Bossing the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #4) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,42
notice they’re the same color blue as Connor’s. “Hi Olivia. I’m Elle. I work with your daddy.”
With a cute smile, she shakes my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
The only thing that breaks me away from the moment is Stephen’s voice. “Connor.”
Connor stands up a little straighter and looks at him with furrowed brows. “Dr. Burk,” he replies, keeping his tone even.
I turn toward them, and Maize speaks up. “You two know each other?”
“We were friends in high school,” Stephen tells her, and I remember our age difference. I had no idea they were friends at some point.
“Yeah, well…that was ages ago.” Connor reaches out and grabs Olivia’s hand. “Anyway, I’m gonna get a couple of snacks for her. It was nice seeing y’all.” He abruptly ends the conversation before anyone can speak up, and walks away. I can’t help but watch him move across the room, and I know by his stance that he’s pissed.
Before I can say anything to Maize about this disaster situation, she excuses herself. “I’m gonna go say hi to Grandma to make sure she gets something to eat.”
Rowan gives me a look, and Kenzie does too. Stephen’s phone rings, and he excuses himself and steps outside to talk.
Immediately, Kenzie shakes her head, looking back and forth between Rowan and me. “What the hell just happened?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. “I feel stupid as hell, though.”
“Why?” Rowan asks.
I lean in, whispering only loud enough for them to hear. “The only reason I brought a date is because Maize told me Connor was.”
Rowan sucks in a breath. “And that backfired.”
Kenzie snickers. “It’s never easy for us Bishop women, is it?”
“Hell no,” I tell her, frustrated over this whole situation. “I wish there was alcohol here.”
“Same, but you know how judgy Grandma gets when booze is involved,” Kenzie says with a laugh.
“I am thirsty, though.” I glance over at the punch table and see Connor chatting with Riley. Instead of avoiding him for the rest of the day, I make my way over there.
“Elle, is that you? I don’t recognize you without that stick in your ass,” Riley taunts, and I glare at him.
“Don’t start with me,” I tell him, filling a cup with strawberry punch.
Before Riley can continue, Zoey thankfully pulls him away. Connor awkwardly stands next to me as I sip my drink.
“Thanks for telling me,” I mutter.
Conner crosses his arms as he watches Olivia play with Zach.
“You wanted me to tell you about the terrible relationship I have with my ex-wife and how I have to fight to see my daughter?”
His response catches me off guard, something that’s happened a few times today. “No. The fact that no one knew you had a daughter who you seem to care about very much is worrisome. What’s the big secret?” I ask.
He sarcastically laughs. “There’s no secret. Plenty of people here knew. I have nothing to hide, Elizabeth, but I’m not gonna air my business for the entire town to know.”
I glare at him. “I would never tell anyone about your life, Dr. Wallen. I know how private you are, and I respect that.”
His face softens, and he swallows hard. Stephen steps back inside, and Connor tenses.
“He doesn’t seem like your type,” Connor says as Stephen makes his way across the room toward us.
“Really? What’s my type?” I ask, but of course he doesn’t answer.
Stephen comes over and snags a mini sausage from the table. “Sorry about that, work stuff.”
“I understand and can relate,” I admit, aware of how close Connor’s standing.
Olivia runs over and pulls him away. Moments later, Rowan walks over with Diesel trailing behind her. She grabs a plate and stacks it full of sugary treats.
“The baby loves sweets. I can’t help myself,” she says around a mouthful.
“And you never get between your baby mama and her food.” Diesel chuckles, then introduces himself to Stephen.
“Are you two datin’?” Diesel asks. Rowan elbows him.
Stephen laughs. “We’re on a date, yes. But nothing official. Not yet, at least,” he says, giving me a wink.
I smile, though I’m already considering friend-zoning him. Maize’s in such big trouble, she has no idea. After Diesel has talked our heads off about deer blinds and hunting season, I pull Stephen away, and we go into the living room where Grandma Bishop bombards us.
“Hello,” she says, holding out her hand. “And you are?”
“I’m Stephen Burk. I work at the hospital with Emily and Evan,” he explains.
Grandma Bishop gives me an approving head nod. “Don’t be a stranger, now, ya hear?”