Cowboy Crushin' (Dalton Boys Book 3) by Em Petrova

display told her Nell was calling. Before she said hello, the woman was greeting her. “I hope you have your bags packed, young lady.”
    Confusion stole over Shelby. “Why?”
    “Because I just received a call from a very handsome cowboy. He’s asked me to take over the shop for the weekend. He’s coming for you and Alex. Taking you up to the ranch.”
    She stopped breathing. Witt had arranged this? “I don’t understand.”
    “I’d be in shock too if I knew a gorgeous Dalton man was after me. Their father was dashing in my day and I remember him well. You’re a lucky woman. Now get packed and don’t worry a bit about your shop. I’ll take good care of it while you and Alex spend time with the Daltons.”
    “Wait—this can’t be true.”
    “It is. He’s rolling into town in about half an hour, by my estimation. You’d best get ready.”
    Shelby jumped up and looked at her son. He didn’t know what was going on, but he caught her excitement and bounced on the sofa, hopping the length and back like a big bunny. He’d love spending a weekend with the Daltons.
    She reached out and caught his shoulder to still him, and he didn’t even try to shake her off.
    Heart full, she said to Nell, “Thank you so much. I owe you several days off this upcoming week.”
    “Don’t worry about that—just enjoy yourself. Byeeee!”
    She blinked at the phone in her hand.
    “What is it, Mom?” Alex touched her face, his warm, rough little boy fingers sending her into floods of tears. She threw down the phone and wrapped him in her arms. He snuggled close and she rocked him back and forth twice before he wriggled free.
    Typical little boy style but not at all distant as he’d been.
    “You said you wanted to see Kiser.”
    “I do!” He started the bunny-hop again.
    “That was Nell. She says Witt is on his way to pick us up. We’re going to the ranch for the weekend.” A wave that felt strangely like intoxication struck her. Witt was coming. He hadn’t forgotten about her or Alex.
    “Can I take my stuffed dog?”
    “Yes, you can. We have to pack. Let’s hurry!”
    “Where will we sleep?”
    Thoughts of snuggling against Witt’s strong naked body ignited her, but she pushed them away. “I’m not sure, buddy, but we’ll figure it out. Go get your dog.”

    As Witt loaded Shelby’s and Alex’s overnight bags into the back of his truck, he was fully aware of the liquid heat that had become his heart. For days he’d been out of sorts. Though he’d gotten a lot of work done around the ranch, he’d been irritable enough Momma had pulled him aside and suggested he bring the people he loved to him for the weekend.
    People I love.
    Until he’d looked into his mother’s eyes, he hadn’t admitted his feelings. He enjoyed Alex—hanging out together and teaching him about ranching. And he hungered for more of Shelby.
    He got into the truck and twisted to look over the seat at the boy who was bouncing up and down like a jackhammer. “You ready, dude?”
    “Yes! I want to see Kiser first. I bet he’s missed me.”
    “He has. He was being mighty stubborn this morning, and that’s probably why.”
    “He was?”
    “Yep.” Witt pivoted to look at Shelby. His breath was knocked from him.
    She was stunning, long hair trailing over her shoulders, eyes like blue flames. And she was smiling.
    He couldn’t resist reaching across the cab and cupping her jaw. She stared at him, lips parted. Lust slammed him. He almost came off the seat and dived for her. Getting a taste of those sweet lips was all he could think about for five maddening heartbeats.
    “Thank you for doing this, Witt.”
    He stroked her jaw with his thumb. “I’m glad you said yes.”
    She laughed, the sound crystalline. “You didn’t exactly ask. You just showed up.”
    “Not true. Nell called and did my dirty work.” He shot her a wink and put his hand on the gear shift before he didn’t trust himself to stop touching her.
    “What will we do on