“Poor baby. Her past has probably taught her asking for what she needs only gets her hurt.” Beau knew how hard that was firsthand.
“I believe so. I know with your past you could really guide her and I was hoping you two could spend some time together. The Littles in the Littles’ Wing must be accompanied by a Big at all times and I was hoping I could assign you to her. I’m not sure that she’s ready for a Daddy yet, but I’ll be honest, I do think you two would make a wonderful pair. I would like to see her with a soft Dom and I think you would be perfect for her.”
“I would be glad to help however I can.”
Derek nodded. “That’s what I hoped you'd say. I haven’t talked to her yet, clearly. I wanted to see where your head was on it. I will speak to her today. Could you come to the Big House for dinner?”
“Absolutely. What time?”
“Let's shoot for six.”
The men talked for a few more minutes before Derek was called away to handle Ranch business.
Beau slipped his hands in his pockets as he walked down the halls of his new home. A smile tugged at his lips as images of a sweet Little redhead filled his mind.
Chapter Two
Palmer watched as Master Derek walked through the crowded cafeteria. He was such a nice man. Even when Palmer had seen him punish the other Littles, he’d never been cruel to them. A smile tugged at her lips as she watched his Little girl bounce over to him. The large man bent and kissed Sadie–once on the forehead and once on the lips. Palmer hoped one day she could find a Daddy like him. Kind, firm, and knowing. She prayed her future Dom would know her well enough to know she didn’t belong with the school-age Littles. They were so Big, and in her heart, Palmer didn’t feel Big. She was small! She didn’t want to go to school and take classes and make her own choices. She wanted to be cuddled and held and fed with a bottle, but she was so grateful for Master Derek and she wouldn’t dare complain, even if the world felt hard and way too Big.
“Hi!” Sadie said, as she plopped down in a chair in front of her. The bubbly brunette broke through her thoughts.
“Hi,” Palmer answered shyly before dropping her gaze to her tray. Heat crawled up her neck and face. She felt so out of place with the confident Little sitting in front of her. All of the other girls had been so welcoming to Palmer, but she still struggled feeling like she was part of them. She thought maybe it wasbecause she’d been through so much bad stuff and it was kinda hard to put it behind her even though she was trying.
“My Daddy wants you to come to the Big House to eat tonight with us! I think it’s taco night!”
“It is taco night, sugar,” Master Derek confirmed, sitting down at the long cafeteria-style table. “How are you doing today, Palmer?”
Palmer gave her best smile, the one she’d been practicing in her room in the Littles’ dorm when she was alone. “I’m good. How are you, Master Derek?”
“I am doing well. Thank you for asking. I would like to speak to you in my office when you’re done eating. I’ve already notified your teachers you will be absent for a bit.”
Suddenly her fries and chicken nuggets didn’t look as yummy as when she’d selected them. Fear bubbled in her tummy. Had she forgotten a rule? Stayed up past bedtime? Failed a test? Had she misunderstood a conversation—that happened a lot!
“I’m done now, Sir,” she forced herself to say. There was no way she could eat when it felt like elephants were line dancing in her tummy.
“There’s no rush, honey. I am going to enjoy lunch with my Little one too.”
Sadie beamed at his announcement and Palmer couldn’t help the twinge of jealousy that she felt towards the couple. She wanted to be wanted like Master Derek wanted Sadie.
“I think I’m going to get some of those chicken nuggets. They look delicious,” Master Derek said, standing from the table.
Sadie waited until her Daddy was out of earshot before she bumped Palmer’s knee under the table. “You’re not in trouble. I promise.”
Palmer sent her classmate a relieved smile.
“You’re like one of the goodest girls here. You aren’t ever in trouble,” Wren said, sitting beside Palmer. Wren was one of Sadie’s best friends. It seemed the two were inseparable.
Master Derek sat down at the crowded lunch table again. He picked up a nugget and dipped it into Palmer’s ketchup. She tried to smile, but it felt so super forced.
He studied her for a moment. “Palmer, you’re pale, honey. Do you feel okay?”
“Yes, Sir,” she answered, far too quickly.
“Daddy, she thinks she’s in trouble and your Daddy face isn’t helping,” Sadie said, reaching up and trying to squish Derek’s face into a smile. He nipped at her fingers, making her squeal.
“Relax, Palmer, I promise you’re not in any trouble. You’re a very good girl,” he told her.
Eyes burning in shame, she picked at her food while the others talked around her. They were so nice and included her in the conversation several times, but she was always so scared of saying the wrong thing that she mostly just nodded.