Page 68 of Nanny for the Cowboy

Darby eyes me, his little mouth scrunching up.

“Andice cream. I didn’t forget. I’m just your dad, and I need to give you protein and nutrients, too.”

“Okay, fine. Boring food and ice cream. Chocolate, please, with that syrup stuff and sprinkles.”

Giving me the biggest shit-eating grin, Darby hugs his prize, and I roll my eyes, glancing at Clover.

“And you?”

She smiles, chuckling. “You know, let’s keep it the same for simplicity's sake.”

“Sounds good to me.”

And with that, I’m off toward the lines for food so that we can get eating, my stomach growling at the thought.

While in line, someone taps my shoulder, and I look over to find Mason and Bridget in the next line over.

“Hey, stranger! Your arm is free,” Bridget smiles, Mason just behind her with his hand on the small of her back, “which must be such a relief.”

I smile, a bit taken off guard but happy as ever to see them. “Hi! And yeah. Christ, I was about ready to cut the thing off myself.”

They laugh, and it’s then that I notice Mia—who’s getting so much bigger each day. She’s standing on both Mason’s and Bridget’s feet, one foot on each parent’s as she dangles backward.

“Hi, Mia,” I say gently, offering a wave.

She pulls herself up and smiles. “Hello.”

“So, where’s your little crew?” Mason asks. “I doubt you came to the fair alone.”

Rolling my eyes, I smile. “They’re over there.”

I gesture toward where Clover and Darby are sitting, and we all take a step forward in line. Mason smiles, and I look back a minute to see that my son is balancing the creeper on his face while Clover laughs at him.

“They seem to be getting along swimmingly.”

Bridget scoops Mia up, holding her on her hip. Mason ruffles Mia’s hair, and I can’t help but feel a pinch in my chest at the sight.

It feels stupid to want something like that. Things have only just gotten started with Clover, and I have no idea where they’re going to go.

“And what about you? How are you liking Clover?”

I return my attention to Mason, shaking myself, and then I glance over my shoulder. “I like her a lot. She’s been an incredible help with Darby, even the ranch. I’ll admit that I probably would still be sporting that cast if it weren’t for her.”

“I see.”

When I turn around and face Mason, he’s sharing a look with Bridget, and I can’t say that I love it. There’s too much insinuation between them, in his tone.

Furrowing my brow, I fold my arms over my chest, my button-down shirt squeezing my arms.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

Mason holds up a hand in defense, the other still wrapped around Bridget. “Now, now. I’m just saying what I’m seeing. I’ve walked that road before, you know.”

The couple eyes each other, slow smiles spreading over both their faces as they hold each other’s stares.

“I know how it ends,” Mason adds.

As he finally returns his gaze to me, I shake my head. “Clover is my nanny.”

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