Circle B Ranch: Volume Two

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

CONNOR

I don’t know what makes me follow Elle down the dark hallway, but when she didn’t return after a few minutes, I went to find her. The moment she walks out of the bathroom, I had to stop her and get her alone for a few minutes. I had no idea she worked here and was shocked to see her. When a few colleagues invited me out after a business event, I took up their offer since I had no early morning appointments tomorrow. This isn’t my typical scene, but since I just took Olivia to her mom's and was aggravated with Vivian, I decided a night of drinking wouldn’t kill me. However, when Elle fell into my lap, and I felt her soft skin against my hands, I was certain I had died. A flood of inappropriate thoughts swarmed in my head the moment her body shivered under my touch.

Thoughts I shouldn’t be having about her. She’s my employee, and our relationship needs to remain strictly professional.

“I need to get back to work.” She shoves me, putting unwanted space between us. “You need to take a cab.” The way she just dazed out makes me believe she was contemplating her next move before deciding to push me away.

“I’m staying at the hotel across the street,” I explain. There’s no way I’d drink this much if I had to drive three hours home.

“Great, then walk safely.”

As soon as she steps around me, I grab her wrist and blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. “You’re too good for this place.”

Elle Bishop is going to be a brilliant veterinarian someday, and working here distracts her from everything else she should focus on.

“I’m serving drinks to make some extra money. Whatever you think happens outside of that is in your head.”

With those final words, I release my grip, and she stalks off toward the bar.

I’m a fuckin’ i***t.

Of course I assumed she provided more than just drinks, especially since there are private rooms, but I stand by my original comment. She shouldn’t be working here and most definitely shouldn’t be parading around in only a b*a and booty shorts. I’d never seen Elle in anything besides scrubs, so to say I was shocked the moment I saw her is putting it mildly. Jealousy overcame me and was followed by rage when I noticed men staring and pawing at her.

After I return to my table, I finish my drink and realize the guys hardly noticed my absence. They’re too busy gawking at the girls on stage, but I can’t take my eyes off Elle as she walks around. The way she smiles at guys who don’t deserve a second of her attention has my blood boiling. I’m not sure where this instinct to protect her comes from, but it’s all I can think about. I want to wrap a jacket around her and demand that she quits. Then I want to take her back to my room and—

I shake my head before the inappropriate thoughts take over.

I’m her goddamn boss.

Fuck. I need to get out of here.

But I don’t want to leave until she gets out safely. So it’s decided then, I’m staying till closing.

For the rest of the night, she avoids me, and I can’t blame her. All of our conversations are job-related, but I overhear a lot of what she, Beverly, and Trina talk about. She just doesn’t know I listen to them.

It’s one in the morning by the time her shift ends. I watch as she cashes out her tips and tells the bartender goodbye. The last thing I want to do is to come off as a stalker, but the moment she goes out of view, I follow her outside. Instead of saying anything, I just watch as one of the bouncers walks her to her truck. Elle thanks him, and I finally release a breath once she’s safely inside.

After she buckles in, Elle looks up, and we make eye contact. I keep mine locked on her, and when she starts to drive off, she quickly waves. I sigh, realizing I f****d up big time.

I shouldn’t have touched her. Should’ve kept my hands to myself and kept my mouth shut.

But if I’m being honest, having her close enough to kiss sparked something in me that I thought was dead.

The part of me that Vivian broke.

It doesn’t mean I can do anything about it, and I won’t. Elle’s too young, and I’m too jaded. She needs a mentor, not a messy relationship with someone who has more emotional baggage than even I can comprehend.

By the time Friday morning rolls around, I’m anxious as hell but refuse to let it show. When I got back to my hotel the other night, I passed out, then drove home in the morning. I feel like a goddamn i***t for the way I acted, but I don’t regret it. Nothing needs to change between us, and I’ll make sure she’s aware of that.

“Good mornin’,'' Beverly greets, handing me a coffee. “Looked like you needed an extra cup today.” She smirks with a wink.

