Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
The barn loft was a cozy place, especially with all of her animals in their own stalls, and her friend Wren there with her, each of them perched on the edge of the bed with a big plate of stew in their laps.
“It sure was nice of Arlo to bring the sleeping bags and pillows and dinner down here,” Reese said.
“Yes, it sure was,” her friend replied, her brows raised and a small grin trying to make its way out.
“Wren! What is that face for?”
“Oh, nothing. Nothing at all.” Wren took a swig from her water bottle. “Except I saw the way he looks at you, and even being scared and worn to the bone, there was a spark coming from your direction, too.”
Reese sighed. “I’m just grateful to all of you; that’s all. And he was extra nice to me, considering we don’t even know each other.”
“Well, we’re a family here at the Ranch. And you’re my friend, which makes you family, too.”
“He kinda said the same thing.”
Wren nodded, her eyes twinkling. “And… I think he’s interested in you.”
“I doubt that. He’s a lot older than me; a whole grown man. And I’m… a twenty-something with a lot of problems. But honestly, that’s the last thing I need right now. I just needed to find a safe place for all of us—the animals and me. Although, I guess I’ll need to go home to my apartment tomorrow.”
“Do you, though?”
“I mean, I can’t just… live here.”
“I’m not gonna argue with you tonight, but maybe you can. What if Master Derek gave you a job?”
“Then that would mean I could afford the rent on my apartment and food and care for the animals while I figure out a more permanent solution.”
“Hmm.” Wren pursed her lips. “Well, you can figure stuff out in the morning. You look like you’re about to tip over.”
“I kind of am,” Reese agreed.
“I’ll take our dishes up to the lodge to have them washed. Why don’t you get in your sleeping bag and I’ll be back in a bit.”
“I am awfully tired.”
Wren stood up and brushed off her jeans. “I’ll be back in a flash!”
Her friend gathered their dishes, and as soon as she left, Bossy P abandoned his perch on one of the overhead beams and landed on her arm. Reese slipped into her sleeping bag on the bed and cradled the parrot, stroking his soft feathers. She didn’t like being alone, even though she knew she was safe here. Ernie wouldn’t have any idea where to find her. Would he? And even if he’d seen them leaving with all the trailers and had followed them to the Ranch, there was the security gate, and she was pretty sure Ernie wouldn’t get past them.
But why did they need security at a working Ranch? She knew they had guest quarters, but was the place that exclusive? Did rich people come here? And if it was one of those dude ranches, why wouldn’t the horses all still be on the property?
Her head buzzed with a hundred questions, including the fact her friend had referred to the Ranch’s owner as Master Derek. What did she mean by that? She knew all these questions were probably a way to distract herself from her real worries, but by the time Wren returned and slipped quietly into her own sleeping bag, Reese was dozing off. Wren was right; there would be plenty of time to figure stuff out tomorrow.
“Nite, Wren,” she murmured.
“Nite, Reesey.”
It was late evening before Arlo knocked on Derek’s office door, then opened it when the boss said to come in.
“Hey, Derek. Thanks for making time for me. I wanted to talk with you about something.”
“Sure. Any time. What can I do for you?”
Arlo sat in one of the chairs. “I wanted to talk about Wren’s friend Reese.”
“I’ve been meaning to thank you for helping out with all her animals.” He closed his laptop and leaned back in his chair.
Arlo didn’t miss the mischievous twinkle in the other man’s eye.
“Of course. We’re family here. And the animals are sort of what I wanted to talk about.”
“Oh?” Derek’s lip twitched like he was trying not to laugh, but Arlo was there for a reason, and he wasn’t going to let the other man’s antics derail him.
“Yeah. I’ve been thinking about her situation all day. It’s an awful lot for one woman to handle by herself. And she’s still got to figure out where she goes from here—her entire life has been turned upside down. Add in her trying to finish school, and I’m pretty sure she’s overloaded just at the thought. In fact, I know she is.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Derek replied. “So, what do you have in mind?”
“I have in mind maybe putting off my retirement a bit. You know, just so I can stick around and help her out.”
And maybe get to know her a bit in the process.
Derek raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything for a long moment. “Mm-hmm,” he finally said, still fighting that smile. “Just to help out?”
