Free The Cowboy's Gamble: Destined For Love Series by Janelle Denison

tone amazingly even and pleasant considering moments before she’d been a fireball of anger and indignation.
    Seth found the sweet, charming Josie a fascinating contrast to the spitfire who’d been draped across his lap, that sassy mouth of hers kissing him with a wild passion that matched his own. The woman was an exciting blend of contradictions, and he experienced an inexplicable rush of male challenge at the thought of discovering those different layering contrasts—in bed, and out.
    “‘Morning, Mom,” Kellie responded automatically, still staring at Seth.
    Very gently, Josie tipped the girl’s chin up so Kellie had no choice but to transfer her gaze from Seth, to her mother’s. It seemed Josie wanted her daughter’s complete attention. “Remember we discussed Mr. O’Connor, and that’ll he’ll be living here?”
    Kellie nodded. “Yeah, you said he’s going to be my new dad.”
    He watched Josie visibly draw in a stabilizing breath, as if she wanted to refute the fact, but couldn’t. “That’s right. He’ll be your step-dad , by marriage.” Taking her daughter’s hand, she drew her closer to Seth and made the more formal introductions. “Kellie, I’d like you to meet Mr. O’Connor.”
    Kellie politely extended her hand toward him, an automatic gesture dictated by the good manners she’d obviously been taught. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. O’Connor,” she said softly, and with more demure than her mother possessed.
    He thought about standing, but changed his mind, not wanting to risk intimidating her with his size. This way, they were on eye level and equal to one another. Gently, he folded her small hand in between his two much larger ones, which made her take another step closer. At any time she could have pulled back her arm and he would have let her sever the contact between them. She didn’t so much as tug or try to wriggle her fingers loose. Her head tilted slightly, and her expression reflected a child-like fascination and curiosity.
    A shy smile lifted her lips, and he was a goner.
    The simple trust they’d established in that moment expanded Seth’s chest with a peculiar emotion he was hard pressed to put a name to. It filled him up and settled warmly near his heart. Suddenly, Mr. O’Connor seemed very proper and unapproachable.
    “It’s very nice to meet you, too, Kellie,” he said, giving her his best winning smile. Unabashed pleasure lit up the young girl’s eyes, and he was again aware of that warm-fuzzy feeling spreading inside him. “And since your mother and I will be married, you can call me-”
    “Mr. O’Connor,” Josie interjected firmly.
    Seth glanced Josie’s way and lifted a dark brow in silent question, but she didn’t relent or soften. She stubbornly held her ground, her cool gaze making it clear she didn’t want him establishing any close attachments with her daughter.
    He understood her protectiveness, he honestly did. She didn’t want their agreement and the dissension between them to affect her daughter on an emotional level, and it was that deep, instinctive perception that made him patient with Josie and her zealous maternal behavior.
    He supposed if this sweet, guileless girl was his own, he’d be heedful of anyone trying to gain her trust as well. But considering the years ahead of them, he wanted an amicable, open relationship with the girl who would be his step-daughter. The girl he’d be responsible for. Surely Josie would want that too?
    Ignoring Josie and her withering glare, he shifted his gaze back to Kellie, who appeared a little unsure of the tension swirling between adults.
    He patted her hand one last time before letting go and said simply, “How about you just call me Seth for now?”
    “Okay . . . Seth.” She ducked her head to cover up a modest smile, but not before he caught the hopeful glimmer in her pretty eyes, giving Seth the distinct impression the girl wanted his acceptance.
    Odd, considering her mother’s adverse