want to be mean to anyone, not people or animals.”
“At my old school a boy was mean to me. He said I talked funny. Mom reported him, and he got in trouble.”
Cullen glanced at Shelby in the next stall. She was removing Sassy’s tack, but stopped and said, “Your mom did the right thing, Ryan. Bullying is against the rules.”
“And it’s not nice,” the boy agreed. “Makes people sad.”
“Hey, let’s not be sad today. You got to ride a horse.” Cullen walked across the straw-covered floor, opened a bin and took out a carrot. “And give him a treat.”
Cloud stuck his head over the railing on hearing the special word. They all laughed and Ryan held out the carrot. As soon as the gelding ate up the food, he proceeded to drop waste from the other end.
That caused Ryan to laugh again.
“That’s another rule,” Cullen said. “Be careful where you step, because your aunt won’t be happy if you come in the house with horse manure on your shoes.”
The boy wrinkled his nose. “Okay.”
Cullen carried the saddles into the tack room, and Ryan and Shelby followed with the bridles and hung them on the wall hooks. Then they helped him feed the rest of the horses. After Ryan said good-night to all the animals, they exited the barn.
“Well, that should do it until tomorrow.”
Shelby looked up at him. “I can’t thank you enough for today.”
Ryan tugged on his arm. “Thank you, Sheriff, for letting me ride Cloud.”
He crouched down to eye level with the child. “You’re very welcome. These horses like to have people visit, so I hope you’ll come back and see them, with me or your aunt.” He stood and turned back to Shelby. “Please, don’t hesitate to come out to the barn. You know your way around animals, so I know you’ll be careful, especially with Ryan.”
Shelby nodded. “I appreciate your offer. We might come by.” She laid a protective hand on her nephew’s shoulder. “Are you working tonight?”
He shook his head. “No. I went into the office today. The deputies know how to run things without me looking over their shoulders.”
Shelby started to walk away, then stopped. “Would you like to come by for dinner? I brought home some leftover meat loaf.”
It would be best to stay away. “Leftovers sound pretty good to me.”
“Come by in about thirty minutes,” she said and turned and walked off.
Cullen watched both the boy and his au
nt. Everything in him shouted to stay away, but he was so drawn to her. He thought back to his last relationship in Denver. His career as a cop pretty much had killed any kind of personal life. In the past his job had taken over most of his life. It had been what he’d worked for to be able to move up the ranks in the police department.
Maybe that was why he’d always avoided any serious involvement. He thought back to the women he’d dated. From the beginning he’d warned them of his long hours and special details at moment’s notice. A casual relationship was the best he could offer.
And those women never had kids...until now.
* * *
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, music blaring from the radio on the kitchen counter, Shelby was nervous as she prepared the meal. Why had she asked Cullen to dinner again? At the time, it seemed like the right thing to do since he’d taken time with Ryan. And she liked him. What was not to like? The man was sexy as all get-out. She liked him in his cowboy gear, jeans, boots and a black felt cowboy hat. And when he had Ryan sitting in front of him in the saddle and those strong arms around the child. She got a funny feeling as the memory of their kiss came to mind.
She sighed. “As you used to say, Grandma, that man sure leaves me with a hankerin’...”
She shook her head from the distracting thought. Was Cullen Brannigan too good to be true? She thought back to what she left behind in Kentucky. Her sister and grandmother were buried there, but there weren’t any other ties. There were few good memories since they discovered Georgia dead, and after Gil’s threats, she couldn’t stay in Dawkins Meadow. No, she hoped to leave all the bad things behind and start over, for Ryan’s sake.
There was a knock on the door and she jumped. She heard Ryan running from the hall. “Sheriff’s here.”
She tensed in anticipation, hating that she let him affect her so much. After releasing a breath, she brushed her hair back and went out to greet the man. She stopped suddenly when she saw Cullen dressed in his sheriff’s uniform.
“Hi,” he said.
“Are you going in to work?”
“In a few hours,” he said, as his hazel eyes held hers. “One of the deputies called in sick, so I’m going to take his shift tonight.”
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