Page 19 of Rekindling Little River (Littles of Rawhide Ranch #14)
Dave
Dave was kicking himself for not realizing earlier that River had gone non-verbal.
They’d never seen River go non-verbal before but then again, he’d seen a lot of things from River in the last twenty-four hours that he’d never seen before.
He needed to get it through his head that there was no anticipating what would happen as River fully embraced their new freedom.
Wrapping his arm around River’s shoulders, Dave led them into the Butterfly Room, waving to a teacher before leading River to the group of Littles he’d seen them playing with earlier that morning.
As he helped River down to a beanbag in the corner with their friends he asked, “Will you be okay here while I talk to the teachers?”
River nodded and squeezed Rhett tightly.
Dave kissed their forehead and let them know he’d be back as soon as possible before heading to speak to the teacher.
Turning, he found the woman again. She was undoubtedly the teacher, formidable looking with her hair pulled into a bun and wearing a long black skirt. She eyed him with a hint of suspicion.
He made his way over and held out his hand. “My name is Dave Shepphard. My Little one, River, made plans to meet their friends here and I signed them up for the day.”
“Miss Price.” Miss Price’s handshake was firm without being intimidating and Dave realized that despite her formidable look, she was likely a very sweet woman.
“Nice to meet you. I’m coming by, not just to introduce myself, but also because I’m facing a bit of a problem.”
“How can I help?” Miss Price regarded him intently, head tilted and hands clasped.
“River seems to have gone non-verbal. This has never happened before and while they didn’t want to disappoint their friends, neither of us feel comfortable with me leaving them here alone while this is happening.”
“We are a pre-school, Mister Shepphard. While we understand the need sometimes to stay for a few minutes, it is not common practice for us to allow caregivers to stay for the entire time.”
“I understand that, and if an exception can’t be made we’ll figure something else out, but they really wanted to spend time with the friends they made this morning.
” Dave looked back to find River still sucking their paci and nodding happily to something.
He smiled before turning back to the teacher.
“Perhaps I could stay for a time, let them get a bit more comfortable and if by the end of that time, they aren’t able to be left, we’ll do something else. ”
“I don’t see the harm in that. Fifteen minutes.”
Dave nodded his head, grateful for Miss Price’s acquiescence.
Heading back to River, he chuckled at the way the gaggle of Littles had their heads together.
The group fell silent as he approached, and River turned to him with a smile so bright it made their face glow.
God they were gorgeous, and he thanked his stars they were his.
He bent down and told River, “Miss Price is letting me stay but just for a bit. If you’re still not ready to be alone here when the time is up, that’s okay. We’ll find something else to do. Okay?”
One of Rivers arms loosened from around Rhett and wrapped around Dave’s leg as they nodded their understanding, and as they pulled away to return their attention to their friends, they were none the wiser that they’d taken Dave’s whole heart with them.
River
So many were in on the Pirate Day shenanigans.
They’d had no idea how elaborate the planning for the event was until getting here and finding everyone gathered.
The plans they had in place would be the most fun River had ever had.
They were just nervous about possible repercussions.
They’d never been involved in something like this, but as each person spoke, their excitement was contagious and River found themself anticipating their own role.
They had the most important role of all, in their opinion, and they were honored to be trusted with such a task.
They took the treasure handed to them and put it under the bib of their overalls.
They’d have to keep it secret and complete their task quickly.
They didn’t want to chance Daddy finding it and ruining things.
For the time that Daddy was allowed to stay, they had the most fun they could with their friends.
They smiled and nodded and not a single person seemed to mind that they weren’t speaking.
They didn’t even bring it up, as if it was a normal occurrence.
But like all good things, it eventually came to an end.
Daddy made his way over to them, and River tried to stifle the dread they felt knowing Daddy would have to leave but with each step he took their dread grew until they’d worked themselves into a panic.
Before Daddy even had a chance to speak, they’d latched on to his leg, wrapping both their arms and legs around the appendage and holding tight.
“I take this to mean you don’t want to stay?” Daddy’s declaration sounded more like a question so River answered with a firm shake of their head. “Okay, baby. Let’s get your things and say goodbye to your friends.”
While Daddy got their bag and went to tell Miss Price what was happening River waved to their friends. They giggled when Tay reminded them, “Complete yer mission, matey or walk the plank!”
River gave a thumbs up and a wink as Daddy came back and they took his hand and headed out of the room.
As they made their way down the hall, River started tugging Daddy’s hand.
They knew exactly what they wanted to do and it would not only let them spend time with Daddy but also complete their mission. It was perfect.