True Love Cowboy by Jennifer Ryan

Jon drove from Almost Homemade through town to meet Steph and Emmy at their new place. Though it was a bit more built up from when he was a kid, it was still a small town. He hoped Steph and Emmy would be happy with the slower pace.

Jon pulled into the apartment complex, where three two-story apartment buildings surrounded a grass area. He spotted Steph and Emmy running around the big lawn playing tag. He pulled into the empty spot next to Steph’s rental. The back end of the Jeep Cherokee stood open, letting the cats in the two pet crates get some fresh air. He hoped the three cats made it through the flight okay.

Steph barely paid attention to them.

He really couldn’t figure out if Steph loved anyone—or anything—more than she loved herself, though right now she seemed to be enjoying her time with their daughter.

He sometimes wondered if Emmy felt it. When she was younger, probably not, but she was a smart girl, even at four.

The youngest of four girls, Steph had been the spoiled baby of the family. She got whatever she wanted. Beyond beautiful, men drooled at her feet and wanted to do anything to please her. For a while. Because the shine wore off all too soon when the real Steph revealed herself.

It happened to him. He tired of the demanding princess routine right about the time Steph announced she was pregnant, they should get married, and she should stop working and stay home with their little one.

He partly blamed the sexy, willing woman and tequila for the unexpected pregnancy.

He equally blamed himself for drinking too much, thinking with his dick instead of his brain, and not using a condom.

Hit by a moment of clarity that he was going to be a father, he pictured the rest of his life being married to Steph, the girl who sounded like she had it all together but didn’t. A person who couldn’t function unless someone did everything for her.

If he’d only gotten out a couple weeks earlier.

But then he wouldn’t have his sweet Emmy.

He stepped out of his car, checked to be sure there were no cars coming, and held his arms out wide. Emmy ran to him with a bright smile and pink cheeks. She launched herself into his chest. He wrapped her in his arms and swung her around. “Hello, sweet girl.”

She hugged his neck so tight he almost couldn’t breathe, but he didn’t care. His heart swelled with pride and devotion. He loved her to no end. She made him smile and believe in unconditional love.

“Hi, Daddy. I missed you.”

“How was the plane ride?”

“Awesome!” She leaned back and gave him a very serious look. “Mama’s mad at you.”

What’s new?

He raised a brow as Steph joined them and gave Emmy a stern look. “I got a little upset—”

“She swore.” Emmy tattled on her mom.

Steph planted her fists on her hips and stared down Emmy. “I’m talking.” She set her perturbed gaze on him. “It was . . . challenging,” she bit out, “getting her, the booster seat, our bags, and retrieving the cats. Not to mention hauling all that to our rental car on my own. The GPS thing didn’t want to work at first. I got turned around leaving the airport, and I may have said a few choice words.”

“But you got here.” He hoped his easy tone and not making a big deal about swearing around Emmy eased her mind and settled her down.

“We did. Yes. But it would have been nice if you’d stuck to the plan and come to get us.”

Steph was smart and capable when she wanted to be. It took him a while to figure out she simply didn’t care to be proficient at anything when she could get by doing the bare minimum. Her beauty helped her out there. People, men especially, wanted to do things for her, hoping she’d pay them attention.

Which she did when it got her what she wanted.

Lesson learned. He wasn’t blinded by her pretty face and gorgeous body anymore. That he had been made him feel like a chump sometimes.

It took him a while to figure out party Steph was fun, but regular Steph liked to get her pout on and leave life’s chores to others.

If Steph had a headache, she called in sick. All the better to spend a day binge-watching a show while others did her job. She didn’t care if she left work shorthanded or if something didn’t get done.

If she spent too many days at the spa in a month or spent too much money shopping for clothes she didn’t need, and she couldn’t pay her bills, she called Daddy, gave him some sob story, and he coughed up the dough to cover her.

In the beginning, Jon had fallen into that trap himself because she’d rewarded him with a good time. Not anymore. He’d closed his wallet, except when it came to Emmy’s needs.

“I needed to check on my dad at the hospital.”

“Is Grandpa okay?” Emmy’s eyes held too much concern for such a little girl.

He brushed his hand over her head. “Yes. He’s much better this morning. I thought we’d go see him later this afternoon after the moving trucks get here.”

“You’re taking her later?”

Before the move, they’d agreed to a new equally shared custody arrangement. He wanted more time with Emmy and hoped it took some of the stress off Steph, because he couldn’t count the number of times she called when she had Emmy to complain it was too much, she needed a break, or that Emmy wouldn’t listen to her.

When Emmy started fighting him about going to stay at her mom’s, he’d made her go because he told himself she needed her mother. But then she started acting out at school, the calls from Steph about how overwhelmed she was having Emmy “all the time,” and the state his daughter came back to him in sent up one red flag after another.

Emmy was so good when she was with him.

How could she be so different at her mom’s place?

He quickly discovered the problem wasn’t his bright daughter, but the mother who fed her crap, let her stay up to all hours, didn’t keep to a schedule, and let Emmy get away with everything instead of disciplining her. When she did, Emmy argued, and Steph gave up.

