Flirting with Love Read Free

together so you can complete it at home. You can drop it by this week sometime.” Kelsey turned back to Ross. “Mrs. Mace called and canceled. Something about her husband not feeling well.”
    Ross nodded as he secured his hand beneath the piglet, with his palm against the squirming baby’s chest, and plugged its mouth with the bottle. The side of his mouth quirked up, softening his serious demeanor.
    “Thanks, Kelsey. I hope he’s okay.”
    Alone in the exam room again, Ross leaned his butt against the counter and finally looked at Elisabeth. He didn’t say anything at first, just lifted the side of his mouth again in a semi grin that made her insides warm.
    “He’s the runt, I take it?” The piglet snarfed and grunted as it sucked the bottle. Ross’s sleeves were folded up just above his elbow. The muscles in his forearm flexed against the piglet’s efforts. He was somehow gentle yet firm with the piglet, and it drew Elisabeth to her feet and closer to him.
    “Yes. He’s much littler. His name is Kennedy.”
    That earned her a genuine, full-on smile. “Kennedy?”
    “Yeah. I think he’s strong even though he’s little, kind of like Jackie O, but he’s a boy, so I can’t call him Jackie. I mean, I guess I could, but…” She shrugged and smiled. “I guess I just liked Kennedy.”
    “It’s a fine name. Well, Kennedy needs nourishment. He’s squealing because he’s not getting enough. This”—he nodded at the bottle—“is goat’s milk. Piglets have trouble digesting cow’s milk. They need the immunity protection from the mother’s milk, but when they can’t get enough, supplement with goat’s milk or a goat replacement formula.”
    Goat replacement formula? There is such a thing? “Okay. Where do I get it?”
    “They sell it at the feed store right in town, or if you want it straight from the farm, Wynchels’, on the other side of town, sells it.” He looked up and their eyes caught.
    Elisabeth’s pulse quickened, and as if Ross could sense the change, he smiled.
    “How’s the rest of the litter?”
    “Good, I think.” She pulled her phone from her pocket. “I can bring them in for you to give them a once-over.” She texted a note to herself to buy goat’s milk.
    He took the bottle from the piglet’s mouth and set it down. “You don’t have to bring them in. I’ll come by and check them out. Is there a day or time that works for you?”
    Elisabeth wondered if he made house calls for everyone, or if he felt the air heat up every time their eyes connected, too, and would make a special trip just to see her.
    “A house call?”
    “Sure. With farm animals, it’s easier for everyone and less stressful for the animals.”
    So much for him feeling the heat.
    “Um, anytime is good, I guess. I’m still getting settled and trying to figure out Aunt Cora’s business and the whole farm thing.”
    He ran his eyes down her body, deliberately this time. Okay, maybe he does feel the heat after all. She felt her insides melt. Oh, yes, Ross Braden definitely had a sexual edgy side that probably landed any woman he wanted beneath him.
    “You don’t have much experience with animals, do you?” His lips curved up in a sexy smile.
    She was still hung up on that seductive stroll of his eyes down her body. His remark startled and mildly offended her.
    “I have a lot of experience with dogs and cats. I ran a pet bakery and pet spa in Los Angeles, thank you very much.” She pocketed her phone.
    “Pet bakery and…Never mind. I meant farm animals.” He reached for the door and shook his head. “I’ll be right back.”
    She let out a frustrated breath. No experience with animals. Please. I love animals.
    He returned with the piglet safe and secure in a cat carrier. “I’ll carry him out for you. This is safer than letting him run around your car while you drive, but don’t leave him in this once you’re back home. It’s too small.”
    Still disgruntled at the way he’d dismissed her