Page 4 of Her Grumpy Cowboy

I’ve tried to keep my distance. But it’s getting harder every day. Every time Jasmyn throws her head back and laughs at something one of the girls says, every time she catches my eye and gives me that secret little smile...I fall a little bit harder for her.

But I can’t go there. No matter how much I want her.

At thirty-five, I’m a decade older than her. My life revolves around running the ranch with my brothers and raising Maisey. I don’t have time for a relationship. And even if I did, what could I possibly offer someone like Jasmyn?

She has her whole life ahead of her, filled with endless possibilities and opportunities. The last thing she needs is to be weighed down by my baggage.

No, Jasmyn deserves better than a rough, broken man. She deserves someone who can give her the world, who can sweep her off her feet and take her on adventures. Someone young and carefree, without the responsibilities and burdens that come with my life.

Which means that, no matter how much I want her, I have to keep my distance. It’s the right thing to do, for both our sakes.

For the last half hour of class, I do my best to keep my expression neutral. It’s not really necessary though, since Jasmyn is clearly avoiding looking at me. She keeps her gaze fixed on the girls, her voice light and melodic as she calls out instructions and corrections.

When the final song ends, the entire studio erupts into enthusiastic applause. The girls swarm Jasmyn, their little arms wrapping around her waist and legs in a giant group hug.

Maisey’s voice rises above the chatter. “We’re going to miss you so much, Miss Jasmyn!”

Jasmyn bends down to gather the girls close, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m going to miss you all too, sweetheart. So, so much. You’ve brought so much joy and light into my life.”

She drops a kiss on the top of Maisey’s head, then straightens up and claps her hands. “Alright, my little sugar plum fairies! Let’s finish up with some cool down stretches, okay?”

The girls nod and scurry into formation, their slippered feet pattering against the hardwood floor.

“Deep breath in,” she instructs, her voice soothing. “And exhale, letting all the tension melt away.”

I wish it were that easy. My body’s wound tighter than a new fence wire, every muscle coiled with the urge to go to her, to apologize for being such an ass earlier. But I can’t. I won’t. It’s better this way, keeping my distance. Safer.

Even as I think about it, I know I’m lying to myself. There’s nothing safe about the way Jasmyn makes me feel, nothing simple about the connection sparking between us.

A blur of pink tulle and bouncing pigtails interrupts my brooding. Maisey’s beaming face appears in front of me.

“Daddy! Did you see me? I did a real pirouette!” She grabs my hand, tugging insistently. “Come on, I want to show you!”

I force a smile, pushing thoughts of Jasmyn to the back of my mind. “That’s great, sweetheart. Show me what you learned.”

Maisey launches into a twirl, wobbling slightly but managing to complete the turn. My heart swells despite the turmoil churning inside me.

“Impressive,” I say, ruffling her hair. “You’re gonna be the star of the rodeo if you keep that up.”

Maisey giggles. “Daddy, there are no ballerinas at the rodeo! The rodeo has cowboys and horses and clowns!”

I chuckle, holding up my hands in mock surrender. “You’re right, baby girl. What was I thinking?”

“It’s okay.” She pats my arm reassuringly. “Sometimes grown-ups get confused.”

“Well, thank goodness I have you to keep me straight.” I tap the end of her nose playfully, enjoying the way her face scrunches up in delight. “Now, let’s get your shoes on so we can head out, okay?”

Maisey plops down on the bench and starts tugging at the ribbons of her ballet slippers. “Aren’t you going to say goodbye to Miss Jasmyn, Daddy?”

I glance over to where Jasmyn is helping some of the other girls pack up their things. She’s kneeling down, her dark ponytail swishing as she zips up a sparkly backpack and hands it to a beaming little girl.

For a moment, I let myself imagine walking over there, pulling Jasmyn aside. I’d apologize for being such a dick earlier,tell her how much she means to Maisey...to me. I’d cup her face in my hands, brush my thumb over the graceful curve of her cheekbone, let myself get lost in the warm honey depths of her eyes.

But then reality crashes back in. I turn back to Maisey with a forced smile. “She looks busy, sweetheart. I don’t want to bother her.”

But even as the words leave my mouth, I know I’m making a mistake. One I might not get the chance to fix.

Twenty minutes later,we get back to the ranch. On a normal Friday night, things would be winding down by now.

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