Page 15 of Rekindling Little River (Littles of Rawhide Ranch #14)
Dave
“Their friends have been planning a full day of fun pirate stuff to do. It’s going to be so awesome!”
It took less than half a day for Dave to realize he’d never seen Little River before. He’d seen them playing, he’d seen them trying, but it was plain as day now that River had never fully gone into Little space around him before. The difference was night and day.
Dave had admired River’s calm. He’d respected their organization.
Their grace was unparalleled. These things drew him in and captured his attention.
Little River, however, was the most chaotic, clumsy, impulsive, and adorable thing he had ever laid eyes on.
In the short time they were in the playground room, he’d figured out he would need to carry a bag with him anywhere they went.
It would need to have every first-aid supply he could get his hands on, as evidenced by the scraped knee from tripping over their own feet, bruised hand from knocking it on a platform edge, the bump he was convinced was on the back of their head from knocking it on the side of the slide and the badly bruised stubbed toe.
Keeping Little River safe was going to be a full-time job. One Dave was looking forward to.
“Is it an officially sanctioned event?” Dave was pretty sure it wasn’t or there was bound to have been something about it in their welcome packs.
Not that it would keep him from allowing River to participate.
The only thing they’d talked about since leaving the playground was Pirate Day, and he was not willing to be the one to dim their excitement.
“Well, not technically. But the owner’s wife is in on the planning along with a few others and Quinn said that nothing happens on the Ranch without Master Derek knowing.”
From what Dave had seen of Master Derek so far, he completely agreed there was likely nothing happening that man wasn’t aware of.
Doing some quick rescheduling in his head, Dave changed their direction.
Once he let River know that he was agreeing to them joining the fun, he knew they were going to be ready to get their supplies.
His babysaurus was not nearly as patient as Big River.
Thankfully, the gift shop had been on his list of things to do today anyway.
He’d just move that to before lunch so when it was time for a nap River would be able to relax instead of worrying about shopping.
“Where are we going, Daddy?”
River had obviously noticed the direction change, but that was all right. He didn’t mind sharing his plans.
“Well, we can’t attend Pirate Day without at least attempting to look piratey.” He wasn’t sure piratey was a word but oh well, it was now.
Dave’s jaw almost hit the floor before he was able to school his features while River pumped their fists into the air, wiggled their hips, and crowed their victorious pleasure so loudly that Dave wondered if they could be heard in the Bermuda Triangle.
He’d apparently never seen a truly excited River either. They were beyond fucking adorable.
River
“Ahoy, Liam!” River greeted. They were completely unable to contain their excitement. Pirates was a game River had always wanted to play. There had just never seemed to be time when they were younger or an opportunity in recent years. Tomorrow was going to be the best day ever!
“Ahoy, matey!” Liam was so cool and River loved how he just played right along without missing a beat. “Is this your lucky dinner escort?”
“Liam, this is my Daddy, Dave. Daddy, this is Liam. He helped me find my outfit yesterday.”
As they shook hands and exchanged greetings River decided to begin perusing the racks.
They saw several things that could possibly work for a decent pirate outfit.
Still, after yesterday, and with the fact that their new friends recommended him as well, River really wanted to see what Liam came up with.
“So, what can I help you find today, River?”
“Arrrg, we be searchin’ fer new duds befittin’ a pirate, matey!”
They heard Daddy coughing and looked over to make sure he was okay.
Turned out, he was absolutely fine and just struggling to keep a laugh in.
That was fine, he wouldn’t be laughing when he saw them dressed in the most amazing pirate outfit of all time.
Besides, he didn’t know it yet, but he was getting a pirate outfit too.
Liam was once again phenomenal. As soon as he heard “pirates,” he was off gathering this and that from all kinds of places in the shop.
He got items from the fetish area, items from clothes, even went and got a few things from the toy section.
River and Dave just watched in awe as he loaded baskets in a way that seemed completely random.
After only a few minutes, he was leading them back to the dressing rooms, ushering them into their own separate room, handing them each a basket and instructing them to put on everything in it.
River was having the time of their life watching the picture develop in their head as they drew on tan riding pants, and knee high, flat soled, brown boots, a white top a few sizes too big, and a brown corset around their waist. A scarf momentarily confused them until they realized the red material should be tied around their hips.
The hat was easy to figure out, but the stuffed parrot didn’t have any place to go.
Still, he was a super cute little guy and River decided he was coming with them to see the full effect.
When they stepped out, they stopped short at the sight of their Daddy in full pirate gear.
When the maker created Dave, they gave him a little something extra that came to life in western wear and, apparently, pirate gear.
Because the only word they could think of to describe him right then was “yummy”.
He caught their eye in the full-length mirror and something passed between them. Something that sent zings of pleasure through River, igniting flames in their blood and making heat pool in their core.
Before they could contemplate the feeling too long, Liam approached and exclaimed, “I knew that would be amazing on you! If that’s what you’re going with, then I have a way to make the parrot sit on your shoulder.” He held up some Velcro strips and a threaded needle.
Yep, this was going to be the best Pirate Day in history!