Page 5

CHAPTER 4

“Are you sure you’re okay to drop me off at Rawhide Ranch?”

Barren glanced over at Phoebe. She was tense as she sat in his passenger seat, her hands twisting together nervously. She raised her thumb to her mouth, chewing on the nail. He wanted to tell her to stop, but he didn’t really have that right.

Roadside assistance had been unable to get her vehicle going, so they were towing it to the closest garage in Porter’s Corner. They’d offered to give her a lift, but he’d been able to tell that she was uncomfortable with that.

So he’d opened his mouth and said he would drop her off. Probably a really dumb idea. He should be driving to Missoula so he could catch his early morning flight. But he just didn’t seem to be able to say goodbye to this girl. “Of course it’s fine.”

“Aren’t you heading home, though? Are you driving?”

“No, I have a flight back to Connecticut in the morning.”

“Oh, you live in Connecticut? It’s so pretty there. I used to go to New York a lot with my dad. We also visited Connecticut a few times.”

“Is this your first time visiting Rawhide Ranch?” he asked her.

“Uh-huh. I’m a bit nervous.”

“Don’t be. Everyone here is really nice, and they’ll take care of you.”

Just don’t let anyone take care of you too well.

“Have you ever been in a relationship with a Daddy before?” he asked her.

She shook her head. “No. Never. I’ve dated before, of course. I was with my high school boyfriend for years. He wasn’t a Daddy, though. That was before I even knew that I was a Little. He broke things off after five years because he said I wasn’t mature enough for him. That he wanted someone who would settle down and be serious. I just… what’s the point of being serious all the time? You only get one life; can’t it be a fun one?”

He hummed as he thought over his own life. Had it been fun? Or had he spent most of it working hard to provide Krystal with everything that she wanted? Catering to all her needs because that fulfilled something inside him… only, had it made him happy?

Sometimes.

Maybe not at the end.

“You don’t agree. I get it. I should be an adult and knuckle down. Do my job. Stop playing around.”

“Hey, don’t put words in my mouth.” They reached the gates and he spoke to the guard briefly, showing him Phoebe’s papers before he let them through. “That’s not what I said. It’s okay to have fun. Sometimes you have to be serious too, though.”

“I know. Anyway, after we broke up, I started reading Daddy Dom books and something inside me just clicked. I knew why I’d felt… different all my life. I’ve never really felt like I fit in until I found a group of Littles online who all follow my favorite author. They became my friends, my team, my family. And they’re the ones who told me about Rawhide. But I’ve only just managed to find the courage to visit.”

“You’re being very brave. It took me a while to work up the courage to visit too.”

“Really?” She glanced over at him skeptically. “You?”

“Yep. I was nervous. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Or what would happen. You have this. You’re going to have a great time.”

She took a deep breath and nodded, then turned to him. “Thank you for dropping me off.”

Barren raised his eyebrows. “None of that. I expect a proper goodbye. After I carry your bags inside. Now, wait there until I come around and open your door.”

“Barren?” She reached out and grabbed his hand and he stilled.

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied huskily.

“I thought you’d be back, but I didn’t know it would be so soon.”

Barren turned toward Derek, shaking his head. “I’m not staying.”

“No?”

“I’m just dropping Phoebe off, then I’ll be leaving.”

Derek nodded, glancing over at where Phoebe was smiling as Erika spoke to her.

“Where did you find her?” Derek asked.

“Her vehicle had broken down. It’s been towed to Porter’s Corner. Someone will have to drive her in to get it once it’s fixed.”

“We can arrange that.”

Barren frowned, feeling unhappy about that but unsure why.

“We’ll take care of her,” Derek reassured him. “The way we do all our guests.”

“I know that,” he snapped before shaking his head. What was going on with him? He shouldn’t be snapping at Derek just because his brain was in turmoil, warring against his instincts. He should leave. But he wanted to stay. “I need to get going.”

“Sure. We’ll see you soon.”

Well. What did he mean by that? But before he could question the other man, Phoebe skipped up to him. Well, he assumed she was trying to skip, but her boots made it difficult, and she tumbled into him.

“Oomph!” she cried. “I’m so sorry! Did I hurt you?”

“As if you could hurt me, little girl.” Damn it. There he went again. He straightened her up, then took a step back. Was that a hint of sadness in her eyes? If there was, it was gone as quick as it appeared.

“Um, well,” she said awkwardly as she straightened her clothes. “Thanks for stopping to help me. And for dropping me off here. You’re like a Knight in Pressed Pants.”

He had no idea if that was a compliment or not. “You are welcome. But in the future, you will not drive anywhere without first making certain that your phone is fully charged.”

Her eyes widened. “I won’t?”

“You will not.”

“Um. Okay.”

“Good girl,” he praised her. “I also want your word that you will wear a jacket when you are outside.”

“I suppose I can do that.”

“Good.”

“Um. Yes. Good.” She rubbed her head. “Well, I guess this is goodbye.”

“Goodbye.” He forced himself to turn and walk out the door. A feeling of wrongness hit him as he stepped outside.

Why was he leaving her? Should he stay? No. There was no real reason for him to stay.

“Barren! Barren, wait!”

He turned to see Phoebe running toward him. In bare feet! What was she thinking?

“Where are your boots?” he demanded.

“I took them off. I can’t run in them. Here, you forgot your jacket.”

“You could have kept the jacket, sweetheart,” he told her, taking it. He actually liked the idea of her keeping it, wearing something from him.

“That… that wasn’t the only reason I ran to catch up with you,” she told him. “I owe you an apology.”

His eyebrows rose. “What do you mean? Why?”

“Because you apologized for calling me Little girl which means I should apologize. Because I liked it.”

“You did?” he asked.

“Yes.” She twisted her fingers together. “Are you sure it’s safe to drive? It’s getting late.”

He felt a surge of something toward her affection? Attraction? He should go. He’d packed his bags, changed his flight, and Melly was expecting him in the office in the morning. But here was this girl looking up at him with concern in her gaze. For him? Or was she nervous about staying here?

“I know you’re nervous, but the people here are going to take care of you.”

“Oh, you’re right. I’m so sorry. I’m being selfish. Please drive carefully and don’t worry about me!”

She turned away, starting to run back inside and he couldn’t stand it. He didn’t want things to end like this. With her running off from him.

“Phoebe, wait!” He half expected her to ignore him and keep running. But to his relief, she turned and stared back at him.

“Yes?”

“I’m actually tired and hungry. I thought I might stay for dinner and leave early in the morning.” He’d likely have to get up very early to make his flight. But any lack of sleep was worth it to see the smile on her face.