Page 32 of Nanny for the Cowboy

Everything spins, and my pulse is so loud in my ears, so frantic, that I can barely make out my dad’s words.

“Honestly, it’s like some dumb horror movie. One of those slashers you like watching. I just wanted to be sure you weren’t getting them, too.”

I shake my head. “No.”

It’s the truth. I haven’t gotten the calls. What I have gotten are the texts and the weird feeling of being watched. I don’t want to believe that it’s Kyle. I don’t want to think that this is really that bad.

But…

“Well, let me walk you out so that you can get back to the farm.”

Shaking myself out of my head, I follow my dad to the door and give him another hug. He plants a peck on my cheek, squeezing me.

“You need to stop by more often, Clover. I’ve been excited to have you so close, and I still don’t feel like I’m getting enough of ya.”

I smile, but I know it doesn't reach my eyes. Dad seems to buy it all right, and I nod in a speedy bobbing motion.

“Totally. I’ll be better about coming over. I promise.”

“Good. Well, I’m glad to hear you haven’t been getting the calls. But if anything strange happens, I want you to tell me. Got it?”

“Of course,” I lie, with a smile and nod plastered over me. “I’ll let you know if anything happens.”

“That’s my girl.” I get another hug, and then we say our goodbyes, ending with me stepping through the door and down the hall.

I stand there for too long, and someone comes out of the apartment to my left. It gets me moving again, and I rush outside to my car.

For some reason, I need to be back on the ranch. I know it’s silly, but Brooks promised to protect me, and I’m starting to think I could really use some protection.

TWELVE

Brooks

The hum of the sander fills the background with a din of constant noise that, eventually, I just get used to. I go into full zen mode as I’m working on the third of the four table legs tonight, and I can almost see the end in sight for this project.

One that took me way longer than usual because of my stupid arm.

“Hey.”

I look up to see Clover standing at the entrance to the shed. I remember this from last time, and I’m a little surprised that she’s spoken up to get my attention.

Turning off the sander, I set it down on the workbench in the back of the room, and my brain momentarily betrays me by reminding me of the fantasy I enjoyed in the shower not long ago.

Stop that.

“Hi, Clover. Surprised to see you out here again. Can I help you with something?”

I’m doing my best to ride the line of being cordial with her while keeping my distance. There’s nothing good that can come from getting too close to my nanny, and I need to focus on that.

That’s right. You keep your thoughts above the board. We’re not going to think about the damned shower or the half a dozen times since then that you’ve…relieved the tension to more inappropriate shed fantasies.

Staying well back from Clover, I cross my arms over my chest, a physical reminder to keep her at arm’s length or longer.

“No, I just wanted to say hi.” She smiles. “I know you had a date with your doctor. How’d it go?”

A chuckle slips free, and I nod. “Yeah, I did. It was…all right. The doc said I was healing up, the fracture shows signs of good repair. But, umm…”

There’s a pause, and I look down at the dirty floor because I don’t want to consider the rest of what the doctor told me. I just got done being pissed about it like five minutes ago.

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