Page 16 of Rekindling Little River (Littles of Rawhide Ranch #14)

Dave

Goddamn, River was adorable. They literally bounced beside Dave, holding his hand as they left the shop and headed for lunch.

They talked nonstop at the restaurant about all the things they hoped they got to do as a pirate, wiggling in their seat when they talked of something they found particularly exciting.

They were so antsy and wound up that Dave ended up having to hand feed them their macaroni and cheese just to get some in their tummy.

He wasn’t going to lie, he hoped he got the chance to hand feed them often.

It settled something inside him that he hadn’t even known was agitated.

After lunch, he walked River to his door instead of theirs.

He’d gotten notified while River was playing that the items he’d ordered had been delivered and he couldn’t wait to show them everything.

They didn’t even seem to notice at first, too busy talking away.

It seemed that while Big River appeared to be quieter and more reserved, Little River was a nonstop talking machine.

The contrasts between the two sides of River were endlessly fascinating.

Dave knew the moment River had spotted the massive pile of bags on the bed. Their words trailed off as their eyes got wide and they stopped in their tracks.

“What’s all that, Daddy?”

“It’s some stuff Daddy ordered so we could make the most of our time here.” He gestured to the bed and asked, “Would you like to look through it?”

A light sparked in River’s eyes and they rushed to the bed, jumping up and while most likely hoping to land on the mattress, they misjudged the distance, ending up on their ass on the floor.

There was a moment of pure, silent shock that reflected in their open mouth and saucer-wide eyes before tears gathered and the first wail filled the air.

Dave rushed over, dropped to his knees and gathered River into his arms. He rubbed circles on their back and cooed soothing words as he held them close.

All the while, he hoped he’d ordered enough first aid supplies for his accident prone Little one.

River

River’s bum-bum was still hurting when they managed to climb onto the bed in their Daddy’s room.

They were trying to ignore the pain though.

Daddy had done his best to make it better, and they were super excited to see what was in the bags.

So many bags, so little time. They’d have to remember not to bounce when they got excited. That should be easy, right?

They settled on the mattress crisscross-applesauce and reached for the first bag in the treasure trove. Nothing was wrapped or hidden so as soon as they peeked inside, they knew what it held. Still, they pulled each thing out, one by one, inspecting and admiring them respectively.

The first thing they pulled from the bag was a binky clip. It was perfect, simple in design with a rainbow-colored strap.

“I saw you searching for your paci this morning and thought it might help,” Daddy explained.

Next, they drew out a snap-crotch onesie pack.

Inside there were five different short sleeved onesies in varying colors with different designs.

River loved them. They didn’t own any snap-crotch onesies of their own.

They pulled out another pack that contained the same things but with long sleeves instead of short.

The next bag was even more interesting. River pulled out training pants, diapers, training underwear, and diaper covers.

They’d always known they’d go really Little sometime if they ever trusted someone enough, but they’d never had that much faith in anyone else.

As they caressed the package of adult-sized diapers, they glanced at their new Daddy and wondered if he could possibly be the person worthy of River’s complete submission. Somehow, they thought he just might be.

On and on the surprises came. They were sure their new Daddy hadn’t missed a single thing they might need to face anything that might arise while they were here.

They didn’t know how he’d managed it, but the fact was that he had made River feel the most special they had ever felt in their entire life.

“There’s one more thing, babysaurus.”

Gods, they loved when he called them that. They loved it more than any other pet name ever. Wait, what had he said?

“There’s more?” It was a wonder their eyes didn’t bug out of their head. How could there possibly be anything more ? They were certain everything either of them could possibly need was already surrounding them.

“Just one thing.” Daddy stepped closer holding another bag that hadn’t been with the others. “I noticed last night that one critical thing was missing for a complete Little’s bedtime. So, I picked this out while you were getting the Velcro added to your pirate shirt.”

Daddy handed them the bag and when River looked inside, barely managing a gasp before their lungs seized up and they couldn’t breathe at all.

Their heart pounded as they carefully reached in and gently petted the soft plush fur of a T-Rex wearing a western hat, fully harnessed and saddled, waiting to be ridden.

It was absolutely perfect, the Rawhide Ranch logo on the belly only making it all the more special.

River’s breath finally released as they hugged their new friend, T-Rhett, to their chest and sobbed out their joy.

Their Daddy rushed over, pulling them close, and holding them as they cried.

He didn’t try to shush them or ask what was wrong, as if they’d be able to answer.

They simply held them, letting their tears fade naturally to small hiccups before leaning back and pulling out an honest-to-god handkerchief from his pocket to clean them up with.

Once River was more in control, Daddy asked the dreaded question. “What was that all about?”

River took a deep breath and did their best to explain. “When I was a kid, it was just assumed by everyone that I would be a doctor. I spent my entire life working toward that goal. Literally. From the time I was born.

“I didn’t have a single toy growing up that wasn’t specifically designed to further my education.

Instead of dolls or action figures, I had skeletons and those half cut open people that showed brains and hearts and intestinal tracks.

They even had me practicing keeping my hands steady under pressure with that old game, Operation.

” River shuddered just thinking about it.

“I’m pretty sure that game gave me PTSD or something.

I still can’t hear a buzzer without jumping out of my skin.

“Anyway, I never got frivolous toys or whimsical things. They even monitored what people bought me for holidays and birthdays. I never once had a stuffy that I can remember. When I grew up, I left home as soon as legally possible and have never gone back. Paying bills and saving for emergencies was the goal, so I never convinced myself that buying my own stuffy was important enough to spare the money.”

When they looked up, Daddy’s eyes were a mixture of sympathy and awe. Then, his brows drew together, his nose scrunched up, and understanding lit his eyes as he said, “Then… this is your first ever stuffy.”

“Very first.” River nodded emphatically. “Rhett and I are going to be best friends. Aren’t we?” That last part was aimed toward Rhett, who clearly agreed they were destined to be the best of pals.