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

“Or crushing you,” Bo said.

Before Tripp could tell him to go to hell, the doorbell rang, and he glared at it. He wasn’t expecting company. He shot a look at Bo. “Date tonight?”

“Not that I know of,” Bo said.

Tripp eyed the door suspiciously. “Then who could it be?”

Bo just sighed and walked past him to open it. “It’s probably someone trying to sell us something, not the Antichrist.”

Bo opened the door, and ironically, his words had never hit home more. Standing on his doorstep was Charlotte Gram, in all her sexy glory. She’d cleaned up and put on a sundress with thin straps and flowing skirt that hit her midthigh, showing off those long legs. He’d buy what she was selling any day. His body moved her direction of its own accord, his eyes eating her up like a starved man.

But she was holding…was that a can of dog food?

“Why, hello neighbor,” Bo said with way too much enthusiasm for Tripp’s liking.

“Hi,” Charlotte said. “Here.” She handed Bo the can of dog food. “I was told it was rude to come empty-handed, so…”

Bo smiled. “Mmm, Alpo, my favorite.”

She smiled back…and Tripp really didn’t like that. He wanted her beautiful grin aimed at him, not Bo. He took the can from Bo’s hands and set it on the small table near the door.

“I would like to speak with you,” she said to Tripp.

“So you just showed up?”

“You mean, like you did earlier today on my farm?”

Bo laughed and backed away. “I’ll just let you two figure this out while I start grilling steaks.” He grabbed the can and waved it at Tripp. “Side dish?”

Tripp just shook his head.

“Would you like to stay for dinner, Miss Gram?” Bo asked her.

“No,” Tripp said the same time Charlotte said, “No, thank you.”

She frowned at him.

He frowned back.

Bo laughed and walked into the kitchen.

“Look,” she said with a deep exhale, which made Tripp’s focus change from her mouth to her breasts. Not good. He was back to her mouth. Not better. Eyes. Lovely. Damn it, was there an unappealing part of this woman anywhere? While he was trying to figure that out, she continued. “I have a proposition for you.”

He was about to ask her what she had in mind when her gaze fastened on his bare feet. He looked down and saw that the pink sparkly nail polish was still on his toenails from when Gracie had painted them the other night.

“Occupational hazard of having a daughter,” he said, ready for Charlotte to laugh at him. Instead, her face softened and she smiled so genuinely it made his chest twist.

“Charlie!” Gracie said, coming to a bouncing stop beside Tripp. Shit, this was what he was afraid of. How could he keep Gracie away from her if Charlotte just showed up? Now she’d have more expectations he’d have to crush, because no way in hell was he going to let “Charlie” stick around for a meal.

“Hey, Gracie,” Charlotte said, kneeling to come eye to eye. “How are you?”

“I’m good! Did you come here to get me so we can go boot shopping?”

That pierced Tripp’s heart. His daughter had her hopes up, even though he’d already canceled the plans, and now she’d be crushed—

“I’d love to. If it’s okay with your dad, of course.”

Wait, what?