Daddy in Cowboy Boots (Montana Daddies #9) - Laylah Roberts Page 0,21

the second time you’ve been in trouble, isn’t it?”

“Second time?” Linc asked in a low voice.

Uh-oh.

“We have to get going, don’t we, Linc? Sorry I crashed into you, Sheriff. It won’t happen again. Bye!” She slipped her hand into Linc’s arm and tried to move him.

It was like attempting to shift a mountain. The man was made of solid muscle. She let out a frustrated noise. “You could’ve just let me steer you away.”

“I could have,” he agreed.

The sheriff raised his eyebrows and turned to Linc. “The two of you are headed somewhere?”

“Going on a picnic by the river,” Linc explained.

“Ahh. I see.”

Something flashed over Ed’s face. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it looked almost like regret. That made no sense, though.

“Laid a claim, have you?” Ed asked.

“I’m trying,” Linc said.

Huh? A claim on what? What were they talking about?

“Sorry. If I’d known that I would have told you about pulling her over the other night for speeding.”

“What night was this?” Linc asked quietly. Staring down at her.

She had to stop herself from shuffling her feet in guilt.

“When she was at Sanctuary Ranch for Charlie’s bridal shower. Surprised you didn’t have her stay over. It was late for her to be driving home alone on that road.”

“We only just met that night,” Linc said, his eyes narrowing as he scowled at the sheriff, obviously not liking the rebuke in his voice.

She glared at the sheriff as well. She could look after herself, thank you very much.

Well, not really. But still. His words were worthy of a glare in her opinion.

“You move fast,” Ed observed.

“When I find something I want, I know I need to move quickly before someone else steps in and snatches it up.”

Ed nodded slowly. “Wise call.”

Okay, she was really confused.

“We best go. You ready, Mari-girl?”

“Yep.” Relief flooded her. She’d spent enough time around the sheriff. Even though he didn’t seem a bad sort. For a cop.

“All right. I’ll leave you to your picnic.” Ed gave a tight smile that seemed forced. He turned to her. “No more walking around while you’re reading, Miss Marisol. You could have hurt yourself or someone else. And you could have been in real trouble choking like that.”

“I was only choking because I crashed into you.”

“And you crashed into me because you weren’t watching where you were going.” Ed gave them both a nod before turning and walking around.

Linc spun her carefully to face him, but the gentleness of his hands was at odds with the fierce frown on his face.

“What does he mean you were choking?”

Linc checked her over again for injuries.

What was she thinking? Speeding? And hadn’t they just talked about her habit of walking around with her nose in a book? Obviously, he should have been firmer.

Easy. She only wants to be friends.

Ahh. But that wasn’t what he wanted. He admitted he was hoping to change her mind. Anyway, friends could still be protective, right? Hopefully, she’d eventually trust him with whatever was going on in her life.

He knew it was a risk, showing his cards now. But yesterday, as he’d watched Clint and Charlie declare their love for each other, all he could think of was Marisol. And he knew that was what he wanted with her.

He’d demanded honesty from her, shouldn’t he give it back?

But maybe he’d take her on the picnic first. If she was going to reject him, he’d at least like it to happen on a full stomach.

“What was he talking about, you choking?” he asked.

“He was exaggerating. Seems to be something he does a lot of.” She scowled.

“Marisol, tell me.”

“It’s really nothing. I was chewing on some bubble gum and when I crashed into the sheriff, I kind of just sucked it in. I started to choke. But I was fine. It was just gum.”

He gave her a look and she had the grace to appear somewhat guilty.

“What am I going to do with you, Mari-girl?” he murmured.

“Take me on a picnic?”

He cupped her face between his wide hands. Damn, her skin was smooth. And her cinnamon and apple scent swirled around him, tempting him. He had to fight the urge to kiss her, to see if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.

Slowly.

“I can do that. But we’re gonna be having a chat about all this.”

Her eyes widened at his stern tone. “I’m in trouble?” Her voice was smaller, the words almost childish sounding.

He swallowed heavily. God, she sounded like a Little. He wondered if she knew about age play