Page 185 of Broken Daddy

She breathed out a huge sigh. “Perfect.”

“Okay, baby. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Fifteen minutes later,she was blushing but feeling this crazy sense of happiness as he placed her back into the vehicle. He cracked a few of those little heater pads and put them on her lower tummy, over her top.

“Can you feel them?” he asked.

“Yes, thank you.”

He tucked the blanket around her and gave her Coco.

“I have one last thing that I bought for you, baby.” He set down the bag of stuff at her feet and drew out a baby’s pacifier. “I know it will probably feel too small and I can’t wash it so it might not taste nice. But if you want it, then it’s there. Or you can use your thumb if you prefer. Just want you to be comfortable.”

He almost sounded awkward. Like he wasn’t sure what to say or do to make her comfortable.

And it was adorable as well as unexpected. She’d never seen him like this before.

“Thank you. That’s really thoughtful.” Amazingly so.

She wasn’t sure about using it, though. Especially in front of someone else. But she gave it an experimental go.

Hmm. It wasn’t quite right, no. But she felt bad that he’d spent money on it, so she kept it in her mouth.

Hayes got into the car and glanced over at her. “No good, baby? I thought it was a bit of a risk.”

She took it out. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” he asked. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“But you bought it for me. I don’t want to be ungrateful.”

“You’re not ungrateful.”

She settled in against her seat, staring at him as she set the pacifier down on her lap. Instead, she put her thumb in her mouth. Devi still didn’t really understand him or why he was doing this.

However, she might never meet someone like him again or experience this level of care.

So she was going to lap it up.

Several hours later, they pulled through large wrought iron gates. She sat up straight as they drove up a slope and then came out in a valley. There was an enormous house that was lit up.

“That’s Clint and Charlie’s house,” he explained.

“They really don’t mind me staying here? On their ranch?” she asked.

“Sanctuary Ranch has always been a place where people can find safety and acceptance,” he told her. “Especially people in the lifestyle. You’re welcome here.”

She didn’t know if she really believed that. But she wasn’t going to make any waves. She’d already told herself that she was going to be as helpful as possible for Hayes. There must be something she could do to pay him back for taking care of her.

They headed along the driveway and she caught glimpses of houses nestled amongst the trees, but she couldn’t see much more than that.

“JSI headquarters is further up the hill,” he told her. “Kent and Abby along with some of the others have houses up there. I took the most isolated cabin other than Jed and Daisy’s. Jed likes his privacy too.”

“Jed? Is he someone you work with?”

“Yep. He’s a grumpy, anti-social bastard.”

“Oh, so the two of you get on well, then?” she teased.