Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6)(46)

The rest of the kids started talking all at once, offering suggestions. Crowding him, but he didn’t mind.


India clapped her hands. “Okay, munchkins, listen up. Once everyone has soil in their cup, we’ll move to the next step, the fun part; planting the seeds.”


“Carrot seeds?”


“Eww. Gross. I hate carrots.”


“No, Anton. Sunflower seeds.”


Chatter rose again, but India focused her charges’ attention to the task at hand. Colt labeled each child’s name on their individual cups with masking tape.


After the seeds were planted, and another thin layer of soil sprinkled on top, and each cup was watered, the kids lined up at two sinks and washed up.


As India tried to get a handle on the mess, Colt handed out cookies.


During the brief lull, he managed to sidle closer to her.


She spoke before he did. “Surprised to see me?”


“Yeah. I didn’t know you did this sort of thing.”


“Normally, I don’t.”


“So how’d you end up doin’ it?”


“Torture and bribery.” She smiled. “Not true. I’m filling in for Domini. I usually help out during the fair and do face painting and airbrush tattoos. That’s a little more one on one, rather than ten on one.”


“Didn’t seem like you had a problem. You’re really good with kids, India.”


Parents started showing up, whisking their children away. Colt got into a lengthy conversation with Hayden’s mother in the doorway. When he returned to the empty room, India was stacking supplies in the corner cupboard. “Do you need help?”


“No. I’ve got it.” For the next few minutes she ignored him completely.


Colt placed his hand on her arm. “India? What’d I do?”


“Nothing.”


“Huh-uh. Tell me what’s wrong.”


She slammed the cupboard door. “Did you have fun showing your cowboy charm to that hot-looking redhead?”


“What? I was just talkin’ to her.”


“Fine. Forget it. See? It was nothing.” She stomped to the sink in the corner and turned the water on full blast.


India was…jealous? It shouldn’t make him grin, but it did.


India splashed cool water on her face, as close as she could get to a cold shower. The man set her blood on fire with a smoldering look. In a roomful of first graders. And did he have to spread that sexy sweetness all around? He’d just smiled at the hot mama and she’d practically fallen at his feet.


Not Colt’s fault. You know he didn’t do anything wrong beside stand there and look good.


Argh.


She’d be better off dating a toad instead of a prince.


Prince? Right. He’s just a man. You’ve spent way too much time reading fairy tales to your nieces.


India reached for the bar of soap and the scent of musk and cotton surrounded her.


“Let me help you scrub up,” he said over her shoulder.


“Colt—”


“Two hands are better than one. How about if you hold the soap and I’ll do all the dirty work?” His low, seductive voice whispered across her damp skin. Strong arms circled her waist and he tugged her to his chest, his hips tight against her backside. He nestled his chin in the slope where her shoulder met her neck and he removed the soap from her tentative grip.