Bossing the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #4) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,44

this, Daddy?”

“Yes, go ahead,” I say just as the main door opens behind me. Elizabeth enters, and I’m brought back to the party where Stephen had his hand on the small of her back. My nostrils flare at the thought of them together.

“You okay?” Elizabeth asks after I turn my head and try to focus back on Olivia.

“Fine,” I tell her.

She shrugs and walks forward, then stops when she sees Olivia. A smile touches her lips. “Hey, Olivia!” Elle’s voice is full of excitement.

“Hey! I remember you from yesterday,” Olivia says, grinning. “What’s your name again?”

“I’m Elizabeth, but my friends call me Elle,” she explains.

“I can call you Elle?” Olivia asks and pops the chocolate in her mouth.

“Yep, you sure can!” Elizabeth tells her, then heads to the break room.

Olivia thanks Beverly again and gives her a hug before skipping away.

“She’s adorable, Connor.” Beverly’s words pull me back.

“Thanks. She’s never allowed to get any older, though,” I firmly state.

“Yeah right. I said the same about my grandson, but he just keeps growing. You’re gonna have a fun time keepin’ the boys away when she gets older.”

I roll my eyes. “No dating until she’s fifty.”

Beverly snorts. “Uh-huh. Good luck with that. She probably already has a boyfriend at school.”

Shaking my head, I laugh, then walk toward my office. I hear Olivia talking to Elle in the break room, and I stand in the hallway and listen.

“Are you married?” Olivia asks.

“No, ma’am.” Elle laughs. “I’m an independent woman.”

“Oh,” Olivia says. “My mommy and daddy used to be married, but when I was little, they got in a device and…”

“Do you mean divorce?” Elle patiently asks, and I can imagine Olivia shrugging.

She continues. “And Mommy moved away, so now I gotta take turns. That’s why I’m here.”

“Wow. Well, I’m not glad that your parents divorced, but I’m happy you take turns and I got to meet you.”

“Really?” Olivia asks. My heart aches from what she shared. I can’t imagine how damaging this is, and I wish I could change things to give her a more stable home life.

“Totally. Plus, I bet your daddy is really excited you’re here too.”

“He is,” Olivia proudly says. “Can I have some of your coffee?”

“Umm. I don’t think that’s a good idea. I put a lot of sugar in it,” Elle explains.

“I love sugar!” Olivia shares, but before she coaxes Elizabeth into giving her some caffeine, I enter.

“Whatcha doin’?” I ask Olivia with a brow popped.

“Talking to Elle.” She innocently blinks up at me.

“Mm-hmm.” I give her a smirk. “Let’s find you something to do in your office.”

“Okay!” Olivia says, then waves at Elle before running past me.

“Sorry about that.”

Elizabeth glances at me, and I see a different fire behind her eyes. “Oh, don’t be. She’s fun. Just wish I was as spunky at seven thirty in the morning.”

“Right. Me too,” I offer and force myself to walk away. Olivia’s already set out a coloring book and dumped three hundred crayons on my desk.

“Can I be a doctor today too? Like you and Elle?”

“You can be whatever you wanna be, sweetie. Doctor. President. CEO. Your choice.”

“Oh, yes! President Olivia!” she exclaims.

She gets to work on her Disney coloring page that’s a castle. Thirty minutes later, the clinic opens, and people enter with their animals. When I’m with a patient, Elle entertains Olivia. She’s obviously great with kids by how much Olivia has already attached herself to her. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t understand why. Elizabeth is a people person and can make anyone feel important, especially little girls who don’t get enough attention at home from their mother.

After my third patient leaves, a delivery person enters with a huge bouquet of red and white flowers.

“Those are beautiful,” I tell Beverly after she signs for them.

“I know. Elle’s one lucky lady.” She grabs them and walks toward Elle, who’s in my office. The shock is evident in Elizabeth’s voice when Beverly tells her they’re for her.

“So who’s Stephen?” Beverly asks just as Trina walks over.

Elizabeth nervously laughs but thankfully doesn’t give a response.

“Oh I see, you’re the kiss and don’t tell type,” Trina teases. I enter the break room and overhear Olivia ask more questions.

“Is Stephen your boyfriend?” Olivia blurts out.

“No. No. He’s just a friend.” Elizabeth sounds adamant, and damn, I hope that’s true.

“For now,” Beverly taunts. Once the conversation has ended, I make my way back to Olivia, but not before Beverely passes me. I feel heat rush to my face because I know