“Thanks,” I grumble. “Is Elizabeth here yet?”

“Yes, she just punched in.”

“Send her in, please.”

“Sure thing.” She exchanges a look with Trina, but I ignore it.

I take a long sip of the hot liquid and stare at my computer until the door opens.

“Come sit,” I order.

Elle glares at me because of my tone but shuts the door and takes a seat.

“I’m not gonna beat around the bush. Seeing you at that strip club took me by surprise. I apologize for following you into the hallway, especially since I’d been drinking. With that being said, you need to quit your job.”

She crosses her arms, then shrugs. “Fine, I quit. I’ll be back for my last check.”

“Your other job,” I clarify, knowing damn well she knew what I meant.

“I’m positive you can’t dictate what I do outside of these walls. What I do on my own time is none of your business,” she retorts. I should’ve expected her to be defensive and not listen.

“If it’s about the money, I’ll give you a raise.”

“No.”

I grind my teeth at how damn stubborn she’s being. “Double,” I counter.

Elle’s brows shoot up.

“You don’t belong there. It’s not a good look for the clinic.”

“Is that the only reason you don’t want me there?” she challenges. I can tell she wants to be defiant, but there’s no way she can deny my offer.

Instead of going down the road of why I don’t like other men looking at her, I bring up another point she won’t argue. “Unless you’d like your grandma to find out where you spend your spare time, I suggest you accept my terms. Mrs. Bishop is the reason you’re here right now, and she’d be awfully disappointed—”

“You wouldn’t,” she says, and I almost hear a tremble in her voice.

“Do you want to call my bluff?” I retort, meeting her narrowed eyes.

“Fine,” Elle finally blurts out, then stands. She places her palms on my desk and leans over slightly. She’s so pissed, she’s seething. “I’ll give them my notice, but it won’t be because you demanded it. Next semester is going to be extremely busy, and I’ll need that day off to study.”

I sit back in my chair, amused. “Whatever you need to say to justify getting the hell out of there.”

“You’re a real asshole, you know that?” She nearly growls, then walks to the door.

“Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve heard that one,” I mutter.

“Daddy!” Olivia screams as she runs and falls into my arms. I immediately feel the stress melt off my shoulders. I’ve waited an entire month to see her again. Having Olivia a few days over Thanksgiving wasn’t enough, so I’m glad I’ll get her for a couple of weeks during her winter break. Christmas is only three days away, and I plan to make it super special for her.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I squeeze her and kiss her cheek. “I missed you. I think you grew another inch!”

She giggles. “Missed you too, Daddy.”

Vivian hands over her bags and asks Olivia for a goodbye hug. We meet halfway, so it’s another two hours back home.

“Bye, Mommy.”

I wave to Vivian, then get Olivia settled into the back of my truck. We only talk when it’s necessary so we don’t fight in front of our daughter. I’m still pissed she moved Olivia without my permission, but I can’t change that now. I want what’s best for Olivia, and constantly going to court to fight over the custody agreement would have added more tension between all of us. So to quickly finalize the divorce, I agreed to the custody arrangement. Though it’s not nearly enough time.

“You excited to see Grammy and Poppy?” I ask as I pull out of the parking lot.

“Yep! I colored them some pictures,” she tells me.

“They’re gonna love that.”

At only four years old, Olivia definitely gets her creative gene from her mom. She always loved to paint and draw, and I see that same spark in Olivia’s baby blues.

After two bathroom stops and one dinner break, we finally make it to my parents' house. Since I work a half day tomorrow, she’ll spend the night with them, so I don’t have to get her up early.

“Grammy!” Olivia peels her eyes open as my mother opens the back door.

“Hi, my little princess.” She leans in and kisses her. “How was the drive?”

“Boring,” I respond as my mom gets Olivia out of her booster seat.

“I have to go potty,” Olivia says.

“Alright, sweetie. Let’s get you in the house.”

