Iâll do better without you helping. No offense.â
Trentâs little smirk was deliberate, or sheâd eat her new Gucci purse. âYou sure about that?â
âNo.â She smiled. Let him guess if she meant on both counts. âBut Iâm willing to try. I bet you have more important things to do.â
He folded his arms across his chest, his boots planted a couple of feet apart. The stance seemed to narrow his waist and broaden his shoulders. He probably knew it and stood like that on purpose.
âI said, go.â
âIn a minute. I just want to watch you get started.â
Shelby huffed. âWell, make yourself useful and get me a second pail so I wonât have to get up.â
His eyebrows rose. âWhile I appreciate your optimism, I doubt thatâll be a problem.â He dropped his arms to his sides. âLook, if she doesnât give you much milk, donât worry about it. Milking takes practice and Daisy can be prickly. And do not try to milk her from the back.â
âGot it.â
His hesitation was beginning to unnerve her.
Finally, he made a move to leave. âIâll be in the kitchen or the stable.â He rubbed his arms as he turned to go. âItâs kind of chilly this morning.â
While heâd barely looked at her, something made her glance down at her T-shirt. And see her tightened nipples straining against the stretchy fabric.
* * *
T RENT HAD JUST put on a second pot of coffee and was debating rescuing Shelby when he heard the screen door open. He didnât blame her for giving up early. Daisy could be stubborn as all get-out. But heâd give Shelby some grief, anyway. He turned just as she set two full pails of milk on the kitchen counter.
âI wasnât sure if I should keep going. Daisy finished her grain and was getting antsy so I stopped.â
Once he got past the shock he nodded. âViolet helped you.â
âExcuse me.â She frowned, looking insulted. âI havenât seen Violet since the day I arrived. Like you said, it wasnât hard. Daisy just needed a pep talk.â
He eyed the pails. Okay, she deserved to be a little smug. âGlad it was easy. Thatâs your chore from now on.â
Some of the smugness slipped. But she nodded. âSo, do you have pitchers? I assume this goes in the fridge?â
âKeep what you want and give the rest to Violet.â He thought a moment. Yeah, he really needed for Violet to bend her ear. âIâll take it to her later.â
Shelby grinned. âAfraid sheâll tell me all your secrets?â
âIf you think Iâd let that old busybody know anything about me, youâre out of your mind.â
âOh, thatâs probably true,â she said, sighing. Then she studied Trent, her eyes even more green with the sunlight flooding in through the window. âYou like her.â
âWho?â
âYou do,â Shelby said matter-of-factly. âAnd she likes you. Itâs nice.â
He frowned at the slight wistfulness in her voice. âNot that nice. Wait until youâve been around a while,â he said, and refilled his mug. âNow, whatâs that smile for?â
She walked over to him, and he got a bit itchy until he saw she only wanted coffee. âGood to know you havenât packed my bags and loaded my car.â
He shouldnât have felt disappointed. What had he expected? Another kiss? Right, as if the first one hadnât been a dumb mistake. Damn, he wished he could forget how sweet sheâd tasted. Forget the softness and warmth of her body pressed against him. Two nights in a row now, he hadnât slept for thinking about her.
âLook, when I said wait till youâve been around awhile, I meant until your belongings are delivered. We should know who owns the Eager Beaver by then.â Was it his imagination or was she struggling to keep a straight face? âAs soon
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