Bossing the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 4)

“Me!” She raises her arm. “Daddy said I could go on all the rides and pet the animals.”

“I almost forgot about the petting zoo,” Mom admits. “That’s going to be so much fun.”

Olivia bounces in her chair as she continues to talk about it. “Cotton candy and popcorn too!”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I say with a chuckle. “But yes, all of that.”

Once we’re finished eating, I clear the table as Mom serves us a Key lime pie. Though I ate way too much, saying no to her homemade pie would be a cardinal sin.

We move to the living room after we eat, and when Dad announces the coffee is done, I go in and pour a mug for myself. Mom enters and stops me before I can walk back.

“It’s been a fun day. Olivia’s really having a good time here,” she whispers.

“I know,” I say, not wanting to think about how our time together is coming to an end.

“I think you need to hire a lawyer to fight for more time with her, Connor. She loves you so much, and I can’t imagine what being away from you for such long periods is doing to her mental health.”

I let out a steady breath, surprised she’d bring this up after the fight I went through two years ago just to get the time I do have with her.

“You have to do something, Connor. You can’t just sit back and not try to—”

“Listen, I don’t want to talk about this right now. I love you and appreciate your concern, but I’m too tired for this conversation.”

With sad eyes, Mom nods. “Love you too. I just want the best for you both.”

We go sit down on the couch and chat for a bit, but when Olivia starts yawning, I take that as my cue to get her in bed.

“Are you gettin’ tired?” I ask her as she snuggles into my side.

She shakes her head but yawns again.

“We have a busy day at the fair tomorrow,” I remind her, and she perks up a bit.

Mom’s and Dad’s eyes light up as they watch us. “I think we’re gonna go home,” I tell them, nodding toward Olivia.

“Be careful out there,” Mom says.

“We will,” I reassure her before we hug goodbye and head out.

After I get Olivia ready for bed and tucked in, I take a shower and do the same myself. It’s been a long-ass day, and while I’m exhausted, my mind runs over my conversation with Mom. Maybe she’s right, and I should talk to my lawyer to see what I can do. I’m positive nothing has changed since the divorce, but it might be worth a shot.

The next morning, I’m startled awake by Olivia shouting next to my bed. “Daddy!”

I sit up in a panic. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s time to go see the animals!”

I check the time on my cell. It’s only a quarter past six, but I was hoping she’d sleep in some.

“Honey, the fair doesn’t open until nine,” I say.

She jumps on the bed. “That’s okay! We’ll be early!”

I chuckle, rubbing my eyes. “They won’t let us in. How ’bout breakfast first?”

With a nod, she takes off running toward the kitchen. If only I had an ounce of her energy in the morning.

As promised, I get up, start a pot of coffee, then make some French toast and eggs while she watches cartoons. By the time we’re done eating, we still have a little over an hour before the gates open, but Olivia’s antsy.

“Let’s change your clothes,” I say, noticing she’s still in her pajamas.

She pokes out her bottom lip and shakes her head. She rarely acts out when she’s with me, but I’ve learned to compromise or make deals with her.

“You can’t wear your jammies in public,” I remind her.

She crosses her arms and shakes her head, and I try not to let her cuteness sway me. “How about we make a deal? I mean, only if you want to, though.”

Olivia waits for me to make an offer she can’t refuse.

“I’ll let you wear whatever you want today as long as it’s clean and not sleep clothes,” I say. “Anything at all. Doesn’t even have to match.”

A smile spreads across her face, and without a word, she bolts to her room. I’m not sure what to expect, but when she finally returns, she’s wearing bright pink cowboy boots and yellow tights, paired with a tutu and a polka-dotted shirt. She comes closer, and I see she’s even wearing her princess crown.

“Do you like it, Daddy?” she asks, twirling around.

I chuckle because she actually looks cute. I wonder what people will think, but a deal is a deal. “I love it, sweetheart.” Before we leave, I pack a bag with a different pair of shoes, some shorts, and a T-shirt just in case she gets too hot. It’s supposed to be in the upper nineties today, so I grab some sunblock too.