Giddy Up, Daddy (Dirty Daddies 2024 Anthology #5)

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Blakely stood outside The Wishing Well.

Just go inside.

Why couldn’t she go inside?

Maybe because this was silly. Who’d ever heard of a Daddy Speed-Dating Night?

When Grandpa Jack mentioned it this morning, she’d actually thought he was joking.

But he’d convinced her that it was real and that she should go.

That she shouldn’t hide at the ranch, wasting her life away.

You only get one life, girly. Live it. Go for what you want. Grab onto it and don’t let go.

Good advice.

The only issue was that the thing she wanted most, she couldn’t have.

Well, maybe there was a really nice Daddy waiting for her inside. Who wanted a Little who was a crappy magician, but an excellent housekeeper.

Hmm. Excellent might be a stretch. But she was good.

Was that really all she had going for her?

Blakely glanced down at herself with a sigh. She hadn’t had much choice about what to wear. So she had on her lucky black jeans . . . that actually weren’t very lucky. A lacy purple top with a black singlet underneath. And her purple boots. She’d topped it all off with a lightweight black cardigan.

“Sooo, you planning on standing out here all night or are you going to come in?” a female voice asked from behind her.

“Kiesha,” a masculine voice warned.

“What? It’s cold out here and while Wishingbone is safe, I don’t think she should stand out here on her own, should she?”

“That’s probably true,” the man agreed. “Miss? Are you okay? Are you going into The Wishing Well?”

Thankfully, the street was well lit so she could see them easily as she turned to find a handsome, kind-looking man with salt-and-pepper hair giving her a concerned look. Beside him stood a woman with thick, dark hair. She was wearing a pair of bright yellow tights with ghosts on them, black lace-up boots, and a black sweater.

“Hey, I’m Kiesha and this is Harry. He’s mine.”

Harry sighed while Blakely blinked in surprise at that statement. Wow, Kiesha just put it straight out there, didn’t she?

“Hello, I’m Blakely. Uh, nice to meet you?”

“You say that like you’re not sure,” Harry said with a smile.

“Why wouldn’t it be nice to meet us?” Kiesha asked. “Ahh, maybe she senses your lawyerness. Hmm, some people don’t like lawyers. Do you not like lawyers?” Kiesha popped one hand onto her hip.

His lawyerness? Was that a word? And why would she have something against lawyers?

“I like lawyers.”

“Well, that’s good.” Kiesha smiled. “So, do you want to come inside with us?”

“I, um, well . . . I was just thinking about going home.”

“Why?” Kiesha asked.

“Where is home?” Harry asked. “Can we give you a ride there? Are you new in town?”

“If she was new in town, I’d know,” Kiesha stated. “I know everything about this town.”

“Kiesha, you don’t know everything about this town,” Harry replied.

“Sure, I do. Everyone tells me all the gossip and if a new gorgeous woman had moved to town, I’d know.”

“Just how much time are you spending gossiping at work?” Harry asked.

“If Ed asks, none. But if I have to tell the truth, a good third.” She turned to Blakely. “Ed’s a pain in my butt. He’s also the sheriff. And he thinks he’s my boss.”

“He is your boss,” Harry said dryly.

“Says who?” Kiesha demanded.

“Your employment contract.”

“Pfft. That’s just a piece of paper. And if I ever need to dispute that, I’ll just get my lawyer onto it. I know a good one.”

“Oh. Yes. I guess you do.” Blakely smiled at Harry.

“Oh, not Harry. Nah, I’m talking about his business partner, Gwen. Total girl boss.”

Harry sighed. “Ed’s right. I don’t spank you enough.”

“Hey! Don’t go taking advice from Ed! He’s a total bore. He always insists that we have to stick to the law. Can you believe that?”

“Um, well, isn’t he the sheriff?” Blakely asked.

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean he has a license to be boring.”

Blakely was starting to feel a bit sorry for Ed.

