Page 10 of Curvy Girl and the Single Dad Cowboy

"It's covered, Pete," I say firmly. "Put it on the ranch account. We’ll get everything tomorrow."

Pete nods slowly. "Sure thing, boss."

"Thank you," Charlotte says, but her expression is unreadable as we walk back to my truck.

Once we're inside, she turns to me. "Still can’t believe you really did that. I owe you one."

"You don’t. Take it as an entry bonus."

She folds her arms across her chest. "But why? Is it really just because I’m Lily’s nanny? I’d understand if my car stopped working on the job, but not before."

I start the engine, buying myself a moment. The truth is, I'm not entirely sure why I'm so insistent on helping her. Maybe it's because her walking all those miles impressed me more than I want to admit.

"Because we take care of our own," I finally say. "And while you're working at the ranch, that includes you."

She seems to accept that. We drive through the small downtown area, which consists of all of two stoplights and a handful of businesses lining Main Street. Charlotte watches everything with interest, taking in the small-town charm that I've long since stopped noticing.

"Hungry?" I ask, pulling into a parking space in front of Madeline's Diner.

"Starving, actually," she admits. "Walking three miles works up an appetite."

"Madeline makes the best burgers in the state."

The bell above the door jingles as we enter, and I'm relieved to see the lunch rush has passed. Only a few tables are occupied, most by regulars who nod in greeting. I lead Charlotte to a booth by the window, settling across from her.

Madeline herself approaches with menus and water glasses, her eyebrows rising at the sight of my companion.

"Vincent Covington, twice in one month? Must be a blue moon." Her curious gaze shifts to Charlotte. "And with company, no less."

"Madeline, this is Charlotte Wilson. Lily's new nanny. Charlotte, this is Madeline, owner and chef extraordinaire."

"Charmed," Madeline says, though she's clearly bursting with questions she's too polite to ask outright. "Special today is the bison burger with pepper jack and caramelized onions."

"Sounds delicious," Charlotte says with a warm smile. "I'll have that, please."

"Make it two," I add. "And coffee, black."

"Iced tea for me, if you have it," Charlotte says.

Madeline nods. "Coming right up."

As she walks away, Charlotte leans forward slightly. "I think she wanted to interrogate me."

I chuckle. "Small towns. By sundown, everyone will know Lily has a new nanny, what you ordered for lunch, and probably your shoe size."

"Is that why you don't come to town often? 'Twice in one month' sounded like an accusation."

"I'm more of a homebody," I admit. "The ranch keeps me busy enough."

She nods, taking a sip of her water. "Tell me more about it—the ranch, I mean. The agency wasn't big on details."

“It began as a modest cattle operation started by my great-grandfather. My grandfather expanded into horse breeding, and my father modernized many of the operations. Now the five of us run it together."

"And your specialty is...?"

"The cattle. I manage the herd, breeding, and grazing rotations. Each brother typically does a bit of everything, though. Except for Cole when he’s competing."

"It sounds like a well-oiled machine," she observes.

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