Rodeo Bride Read Online Free PDF

herself to breathe, to enforce control over her reactions.
    She tried a simple, shaky smile.
    “I’m ready,” Dillon said.
    Colleen blinked, then realized that he was referring to flying solo with Toby.
    She lifted her hand off the baby’s warm back. When she glanced down, he was staring at her and Dillon with those big blue solemn eyes. Quietly considering the situation.
    The baby shifted his attention to Dillon.
    His lower lip quivered. He let out a cry.
    “Oh, Toby,” she said, then automatically turned to Dillon to explain that things would get better soon.
    But Dillon wasn’t paying attention. He automatically reached down and lifted the little bundle into his arms, curving Toby into his big body.
    “I’ve got you, slugger,” he said. “And I won’t ever hurt you. I won’t let you down or leave you. I won’t let anyone harm you. Ever.” His words were a low, quiet whisper. He stared into those blue eyes, cupping the baby close. “You’re mine, Toby,” he said. “We’re father and son. We’re going to be buddies and make our own little world, just you and me.”
    On and on he went, that deep, soothing baritone whispering promises, bits of nothing. It didn’t matter, because the baby was reacting to the secure hold Dillon had on him and the hypnotic tone of his voice. Slowly, Toby stilled, quieted.
    “Are we good, buddy?” Dillon asked.
    As if he understood the question, Toby let out a watery coo.
    Dillon looked over the baby’s head straight into Colleen’s eyes. His smile was brilliant, gorgeous and oh so sexy. “You’re one heck of a teacher, Colleen,” he said.
    The smile went right through her, and her body reacted as if she were on a thrill ride. Out of control, her heart flipped right up into her throat, sending pleasure through her even though she knew there would eventually be a sudden drop that would bang her about. A man who could so easily produce areaction like that must have been one heck of a commander, one heck of a CEO, one very talented…
    The word lover came to mind, but she blanked it out of her mind. That smile of his, that darn smile…
    I am in so much trouble, she thought. On so many levels.

CHAPTER THREE
    D ILLON stepped out on the porch and found Colleen trying to open up a sleeper sofa that looked as if it hadn’t been used during the past century. The mechanical parts were putting up a good fight as Colleen tugged.
    “I don’t mean to insult you,” Dillon said. “Given the fact that you run a ranch, you’re clearly capable and probably strong, too, but…”
    He reached down and touched Colleen’s hand. Her skin was softer than he would have expected from a woman who did physical labor. Caught off guard, his body immediately reacted to that softness, that warmth, this woman. The fact that they were standing next to what was going to be his bed didn’t help the situation any. Irritated with himself, Dillon put the brakes on his reaction to the best of his ability.
    Colleen must have had her mind elsewhere, because as his words faded away and as he moved up beside her, she let out a tiny gasp and let go of the metal handle, backing up a step. Good. He didn’t want to continue to be that aware of her. He definitely didn’t need to be thinking erotic thoughts about her.
    “I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said, as he gave a tug on the handle and the bed pulled partway out.
    “You’re not supposed to be doing that,” she said.
    He looked over his shoulder at her as he lowered the legs of the bed to the ground. “Why?” he asked, turning to face her.
    She hesitated. He knew that she was thinking of his cane and his injury. He hated that.
    “You’re…you’re a guest,” she said.
    “I’m an intruder.”
    “That would only be true if I hadn’t agreed for you to stay, but I did. I’m totally in control of the situation.”
    He smiled at that.
    “What?”
    “I don’t think either of us is in control of the situation. You had a baby dumped on