“Don’t worry,” Harry told her kindly. “Ed loves Kiesha like a little sister. And she loves him back.”

“Well, of course I do,” Kiesha said. “Was that in doubt? Now, we gotta go inside because I’ve gotta pee. You shouldn’t have let me have that second soda, Daddy.”

“I didn’t let you have that second soda. I specifically said no,” he said sternly.

Whoa.

Okay.

So Harry was a Daddy? Blakely hadn’t really sensed that until he’d used that stern tone. But now she could see how they worked. Kiesha seemed full of energy and she said what she thought. Harry was more reserved. Thoughtful.

But opposites could attract, and Blakely bet he was the steadiness that Kiesha needed.

“Oh, did you?” Kiesha said innocently. “Come on, Blakely, I’ll introduce you to some people. Although you’re going to have to tell me where you’re from and what you’re doing here.”

“Well, actually, I’m not sure about this. I’ve never done a Daddy Speed-Dating Night.”

Kiesha paused. Then she turned to look at Blakely, then up at Harry. “A what?”

“A uh, Daddy Speed-Dating Night? I’m in the right place, aren’t I?”

“Oh, so you’re a Little?” Kiesha asked. “I knew it. My Little radar went wild, but Harry said that I’m not allowed to ask people that anymore since I apparently got it wrong with this older woman I asked. But I still stand by the fact that she’s a Little. She’s just in denial.”

“Who told you about the Daddy Speed-Dating Night?” Harry asked carefully. “And, Kiesha, she didn’t even seem to know what a Little was.”

“Pfft,” Kiesha said.

“Well, uh, the man I sort of work for,” Blakely said, answering Harry’s question.

“Who’s that?” Kiesha asked.

“Jack Hill.”

“Whoa, you’re working for Jack?” Kiesha asked. “What are you doing for him?”

“Just some housework.” And keeping the older man company, but no one needed to know that part.

“Wow. It’s about time he hired someone. Isn’t Stafford taking care of Maple Grove Ranch now?” Kiesha asked.

“Yes, that’s who hired me.”

“Isn’t he a hunk?” Kiesha said, fanning herself. “Wowee. And if anyone has dormant Daddy energy, it’s him, right?”

“Dormant Daddy energy?” Blakely asked. What did she mean?

“Excuse me? A hunk?” Harry said.

“Oh, not as hunky as you, Harry.” Kiesha patted his chest. “But, you know, he’s up there.”

“Not sure I like the idea of you checking other men out and deciding they’re hunks,” Harry grumbled.

“Don’t worry, I decided he was a hunk way before I met you. I first met him years ago when he was visiting Jack. Haven’t seen him since he moved to Maple Grove Ranch for good, though. He needs to come into The Wishing Well for a drink.”

“He’s busy with the ranch,” Blakely said.

“Huh. All work and no play makes for a boring life,” Kiesha sang. “Now, about this Daddy Speed-Dating thing.”

“Yes? Is it not on or something?” There were an awful lot of cars in the parking lot. More than she’d expected.

“Ahh, doll, it was canned,” Kiesha told her.

“Oh.” Her shoulders slumped. But her disappointment was mixed with relief. What did she really think she was doing? She wasn’t even really looking for a relationship.

Right?

And meeting a Daddy Dom like that would be kind of weird.

“Yeah, I’m sorry,” Kiesha told her. “All of the Daddies nixed the idea. They said that it wouldn’t be safe unless everyone was heavily vetted. Yada, yada, yada, legal, boring talk I didn’t pay any attention to. End of the story, no arguments.”

“That wasn’t quite the way the conversation went,” Harry said calmly. Although she thought she heard him lightly slap Kiesha’s ass.

She could have been mistaken, though.

“I thought it was a great idea,” Kiesha said.

“That’s because it was your idea,” Harry replied dryly.

“Well, yeah, I have lots of good ideas.”

“I wonder how Grandpa Jack heard about it,” Blakely said. Why hadn’t she thought to ask him?

