Come On Over by Debbi Rawlins

I’ll do better without you helping. No offense.”
    Trent’s little smirk was deliberate, or she’d eat her new Gucci purse. “You sure about that?”
    â€œNo.” She smiled. Let him guess if she meant on both counts. “But I’m willing to try. I bet you have more important things to do.”
    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.
    â€œI said, go.”
    â€œIn a minute. I just want to watch you get started.”
    Shelby huffed. “Well, make yourself useful and get me a second pail so I won’t have to get up.”
    His eyebrows rose. “While I appreciate your optimism, I doubt that’ll be a problem.” He dropped his arms to his sides. “Look, if she doesn’t give you much milk, don’t worry about it. Milking takes practice and Daisy can be prickly. And do not try to milk her from the back.”
    â€œGot it.”
    His hesitation was beginning to unnerve her.
    Finally, he made a move to leave. “I’ll be in the kitchen or the stable.” He rubbed his arms as he turned to go. “It’s kind of chilly this morning.”
    While he’d 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 didn’t blame her for giving up early. Daisy could be stubborn as all get-out. But he’d give Shelby some grief, anyway. He turned just as she set two full pails of milk on the kitchen counter.
    â€œI wasn’t sure if I should keep going. Daisy finished her grain and was getting antsy so I stopped.”
    Once he got past the shock he nodded. “Violet helped you.”
    â€œExcuse me.” She frowned, looking insulted. “I haven’t seen Violet since the day I arrived. Like you said, it wasn’t hard. Daisy just needed a pep talk.”
    He eyed the pails. Okay, she deserved to be a little smug. “Glad it was easy. That’s your chore from now on.”
    Some of the smugness slipped. But she nodded. “So, do you have pitchers? I assume this goes in the fridge?”
    â€œKeep what you want and give the rest to Violet.” He thought a moment. Yeah, he really needed for Violet to bend her ear. “I’ll take it to her later.”
    Shelby grinned. “Afraid she’ll tell me all your secrets?”
    â€œIf you think I’d let that old busybody know anything about me, you’re out of your mind.”
    â€œOh, that’s probably true,” she said, sighing. Then she studied Trent, her eyes even more green with the sunlight flooding in through the window. “You like her.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œYou do,” Shelby said matter-of-factly. “And she likes you. It’s nice.”
    He frowned at the slight wistfulness in her voice. “Not that nice. Wait until you’ve been around a while,” he said, and refilled his mug. “Now, what’s that smile for?”
    She walked over to him, and he got a bit itchy until he saw she only wanted coffee. “Good to know you haven’t packed my bags and loaded my car.”
    He shouldn’t have felt disappointed. What had he expected? Another kiss? Right, as if the first one hadn’t been a dumb mistake. Damn, he wished he could forget how sweet she’d tasted. Forget the softness and warmth of her body pressed against him. Two nights in a row now, he hadn’t slept for thinking about her.
    â€œLook, when I said wait till you’ve been around awhile, I meant until your belongings are delivered. We should know who owns the Eager Beaver by then.” Was it his imagination or was she struggling to keep a straight face? “As soon