Page 10 of Rekindling Little River (Littles of Rawhide Ranch #14)

River

What was even happening right now? How had they not realized what was happening before?

Dave had really been trying to get their attention this whole time?

And they hadn’t even realized how hot Dave was until yesterday.

Well, not really. They’d had flashes of attraction, but it hadn’t been hard to ignore until dinner last night.

“I haven’t broken you, have I?”

His lopsided smile said he was joking but honestly, he wasn’t far off the mark. River had read a ton of romances where one character longed for another who never had a clue, but they’d never figured they’d be living one.

“Um,” they said, “maybe?”

Dave laughed and it wasn’t the first time River felt goosebumps rise from the smooth, rich sound. There had always been something about his laugh that affected them.

“I hope not. I never want to break you. I want only to build you up.”

Well, hell. There he went again, making them speechless. Every time they thought they had a handle on their reactions, he’d say something else that set them firmly back in a seat on the struggle bus.

“So, what do you say, River? Give me a chance?”

Since their words were once again failing them, River did the only thing they could do.

They nodded their assent. Maybe this was exactly what they needed.

It could help them find their Little again, and if what Dave said was true, there was a slight possibility that he could be what River had once hoped to find.

They weren’t sure if they believed he really wanted them that much, and even if he did, imagining being with someone was often much different than actually being with someone.

He could easily decide later that they weren’t who he thought they were and end it.

But River knew for certain that if they didn’t give him this chance, they’d forever regret it and wonder what could have been.

River hadn’t worried over their appearance in a while, but they found themselves pawing through their things looking for the perfect outfit.

One that didn’t seem to be present. Dave was coming to escort them to dinner this evening and they wanted to look perfect.

Because of where they were going, River had only packed Little outfits aside from their travel clothes, but tonight they needed to feel and be Big.

They would be discussing a very important topic.

They also wanted to look attractive. It was time to do something they hadn’t done in quite a while. River was going shopping.

River might have been shopping more recently if they’d been able to find a store like the one they stepped into now.

It was unlike any gift shop they’d ever seen.

The massive space seemed to hold everything a person could dream of needing from essentials like toothbrushes and shampoo, to resort-themed souvenirs, sex toys, playroom toys, lifestyle clothes and the section that was drawing River. Western Wear.

The section held everything one would expect to find in a big-name western shop and more.

Boots, hats, skirts, jeans galore, all kinds of shirts from t-shirts to pearl snaps fit for a rodeo queen.

But the thing that drew River’s eye was all the bling.

Jeweled shirts, jeans, belts, hat bands, boots.

One could create an outfit that would turn them into a human disco ball if someone shined a flashlight on them. River wanted to be a human disco ball.

“Can I help you find something?” The voice drew River’s attention to a gentleman rocking the rodeo look to perfection.

His tanned skin and the particular shade of red in his hair gave away his Hispanic heritage.

His hazel eyes were more unique than any River had seen.

They looked like someone had marbled literally every eye color together so that swirls of every color from violet to green to brown and gray were visible.

There was a smattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks, and his wide, welcoming smile was a bright white worthy of an orthodontics poster. River liked him immediately.

“I have a special dinner tonight and I’m looking for the perfect outfit.”

“Oohh, you have come to the right place.” The man held out his hand for a shake, “I’m Liam. Do you have an idea of the style you want?”

River smiled. “I was thinking something along the lines of rodeo drag queen.”

“I like your style, my friend. Let’s get you hooked up.”

Liam was friendly and smart with a wicked sense of style that made River wonder if maybe he belonged in Paris putting together outfits for fashion week.

When they mentioned it, he’d laughed and said he was happy where he was with people who understood and accepted him.

River could relate. They’d felt freer to be them since stepping inside these gates than they’d ever felt before.

Liam had loaded a basket with several options of outfits and had included all the accessories to go with each one, but when he’d run across a certain pair of jeans, a light had come in his eyes as he looked between the pants and River.

“You’ve got Native American heritage right? How would you like the highlight that?”

“I’d love to rock something that proclaims my roots.”

“Perfect!” Liam took their hand and led them to the back of the store where a large area reserved for trying on clothes was set up.

There were several doors leading to what River assumed to be dressing rooms. In the center of the space was a platform surrounded by mirrors that shoppers could use to see an outfit from all angles. It was a pretty exceptional setup.

He led them to one of the doors and opened it. Inside was a long comfortable-looking bench along one wall, sturdy-looking hooks for hanging clothes on and was that an electrical outlet laid into the floor? Something told River these rooms might be used for more than simply trying on clothes.

“Wait here for just a minute. I’ll be back with an outfit so fabulous you’ll never want to take it off.”

Oh, River doubted that. They could think of one thing that would get them to lose any outfit in a split second.

“Okay, well, maybe for that .” Liam smirked, letting River know they hadn’t masked their thoughts well at all.

True to his word, it was no more than a couple of minutes before Liam returned with an outfit and every accessory one could possibly need in a hand basket. He handed the basket to River who wore what had to be a skeptical expression. There was way too much gray in that basket.

“Trust me,” Liam said with a wink. “If you don’t like it after you’ve put it all together, we’ll find you something else.”

River was willing to give it a try, so they nodded and closed the door. Once they’d put everything on and stepped out and onto the platform, they thanked their stars that they’d taken the risk.

“I told you. It’s absolute perfection.”

Liam wasn’t wrong.