Page 3 of Single Dad at Mountain Creek Ranch
“I know it’s been a while,” I say to him. “But you'd think after all the sleepovers at your house. You'd remember me.” Nash nearly chokes on the sip of coffee he’s just taken, and I realize what I’ve just said also sounds like, so I clarify, “I’m an old friend of Willow’s.”
He looks at me, his brow furrowing in concentration. I can see the moment the light bulb of recognition goes off in his head.
“Of course, Eden Woodley.”
2
NASH
Willow had mentioned Eden coming back to Centennial Springs a couple of weeks ago at Sunday dinner. She said something about her mother getting her knees replaced and Eden needing to come back and help take care of her. I wish I’d been paying better attention because I want to know everything about the woman in front of me right now.
The morning sunlight shining through the diner windows casts a golden halo around her blonde hair. My dick instantly reacts to her licking her full pink lips after taking a bite of cobbler. I watch as she slides her barely eaten dish quietly over towards Sophie and winks at her. I try to hold back my smile and pretend to be focused on topping off my coffee as Sophie giggles at the little secret they are sharing. My gaze returns to Eden and finds her blue eyes already on me.
When I was in high school, she was still in middle school, so Eden was never anything more than my younger sister’s friend I’d see on occasion. But looking at her now, I’m floored by the beautiful woman she’s become. I check out her left hand, making sure there isn't a Mr. Eden Woodley before getting my hopes up. Nothing.Thank goodness. I haven’t dated much since my divorce. But my family, especially Willow, has been pushing for me to get back out there. Though I doubt she had her friend in mind when she urged me to jump back into the dating pool.
I run my hand over my stubbly face and wish I’d taken a few minutes before we left to shave. I notice her check out my hand for my ring. She must have heard the town gossip about what happened. I guess it's for the best. I hate having to explain it to people. They give you that sympathetic head tilt that is more annoying than comforting.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I check the screen. It’s Landon, my other younger brother.
LANDON: You better get home. A calf is sick.
ME: Have you called Dr. Morgan?
LANDON: He’s stuck in Eagleton. Said he’d get here as soon as he can, but it will be a few hours.
ME: Start pushing the electrolytes. I’ll be there as soon as I can.
“Shit,” I mumble to myself.
“Daddy!” Both my girls scold me.
“I’m sorry.” I drain the coffee cup, knowing I will need the caffeine boost to get through this morning. “Girls, I know I promised you pancakes, but we’ve got to head home.”
Sophie starts to complain, and Abbie tries to hide her disappointment.
“Is everything okay?” Eden asks concern furrowing her brow.
"We have a sick calf, and Dr. Morgan is stuck out in Eagleton." I toss a few bills to cover our order.
“If you want, the girls can stay here with me and finish their breakfast. I can drive them out to the ranch when we’re done.”
Usually, I'd never leave Abbie and Sophie with someone I don't know, but Eden is different. I remember a time watching her laugh so hard at dinner, and milk came out her nose. Two pairs of hopeful eyes swing over to me. I don’t have time to argue with them.
"Please, Daddy," Sophie pleads. A tiny cherry mustache on her upper lip.
“You sure this isn’t a problem?” I ask Eden.
She smiles at the girls and then back to me. "We'll be fine. I have to run to the hardware store after this, but other than that, I will bring the girls back to the ranch in no time.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I don’t bother to look to see who it’s from. Mirabelle appears in front of us again with a knowing smile on her face. She hands me a to-go container and then sets down two plates of pancakes in front of the girls.
“I thought you said you were in a hurry,” she scolds. “Eden is perfectly capable of handling these sweet little girls.”
Eden gives me a thumbs up, and I can’t help but chuckle. “Okay, you girls be good for Miss Woodley. I’ll see you in a bit.”
They all wave after me as I jog out the door to my truck. I look back through the glass windows of the diner one last time before I pull out. Sophie is talking animatedly with her hands, and Eden throws her head back in laughter. She's gorgeous, and I'm already trying to think of reasons why I need to see her again.
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