Page 13 of Cowboy Daddies

Hank walked up, having just tossed the man’s hat out after him. “Really sorry about that. He’d evidently been drinking before he got here, and I didn’t realize it.”

“Stupid fucking tourist,” Grady bit out. “Still, you should make sure he doesn’t drive in that condition.”

“Don’t think that’ll be an issue, Grady,” Hank said, glancing out the window at the man struggling to rise from the sidewalk. “Sheriff Nelson is headed this way now. I bet he has a room where this guy can sleep it off.”

Grady nodded. “Sam always has a nose for trouble.”

“Boone, I would ask you and Tildi to join us, but we’re just about to head out.”

“No problem, Grady, Tildi and I were just stopping in for a quick bite before taking this ball to the ranch.”

“I have to ask, Boone, what do you need a ball for out at Wild River Ranch?” Grady inquired.

“It’s for Bullwinkle,” said Tildi.

“You mean as in Bullwinkle the Moose?” Fiera asked.

Grady gave Boone the “this should be a good story” look.

Boone sighed. “Bullwinkle was formerly Ironside, our breeding bull for the Bison herd. Tildi here renamed him and the name stuck.”

“And the ball?” Grady asked, grinning from ear to ear. Sage could tell he was really enjoying teasing his old friend.

“Turns out Bullwinkle loves to kick the ball with me,” Tildi said.

Boone shrugged. “It’s true, what can I say?”

Sage had rarely seen Grady relaxed like this, just enjoying the company of friends.

He held out his hand to Sage. Her heart did that strange melty thing all over again. Only this time, she melted all the way to her core.

“Come on, little one. Time to get my girls home.” A car door slammed outside the window. Grady glanced and nodded. “Looks like the Texan found a ride with the sheriff.”

Sage slipped her hand into his much larger one, trying and failing not to notice how safe and warm it felt.

She waved goodbye to Fiera and Tildi. They were both staring at her with knowing smiles.

Chapter Five

Anticipation fluttered through Sage’s chest like a whole kaleidoscope of butterflies having a dance party. She barely refrained from clapping her hands and bouncing up and down on her bottom. She ran her hand along the glittering, sparkling fabric of the mermaid dresses she had found. The minute she’d spotted them in a magazine, she’d begun planning this party with Rose.

Hopefully, she loved mermaids too. She pushed away her nervous doubt because, seriously, who didn’t love mermaids? Rose had been looking forward to this party for days. Then again, so had Sage. Her young charge didn’t know about the dresses, so that was going to be a surprise. Yep, this was going to be the best Pillow Palace ever.

Sage’s bottom did a happy little wiggle on the rug. She tried to tell herself to calm down, even as her fingers tapped excitedly against her knees. Big girls don’t bounce… but really, at a time like this, who wanted to be Big? Not her. That was for sure.

It was enough to make her completely forget… well, almost completely forget… what had happened in the barn a few nights before with Grady. Or rather, what hadn’t happened. Who knew a person could feel disappointment and relief at the same time? He’d said that if she broke a rule, she would be punished. And even though he didn’t say so exactly, he’d hinted that the punishment would be a spanking.

Heck, he’d even asked her if she’d expected a spanking, and she’d sort of admitted that she had been. Fat lot of good that did her because even though she’d broken a rule... well, sort of accidentally... all she’d gotten was a lecture. The spanking she’d been certain she’d earned hadn’t happened. Part of her was glad. But another, much louder, part of her was still pouting about it. That made her crazy, right? From everything she’d read, spankings hurt.

Some of her friends in Wilder had verified that in no uncertain terms. Their descriptions left her feeling tingly and a bit jealous, even though she was very happy for them. They also felt the same way she had when an expected spanking didn’t happen. Disappointed.

So, if it was crazy longing for something you knew might really hurt, at least she wasn’t alone in her craziness.

Honestly, the whole thing had left her with nothing but more questions. Why hadn’t he spanked her? It was pretty obvious he’d wanted to, but what stopped him was a mystery. All she’d gotten was a scolding before he sent her to bed, like a naughty Little girl.

Even without the spanking, something had definitely shifted between them. He somehow had her Little slipping out more and more often. And he seemed to be growing less and less annoyed about it.

Maybe one day he’d actually like having a bouncy, sassy Little around. Goodness knew, her Little was into growly, scowly cowboys with big hands and even bigger rules. Unfortunately, it appeared she’d have to go on wondering for now.