Page 28 of Curvy Nanny for the Cowboy

I rolled my eyes. “Because my small town scarred me? Because every man I date is offended that I won’t bang him, as if my body means I’m sleeping with every man who throws me a little bit of attention?”

“Shit, I’m sorry,” she groaned. “Don’t say shit, Layla.”

The little girl laughed. “I won’t.”

“Good girl,” Toni said with a satisfied smile in her voice. “Now, back to you. I didn’t mean it like that, I just meant the boys must’ve been going above and beyond to ease you out of your panties.”

I laughed, but the sound was bitter. “You’d think so, right? But you would be wrong. They pretty much tried to shame me into giving it up, like it was a waste of this body if I wasn’t sharing with them. They didn’t do anything extra. Ever.”

“Assholes,” she groaned. “But Mr. Cowboy did?”

“Yes and no. It was more like my reaction to him was visceral. For the first time in my life, outside of Momoa and Hemsworth, I felt lust. White-hot, pulsating lust. And when he kissed me, I knew.”

“Damn, that is so hot!”

“Toni, focus. Yeah, that was hot, and I think I’m falling for him, which is a problem for another day. But Travis is a problem for today.”

“Travis? What the hell does that loser have to do with anything?”

I sighed and told her about all the weird things that have been going on. “I’m not sure about wrapping the goats in fencing, but I’m pretty sure the slashed tires were him. But how did he know where I was?”

“Sweetheart,” she began with a heavy sigh.

“Not at all condescending,” I shot back.

“That guy was a controlling asshole, and he was insecure as hell. Guys like that find ways. You can buy trackers for pretty much anything—cars, phones, and clothes. Software. Keystroke trackers. Lots of creepy shit for the creeper in your life.”

“That does not make me feel better.”

“It’s not meant to. What does the cowboy think about all this?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I offered to leave the ranch, but he said no.” It didn’t make sense. “If this is Travis, and I’m not convinced that it is, then Hunter is in danger.” I pushed my hair off my face and looked over my shoulder at the vast expanse of land. Hunter and Colton were somewhere out there riding horses together, having some much-needed father-and-son time.

“And what about you and your safety?”

“Now you sound like Colton,” I grumbled.

“That’s two against one, so maybe you should listen to both of us who just want you to be safe too.”

I turned back to the vegetable garden and plucked a few ripe tomatoes with more force than necessary. “I get that, but this is my fault, and I don’t want any harm to come to any of the guys here.”

“And imagine how they would feel if any harm came to you?” Toni’s voice was more serious, her tone angry. “Don’t be a martyr, Molly. Your safety matters too. I’ll call you in a week, and I expect you to still be at the ranch. Love you, but I gotta go.”

Before I could make a smart remark about her loving me, Toni ended the call, and all I could do was laugh. Toni was right. Colton was right. But none of that made me feel any better about staying here and putting them all in danger. “Stupid fucking Travis,” I growled and cursed his name while I snipped basil and oregano from the herb garden and added them to the basket of tomatoes. I pulled weeds and pretended that each of them was Travis’ head, cursing the day that I met him.

Eventually, dirty and exhausted, I went inside to shower and get started on dinner. Sunday was my day off, but I was hungry and eager to use the tomatoes, but only after snapping a photo of my bounty and sending it to my mom. I smiled at the row of shocked emoji faces she sent in reply.

I looked at the basket and then went to the fridge first and then the pantry to see what I would make for dinner. I smiled when I found a package of ground beef because I knew a crowd-pleaser when I saw one. “Spaghetti.” Kids loved spaghetti, and every adult loved a good, thick Bolognese sauce. I chopped veggies and sautéed veggies, chopped and peeled tomatoes, and it was all very domestic. Too domestic.

I froze. Was I fooling myself here, acting like I belonged here? Like I was a member of the family when I was just the help? I’d done the same thing with Travis, just jumped in and made myself indispensable, and what did that get me? Possibly a stalker. “Okay, enough of that.”

The kitchen was warm and filled with delicious scents when Colton stepped inside, Hunter asleep and draped over his shoulder. “Damn, that smells incredible.” His deep voice danced over my skin, and I turned my gaze back to the bubbling sauce.

“Thanks. The tomatoes and herbs are from the garden.” I risked another look over my shoulder, and my belly clenched. Hell, my ovaries exploded at the sight of him hugging his son tight before he kissed the top of his head. “I made spaghetti Bolognese. Have fun?”

His smile nearly knocked me on my ass. “Yeah, it was a great time. He ran a little with Peanut Butter, and the joy in his face was a perfect memory.”

“Good. Looks like you wore him out.”

---