“Oh, probably from Aunt Marie,” Kiesha said. “They like to have good chats. Have you met her?”

“No.” Blakely started to shiver in the cold.

“Perhaps we should move this conversation inside,” Harry said.

“Sure,” Kiesha agreed, but didn’t move. “Aunt Marie owns the Little store on the outskirts of town. She’s also a nudist. Not sure if that’s relevant, but I like to warn people. Anyway, she and Jack have always been good friends. Wonder why she didn’t tell him it was off. Oh no, wait! She’s on her annual nudist week-long trip.”

“I’m not sure I want to know the details of that,” Harry said. “Do they go into the woods and commune with nature?”

“Nah, they go to Florida and commune with a beach. Way warmer. Apparently, being a nudist is quite difficult in a colder climate.”

That made sense, Blakely guessed.

“Okay, that’s fine,” Blakely said. “I probably would have chickened out, anyway. It was nice to meet you both.”

She attempted to step away, but Kiesha still held her hand.

“Come inside with us. You’ve come all this way and I know some great single Daddies.”

Uh oh.

“Uh, well, that’s okay. You guys were coming out for a nice night, and I don’t want to put a damper on that.”

“Pfft, you’re not.” Kiesha waved a hand in the air dismissively. “We’ve just come for a couple of drinks for Noah’s birthday.”

“Who’s Noah?” she asked as Kiesha tugged her inside.

She guessed she was going in.

“Oh, he’s the guy who owns The Wishing Well. But Noah’s not important.”

“Hey, I happen to think I’m very important.”

Blakely jumped and turned to see a tall, lean man with a trimmed beard standing to their right. He was smiling, so she guessed he wasn’t too upset at what Kiesha said.

“Noah! Happy Birthday!” Kiesha let go of Blakely to throw her arms around the other man.

Harry leaned into Blakely to speak in her ear. “If you want to run, go now. I’ll cover for you.”

She stared up at him with her mouth open in surprise.

He winked. “Or stay. It won’t be too painful, I promise.”

Kiesha turned back and grabbed her hand. “Oh, sorry, Blakely. That was rude of me. Blakely, Noah. Noah, Blakely.”

“Hello, Blakely,” Noah said warmly. “Welcome to The Wishing Well.”

“Noah?”

Noah spun as a gorgeous, tall woman with dark, curly hair walked over to him. He wrapped his arm around her, staring down at her with a besotted look. The rock on the woman's left ring finger told the world that she was taken.

And from the look on Noah’s face, he was the one who had put it there.

“Hello. Who are you?” the woman asked her.

Oh. That was direct.

“Cleo!” Kiesha said. “That was kind of rude.”

“It was?” Cleo asked.

“I’m Blakely.”

“Are you new in town or something?” Cleo asked.

“She’s working for Jack Hill. Well, for his grandson, Stafford,” Kiesha said.

“Ahh, Stafford is such a hunk,” Cleo said.

“He sure is,” Kiesha said, bouncing on her toes with enthusiasm.

“Hey!” Noah said.

Harry just shook his head and wrapped his arm around Kiesha’s waist. “I think I need to meet this Stafford.”

“He doesn’t leave the ranch much . . . well, pretty much never unless he needs some supplies or something,” Blakely said.

“All work and no play is going to make Stafford a boring guy,” Kiesha said. “He needs to be more like me. I live my life about ninety percent play and ten percent work. And no one has ever called me boring.”

No. Blakely was certain that no one could ever accuse Kiesha of being boring.

Thirty minutes later, Blakely’s head was whirling.

And it wasn’t because of the Apple Pie martini she’d had. Which was absolutely delicious. She’d gulped it down. Probably not the smartest idea she’d ever had.

She’d have to have something to eat before driving home. Or stay at a hotel, which wasn’t really something she could afford.

No, her head was whirling from all the people she’d met.