He couldn’t put all the blame on Steph. He’d worked a lot. He could sometimes be distracted by business when he should be focused on Emmy.

Then again, he never complained about his time with her. He tried to make it fun while giving her the stability and structure she needed.

But things were going to be different here. “The hospital isn’t far. We’ll only be gone an hour tops. My dad needs his rest, but he can’t wait to see Emmy.”

Steph gave him a sharp nod. “It’ll give me a little time to unpack.”

“Speaking of that, let’s get the stuff out of the car and show the cats their new home.” He tickled Emmy’s belly, then set her on the sidewalk. “Don’t move.”

Jon turned to the car and pulled out the two cat crates and set them next to Emmy, who promptly squatted and poked her fingers through the grate to pet Razzle.

Steph joined him at the back of the car as he pulled out their suitcases. She held two shopping bags. “We stopped at the store for a few things to tide us over until I can do a big grocery run.”

He spied several frozen dinners, chicken nuggets, pizza bites, a bag of Tater Tots, and frozen pizzas along with two bottles of wine. “Um, that’s what you plan to feed Emmy?”

“What? She loves pizza and nuggets.”

“I know, but she needs healthier foods than that.” When he started noticing Emmy came home cranky and tired and just off, he started wondering why. He’d even asked the pediatrician what she thought and the first question she asked was, “How is her diet? Does she eat any vegetables at all?”

Emmy answered and blew his mind away. “Only at Daddy’s.”

He pinned Steph in his gaze. “We talked about this. The pediatrician said she needs fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods.”

She set the second bag on the ground and held it open, showing him juice boxes, a bottle of his favorite bourbon, and a pack of yogurt sticks. “She loves those.”

He knew she meant the yogurt, but asked anyway, just to be a smart-ass. “When did she start drinking bourbon?”

Steph laughed. She was always quick to laugh at his bad jokes. “That’s for you. For when you come over. You promised we’d spend more time together as a family. The three of us.”

He didn’t say anything about how he didn’t plan to stay for drinks. He meant to be a good example for Emmy.

Where Steph was concerned, he planned to keep his head.

Steph’s expectant and hopeful eyes said she wanted them to give things another go. Not going to happen. He knew what he wanted in his next relationship. Less drama. Someone who made him think of forever. Someone who wanted to make a happy family with him and Emmy.

Someone kind, who cared about others.

Someone like Trinity.

“This is just to get us by while we settle in.” She sounded sincere.

He let it go, hoping Steph followed through and bought Emmy the fruits and vegetables she needed. If she didn’t, he’d have to stock up himself.

Emmy needed to see them working together, not always bickering at each other.

He put a shopping bag on top of each of the rolling bags and let Steph grab the cat crates. “Let’s go check out your new place.” He led the way along the path. “What did you think of the store?”

“It’s fine. Not as up-to-date as the ones you own back home, but big. They have a good selection. The cashiers were moving customers along but still chatting with them. I imagine in a town like this, they know most everyone. And friendly, personalized customer service is important.” Which she’d always stressed to the employees at the clothing store she used to manage.

Good. She liked the grocery store. He hoped she enjoyed the job well enough to make an effort to keep it. Although he got her in the door, it didn’t mean she could slack off like she had at her last job.

They approached the apartment door. Butterflies took flight in his gut. He really wanted Steph to like the place he picked out for her and Emmy. It would make things so much easier between them. One less complaint he had to hear about.

Since he was footing the bill, he’d found them a nice place with what they needed. And because the rent wasn’t as astronomical as in California, he’d been able to find a place with upgraded appliances and amenities, better than the place where Steph and Emmy used to live. They even had a bit more space and a private courtyard where Emmy could play on the fenced-in patio.

He handed Steph her set of keys. “Number one-twelve. Straight ahead.” She went ahead to open the door. Emmy ran after her mom.

Jon walked into the apartment behind them.

Emmy squealed from her room down the short hall.

Steph stood in the entry, taking in the empty living room and kitchen. “It’s so much nicer than the pictures you showed me.” She glanced over her shoulder and gave him a genuine smile.

His concern dissipated and he breathed easy. “They put in new carpet and painted.”

The apartment looked and smelled brand-new. A fresh place and start for Steph.

She swiped her hand over the stone countertop. “The kitchen is bigger than my last place.” She gave him a self-deprecating grin. “Not that I’m a great cook, but it’s really nice.”

“I’m glad you like it.” Relieved to see her happy and at ease, he smiled back at her, then set the shopping bags on the kitchen counter. He checked to be sure the refrigerator was on and cold, then put away the groceries.

Steph came up behind him and put both hands on his back and rubbed up and down. It used to be that he welcomed her affection. Now, he preferred keeping things simple and civil. He turned to face her, hoping she didn’t take offense. In the U-shaped kitchen, she blocked him from exiting and he stared down into her earnest eyes.

