True Love Cowboy by Jennifer Ryan

Jon was feeling damn good about the start of his week. His father had markedly improved and was feeling better. Trinity loved her flowers and asked him out on a date. Steph was unexpectedly excited about putting the apartment together and decorating. He’d been so happy about that, he’d even given her two hundred bucks to buy a few extra things. Emmy liked the new place and even said she was excited about starting at the new pre-K. They all got through the family dinner they shared at a local barbecue place without any bickering. Another win.

After the movers delivered everything of his to the ranch, they helped him pack up his father’s room, a few pieces from the living room, and delivered them to his dad’s new apartment. By the time his dad left the hospital two days after he’d gone in, he was settled in his new place and signed up for bingo and the weekly poker game in the rec room once he was fully recovered.

When Jon had secured the apartment, the manager assured him his father would be very happy there. Jon noted that there were a lot of women in the common area. The manager gave him a knowing look and informed him the women outnumbered the men two to one and his father wouldn’t want for company if he desired it.

Jon did not allow his mind to travel down that road. He’d simply gotten his father settled and gone back to the ranch to figure out what to do with his new house.

Renovations. He made a list and some calls. By the end of next week, he’d have the whole place painted, new carpet in the back bedrooms, and upgraded countertops, fixtures, and appliances in the kitchen. He needed to pick out furniture for Emmy’s room at his place, along with all new furniture for the living room.

His dad told him to make the place his. They’d go through the contents soon. As for the big pieces of furniture that wouldn’t fit in his dad’s apartment, Jon could keep what he wanted and get rid of the rest.

Jon was sentimental about the wide plank farmhouse dining table his mother had loved. But a lot of the other furniture was old, and frankly, not his style.

If this was his chance to start over and make a new life for him and Emmy, he wanted to do it right.

So he had a contractor coming to fix up the stables. He’d start building the ranch with a couple horses. He wanted to teach Emmy how to ride. He also had a landscaping crew coming to redo the yard and get the vegetable garden area cleared out so he and Emmy could replant.

He seemed to have everything under control.

Until today. He hadn’t looked forward to a date, or anything, this much in longer than he could remember. It seemed he couldn’t get Trinity off his mind. Nor could he stay away from her. After he saw the bright smile on Emmy’s face when he delivered the brownies, he’d stopped at Almost Homemade the next day to pick up a few entrées and sides she’d love to be sure Steph fed her well. But Trinity was working in their Billings store that day, so he missed her. The next day he and his father stopped by to stock his fridge at his apartment. Like him, his dad couldn’t wait to see Trinity. But she’d been called to fix a problem in the kitchen at their Bozeman store and he’d missed her by five minutes.

He’d been too tied up yesterday to even attempt to see her. And he was pretty sure Adria would laugh in his face if he showed up three days in a row.

He and Trinity shared a couple of text messages, mostly him letting her know he was sorry he missed her at the store and couldn’t wait to see her for their date. She’d responded right away with regrets she’d missed him, too, questions about how his father was doing, and if Emmy liked her new home and school.

All of that was nice, but he couldn’t wait to be alone with her tonight.

Ifhe even made it to their date.

Because he lived so far out of town and away from Steph’s place and Emmy’s school, he and Steph agreed to a new custody arrangement. He’d pick Emmy up from school on Friday afternoon and keep her for the weekend and drop her off at school on Monday. Since Steph didn’t get off work until five, Emmy would stay at day care after school for a couple hours before Steph picked her up Monday through Thursday, and they’d split the cost.

But here he was on Thursday at quarter to five and Steph had called him and told him to come get his daughter. Steph was done for the week. She hung up after dropping that bomb and refused to answer her phone, making him drive to her place to see what the hell was going on.

Why hadn’t she worked until five? Why wasn’t Emmy still at day care?

The biggest why? Why couldn’t she take care of their daughter?

He felt a trap. Or at least more of the same drama he told Steph he wouldn’t put up with anymore.

Knowing this was going to take more than the five minutes he had to deal with it and still make it to his date on time, he reluctantly called Trinity.

“Hey there. I hope you’re not canceling because I’m starving and deserve a cocktail after the week I’ve had.”