It felt like Kiesha knew everyone in town. And they’d all come by to say hi to her. Everyone was so friendly here. It was amazing. Especially Kiesha and Harry’s friends. They were all quite different, but fun.

However, for someone who wasn’t used to this many people, it was kind of overwhelming.

“Oh, there’s someone I want to introduce you to. See that gorgeous guy over there?” Kiesha pointed to the bar where several men stood. “The one in the gray shirt with the wide shoulders and blond hair.”

Oh. Yeah. He was nice-looking.

But she wasn’t sure she’d say gorgeous. Stafford was gorgeous.

Stop thinking about Stafford.

He’s made it clear that while he’s attracted to you, he doesn’t want anything more. He can’t be what you need.

And it wasn’t smart to keep pining after him. He was her boss and she couldn’t afford to lose this job.

“Right. I see him.”

“That’s Ike. He works at Sanctuary Ranch. Totally a Daddy. The guy with the short, black hair next to him is Lennox. I don’t know him so well. But he’s definitely got Daddy energy. Oh. Oh. Ohhh. I just thought of someone else. He’s a complete hunk. Where is he?” Kiesha glanced around.

“Kiesha, you don’t need to introduce Blakely to every single man in Wishingbone,” Harry said, crouching down next to them.

“I’m not. I’m just trying to find all the single Daddies that I think she might like. I’m really good at matchmaking. Don’t worry, you’re in safe hands with me. Oh, I see him. Wait here. Do not move.”

She wouldn’t dare move. It would be a braver person than her that went against Kiesha.

Kiesha rushed off and Harry took her seat. “You can tell her if she’s going too far or too fast. Or you can tell me and I’ll rein her in. You’re in charge here, Blakely.”

Was she? She didn’t really feel like she was in charge. Sometimes she felt like she was in the middle of a whirlpool, trying to fight her way free.

There was a part of her that didn’t want to be here. That wanted to be back with Grandpa Jack and Stafford, sipping on hot chocolate and playing checkers.

But she didn’t want to be on her own forever. Which might mean taking a chance. And it was nice to be with other people. It was good to make friends.

“I don’t really have any friends,” Blakely told him. “I’ve moved around a lot and I haven’t had any time to make friends. Plus, people don’t always, uh, understand me, I guess you’d say.”

“A lot of people around here would understand that feeling of not belonging. And how good it feels when you do find your place. But it’s okay to say when you’ve reached your limit. All right?”

“Thanks, Harry.”

He was so kind.

Kiesha returned with a muscular, handsome man in tow.

Okay, this time she really had found someone who could rival Stafford in looks.

And it wasn’t just his looks, it was his friendly smile, his lovely eyes. The way he held himself.

“Here! I found him. Blakely, this is Aiden. He just moved to town not long ago with his sister, Lola. He’s a physiotherapist, and he’s now officially a volunteer fireman. He’s also six-foot-four and owns his own home. He?—”

“Whoa, slow down.” Harry walked over and kissed Kiesha, which actually managed to quiet her.

Probably just as well, since Blakely could feel herself growing red and Aiden was looking a bit shell-shocked.

“Hi, Blakely.” He held out his hand, and she hastily stood and shook his hand.

“Hi, I’m Blakely. Blakely Ellis. Hi.”

Right.

That wasn’t embarrassing or anything. What was wrong with her?

“May I sit?” Aiden asked.

“Of course.”

He took Kiesha’s chair. “Thanks. Have you just moved to town too?”

“Ah, I don’t live here. I work on a ranch not far away, though,” she explained.

“A cowgirl?” he asked.

“No, just a housekeeper.”

“Blakely,” Aiden said in a serious voice as he placed his hand on hers. “You’re never just anything, understand me?”

Oh, that was nice.

So was his hand touching hers. It wasn’t mind-shattering. There was no spark of heat. But his hand was warm and dry and he seemed like a nice guy.

This seemed to be going really well.

“Take your hand off my woman before I remove it from your body.”

Oh. Heck.