“Thank you, Jon. I love the place.” She waved her hand toward the sliding glass doors off the living space. “If we got a nice patio set, we could sit out back, have dinner there when the weather is nice, or just sit with a glass of wine and stare at the stars.”

She painted a nice picture. And he liked this version of Steph, but he didn’t plan to spend time with her and Emmy at the apartment. He wanted to keep family time to meals out and playtime at the park.

“Sounds nice. Emmy will love it, too.” He didn’t want to spoil Steph’s good mood, so he kept things light and didn’t shoot down her suggestions.

“I can’t wait for the furniture to be delivered. I’m excited to see the place come together.”

Most of her stuff was nice but worn. Steph cared more about her clothes and handbags than her furniture, but maybe a new start here would change her priorities and she’d buy some new stuff and really make this place hers.

“Go check out Emmy’s room,” he coaxed, hoping she liked the surprise he’d set up for Emmy.

He followed Steph toward the sound of their daughter’s chatter.

Steph scanned the room and the brand-new bedroom set he’d bought for Emmy, then looked at him. “How did you do this?”

Steph sold Emmy’s baby set in the garage sale they held right before the move.

“I bought everything when I came to check out the apartment and asked the landlord to let the furniture guys in yesterday to deliver and set it up. I wanted Emmy to feel at home here. She’s never moved before. It’s a new place. New people. I wanted her to start off with everything she needs.”

Steph rolled her eyes. “Of course you did. You can afford to spoil her and make me look bad.” Her mouth pressed into the pout he’d come to see more and more the longer they were together.

He wanted to do something nice for his daughter. But he understood Steph’s position, too, and sucked in a calming breath and tried to sooth her ruffled feathers. “That’s not what I’m doing at all. She needed the furniture, so I took care of it.” Instead of asking Steph to pay her half, or buy it all herself because she should be the one supplying it in the house she shared with Emmy. He still needed to get her new furniture for his place once he settled in at the ranch.

He tried not to spoil Emmy too much, but she deserved a big girl room. He loved the white bedroom set. She’d have plenty of space in the six-drawer dresser. He’d need to make sure he set up her blue lava lamp on the nightstand before he left and make the bed with her favorite blanket and the brand-new comforter and sheet set he bought and packed in his car, too.

Steph wrapped her arms around her waist. “We could have picked everything out together. Maybe bought a few other things for the apartment.” Steph was disappointed he hadn’t bought all new stuff for the whole place.

He managed their relationship the best he could and tried not to give Steph false hope or the idea that she could use him to get the things she wanted.

He walked over and crouched next to Emmy and her new twin bed. “What do you think, sweet girl? Do you like your new stuff?”

Emmy jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love it.” She kissed his cheek, then held up one of the dolls that came with the dollhouse. “She looks like me.”

“Kinda. It’s why I picked her for you.” He checked the text on his phone. “Why don’t you play in here while your mom and I help unload the moving van that just arrived.”

She was already engrossed in the dollhouse again.

He stood and cocked his head for Steph to go ahead of him down the hallway. Before they walked out the entry, he slid open the pocket door next to what would be Emmy’s bathroom. “You’ve got a stackable washer and dryer.” He hoped that made up for not including her in the furniture thing and spoiling Emmy and not her.

At her last place, she had to go to a laundry room at the far end of her building and share with the other tenants. “That will be so much more convenient. It’s a definite plus for this place.” She gave him a small smile.

He took the win and hoped to get out of here before the tide changed again.

He headed out to the moving van to get this final chore done. It took some time and maneuvering to unload all of Steph’s stuff, get her bed set up, and stack all the boxes in the right rooms, but once done, Steph looked overwhelmed but happy to have her things in her place.

“I need to follow the movers out to the ranch so they can unload my stuff.” He’d also talked them into taking on the extra job of bringing some of his father’s things to the new apartment since they had to come back through town anyway. It cost him extra, but his dad would be happy to have his place ready when he got out of the hospital. “I’ll be back for Emmy in a couple of hours to take her to visit my dad.”

“Maybe we can go out to dinner tonight,” Steph suggested.

His first instinct was to say no, but instead he began like they hoped to start this next part of their lives. “A family dinner our first night here together sounds great.”

Steph’s eyes went wide with surprise that he’d so easily agree. “I’ll be ready when you pick me up after seeing your dad.”

“Sounds good.”

If she was making an effort to settle into a new place and start a new job, he could meet her halfway and stick to their plan to spend time together as a family once in a while for Emmy’s sake.

He found Emmy lying on her tummy on her bed. “I’m going to take my stuff out to the ranch. I’ll be back in a little while for our visit with Grandpa. Okay?”

“Okay,” she automatically replied without taking her eyes off the princess movie on her tablet.

He kissed her cheek and headed out with a wave goodbye to Steph as he passed the kitchen and walked out the front door. He felt good about everything right now. Steph liked the place, they managed to spend another day together without World War Three breaking out, and Emmy was happy in her new home.

As for him, he couldn’t wait to settle in at the ranch, find some balance in his life, and learn to breathe again.