“Well, yeah,” Arlo said, feeling defensive and not entirely sure why. “They have to be fed twice a day, their stalls need to be mucked out, the bunny cages have to be changed, some of them need grooming, and they’re rescues, so they all need a lot of attention. And her parrot has taken a liking to me, I think.”
“So has she, I think,” Derek said, finally allowing the smile to spread across his lips.
“Nah, it’s nothing like that.” Arlo barely held back an eye roll.
“Maybe not,” Derek relented. “But you’re right; she’s going to need a lot of help. And I can’t say I’m sad you’re not ready to leave your work at the Ranch. But, Arlo, they are her animals. We don’t want her to feel like she’s being bulldozed, or that we’re trying to take her animals from her. She may not have many options on where to go, but I wouldn't put it past that girl to put herself in a worse situation than she came from just to protect them. So if you’re helping, you’d have to be…” he paused, chuckling. “You’d have be her assistant.”
Arlo shook his head, grinning. “Okay, okay. Laugh all you want, and I get it—although, you’re enjoying this a little too much. But I’m honestly fine with that, and I’m secure enough to be the butt of everyone’s jokes. Especially if it means I can stay and help Reese and her little zoo.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Derek hummed, grinning bigger.
Arlo shook his head, knowing it was useless to argue with his boss. The man was stubborn. And he had a reputation as a matchmaker—him and Sadie both. But in this case—not that he’d admit it to Derek—he might not mind. Although, he wasn’t all too sure he needed that particular skill set.
“If you’re up for the task, I may also ask that you keep an eye on her. She may know a bit about the lifestyle and is interested in knowing more, but she has zero experience or real life exposure, and we need to make sure she doesn’t stumble on something she isn’t ready for. This is for her protection, and to respect everyone else here on the Ranch.”
“Right.”
Arlo nodded, trying not to think about how thrilling it was to him to know she was interested in the lifestyle, and that he might be the lucky one to teach her more about it. His Daddy side had laid dormant for a long time. Even working on the Ranch and helping to look after all of the Littles hadn’t incited the kind of feelings he was currently having about Reese. His blood felt like it was buzzing as it coursed through his veins, and he was having a hard time sitting still. Lord, he felt like an excited school boy.
“I have a meeting with her later and I’ll discuss all of this with her, and then I’ll give you the green light,” Derek said. “For now, if you would just keep an eye on things and make sure she’s getting settled, that would be a huge help.”
“I can do that.”
He could. But more than that, he wanted to. Any excuse to be close to her, to get to know her better, was a good thing. He stood to leave; it was late, and days on a ranch started earlier than most.
“Good man.” Derek stood and rounded the desk to shake his hand and clap him on the back. “I’ve got to get home to my Little girl. You enjoy the rest of your night, and I’ll reach out.”
Arlo left Derek’s office feeling like he was floating on a cloud. He needed to rein himself in a bit. There was a chance Reese wouldn’t accept him as her assistant or her Ranch liaison. But if that happened, he would simply continue with his plan to retire. Everything would work out like it was supposed to. He just hoped it included Reese becoming his.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” came a deep, male voice.
Reese shot upright, clutching a squawking Bossy P to her chest before she realized who was standing over her.
“Oh! Good morning, Arlo. Sorry, I was just…”
“Totally my fault. I’m sorry I startled you. I just wanted to bring some hot cocoa down, since Wren mentioned you weren’t a coffee drinker,” he said, handing her a white mug. “I added the little marshmallows.”
“Oh, um, thanks. Thank you so much.”
As the parrot climbed onto her shoulder, Reese accepted the mug and sipped, wishing she’d at least had a chance to brush her hair. She tried to smooth it down with a nervous hand while Arlo sat on the chair by the bed.
“How did you all do overnight? Did the animals settle in nicely?”
“I think they’re okay. I should probably go check on them.”
She set the mug down on the nightstand and wiggled out of her sleeping bag. “Do you know where Wren went?”
“Yeah, she had to take care of something, but she’ll be back down in a bit. She mentioned you needing to go home to your apartment today. She didn’t want to feed your animals before asking you if any of them have dietary restrictions, but there’s a few of us who can tend to them while you’re gone.”
Reese waved a hand. “Oh, you don’t need to do that.”
