Page 30 of Nanny for the Cowboy

Chuckling, I enjoy the hug and then follow him inside his small apartment. It’s clean and functional, with all the necessities and a few homey things scattered around.

“What brings you ‘round these parts?” He plies on that fake accent of his, and I just laugh harder. “Not working the ranch today?”

“No,” I shake my head, decidedly sounding like the New Yorker I am, “not right now. Brooks took Darby out for a little father-son bonding, so I figured…”

“You’d comebondwith your old man. Well, I will never turn down a visit from my favorite daughter.”

He hugs me again, and I pat his back. “I’m your only daughter.”

“Hmm, true. Well,” he claps a hand down on his leg, “can I get you something to drink?”

“Sure.”

Heading over to the fridge, Dad snags us two beers even though it’s only just past noon. But hell, after that text from you-know-who, I’m not about to turn it down.

“Thanks.” I take the drink, cracking open the lid and taking a much-needed swig.

“Welcome, sweetie. So, how’re things at the ranch? Is Brooks treating you well?”

“Yes, he’s treating me fine. He’s a good boss and a great dad.” I smile, thinking about Brooks’s assurance that I’m part of the crew now. “And Darby is wonderful. It’s easy to watch after such a well-behaved kid.”

“That’s great to hear, kiddo.” Dad still sees me as his baby girl. I can see it whenever he looks at me. “And how about that break from city life?”

“Haha,” I laugh, setting down my drink as I work hard not to spit it out all over, “oh, yeah. It’s one hell of a break. I’ll admit to liking it, though. Shoveling shit aside.”

It’s Dad’s turn to crack up this time, and he snorts as he finishes up his swallow of beer and nods at me.

“Oh, it ain’t easy, I’m sure. But a little hard work with your hands away from all that hustle and bustle will treat you well.”

“It’s treating me something,” I joke. “And hey, maybe I’ll finally have those ‘Sarah Connor’ shoulders I’ve always wanted.”

We both chuckle a little at that, remembering my obsession with the Terminator movies in college and how much I’ve always wanted to look like a badass, like Sarah.

“So you are liking it, yeah?” Dad eyes me, searching for any truth I’m not saying.

“I am. I swear. It’s just…well, it’s really different. Work back in the city was hard because it was mentally demanding. I was on my feet all day, sure, running back and forth from offices and office buildings, but this is true physical labor. I’m hauling feedbags and chasing after both animals and a rambunctious ten-year-old.”

“You’re right there, hun. It’s something else to be working so much with your body, and it can be taxing. But…I like to say that it gives your brain a break. You don’t have to be thinking about x, y, or z, using all this brain power because the task is simple.”

“Oof,” I nod, feeling those words in my bones, “a brain break. Yeah, that’s a damn good way to put it. Still, I admit to missing my job. You know how I feel about puzzles and finding the best way to market something, to show off its assets. I’ve always loved my job. You know, until…”

I don’t finish. Dad knows what I mean.

“I know, honey. I get that. But you said it isn’t forever, and when you’re able to get all this nonsense sorted with…him, you’ll be able to get back to it.”

“Yeah. Right back to it.” I drift my stare outside the window where the sunny, cloud-speckled sky is the brightest, purest shade of blue. “This place isn’t too horrible, though. I can see why you wanted to move out here.”

“Oh, darling,” Dad looks outside the window too, and I can see the longing on his face, the way he aches for that farm he’s searching for, “you have no idea.”

Seeing him like that, knowing that he’s still hunting down a place—theplace—my words falter. I was going to tell him about the text from Kyle. But I just can’t now. I can’t give him any more to worry about.

Besides, it’s not like anything is really happening with all that. It was a text. And Brooks…Brooks was just doing the right thing. That’s all it was.

Keeping me safe, keeps his son safe. That’s all.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that bone-headed friend of mine is treating you good. He can be a stubborn thing. Took him a while to come around to me, city boy and all.”

I nod, my thoughts catching on his words. Brooks doesn’t like “city folk” for sure, but he’s been…I don’t know, more understanding about it as of late? He hasn’t been as standoffish, that’s for certain.

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