I grab Olivia’s bags and follow them inside. My dad immediately greets her with a hug before she skips off to the bathroom. My parents have always adored Olivia and were just as upset as I was when Vivian left. Now we all have to share her during these visits.

“Poppy, I made you dis.” Olivia hands him a piece of paper once she returns. “It’s you and me.”

“I love it! It’s goin’ right on the fridge.”

“I made one for you too, Grammy.”

“Let me see.” Olivia proudly hands it over, and my mother’s eyes light up. “This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen! I’m gonna frame it and hang it on the wall.”

Olivia giggles.

I hang out until Olivia’s fast asleep in the spare room. My mom gave her a bath, and I read her a bedtime story. While I love having her here, a dark cloud follows me, constantly reminding me that she’ll eventually be leaving again. It makes me want to spend every free second with her even though I can’t.

The following workday is short and mostly for paperwork. I had two walk-in appointments but plan to close at noon.

“Dr. Wallen?” I hear Elle’s voice at my door as she knocks.

“Come in,” I say.

“Hey. I wanted to give you this before I leave.” She sets down a wrapped box. “Merry Christmas.”

Blinking, I eye it, then look up at her. “What’s this?”

“Open it.”

She’s never given me a gift before, and I feel awful for not having anything for her. I gave my employees extra paid vacation days as their annual bonus, but we’ve never exchanged presents.

“I apologize, but I don’t have anything to give you.”

“It’s not much,” she tells me.

I rip the paper and open the box. Inside is a small frame with a picture of me with Beverly, Elizabeth, and Trina. We’re happily standing behind the front desk smiling wide. The Eldorado Gazelle did a front-page feature on the clinic not too long ago and sent a photographer. She must’ve asked for a copy.

“I noticed there weren’t any pictures around here.” Elle bites her lip as she awaits my response. “Thought we could hang it by the front desk, or you could keep it in here.”

No way can I stare at how beautiful Elle is in this picture every day.

“Let’s put it up front. That way, everyone can see it when they walk in.”

When I hand it to her, she smiles. “Sure, will do.”

“Elizabeth,” I call out as she moves toward the door. She spins around, and our eyes meet. “Thank you.”

She nods. “You’re welcome.”

As eager as I am to go pick up Olivia, I wrap up my to-do list for the day and send everyone home before leaving. When I get to my parents’, I walk into the kitchen where my mom and Olivia are baking Christmas cookies.

“Hi, Daddy!”

“Hi, sweetheart. Looks kinda messy in here.” I chuckle, kissing the top of her blond head that’s covered with powdered sugar.

“She’s been a great helper today. A real bakin’ machine,” Mom tells me.

“Is that so? Do I get to try any of these goodies?” I ask, scooping up some raw cookie dough.

“Daddy, no! There’re raw eggs in there,” she states matter-of-factly. I bet she got scolded for the same thing.

My mom arches a brow in warning. “Okay, fine. I’ll wait till they’re hot and gooey.”

“That’s when they’re the best!” Olivia beams, and I love seeing how happy she is. Though I’m a known hard-a*s, I become a damn softy anytime Olivia’s around.

The next two weeks fly by way too fast. Though I still have to work between Christmas and New Year’s, I spend every spare minute with my daughter. The pure joy on her face as she opened gifts and saw her surprise overnight trip to a hotel waterpark was the best day I’d had since before she was taken away from me.

I meet Vivian halfway on New Year's Day to drop off Olivia, and watching her cry for me as we hugged goodbye nearly broke me again. I won’t get her again until Easter, which is over three months away. I promised to FaceTime every day, and she promised to color me new pictures.

As I watched them drive away, the anger I feel about not being able to see her for that long fuels my rage all the way home. I’ve gotten over Vivian wanting a divorce, but I’ll never get over her taking Olivia from me and moving four hours away. She damn well knew I couldn’t up and leave my practice but did it anyway.

Someday, I hope Olivia’s back with me where she truly belongs.

But until then, I’ll take what I can get and cherish every moment I have with her.