Page 48 of Nanny for the Single Dad Cowboy
Even Hank, who’s usually the stoic observer at the head of the table, hides a grin behind his napkin. “You planning to do it here at the ranch?” he asks.
“Yes!” Daisy says, nodding so hard her ponytail bounces. “We’ll decorate it and make cake and—“
“And we need everyone’s help,” I cut in, smiling at her enthusiasm. “He can’t know. Absolute secrecy.”
Quinn leans forward, chin in hand. “You do realize he can read people like open books, right? He’s going to smell the plot from a mile away.”
“Then we’ll outsmart him,” I say, matching her grin. “We’ll keep him busy until everything’s ready.”
Ava glances around the table. “Alright. Who’s in?”
A chorus of “me’s” and “I’m in” follows, even Zane’s begrudging grunt of agreement.
“Perfect,” I say. “Ella, you’re on cake duty. Quinn and Ava, decorations. Zane, you’re handling music. Beck—“
“Grill, I know,” he interrupts with a resigned sigh. “If I hear one more person say they love my ribs more than me—“
Hank clears his throat, interrupting his rant. “And I suppose I’m in charge of keeping the birthday boy distracted?”
“Yes, sir,” I reply. “You’re the only one he won’t argue with.”
“Oh, he’ll argue,” Hank says, eyes twinkling. “But I’ve been winning those fights for thirty-four years.”
The table bursts into laughter, and I glance around at the teasing, warmth, effortless chaos of this family. It’s loud, a little messy, but so full of love it aches in the best way.
I catch Daisy watching everyone with that bright, proud smile, and in that instant, I know she feels it too: the magic of belonging.
It’s strange. I’ve never been part of something like this. A family that jokes and plans and loves loudly. Jace has no idea what’s coming. And for once, I can’t wait to surprise him.
It takes a whole week of planning, keeping secrets, to make sure Jace doesn’t find out, until the big day is finally upon us.
The house is buzzing with quiet energy as we finish the last-minute preparations. Balloons float near the ceiling, a banner stretches across the living room, and the cake, perfectly decorated with chocolate frosting and little edible stars, is perched precariously at the center of the room.
The house hums with quiet, purposeful chaos, the kind that only happens when everyone’s trying really hard to act normal.
Hank took Jace into town early, claiming there was an urgent supply run and a broken trailer hitch that needed fixing. Knowing Hank, he probably threw in a detour or two just to buy us more time.
Daisy tugs on my sleeve. “Do you think Daddy will like it?”
I crouch down, smiling at her eager face. “He’s gonna love it. How could he not?”
She tilts her head. “You think he’ll forgive us for the pink hair too?”
I chuckle. “Oh, definitely. He might even forget all about it.”
She nods, serious as ever. “Good. Because I don’t like it when Daddy is mad at me.”
“I know, kiddo. I don’t like it either.”
I peek out from behind the doorframe, checking the driveway when I hear a truck pull in. “Okay, everyone, they are here. Lights off! Beck, dim the lamps. Daisy, you know what to do when he walks in.”
And then we hear the sound of his wheelchair coming up the ramp. The chatter dies down, everyone crouches behind furniture or around corners, and I give Daisy a quick nod. She ducks behind the sofa, practically vibrating with excitement.
The room goes dark except for the soft glow from the fairy lights. The air stills, charged with that giddy, nervous kind of excitement.
The door opens, and Jace wheels in, still in his work clothes, eyebrows already knitting in suspicion at the strange quiet. He pauses, scanning the room.
And before anyone else can move, Daisy leaps forward and yells, “SURPRISE!”
