Page 15 of Nanny for the Cowboy

“It’s not alcohol. I’m not stupid.”

Reaching out and taking the thing, I knock back a swig. Sure enough, it’s water, and the feeling of the liquid coating my throat is like heaven.

Ugh, yes. It’s so fucking dry out here.

Giving it back, I wipe my lips with the back of my hand and nod. “Thanks.”

“Course. You ready?”

All I can do is sigh, and I drop my head for a moment just to whip it back up and plaster on the cheesiest smile I can manage.

“Yup.”

Turning, Brooks starts to lead the way and I fall into step alongside him. “You really do this every day?”

“Yup.” He smirks. “Why? That confidence faltering?”

I narrow my eyes at him as he glances over at me. “Not a chance, bud. Lead the way.”

SIX

Brooks

I’m not interrupted by Clover this time. As I turn around to the sound of footsteps while sanding another table leg, it’s her dad who catches me off-guard.

“Hey, Leo. Wasn’t expecting you to stop by.” I set down the sander and wipe my forehead with the back of my hand. “Get you a drink?”

As I cross the shed to the small fridge I have tucked into the corner, Leo nods with a smile.

“Of course.” I snag the two bottles of my budget’s finest beer, and Leo takes his and pops it open with his wedding ring. “And you know me, just checking in on ya. Seeing as you can’t be bothered to take it easy like the doc said.”

I wave him off, going up to the built-in bottle opener I installed on the wall to open my drink. Turning back around toward him, I lean against the workbench at the back wall and take a swig.

The refreshing liquid quenches a thirst I wasn’t aware was so bad. But I’m shitty at remembering that kind of thing, if I’m honest. Forgetting to eat or take a break to pee is a Brooks Lowe standard.

“I’m fine, Leo. Besides, you should know me well enough by now to know that I’m not one for sitting on my ass and ‘relaxing.’”

He chuckles while rolling his eyes at me. “Yeah, yeah. I know you plenty. How’s my kid helping out with that? She’s been here a week now, so you gotta have some idea.”

Nodding, I let my stare drift to the floor, considering how Clover has been doing. “It’s been…great, actually. I mean, I’m pretty sure feed bags are going to kill her one of these days, but Darbylovesher.”

Leo laughs, much harder this time, and his hand goes to his chest as he collects himself.

“Oh, Lord. Well, you’re not wrong about the farm life. I knew that would take Clover some getting used to. But it’s good to see that I also wasn’t wrong about how good she is with kids.”

“No, I suppose you weren’t. Darby has really opened up to her. It’s…nice.”

My mind wanders a little as we both take swigs of our beers. It’s hot as hell today, a norm for this time of year in Red Lodge. But it’s still a welcome break to lean back with a drink for a minute.

Clover is definitely no pro when it comes to ranch work or taking care of animals. But…aw hell, she’s amazing with Darby.

It’s easy to recall incidents between the two of them that show how they’re getting along. Darby does homework with Clover almost every night, and he’s never been so good at being all set for school in the morning.

I try to be there for him as much as I can be with a ranch to run, and I have to admit that knowing he’s not just sitting there alone when I have to work eases an ache in my chest that’d been there for ages.

Heshouldhave someone like that—like a…mother.

My chest pinches, and I clear my throat, not wanting Leo to pick up on where my head’s at. The last thing I want to do is talk about Leah.

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