Page 23 of Cowhand Crush

“Over here.”

“I brought you lemonade and some cookies fresh from the oven. I thought something sweet might help to smooth over those ruffled feathers.”

I sighed and continued brushing my mare.

“That’s kind of you, Birdie.”

A pause lingered in the air for a moment or two. She set the tray aside and selected a cookie, breaking off a piece to pop it in her mouth.

“Let me guess,” she said. “You don’t think lemonade and cookies will be enough to get your father to calm down now that his hackles are up, but you’re too polite to say that to my face.”

I shook my head.

“It’s not fair to drag you into the middle of this.”

Birdie clucked her tongue and held up her hand, showing off the ring on her finger.

“Last I checked, I became part of this family in December.”

“You know what I mean.”

Birdie ducked into the stall and came to stand beside me, combing her fingers through my mare’s mane. She didn’t usually do much with the horses. Dad and I lived in the saddle, but Birdie didn’t have any interest in that. Instead, she slipped them mints from her pocket when Dad wasn’t looking.

Don’t spoil those animals, he would tell her. They’re not pets. They’re for working cattle.

I still caught her saving scraps of apples and carrots from the kitchen for them.

Birdie’s nimble fingers made quick work of my mare’s mane, weaving little braids.

“Give Grady some time to cool down,” she said. “You have to admit, this is a lot to take in. Bowen is significantly older than you, and your father…he’s worried you’re going to get hurt.”

“This is Bowen we’re talking about,” I pointed out. “He has always done everything in his power to keep me safe and look out for me.”

“Maybe that’s the problem,” Birdie countered.

I glanced at her, confused. How could that be a problem? She smoothed her hands over my mare’s neck and slipped a mint from her pocket. My mare lipped it out of her palm and sniffed around for more.

“Bowen broke the chain of command,” Birdie added. “I realize I’m still new to this family, but from what I’ve observed, Grady trusts him without batting an eye. When Grady gives an order, there’s no doubt in his mind that Bowen will carry it out, come hell or high water.”

“You’re saying Bowen is being punished,” I replied. “For breaking my father’s rule about cowboys keeping their hands off me.”

“I’m saying your father’s orders have kept you safe and that gave him peace of mind. By sleeping with Bowen, you showed Grady that his word can be broken. And your precious, tender heart that he holds so dear could get hurt as a result. Grady is a strong, stubborn man, but you will always be the chink in his armor. Firing Bowen was the only way your father knew how to restore balance to the ranch and ensure that there are consequences when his orders aren’t followed.”

I closed my eyes as Birdie’s words sank in. It made so much sense. Although it didn’t soften my anger towards him. Just because he needed to maintain appearances of control on his ranch didn’t mean I couldn’t date Bowen. I wanted him in my life. I wanted him to be my husband one day.

“Dad doesn’t have to protect me from Bowen,” I said.

Birdie’s eyes softened.

“Avery, you’re in love. That’s a father’s greatest wish and worst nightmare rolled into one when it comes to his daughter. Go try talking to him again. He’s in his office.”

I took a deep breath and passed the brush to her. Since my parents divorced when I was little, my mother wasn’t around to help me navigate issues like this with my father. It felt good to talk to another woman—a motherly figure I could look up to.

Heading into the house, I made my way down the hall to Dad’s office. When I knocked at the door, it slid open a few inches.

Dad sat at his massive polished oak desk, looking over a fat stack of files. At this time of year, cattle sales were high, which meant managing the financial paperwork was a headache.

“Hey, Dad,” I said, tracing the wood grain of the door frame with my fingernail.

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