Page 32 of Taming the Billionaire Cowboy
She holds the door open for me, and I step inside, scanning the place as casually as I can. Their living room is small, with old furniture, but it’s neat and well-kept. I surreptitiously search for signs that a man lives here, but it screams “decorated by a woman” with the paintings of flowers, the pink welcome mat, and the knickknacks on the shelves.
“Nice place,” I say, knowing how fake it sounds even though I really mean it.
Carly shrugs. “It’s home.” She picks up a dish towel and tucks it under a ceramic pig sitting on the kitchen counter. “Thank you for giving us a ride this morning. I didn’t want to put you out?—”
“It’s okay.” I flash her a smile, unable to hide my pride. “I already got the whole ranch fed, anyway.”
Her eyebrows jump in surprise. “Really?”
I shrug, trying to play it cool but secretly thrilled that she seems impressed.
Bradley emerges from the hallway with a backpack on, head tipped back. “Mom, I’m coming to the ranch today.”
“No, you’re still going to camp. The water pipe is fixed.”
“No! I wanna go!” He folds his arms over his chest, his little face squeezing into a frown.
She sighs. “Bradley, I know you love the ranch, but you’re exhausted and sunburnt from yesterday. Plus, you love this camp, remember?”
“No,” he grumbles.
“Hey, Bradley.” I give him a warm smile. “I promise you can come to the ranch this weekend… As long as that’s okay with your mom.”
He instantly drops his crossed arms. “Can I, Mom?”
“Sure.” She tousels his hair. “You can go there for a short visit this weekend… as long as my car is ready.”
“It’ll be ready,” I tell her. “But if it weren’t, I could pick you two up again.”
I’m aware of how eager I’m sounding, but I’m starting to not care. I’m having a great time with Carly and Bradley, and it’s not like I know anyone else in this town.
“Okay!” He races to the door, half-tripping over his untied laces, then pauses and looks at me. “Are you coming to my birthday party, Oliver?”
He’s serious, like my answer really matters. Like he’d actually care if I showed up. I glance at Carly, who’s looking at me expectantly, like my answer means something to her too.
“Yeah, I’d love to come,” I say, hoping that’s the right answer and it’s what Carly wants.
She gives me a look, half a smile that I can’t place. She seems almost amused, but not unkindly, like she’s enjoying this moment of watching me flounder, watching me as I try to figure out where I stand.
“You ready?” I ask Bradley, trying to save face. “I heard you get to camp faster in a pickup truck.”
The three of us make our way out, and Bradley races ahead, shouting over his shoulder that he doesn’t need any help getting into the cab. He jumps into the front seat, holding the door open for his mom. It’s one of those old trucks with a long bench seat in the front, and Bradley settles down in between me and Carly.
I turn the key and start the engine, amazed by how much I’ve been thinking of them both. I’d be smart to keep my distance, but there’s a draw, a pull toward this little family and their simplicity, toward what I thought I’d never want but might be missing after all.
“What do you have planned for your birthday?” I ask Bradley as we take off down the street. “Cake and ice cream?”
“Animals,” he says. “And then more animals.”
“Maybe we’ll have a barbecue at Grandma’s,” Carly adds, leaning back.
The ride to camp is short, and I wish it weren’t. I could spend hours like this, listening to the two of them talk about what they’re going to set up for the party — a Slip ’N Slide, corn hole boards, balloons.
At camp, Bradley whines a little bit more about going inside, but Carly eventually gets him to the door. I wait in the truck, watching through the window as she settles him in with the other kids, and something tickles my chest, a longing that I can’t quite place.
I try not to stare as she walks back to the truck, her steps sure but a thoughtful, maybe worried expression on her face.
“Everything okay?” I ask as she climbs back in the cab.
