OLIVER: WESTERN CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE (Blackwater Canyon Ranch Book 2) by Cindy Stark

splattered spaghetti sauce on her shirt and went upstairs to change.”
    His eyes darkened, and she caught the spark of interest as he glanced from the top of her black sundress to her peep toe wedges. “Are you headed out on a date?”
    “Why would you ask that?”
    “That’s a pretty fancy dress for dinner at home.”
    She rolled her eyes. “It’s a sundress. Women wear them during the summer. They’re cool and casual. Not fancy. If you ever left the ranch, you’d know that.” He might be educated in geology, but not sophistication.
    He grinned, and she had the distinct feeling he’d pushed her buttons on purpose. If so, she’d fallen right into his trap.
    Daisy flicked a gaze toward the flowers. “I can put those in water for Rachel if you’d like.”
    “They’re not for her. They’re for you.”
    His reply caught her off guard. “Why?”
    He stepped toward her, spiking her pulse. When he was directly in front of her, he held out the flowers. She glanced at them and then tilted her gaze upward, her brows lifted in question.
    “I want to apologize for the other day. I should have been more considerate toward my boss’s sister.” The look on his face seemed sincere, but he might be a good actor.
    She didn’t take them. “Is this your way of making amends because Rachel found out what you did, and you’re trying to cover your butt?”
    His lips curved into a devastating smile that nearly broke her. “God, you’re full of sass. No. These are because I want to say I’m sorry. We got off on the wrong foot. You’re going to be here for three months, and I’d like for us to be friends.”
    He took one of her hands and pressed the bouquet against her palm before wrapping her fingers around it. “Beautiful daisies for a beautiful Daisy.” Heat from his hands spread into hers, leaving her with a fuzzy feeling bubbling inside. He could be quite the charmer when he wanted to be.
    “Oh.” The man stole her words far too often.
    “Look at those beautiful flowers.” Rachel’s voice drew her attention, and she slipped her hand from his.
    Daisy’s cheeks heated. “Yes, thank you, Oliver. They’re lovely.”
    Oliver quirked a brow, a hint of a smile hovering on his lips. “My attempt at a peace offering.”
    Rachel approached with a big smile on her face as she glanced between them. “Good. It makes me happy to see two people I love get along.”
    Oliver turned to Rachel. “Dinner smells great. Thanks for feeding me once again.”
    “Absolutely. You know you’re welcome anytime, Oliver.” Rachel turned toward the back door as it opened and her husband walked in. “Let’s eat, shall we?”
    “Ready to give up the city life and move to Moose Meadows?” Caleb asked Daisy halfway through dinner.
    She snorted. “Yeah, I don’t think so. It’s not somewhere I’d want to stay.”
    Caleb and Oliver both glanced at Rachel who quickly hid the hurt look on her face. Guilt thrust a knife into Daisy’s heart.
    “Not that it’s not extremely beautiful.” She tried to retract her words. “It’s too quiet for me. I like things more exciting.”
    “If you want more excitement, you need to get outside.” Oliver bit into a slice of buttered bread.
    “I haven’t left the house because I don’t want to get roped into shoveling more horse sh—poop.” She inwardly groaned when she realized she’d let him push her buttons again .
    “Ouch,” Caleb commented with a laugh.
    “I suppose that’s true,” Oliver said, surprising her. “Can’t like a place if all you see is the inside of a barn. I bet if you gave the hills and the river a chance to seduce you, you’d love it.”
    She arched a brow. “I bet if you gave the city a chance to seduce you, you’d love it.” She could play this game, too.
    “Cheyenne isn’t exactly a big city,” Oliver said.
    “Like you would know.” Daisy shook her head and looked away.
    “You might be surprised,” he answered.
    “Sounds like we have a seductive