Page 12 of Curvy Girl and the Single Dad Cowboy

"Fair enough," I say, then decide to lighten the mood. "So, what happened with this ex of yours? Besides him being an idiot about your career."

She laughs, surprised by my bluntness. "The short version? He wanted a trophy wife who'd focus on hosting dinner parties for his colleagues and producing 3 perfect children. I wanted an equal partnership and to keep my identity beyond being someone's wife."

"His loss," I say before I can stop myself.

A faint blush colors her cheeks. "What about you? Any dating since Sarah left?"

I snort. "Between the ranch, Lily, and living thirty minutes from civilization? Not likely."

"The women of this town must be blind, then," she says with a small smile that does something strange to my pulse.

Before I can respond to that loaded statement, my phone buzzes. A text from Cole: *Lily took her first trot on Butterscotch. Pretty sure she hasn't stopped smiling. When are you coming home?*

"Everything okay?" Charlotte asks, noticing my expression.

"Fine. Cole says Lily's riding lesson went well." I slide my phone back into my pocket. "We should probably get your supplies and head back soon."

She nods, finishing the last bite of her burger. "This was nice. Thank you for lunch, and... everything else."

"You're welcome," I say, signaling Madeline for the check.

As we prepare to leave, I find myself studying Charlotte's profile as she gathers her things. She's nothing like what I expected when I hired a nanny through the agency. I thought I'd get someone older, more maternal, less... distracting.

Instead, I got Charlotte Wilson with her freckles and her Nancy Drew ambitions and her willingness to walk three miles in the heat rather than break a commitment.

It's a problem I wasn't looking for. And as I hold the diner door open for her, watching the sun catch in her hair, I have a feeling it's only going to get more complicated.

Chapter 4 - Charlotte

Vincent Covington is a complicated man. This thought bounces around my mind as we drive back to the ranch, the truck bed loaded with my emergency supplies.

Our lunch conversation revealed layers to him I hadn't expected: the avid reader hidden behind the rugged cowboy exterior, the devoted father, the man who offers to pay for a stranger's car repairs without hesitation.

It's something I wasn't prepared for. I came to Cedar Falls seeking simplicity—a clean break from my old life and a job centered on childcare. Vincent's intense dark eyes and unexpected kindness weren't part of the plan.

"Something on your mind?" he asks without taking his eyes off the road.

I quickly look away, heat rising to my cheeks. "Just thinking about everything I need to do once we get back. I should probably review Lily's schedule, get familiar with the house..."

He nods, explaining Lily's routine: breakfast at 7:00, activities throughout the day, lunch at noon, quiet time and additional activities after lunch, bath at 6:00, dinner at 7:00, and bedtime by 8:00.

"What kinds of activities does she enjoy?" I ask.

A smile softens his features. "Anything with the horses. She also loves art—drawing, painting, making a mess." He chuckles. "She's been into building things lately. Has a set of blocks she arranges into elaborate 'ranches.'"

As we talk about Lily's upcoming start in kindergarten, I offer to help prepare her. Vincent seems grateful, admitting his own uncertainty about getting her ready for school.

We crest a hill, and suddenly the ranch appears below—sprawling and picturesque with mountains rising behind it. The main house sits nestled among several outbuildings, fields stretching in every direction.

"It's even more beautiful in the afternoon," I murmur.

As we approach, I notice a small figure running from the stables. Lily races to greet us, bouncing with excitement.

"Daddy! Charlotte! Uncle Cole taught me to trot and I didn't even fall off!" she exclaims as Vincent steps out.

"That's my girl," he says, scooping her up.

Cole Covington approaches behind her, introducing himself with an easy smile.

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