Page 97 of Protector
It’s almost enough to make me want to be a good girl all the time.
Almost.
I still haven’t forgotten my plan to prove what a sweet, obedient Little girl I am like Victoria, so that maybe one of my uncles will take pity on me and help me return home. But the one time I even casually mentioned going back home in front of Uncle Evan, he just laughed and kissed my forehead and told me not to worry about such silly things. And, judging by how in sync the rest of my new family seems, I have a feeling all of my uncles will have a similar response.
The car slows, and I sit up straighter in my seat, all thoughts of escape and mean old uncles forgotten as I scramble to look out the window.
Disappointment settles heavy in my tummy. “A farm? My big surprise is a farm?”
But if Jasper is put out by my unimpressed tone, it doesn’t show. Still grinning widely, he winks. “Not just any farm. You’ll see in a moment.”
When we finally roll to a stop, Jasper takes my hand and we climb out of the door Richard is holding open for us. I brace for the smell of manure and animals, but to my surprise, there is no stench.
Interesting.
Another car pulls up beside ours, and before the driver can even exit, the back door flies open and Victoria tumbles out, dressed in a set of overalls nearly identical to my own, only hers are a deep rose where mine are teal.
“Juju!” Victoria’s voice pitches up to an excited squeal as she throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Imissed you! I’m so excited you’re coming to the petting zoo with us!”
“Victoria Rose!” Climbing out of the car behind her, Uncle Max pins his Little girl with a glare. “You know better than to get out of the car without Daddy. Come here.”
Head down, Victoria drags herself over to stand in front of her Daddy. “Sorry, Daddy, I just got so excited I forgot.”
“Well, let’s see if we can’t help you remember the rules.”
Propping one foot up on the car door, Uncle Max flips Victoria over his knee, swatting her bottom over and over as she kicks and cries. I know from experience a spanking doesn’t hurt nearly as much over a diaper, but you would never know that by the way Victoria is carrying on.
When he sets Victoria on her feet again, her hands immediately fly back to rub her bottom, her lower lip puffing out in a pout as she sniffles dramatically.
“If you’re tempted to ‘forget’ any more of our rules today, I will strip you down and spank your bare bottom right in front of everyone. And Bridgette has plenty of tools on hand to help me get my point across, if necessary. Am I making myself clear, Victoria Rose?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl.” Taking her by the hand, Uncle Max turns to face Jasper and I with an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that. Victoria’s been ready to burst with excitement all day. Haven’t you, little thief?”
Little thief. That’s the second time I’ve heard Uncle Max refer to Victoria that way and just like the first time I find myself wondering how on earth she got that nickname.
Perhaps we have more in common than I realized.
“Uh-huh.” Seemingly unbothered by her very public punishment, Victoria bounces on her toes, her eyes shining withrenewed excitement. “We get to see the cows! And the horsies! And Daddy says there’s even carriage rides!”
I’ve never considered myself much of an animal person, but Victoria’s excitement is contagious, and soon I’m tugging on Jasper’s hand. “Can we go see them now? Please, Daddy?”
“Of course, princess. Let’s go.”
The four of us head for the closest building, which is quite possibly the largest barn I’ve ever seen in my entire life. We’re met at the entrance by a surprisingly petite woman dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, her dark hair falling in one single braid down her back. She greets us with a broad smile as she pulls thick leather gloves from her hands. “Well, hello there, little ones. Welcome to Forbidden Pleasures Ranch. Are you ready for your tour?”
“Yes, ma’am!” Again Victoria bounces beside Uncle Max, who looks down at her with so much love shining from his eyes it makes my chest ache to see it.
Nobody’s ever looked at me like that, and I can’t help but think that nobody ever will.
“A few rules first.” Bridgette’s expression shifts, taking one a more stern demeanor that could give even Auntie Cat a run for her money. “No climbing on the railings. If an animal approaches you, then you may pet it, but do not try to force them. Especially the bulls. Once we’ve gone through the tour, you’ll have an opportunity to taste some fresh milk, but do not try to milk the cows on your own. They are on a very strict schedule. Other than that, have fun and feel free to ask me any questions you may have.”
With that, Bridgette turns and drags open one of the giant doors, gesturing for us to lead the way. And when we step inside, it takes my brain a moment to truly process what I’m seeing.
There’s a reason the farm doesn’t smell like any other farm I’ve ever visited. Because there aren’t animals in the pens in front of us.
Only people.