Those words were like a knife to his heart. “Don’t hate me. And please, for God’s sake don’t say you won’t go out with me.”

“But?” Disappointment filled Trinity’s soft voice.

“I’m not saying I won’t be there, I’m just going to be late. Something came up with Emmy. I’m on my way to see her right now, but I don’t know how long it’s going to take to sort out.”

A sigh of relief boosted his confidence. “Oh. Okay. No problem. If Emmy needs you, I totally understand.”

“You do?” He didn’t know why he didn’t expect her understanding, but it seemed so foreign to him after dealing with Steph for so long.

“Sure. She’s your daughter. She needs you. That comes first.”

He didn’t know what to do with all that genuine understanding. “And you’re not mad?”

“Not at all. Why would I be?”

He didn’t know, but if he was having this conversation with Steph, it would be a whole other story. “I just really want to see you tonight and I wanted it to be perfect.”

It took her a moment to respond. “I’m looking forward to seeing you, too.” The shy words touched him. And gave him hope that he hadn’t blown this with her. “How about I keep my dress on, you see what’s what with Emmy, and let me know if we’re still on for later tonight or if we need to reschedule.”

Damn his luck. “You wore a dress?” He’d love to see her in a sexy outfit.

“Adria informed me it was proper date attire. Truthfully, it’s been so long, I’m glad she reminded me.” Her soft self-deprecating laugh lightened his heart. She was taking this really well and not making a fuss over the fact she’d taken the time to get dressed up and it might be for nothing, depending on what he found when he got to Steph’s place.

“I’m sorry, Trinity. I meant to be on time, to wine and dine you, to hopefully make you laugh, and maybe if I played my cards right and you had a good time, you’d agree to a second date.” And maybe he’d get a chance to kiss her. He spent a lot of time thinking about it and a lot more.

“There’s still time. Take care of whatever you need to do with Emmy, then text me and let me know if we’re still on for tonight, or next week sometime.”

Next week?

That was too damn long to go without seeing her again.

“I’ll let you know as soon as I can.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“I’ve been waiting all week to see you tonight. I really am sorry. I’ll call you as soon as I know what’s what.” With that, they said goodbye and he pulled into the parking space outside Steph’s apartment.

Emmy ran out the door just as he exited the car and headed in her direction. Three steps away from him, she stopped short, fisted her hands at her sides, and gave him her angry face, which was still adorable to him. “I want to go home with you.”

He didn’t even have her room ready, but she could crash with him in his bed until he got that sorted out. Still, it was Steph’s night to keep her, so he couldn’t make any promises.

The door to the apartment stood open, so he walked right in and found Steph in the kitchen nursing a bottle of beer. Boxes were still stacked up in the living room. Laundry sat on the floor in a pile in front of the stacked washer and dryer. The whole place smelled like Steph burned something in the oven.

And she took one look at him and her eyes narrowed with rage. “What are you all dressed up for?”

“Daddy has a date with the brownie lady,” Emmy announced.

He didn’t know how she remembered that, or why he’d even told her. Probably because he was excited about seeing Trinity and he’d shared it with her.

Steph’s eyebrows went up. “A date? We haven’t even been in town a full week and you have a date? I know, literally, no one here.” Steph loved to exaggerate. She’d met everyone at work and even told him she’d met a couple interesting customers at the grocery store. She’d even set up a playdate for Emmy with another mom at school.

He didn’t owe her an explanation and knew from past bad experiences not to give out information she’d only twist and use against him. So he didn’t answer her question, but asked one of his own. “Why haven’t you answered your phone?”

“Because if I did, you wouldn’t have come to get her.”

Yep, he’d played right into her hands because if his daughter needed him he’d come running every time. “Why are you home from work early?”

Her gaze narrowed on him. “I’m not. I get off at four thirty.”

“I thought you said five and that’s why we set the pickup at school for five fifteen.”

Her eyebrows went up. “Don’t I deserve a little downtime at the end of my shift before I pick her up?”

Yes. Of course she did. But didn’t she also miss her daughter after a long day?

“Why do I need to take Emmy tonight?”

