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She opened her mouth to ask what that was, but Ashley shook her head at her.

“We won’t, sir. No worries,” Ashley said.

“Hmph,” Aaron made his opinion known.

“Bye!” Ashley trilled, pulling Chyanne along with her.

It wasn’t until they reached the table and she shyly waved at the other girls that she realized her tray was still empty.

“I forgot to get food,” she said, feeling like an idiot.

“Don’t worry about it.” Ashley tugged her hand until she took a seat. “Lora’s the cook’s fav-o-rite,” she sang out.

“Plus, we always get more than we can eat.” Betsy giggled as she tossed a pancake onto Chyanne’s empty plate.

“Thank you,” she said gratefully. She’d barely taken a bite when she was besieged with questions.

“Did you get into trouble?”

“What did theydoto you?”

“Yeah, why are you wincing so much?”

“Huh? I didn’t see her wince. Did you, Chyanne?”

The questions came flying so fast, and her head was down and focused on her plate so that she didn’t know who’d asked what. After swallowing, she lifted her head, both surprised and amused to see three sets of eyes intently focused on her. And Veronica, who sat stiffly with her arms crossed, pretending not to care.

I hate how much that bothers me.She looked at the other three faces, all friendly and bright-eyed as they waited for her response, clearly eager to welcome her for however long into their tight circle.Why do I have to be like this? Why is it that the one person who’s cold bothers me?

Get over it, Chyanne, she told herself sternly.Focus on the good.

So, taking a deep breath, she did. “Well, when I got back to the room…”

* * *

Aaron

“Were you a good girl today?” Chandler asked, tapping their girl on the nose.

She sidled up to him with a smile. “Yes, Daddy.”

“Are you sure?” Aaron inquired, giving her a narrow-eyed questioning look.

She had apparently learned to read him pretty well in the time they’d been together, though, because she just giggled before standing on tiptoe and giving him a kiss. “Yes, Master,” she purred.

Damn. He’d only been in her presence for approximately twelve seconds, and he was already sporting a semi.

“Hmm, what do you think, Aaron?”

He looked over at Chandler and pretended to consider the question. “Well… if you’ve really behaved, I guess there’s only one thing to do.”

She looked back and forth between the two of them.

“You deserve a reward.”

Her red hair was coming free of her pigtails, her clothes were a bit rumpled from the hard work of the day, and the bottom of her shorts was stained brown from dirt and grass in the field. But when her eyes lit up, she was breathtaking. “Really? Does this mean Ifinallyget to come?”

Aaron, unprepared for the question, couldn’t hide his chuckle. “Maybe later. We arranged for you to meet the horses.”