“I wasn’t sure how long you’d be over there. I wanted you to know you had nothing to worry about here.”
“The only one I’m really worried about is Bossy P. He’s been a nervous wreck since… um… well, he’s awfully smart. He knows we’re in a stressful situation. And he’s pretty bonded to me. But he doesn’t like to be outside, so I’m not sure if I should take him with me, but if I leave him in a strange place…” She hated the tears burning at the back of her eyes. She did her best to swallow them down. “I’m just not sure what to do.”
“Maybe he and I can get to know each other,” Arlo suggested gently.
“Oh, he doesn’t really like men a whole lot,” she started. Then Arlo held his arm out and Bossy P flew right to him while she stared in surprise. “Wow! He really doesn’t like too many people, other than me.”
“I kinda have a way with animals,” Arlo said, stroking the bird’s feathers while Bossy P started preening with one foot.
“I guess you do. Okay, well, if you really won’t mind looking after him…”
“Not at all. I’ll make sure the animals all get fed. And this guy can keep me company—and don’t worry; I remember that one of your goats is afraid of him. Wren already planned to drive you into town, anyway.”
“Oh, no, he’s used to Bossy P—it’s Howard the duck and other birds Clancy is afraid of. But gosh, I really don’t want to trouble anyone?—”
“Reese,” he said, his tone deep and commanding attention. Instead of scaring her, it made her feel all warm inside. “Someone has to take you; you certainly can’t walk all that way, and I imagine your car was left at the farm, so there’s nothing to argue about.”
“Oh.” Reese swallowed hard, trying to figure out why her tummy was doing a little dance. And why she wanted so badly to crawl right into his lap. “I-I don’t have a car. I rode my bike. And thank you. A ride would be very nice.”
“Good. You’re welcome to come on up to the main lodge and eat in the dining room, or one of us can bring some breakfast to you down here.”
“I feel like such a mess. Is it okay if I eat here in the barn?”
“Of course. Are you a pancakes girl, or eggs and bacon?”
She realized her stomach was growling so loudly she was surprised he didn’t hear it. “Pancakes, please. Or, maybe eggs and bacon? No, sorry, pancakes, please.”
He stood up, and she noticed how the sleeves of his white t-shirt hugged his muscular arms.
“How about both? Eat what you can, but I think it’s better to have too much than too little.”
She nodded, wondering what in the world was wrong with her. Why did she want to curl up in Arlo’s lap every time he spoke to her? Part of it was how attractive he was, but it was also partly that he made her feel so safe and cared for. It was a feeling she wasn’t very used to, and she wasn’t sure what to do with it.
“Okay, I’ll be right back. Bossy P, you’d better go back to Reese.”
“Morning guys! Rise and shine! Who’s ready for breakfast?” the parrot chimed as he flapped his way over to her.
“Yep, he’s a smart one,” Arlo said with a smile that made the corners of his blue eyes crinkle and made her melt a little bit.
As he climbed down the steep stairs, Reese was left wondering why, in the middle of a crisis, she was noticing the color of his eyes. Or the way his eyes crinkled. Or how his t-shirt fit him.
She shook her head, then dug in her backpack for her hairbrush and gave her hair a good brushing before she went to visit all her animals, cautioning Bossy P to stay by her sleeping bag so he wouldn’t make the goat faint.
Clancy and Clara bleated as she leaned over the goats’ stall door and gave them both a good head rub. Then she moved on to the pigs to find Wilbur and Arnold lazing in the hay, looking comfortable enough. Next was the llama, Sherlock, who was gazing over the stall door to the rolling hills in the distance. When she called him, he trotted over, and after a head pat, went back to the view.
She checked on the tortoise, the bunnies, and Howard the duck and his goose buddy, Ryan Goosling. All seemed well with her animals, and knowing they were safe made the knot in her chest loosen a little.
But only a little. She was trying hard not to think about what had happened with Ernie the day before, and the threat he’d made to the animals. She wasn’t sure she’d ever really sleep well again. Not alone in her apartment, anyway.
“Hey, Reesey!” Wren called, pulling her out of her dark thoughts. “Let’s head to your place and grab some clothes and stuff. Derek offered you a room here, and before you say no, I think you should take it.”
“I’m not going to say no.”
Wren’s dark red brows that matched her red ringlets shot up. “You’re not?”
