The Rancher and The City Girl (Tempting the Rancher 1)

“Came to tuck you in, baby girl,” he said to his daughter, already snuggling under her covers.

“Uncle Bo tucked me in. He makes me a bug in a rug.” She squirmed for good measure.

“Well, Uncle Bo is a good tucker,” he said.

Gracie nodded with a sleepy smile. He kissed her cheek and ran a palm over her curls. “I love you, baby girl.”

“Love you, Daddy,” she said.

He reached over to turn off the pink princess lamp and took one last look around the room. Between the unicorn posters and stuffed animals, the tea table and set in the middle of the room, and the Barbie Dreamhouse in the corner, it was an explosion of pink and girl toys everywhere.

Tripp watched her breaths even out as she slipped into sleep, then quietly made his way out and shut the door.

Once again, Cash and Bo were waiting.

“Here, take my truck,” Bo said, tossing his keys at Tripp.

“I can take my own truck.”

Bo grimaced. “You mean the one covered in cow shit that looks like rolling pile of dust when you kick it into second gear?”

His work truck was pretty dusty, and he didn’t want to show up with dirty jeans.

“Fine. Thanks.” He gripped the keys to Bo’s polished, pristine pickup. “I won’t be out late. If she wakes up—”

“We know the drill,” Cash said. “Been doing this for years now.”

“I never leave, though.”

“All the more reason for you to get the hell out of here. Go have fun. For once in six years, Tripp, enjoy yourself. Gracie is fine. We’re all fine. Go let loose.”

Tripp took a deep breath. Fun? He barely recognized the word. Maybe tonight he could relax. He wouldn’t tell this woman anything personal, certainly nothing about his daughter. Not because he was ashamed, but because she was the most precious thing to him and he wouldn’t put her out there for anyone. Nope, tonight would just be enjoying the company of a gorgeous woman. That was it.

With a firm nod, Tripp walked out the front door and into the summer night.

“Remember what I said about your dick falling off,” Bo called after him. “Try using it!”

Tripp took a calming breath and got into Bo’s truck, flipping the other man the bird and making a mental note to leave a cow pie in the bed of the truck later.

…

Charlotte looked around the bar, taking in the small crowd gathering around the scattered wood tables. After staying all afternoon with her grandma in the hospital recovery room, Charlotte had changed and gotten there early, seeking refuge in the bar’s dim lighting, soft hum of conversation, and a much-needed drink.

Grammy had only opened her eyes long enough to smile and say her name before slipping back into sleep. The doctor said that was normal coming out of surgery, and that Charlotte could take her home the following day.

Her chest squeezed. It’d be her first glimpse of the farmhouse. Even though she had the address, it felt wrong going there without Grammy. Like she’d be invading a home she didn’t belong in. Charlotte fully planned to go back to the hospital and sleep in a chair after whatever happened with Tripp.

She’d just ordered her second gin and tonic when she felt a shift in the crowd.

Him.

Tripp.

There was no shortage of men in Stetsons around town, but Tripp was different: strong, imposing, and so incredibly sexy she thought her blood would burn her from the inside out just looking at him.

Damn, Tripp cleaned up nice.

He smiled at her and headed her way. Oxygen caught in her throat, her brain fuzzy and giddy. She couldn’t tell which Tripp she preferred: the clean-cut and perfectly pressed version, or the slightly dirty, scruffy version. Because both were sexy and manly and God, she wanted to know what those straight white teeth felt like against her skin.