Emmy took his hand. “She burned dinner and said I have to eat it. I don’t want it.” Emmy wrinkled her nose and shook her little head.

Exasperated by the stupid reason she’d called him here, he took Emmy’s side without hearing her out. “Seriously, Steph. You can’t expect her to eat burnt food.”

“It’s that or nothing.”

“You bought plenty of food when you moved in.”

“You’d think so, but she eats like crazy. And those brownies you bought are gone, too.”

“Mommy ate them.” Tears filled Emmy’s big round eyes.

It killed him when she cried. “This is ridiculous. You work at the grocery store. There’s no reason you can’t grab something on your way home.”

“I worked all day. I didn’t think about picking anything up when I left. I was tired. I’ve been taking care of her all week and trying to put things away here.”

At a glance, it didn’t look like she’d done a damn thing since he left after the delivery guys brought everything inside. She’d been so excited to decorate, yet she hadn’t done anything. Even the sink was filled with dirty dishes. He could practically make out exactly what they’d had to eat all week just by looking at them.

“Steph, we talked about this. Emmy needs a clean and organized home to live in.”

She slammed her hand down on the counter. “I’m doing the best I can. It’s been a long week. And you said we’d spend more time together as a family, yet you’ve been nowhere to be found because you’ve been out hunting up a new girlfriend apparently.”

He wanted to refute that outright, but she had him on being out of touch since they had dinner their first night here. “I’m sorry, Steph. You’re right. I did say we’d do more family things, but my dad was sick, and I had to move him. I’ve had a hell of a week, too.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, but the anger in her eyes dimmed. “Yeah, well, you seemed to find someone who likes you. I’m pretty sure half the checkout people hate me.”

“I’m sure they don’t. You just started.” Though Steph didn’t always make a great impression. At a glance, she was beautiful. But get to know her . . . A couple of his friends outright warned him away from her. Others gave him a raised eyebrow that said clearly, “Really? Her?”

Still, he understood that she was maybe overwhelmed with the move and all the changes in her life.

“They resent that they weren’t promoted to manager and I got the job.” She rolled her eyes. “Well, you got it for me.”

“And you’ll be brilliant at it if you give it a chance,” he said encouragingly.

She relaxed even more at his praise. She swept her long straight hair behind her ears and sighed. “I forgot the groceries.”

“Okay. Why don’t you two go out and grab something?” It seemed the simplest answer.

Steph rolled her eyes. “Because I’m done. I just want to sit and watch TV.” She downed the rest of her beer.

“Yeah, maybe driving right now isn’t a good idea.”

Steph’s gaze narrowed. “It’s one beer.”

He changed the subject. “Don’t forget you need to turn in the rental car on Saturday afternoon.”

“What am I supposed to drive then?” Steph sold her old car in California before they moved because she’d need something more reliable here when the cold weather hit.

“You’ll buy a new car this weekend.”

“I guess I’m supposed to do that on my own, too.”

Yes.Buying a car wasn’t that hard. But he gave her the benefit of the doubt and tried to understand she felt alone and adrift here without her friends and family to lean on. “If you want me to go with you, I will, but you’re buying the car.” He wanted that to be clear.

“Sure. Because you don’t care if your daughter is riding around in some junker.” She rolled her eyes again.

He wanted to do the same. “You agreed to move here and be Miss Independent,” he reminded her. “With the money you got from your other car and your new job, you can afford a decent car.” Especially since he graciously paid her rent. “Now, why am I here?” Burnt dinner didn’t seem like a good enough reason to throw her hands up and send Emmy home with him.

“Because she’s out of control. She hates everything I say and do and throws a tantrum over the littlest thing.”

“I didn’t want to eat the yucky food.”

He didn’t blame Emmy.

“And you ate my brownies!” Emmy only ever screamed like that at her mother. And a few times to her teacher and other students at school, which prompted the notes home.

“Emmy, watch your tone,” he warned, picking her up to console her.

She buried her face in his neck and he got a good whiff of her dirty, tangled hair.

Steph looked done. But she shouldn’t get away with not taking proper care of Emmy.

