Master Derek finally looked up and gave her a small, reassuring smile. “Thank you for trusting us with this, Sydney.I’ll get someone to escort you to the art studio. If anything comes up, we’ll find you, alright?”
“Alright,” she said quietly, giving him a grateful smile.
A few minutes later, she was on her way down the hall, being led by a soft-spoken staff member whose name she instantly forgot, but who chatted easily about how fun the art class would be. Sydney clutched Banana to her chest and tried not to overthink the way her heart fluttered when she looked back over her shoulder... and caught Levi still looking at her as she walked away.
Chapter Eight
Roland
Roland loved mornings like this. Sunlight dappling through the big windows of the art studio, the air scented faintly of paint, glue, and the cinnamon rolls someone had snuck in for the Littles to nibble on during class. It was chaos, of course. Glitter explosions, giggles, and Gavin’s theatrical flair as he tried to organize the color-mad herd of Littles. But it wasjoyfulchaos. The kind that made Roland feel hopeful to one day have his own Little, yet sad at the knowledge that, for now at least, he and Levi were alone.
He leaned against the doorframe for a moment, watching it all with quiet appreciation. Gavin caught sight of him immediately and grinned.
“Well, would you look at that, little ones!” Gavin called over the din. “If that isn’t my favorite architect-slash-faux art assistant, Master Roland. Come on, don’t just loiter. Grab a smock!”
The crowd of Littles closest to Gavin and Roland cheered as he chuckled and stepped inside, rolling up the sleeves of his soft denim button-up. “Was hoping to talk to you and Hunter about dinner later. Levi decided to buy a grill in the middle of winterand is determined to try it out. Figured you could bring over Megan and eat some free steaks, while we tried not to freeze?”
“Oh, that sounds like an offer we can’t turn down,” Gavin said, nodding toward where Megan was hunched over a canvas, her tongue poking out in concentration. “Our girl has been extra good, and we got her a new outfit. She’ll be delighted to have an occasion to wear it to.”
Roland chuckled, while trying not to think of the Little girl he’d like to spoil with a new dress or two.
His friend hadn’t noticed his distraction, continuing with their conversation. “I’ll check with Hunter, and let you know. Regardless, I’m not letting you leave without helping me wrangle these tornadoes for at least twenty minutes. Come do your due diligence, and get in some Daddy time.”
“Deal.”
Roland was halfway to Megan’s table when his eyes landed on someone else.
Sydney.
She was tucked between Megan and a curly-haired Little girl that Roland didn’t know by name yet, her brow furrowed in thought as she dabbed pink paint onto paper with intense focus. She was laughing, the world around her filled with an almost intense brightness until she spotted him. The moment she did, her whole body went still and her laughter faded, replaced by stiff shoulders and a guarded gaze.
The poor girl looked like she wanted to melt right into the floor.
Hey, we can’t have that, now can we, little bird?
He couldn’t blame her reaction. He had been a witness to one of her most embarrassing moments. And if Roland was being honest, it was so much more than just embarrassment. It was terrifying. Confusing. And more than a bit heartbreaking.
Rawhide was supposed to be a dream come true for Littles, not a place they hid after being duped and discarded.
And yet... here she was. Trying. Making new friends. Laughing.
That alone deserved a mountain of praise.
So Roland did what any good Daddy would do. He went to her anyway.
“Hey there,” he said warmly, crouching beside the table like he wasn’t a looming man. “Those are very pretty colors you have there.”
Sydney blinked at him, caught between suspicion and politeness. “It’s just a bunch of flowers,” she mumbled.
“They’re really bright and colorful flowers,” he said sincerely, leaning in just enough to let his tone carry weight without overwhelming her. “But if you want them to pop even more, try adding just a teensy bit of shadow on this side here.” He pointed delicately, not touching her, just gesturing.
She frowned thoughtfully, then reached for a darker hue and tested it out.
Itdidmake a difference.
“See?” he said with a soft smile. “Told you.”
A pause.
