Page 44 of Cowboy Wolf's Secret Baby

“I told you that you would be just fine,” Taryn said. “How about the loopty loop now?”

Heaving a huge, exaggerated sigh, he said, “Fine, but don’t blame me if your breakfast decides to pay a second visit.”

“I promise.”

They were at the back of the line when Kelly came up behind them, seemingly out of nowhere.

“How sweet, seeing a father out with his little girl,” she sneered.

“What do you want?”

“I never would have guessed that you are a dad. You never acted like one. You’re always traveling around with the rodeo. I’m amazed that you have any time at all for your child.”

He felt Taryn tense up next to him. Conner wondered if she had some kind of witch’s trick she could do like throw balls of fire at someone. While Kelly deserved it, he didn’t want Taryn to do anything out of anger.

“I don’t guess that my ability to be a father, or lack thereof, is any of your concern. She is not your child, I am not your father, and we are not a couple.”

“Negligent fathers are the worst. My father was never around. I think I only saw him two or three times. I’ve always resented him,” Kelly said.

“That sounds like a you problem,” Conner said.

“You’re going to be just like him,” Kelly said.

“That’s not your worry. Please leave us alone,” Conner said. “Don’t make me call security.”

“You should walk away now before you hurt her,” Kelly said.

“What is her deal?” Taryn asked.

“Somehow, she thinks that if I’m single, then she can be my girlfriend.”

“Yuck,” Taryn said. “How did she even know that you’re my dad?”

“She overheard Gideon and me talking this morning. He figured it out because you look like me.”

“Yes, I do,” Taryn said. “She reminds me of bullies at school. Eventually, she’ll get bored picking on you and find someone else to annoy.”

“I hope you’re right, Kiddo,” he said.

They had a great time the rest of the afternoon. That evening, he was watching Taryn barrel racing when a voice he hadn’t heard for eleven years jarred him.

“Did you enjoy your little ride yesterday?”

“Not particularly,” Conner said. “I take it that was your doing?”

“Yes, and if you don’t stay away from Beth and Taryn, worse things will happen.”

“They are my family,” Conner said. “I can’t walk away from them.”

“Then whatever happens is on you,” she said as she slithered away.

15

Beth

“How are things going?” Savvy asked.

“I guess that depends on how you look at it,” Beth said. “If you’re asking about Conner and me, I think that they’re going well. He’s spending a lot of time with Taryn, and she thinks that he hung the moon and stars.”

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