Reese shook her head. “I just realized Ernie can get my address from the records in the house at the farm. He could show up at my apartment any time. And I’m not a hundred percent certain he wouldn’t. And maybe even break the lock to get in. I can’t go back there.”
Her eyes filled with tears and Wren put an arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be okay, Reese. We’ll get this all figured out. I promise. Derek wouldn’t have offered if he didn’t mean it.”
“I don’t want to be a bother, but I’m just not sure it’s safe to go home again. Is it okay if I just stay here in the barn? It’s awfully comfortable, and I just… I really can’t be away from the animals right now. I’m sorry. But they’re all I have.”
“Hush!” Wren mock-scolded her. “You have us now. You’re safe. And you’re not a bother. Honestly, if you apologize or say you’re troubling any of us one more time, someone is gonna give you a good spanking.”
“I could probably use one,” she said with another big sniffle. “I mean… I don’t even know why I said that.”
Wren pulled back and looked at her with a small, quizzical smile, then she said, “Come on, let’s go get your things.”
The ride back to town was pretty this time of year, with wildflowers blooming in the hills and the acres of green grass dotted by big oaks. With music playing on the stereo and the fresh air coming through the open windows in Wren’s blue truck, Reese could almost relax for the first time in ages.
“So, Reese,” Wren started, “if you’re going to stay at the Ranch, there are some things you’ll need to know. Things I probably should have told you before, but I didn’t want you to not stay with us.”
“Okay,” Reese said, only half listening as she took in the pretty spring scenery.
“Well… there’s never a good way to start this conversation from scratch, so I’ll just get right into it. I think you know what kink is?”
That made her turn to her friend and pay attention. “I mean, we’ve talked about some of those books I’ve read, and that I might even like to try some of that stuff. But what does this have to do with the Ranch?”
“Well, the Ranch is a super special place. So special and safe and unique.”
“I can kinda see that already, but what are we talking about, exactly?”
Wren cleared her throat. “Okay. I’m just gonna say it. The Ranch is a big kink resort.” She paused and glanced over before continuing. “And a lot of what goes on there is ageplay. I don’t think we talked about that.”
“We didn’t, but… I know what it is.”
Wren slowed the truck and looked over at her. “You do?”
“I’ve been doing some more reading,” Reese answered. It had been a bit more than just reading. It was something she’d thought about a lot, but had never been brave enough to do anything about it. She didn’t even own a teddy bear.
“And? How do you feel about it?”
“It made me… it gave me… it kinda created this… weird yearning,” she admitted, her cheeks burning.
“It did?”
“Why do you seem so excited?” she asked her friend, confused.
“Because I’m a Little, Reesey! And Travis isn’t only my husband; he’s my Daddy. And I’m so glad you’re okay with all this stuff so you can really stay at the Ranch, ‘cause you’re gonna see Littles in their adorable clothes carrying their stuffies, and maybe even someone getting spanked for being bratty, and if you weren’t okay with it, there’s no way you would stay because you wouldn’t feel comfortable enough, so I’m so, so happy!” she finished with a huge grin.
It took Reese a minute to absorb what Wren was saying.
“You mean the Ranch is a… a Littles’ ranch?”
“Littles and Middles, and Daddies and Mommies, and all kinds of caretakers. And regular kinky people, too, ‘cause there’s a really good dungeon. But yep!”
“Wow.”
Her mind was still spinning a thousand miles an hour, but at the same time something warm and nice was sort of melting in her chest. She didn’t understand it all, exactly. But what she did know was that the Ranch really was a safe place for her. Not just to care for her animals, but maybe to someday let that part of herself out. A part she’d always kept hidden away.
“Does Arlo know about this?” she asked.
“‘Course he does, silly! He’s a Daddy. Or, he will be when he finds his Little.”
Arlo was a Daddy. A Daddy who wanted a Little. At a kinky ranch where she might have a job and get her animals taken care of until she figured her life out. Her head was really spinning now.
“This is all real, Wren?”
“Yep!”
“Wow.”
She couldn’t find a way to articulate everything she was feeling. Fear and hope. A lightness she hadn’t felt in a very long time, if ever. And a little sliver of joy she didn’t know what to do with.
“Wow,” she said again. It would have to suffice for now.