Page 13 of Curvy Girl and the Single Dad Cowboy

"You must be the famous Charlotte. I hear you made quite an entrance this morning."

After brief introductions, Lily begs to show me the horses. When Vincent suggests I get settled first, I kneel to her level.

"Your dad's right, but I would love a tour first thing tomorrow morning. I want to meet Butterscotch especially."

This compromise satisfies her. "Okay. Tomorrow morning. Early!"

"It's a date," I agree, and she beams.

Inside, Lily proves to be an enthusiastic tour guide, showing me every corner of the sprawling ranch house. She points out each uncle's room, explaining their personalities with surprising insight. Her own room has purple walls, a bed with a patchwork quilt, and a handmade wooden rocking horse that her father crafted.

"Daddy makes lots of things from wood," she explains proudly. "He made my bookshelf too, and the toy box."

Our tour ends in the kitchen, where Lily shows me where everything is kept. When a timer dings, she jumps up.

"That means Uncle Ethan is coming in to start dinner soon! We need to set the table!"

By seven o'clock, the house fills with the sound of boots as the Covington brothers return. I feel suddenly nervous as I join them in the dining room, aware of being the only outsider in this tight-knit family.

Despite my initial awkwardness, the family dynamic soon pulls me in. They pass dishes family-style, tease each other mercilessly, and share updates about their day with an easy rhythm. Lily is clearly adored by all her uncles, each with a special way of interacting with her.

"So, Charlotte," Jackson says, "Vincent tells us you're from Chicago. Big change, coming to Cedar Falls."

"Definitely a change, but a welcome one. It's beautiful here."

"She walked three miles to get here this morning after her car broke down," Cole announces. "If that's not commitment, I don't know what is."

"It was quite the first impression," Vincent says with what might be a suppressed smile.

"Well, we're glad to have you here," Ethan says. "Lily's been talking about you all day."

"Said you had a nice smile." Cole teases.

"Well, you do," Vincent says unexpectedly, looking directly at me. "Have a nice smile, that is."

The simple compliment shouldn't affect me the way it does, but I feel warmth spreading through my chest.

After dinner, I join Vincent for Lily's bedtime routine. I sit on one side of her bed, while Vincent sits on the other; the three of us are crowded together over a well-loved copy of "Black Beauty."

"Daddy does the horse voices best," Lily informs me seriously.

Vincent looks embarrassed. "I don't do voices."

"You do too!" Lily insists. "Show Charlotte!"

To my surprise and delight, Vincent clears his throat and begins reading in a deep, somber voice that I suppose represents the main horse character. Lily grins triumphantly at me over her father's slight discomfort.

I take my turn reading the next chapter, and though I can't match Vincent's horse voice, I give it my best effort with the human characters. Lily's eyelids grow heavy by the end, and Vincent gently tucks the blankets around her.

"Goodnight, princess," he murmurs, pressing a kiss on her forehead.

"Night, Daddy," she mumbles sleepily, then turns to me. "Night, Charlotte. Don't forget about the horses tomorrow."

"I won't," I promise. "Sweet dreams, Lily."

Vincent and I leave her room quietly, pausing in the hallway outside her door. He runs a hand through his hair, suddenly looking uncertain.

"You did well with her today," he says. "She likes you."

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