Catch a Cowboy (Match Made in Montana Series) by Rachelle Paige Campbell

Kincaid Ranch lead cowboy, Ted Stirling, isn’t looking for romance or entanglements. He settled in Herd, Montana over a decade ago following a devastating loss. He seeks comfort and friendship. Nothing more. If he was going to try for love again, he would pick someone sweet and sunny, exactly like kindergarten teacher, Stephanie Patricks. But she’s too young for him.

Stephanie has nursed a crush on quiet, handsome Ted for years. Every time she’s around him, however, she gets tongue-tied. She only seems to be able to find her words when she’s working with her students. Then, Ted’s sister unexpectedly arrives in town with his five-year-old niece in tow, and he needs Stephanie’s help, thrusting them together.

But a sudden emergency puts into sharp focus exactly how fragile life is, and he needs to decide whether or not to open his heart again.

Tropes: age gap, sworn off relationships, matchmaker, child’s teacher/nanny, cowboy, small town