Western Kisses – Old West Christmas Romances (Boxed Set) by Carré White Page A

all she found was an easy smile that put her to an almost frightening ease, and a dimpled chin that made her heart flutter.
    “Oh,” she said. “I don’t believe I,” a furious blush covered her cheeks.
    Colton took a step forward, and she stuck the gun right in his gut. “I’m still not convinced,” she said, getting her bearings after being disarmed with his charm.
    “I swear it’s true,” he said with a silky sort of calmness in his voice. “Rode three hundred miles or so. Been sleeping under the stars, but I don’t think my horse can handle this dirt and dust blowing around. Look how much misery there is on his face.”
    Lottie shifted her glance, looking past Colton but still jabbing him in the sternum with her shotgun. Sure enough, a rather pitiful looking mottled horse stood behind the man.
    “Ernie,” Colton said to the horse. “Look sad. Convince the lady we ain’t here to rob her or worse.”
    Ernie, the horse, neighed.
    Despite herself, Lottie chuckled and the barrel of her gun wobbled slightly. In one smooth motion, Colton grabbed the business end of the weapon and lifted it straight up.
    “You devil!” Lottie shouted, yanking on the triggers out of instinct. “I knew it!”
    Buckshot blasted out the end of the gun and the gun blasted out of Lottie’s hands, straight down, cracking the dry porch wood where it struck.
    “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Colton yelped, sticking his hands straight up in the air again. “I surrender! I don’t mean any harm!”
    The two of them exchanged a long glance, then both looked down at the same time, staring wide-eyed at the gun presently lodged in the porch.
    “Why did you do that?” Lottie demanded. “I had a gun pointed at you! Why in the world... you could have got yourself shot!”
    “Like as to shoot you as you were me, seems,” Colton said. “Jeez’um seed, woman, you almost brought the house down and killed the both of us. Ernie could have eaten all your food. He’d probably prefer it that way.”
    Lottie shook her head. “You almost got killed just then, and you’re joking now? How can you start up joshing after such a thing? There are holes in your hat!”
    Colton lifted the wide-brimmed felt hat off his head and looked at the cluster of holes in something approaching awe. “Well now that that’s happened, and I haven’t availed myself of your virtue while you were taken with surprise, are you convinced that I mean what I say?”
    Lottie blushed again. “Come in,” she said, under her breath. “Wait,” she paused. “No, one more thing.”
    Colton cocked an eyebrow then rolled his eyes. “You don’t mean to still question me,” he said. “What else can I do?”
    “Give me your gun,” she said, sticking out her hand.
    Cold brass poking out of warm leather, and two rather fancily-engraved Colt pistols quickly came to rest in her hand.
    “These’re a little fancy for a rancher’s guns, don’t you think?” she said. They were remarkable pistols, handles inlaid with ivory, and intricate patterns running along the barrels.
    “A gift,” he said. “My late father’s guns, those were. Now, may I?”
    Lottie stepped aside. “After you,” she said. “Don’t turn around too quick. You’re apt to startle me, and we know how that ends up.”
    Colton pursed his lips, doing a very good job of not chuckling. “Much obliged, ma’am,” he said. “For your hospitality and for your not perforating me, both.”

Chapter Two
    “Now, I simply refuse to put you out for letting me come in. I insist that I’ll sleep on my knapsack out here.” Colton put his hands up. “I won’t hear another word about it, understand, Miss Wright? You’re doing me an awful kind turn by opening your house, and although you did almost shoot me in the head in the process, I’ve moved past that.”
    Pushing out her lips and huffing, Lottie finally relented. “Well if you’re not going to let me give you my bed, at least let me make you a pallet. I can’t