Page 5 of Schooling Little Sage

No wonder the entry questionnaire was an extensive as it was. Bet the ones for established couples were half the size the singles were.

Sadie giggled, but poor Sage was beyond lost, his eyes darting between the three of us. How’s that old saying go? Just suck it up, Buttercup. With a deep sigh, I relented, though exactly what to, I hadn’t a clue.

“Let’s grab lunch in the cafeteria and get to know one another. Thank you, Miss Sadie, for showing Sage around. I’ll take it from here.” I didn’t even bother to look at Derek again knowing full well he was still wearing that shit-eating grin.

Silently, Sage followed me across the hall and into the cafeteria line. “Afternoon, this is Sage. He’s a new hire working with me in the horse stables.”

“Afternoon, Warner. Sadie brought him by already and introduced him. Welcome to the team, Sage,”

“Thank you.”

“Alright, let’s start a list of things you need to get. Pull your phone out and make a note.”

“I-I don’t have a phone.”

“First thing on the list, get you a phone. Otherwise, I’ll have no way to get ahold of you. Do you have other shoes besides the ones you’re wearing?” He shook his head. “Add boots to that list. Your tennis shoes won’t last a day mucking a stall.”

“Mucking a stall?”

Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

“We do them every morning. I’ll show you how tomorrow. Grab a tray and let’s get you fed.” Had a feeling we’d be in the Ranch Store for quite some time after this.

“This is all free?”

Our cafeteria selections were nothing to balk at. You could pretty much find anything you wanted to eat here.

“It is. Make sure you get a meat and veg.”

“Can-can you help me?” He turned those big blue eyes on me. Sage was clearly unaware of the depth in the weapons he harnessed. Curls to wrap my fingers around, large, pleading sapphire eyes begging me to take care of him.

F.M.L.

“I can. Since it’s your first time let’s go down each row, then you can get an idea of what they have.” In the end he wound up with a burger, fries and a small salad. “Good job. If you finish it all, we can go back for dessert.”

“Really?”

Wonder if they’d let me give him a whole pie?

Gallon of ice cream?

All the chocolate chips they had?

Shake it off, Warner. You can’t afford to give away the effect Sage has on you. That’s a big ‘ol Daddy no-no. Yeah, well, when I pull him onto my lap and feed him, he’ll know.

“Absolutely. Good Littles who eat all their meals earn a sweet treat as a reward.” It appears the way to see that brilliant smile of his was to bribe him with sugar. Duly noted.

“I-I’m a good boy.”

“I’m sure you are.” Tread lightly with this one, Warner. “Come on, let’s grab a table outside. The weather is too perfect today to spend our time indoors.”

Sage was in awe of our beautiful grounds. Being an outdoorsman myself, I shared that love with him. His head darted this way and that. His burger narrowly missed his mouth, dotting his cheek with mustard. Had his parents kept him in a box? How was all of this so new to him? I reached over and wiped his face, the beautiful blush on his cheeks was a wonderful thank you.

“Butterfly!” he squealed and nearly jumped out of his seat. “S-sorry. May I be excused?”

“Can you take two more bites of your burger first?”

His head bobbed. “Yes, Sir.”