Bossing the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 4)

Elizabeth: Hope y’all are sitting down for this one. But I spent the night at Connor’s.

Maize: OMG I KNEW IT!

Rowan: Really?

Kenzie: About time!!! How was it? Tell me all the juicy details so I can live vicariously through you.

Rowan: It’s your own fault you’re not dating, Kenz.

Kenzie: Shut up! It’s slim pickings around here.

Maize: We all know there’s only one guy she really wants...

Elizabeth: Anyway!

Maize: Yes, sorry! Spill it all!

Elizabeth: I’ll tell you guys the full story over drinks, but we finally admitted our feelings. Well, in an argument kinda…that led to confessing…that led to…

Kenzie: D-Town!

I snort, feeling like a sixteen-year-old girl. But I don’t care. Like Connor, I don’t have a lot of experience with relationships either, so while this is new to me, I’ve never felt happier.

Maize: Put us out of our misery please…big, right?

Kenzie: With his arrogant attitude, I just know it is.

Rowan: The man screams BIG dick energy.

Elizabeth: OMG. Y’all are making me blush. But yes. Very.

Kenzie: Not surprised he has an anaconda! And I won’t lie, I’m jealous as hell but also very happy for you! Feels like it was a long time coming.

Rowan: Does this mean y’all are together now?

Maize: I smell a wedding!

Elizabeth: Shut it, Maze. And we’re taking it slow. This could get complicated with him being my boss and all. We’re not rushing.

Kenzie: Think you blew past that when you got naked in his bed.

Maize: Don’t assume they did it in his bed. Could’ve been anywhere, amiright? ;)

Elizabeth: Y’all are annoying.

Rowan: What’d I do?

Elizabeth: Okay I have some chores to do but keep your mouths shut. Got it? I’ll tell my parents when I’m ready.

Kenzie: Ooh, I love secrets. Don’t worry, we’ll keep on as if y’all are hate banging in secret.

Elizabeth: What?! You thought I was secretly dating him?

Rowan: Well, it’s kinda a Bishop girls tradition! HAHA!

I laugh, remembering how Rowan and Maize secretly dated their men before revealing it to the family.

Elizabeth: Well I promise you we weren’t. But I don’t want to make a big deal out of it just yet.

Rowan: Our lips are sealed as long as you keep us updated on the good sex.

Elizabeth: Deal.

I finish my laundry and help clean up the house since Ethan’s helpless. He thinks he’s exempt from house chores because he works on the ranch. Since our parents are so busy, I try to pitch in where I can.

Plus, staying busy keeps my brain from overloading with thoughts of Connor.

As I’m lying in bed flipping through Netflix, I finally get a text from him. My stupid teenage girl heart flutters.

Connor: Just letting you know I spoke to my lawyer, and he suggested filing for a custody hearing. So he’ll be doing that tomorrow, and Vivian should get the papers next week. Not sure how soon the court date will be, but at least it’ll be in motion.

Elizabeth: Oh good. I hope it’s soon!

Connor: Me too. I wanna get it over with and see Olivia.

Elizabeth: I know. Fingers crossed.

Connor: Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.

Elizabeth: Same! Though I’m not used to getting such lengthy texts from you. Starting to feel a little smothered.

Connor: You’re a comedian.

Elizabeth: I have many talents ;)

Connor: You’ll pay for it later.

Elizabeth: Ha! Can’t wait.

After we say good night, I curl up under the covers and fall asleep with a stupid grin on my face.

Chapter Twenty

Connor

After Elle left, I called my lawyer, and we had a long discussion. I didn’t leave any of the details out about Vivian and what I witnessed. Jacob went over my options and gave suggestions on what I can do. To hear that the paperwork could be served to her as early as next week was a great relief. The sooner we can resolve this, the better it’ll be for Olivia’s living situation.

After I’m done speaking with him, I get all the paperwork and notes together I’ve taken over the past few years. It’s an extensive list of phone calls, visitations, and things Olivia’s told me.

Jacob’s going to have a lot to go through since I was meticulous about logging things in case I needed them.

While all of this is fresh on my mind, I decide to FaceTime Olivia to check up on her. I’m still unsettled after what I witnessed yesterday.

Vivian doesn’t pick up, causing me to go into a mini-panic, so I immediately call again. The second time she answers with a huff, and I see smoke blow out of her mouth.

“I’m busy,” she says, setting the phone down on the counter as she stands at the stove.

“I just wanna talk to Olivia,” I say, trying to keep my tone level because if she suspects any sort of attitude, she’ll hang up.

“Olivia!” Vivian screams. “Olivia! Get in here.”

“Vivian,” I grumble, but she doesn’t hear me. The way she’s yelling pisses me off.