“When’s the last time she had a bath?” As far as he knew, four-year-olds didn’t stink. Emmy’s hair would take two shampoos to get the oil out and at least an hour to untangle. He had a feeling the only reason her clothes were clean was because everything had been washed and packed before the move.

Steph gave him a dirty look. “Seriously? I’ve had a shit week, and you want to pick a fight?”

He really couldn’t win. And he didn’t want to do this bitter back-and-forth in front of Emmy. So he gave Steph what she wanted, and hoped giving her a break and some time to herself would allow her to settle down, unpack, and get herself together.

He set Emmy on her feet. “Go to your room. Pick out five pants, shirts, sleep clothes, underwear, and socks. Grab your jacket and school backpack, too.”

Steph stood at her full height, surprise in her eyes that he was going to give her what she wanted. “I thought you had a date?”

“I have a daughter who always comes first. I wish she did with you, too.”

“That’s not fair. You have no idea what it’s been like for me this week, learning a whole new job, the school schedule, dealing with Emmy’s tantrums, and stuff.”

He didn’t know what “stuff” she’d been doing aside from ignoring their daughter’s needs, not putting away her belongings, and leaving the apartment a mess.

“Well, for my daughter’s sake, let me help you with some stuff.” He walked past her into the kitchen, turned on the tap, opened the dishwasher, and rinsed and put the dishes in it. He ran the disposal when he was done. He noted that it took him not more than five minutes to do that chore, but he refrained from chastising Steph about it.

Steph stood there sipping a second beer with triumph in her eye because she got her way and someone else did for her what she should have done herself.

He didn’t care. His daughter deserved a nice, clean home. So he wadded up all the paper wrappings Steph left all over the dining-room area when she unpacked the moving boxes. Dishes, glasses, mugs, utensils, and other miscellaneous kitchen stuff was stacked on the table instead of put in the cupboard where they belonged. He jammed the papers into one empty box, broke down the three others, then went back and forth organizing the kitchen.

Since Steph watched and didn’t help one damn bit, he didn’t even ask where she’d like things to go.

Next, he sorted the pile of laundry, shoved the colored clothes in the washer, added soap from the bottle next to the machine, turned it on, then headed down the hall to Emmy’s room.

She’d done as she was told and stacked her clothes on the bed. He found her overnight bag in the closet and put all the clothes inside, making sure she didn’t forget anything. Since they had double sets of toothbrushes and hairbrushes and such because she lived in two places, he already had a lot of what she’d need for the long weekend at his place.

With Emmy packed and the house in better condition, he scooped her up and held her at his side, then grabbed her bag. They walked down the hallway and met Steph by the door. “You’ve got all weekend to yourself to get this place in order before you pick her up after school on Monday.”

“What about getting the car?”

“I’ll pick you up on Saturday at nine.”

“So early?”

“If you want my help, yes. I don’t have time to wait around for you to sleep half the day away.”

“Maybe we could get lunch afterward and do something together.” The hopeful look in her eyes was the complete opposite of the incredulous look she gave him when he arrived.

“If we have time,” he agreed, because he believed Emmy would benefit from seeing her parents together and getting along. He hoped he and Steph could pull it off. “I have plans for the afternoon.”

“But you’ll have Emmy.”

“We’re going to visit my dad.”

She brushed her hand over Emmy’s tangled hair. “You love seeing your grandpa. Have fun. I’ll see you after school on Monday.” She looked up at him, remorse in her eyes. “Thanks for coming and helping out. I just need a little time to settle in.”

“Don’t fall back into bad habits, Steph. You promised me and your dad you wanted to do this on your own.”

“I do. It’s just a lot all at once.”

He nodded, understanding she couldn’t change overnight. He’d have to give her some leeway to figure it all out. “I get that. But I also want you to prove you can stand on your own feet and take care of our girl.”

“I can.”

“You better, or we’re going to have another talk about what’s best for Emmy.” With that warning, he stepped past her, opened the door, and walked out.

Emmy stared up at him from her car seat after he got her settled inside and stowed her bag. “Do I get to see the ranch now?”

“Later. First, I need to make a stop.” If he had to cancel on Trinity, he planned to do it in person so she could see he wished he didn’t have to, and so he could at the very least get a look at her in the dress she’d put on just for him.