Keeping up with his Little one in the tunnel was a workout. She was so lithe and fast and he was 6 foot 4 inches of incoordination. His only saving grace was that every few feet, Palmer would turn back to make sure he was still there.
“You made it, Daddy!” Palmer said once they’d reached the top of a slide.
“I did!” he said, trying not to sound as out of breath as he felt.
Thankfully, his sweet Little girl didn’t seem to notice. “It’s twisty!”
Beau crawled closer and looked down. The bright blue plastic did indeed look twisty.
“Are you ready, Daddy?”
Beau chuckled, leaning one arm on the padding, trying to catch his breath. Maybe he should take up jogging. “Absolutely.”
Palmer was in position before he could even blink. “Let’s go, slowpoke Daddy!” she said, patting behind her on the slide.
Beau sat and slid down the slide with her. Her giggles and shouts of glee bounced off the brightly colored tunnel. Several twists and turns later, they landed in one of the ball pits. Palmer waded through them and pulled herself up to wait for Beau on the colored mats.
She giggled when Beau finally made his way to her, sweating and out of breath.
“Do you need to take a break, Daddy?”
“Yes, please,” he croaked out.
“And maybe some water,” Palmer said, holding her hand out to help him climb from the pit.
“Lots of water,” he agreed.
The soft creaking of the new glider filled the room as Beau pushed it with his foot.
Palmer was tucked warmly in his lap, her back resting against his front as he read a book to her. Her fingers sleepily rubbed her baby’s face.
“You had a big day today,” Beau murmured softly.
Palmer nodded, her pacifier bobbing in her mouth. “Mhm.” After a pause, she pulled the soother out. “I’m glad you gotted to meet Hadley and Mister Finn even if it was just on video.”
“Me too, pretty baby. I’m glad they led you to Rawhide and to me.” Beau said, vulnerably. When he’d met the sweet couple Palmer kept in contact with, he immediately knew they were special. They’d looked after his Little girl and that meant so much to him. He wished Palmer had trusted them a bit more, especially when he found out she’d hitchhiked a few hundred miles instead of asking them for help getting to the Ranch, but he also understood how hard it was to ask for help when you’d been taught you were a burden. “I’m glad you call them once a week, I think you’re very special to them.”
“I love thems,” Palmer said, “and they loves me.”
Beau stood with her, holding her body tightly and carrying her to the bathroom. “Let’s get you clean and then you can go to bed, pretty baby.” He gently set her on the toilet lid before turning on the faucet and starting her bath.
Palmer clapped when he pulled out a large bottle of bubbles.
“I thought you might like these,” he said, winking at her. When he’d seen the large rainbow bottle, he knew he had to purchase it for his bright baby. He poured some in, probably far too much and tested the water, making sure it was a good temp for her.
She slid from the toilet and peered over into the tub, smiling around the pacifier.
Beau, being mindful of what she said about jumping in with both feet, began to undress her. Her skin flushed deeper as he removed each piece of clothing, but he kept their conversation going, hoping to keep her from overthinking.
“You are such a beautiful Little girl,” he said once she was completely naked. “Daddy’s so lucky.”
Her face was the reddest he’d ever seen it, but he understood. She was in a vulnerable state and he found her trust in him beautiful. He’d never take it for granted. He lifted her by the hips and settled her into the bath. She giggled and scooped the bubbles into her hands, holding them high above her head before letting them fall back into the water. Her ample breasts were on full display and Beau longed to explore them. He wouldn’t, of course, there were much more important things they needed to accomplish first. The patient Daddy was prepared to wait as long as Palmer needed.
Beau knelt beside the tub, smiling as he watched her play. The picture laid out before him was a perfect example of why he loved helping people feel safe enough to be themselves. Being able to offer someone a space where they could just let go and enjoy some carefree time was something he valued deeply. He would always be thankful for places like Rawhide, where people were taught the beauty of a genuine dynamic.
“Daddy?” Palmer asked, pulling her pacifier out.
“Yes, baby?”