Page 45 of Little Bits of Daddy (Montana Daddies)

“Tomorrow isn’t my first time on a horse, Daddy.”

He looked puzzled. “But?—”

“I just spent all afternoon riding Princess Peaches. I’m a skilled rider now.”

He grinned. “You are. But just in case, I’ll put you on a nice, quiet mare that will follow mine, all right?”

She sighed. “Well, if it will make you feel better, Daddy. . .”

“It will.”

“I guess so. But don’t be shocked when my horse-riding skills show you up.”

“I’ll attempt not to be jealous,” he promised her. Kissing her lightly on the head. “Go to sleep. You’ll need all your energy for tomorrow.”

3

“Cowboys are the sexiest thing ever.”

A chuckle startled her and she gasped, turning. A large man stood behind her, dressed in a flannel shirt, dark blue jeans and scuffed, worn cowboy boots. A brown hat rested on his head, shielding his face from the sun.

Not that the sun held much heat, or at least she didn’t think so. Certainly, it had nothing on Queensland sunshine. If this was autumn in Montana, she was in trouble when it got to winter. It sure was pretty though. In fact, she wasn’t sure she’d been anywhere prettier.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” the man drawled. He pulled his hat off, revealing short, dark hair. Gray eyes watched her carefully. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

And did she mention the accents? She loved the accents. Macca still had an Australian twang, which she adored. But she loved the different accents she’d heard since moving to Sanctuary Ranch. People from all over the US lived here.

“That’s okay,” she told the other man quietly. “I just didn’t hear anyone walk up.”

Or she wouldn’t have spoken out loud. Maybe. She had a bit of a habit of blurting out whatever she was thinking.

It could be embarrassing as hell.

“I’m Linc.” The big cowboy held out his hand for her to shake. “We haven’t been officially introduced. Thought you might be overwhelmed with new names and faces so figured I’d wait a bit.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Gigi. But then I guess you knew that, right? Since I’m the one who’s just moved here. Not like my accent didn’t give me away.” She felt herself blushing at her rambling. “I’m going to be quiet now.”

His smile widened. “You’re all right, sweetheart.” He looked her over. “Nice boots.”

She smiled down at her cute cowgirl boots. “Thank you.”

He frowned at her hands. “But where are your gloves? Your hands are freezing. And where’s your jacket?”

“Oh. They’re in here.” She pointed down at her backpack.

“Not going to do much good in there, sweetheart,” he lightly scolded.

“Yeah. I guess. I had them on, but I got warm on the walk over here so I took them off and then I got, uhh, distracted.” By the sight of her man on a horse. And it was a damn good one.

“Rambling again, Gigi,” she muttered.

“Ramble away, sweetheart,” he told her warmly.

“Sorry. I tend to blurt stuff out.”

“It’s cute.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s what Macca says.”

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