“You married him.”
She sighed. “This is why I should’ve stayed single.”
The room fell into a rhythm of scratching pens, quiet groans, and Lori’s occasional humming. Outside, the Ranch continued on but inside, the sticker squad was being reformed, one line at a time.
Right?
Chapter Thirteen
The walk to the apartment was quiet. Not the peaceful kind, but more like the heavy, dragging silence of a boy wrapped in shame.
Danny shuffled beside him, shoulders tight, hands buried in the pockets of his hoodie. His head stayed low, curls hiding most of his face. Easton kept his steps slow to match but didn’t speak.
Danny didn’t cling or resist, just kept pace with his head bowed. His sneakers scuffed the gravel as they crossed the yard and walked past the paddock.
Easton watched him from the corner of his eye, each dragging step tightening the knot in his chest. He hated this quiet because it was not the restful kind The silence wasn’t peaceful. It wrapped around Danny like a cocoon of frayed thread, hiding whatever bruised thoughts churned beneath. He wanted to reach in and untangle it, to know what thoughts were circling in that downturned head. But Danny didn’t offer, and Easton didn’t push. He wished he had Wilbert’s gift for coaxing truth out with nothing but a thoughtful hum or a steady gaze. Easton had steadier hands than most surgeons he knew, but when it came to this—when it came to Danny—he always felt just a breath too clumsy.
By the time they reached the path curving toward his Daddy-in-Residence apartment, Easton stopped. The breeze caught Danny’s hair, but he didn’t lift his head.
“Hey,” Easton prompted.
But Danny didn’t look up.
Easton reached out and tilted Danny’s head with his fingers under the boy’s chin until their eyes met. Wide wounded bluish-gray stared up at him, brimming with something brittle.
“You made a mistake,” Easton said. “You’ve accepted the consequences. Stop punishing yourself.”
Danny’s mouth worked. “I just...” He swallowed. “I’m scared you’ll think I’m too much. Like it’s easier to walk away than deal with someone like me.”
A sharp ache caught Easton off guard.
“Oh, sweetheart.” He cupped Danny’s face in both hands, brushed his thumbs along rounded cheeks. “No. That’s not how I see you at all.”
Danny’s breath caught.
“I didn’t know I could laugh like I have the last few days. Or look forward to breakfast. Or want to buy glitter markers in four different shades of purple because someone gets that excited about coloring.” His voice dipped. “You bring joy. My life’s better with you in it.”
“Really?” The question was whispered, so soft Easton barely heard it.
“Really.” He leaned in and kissed Danny’s forehead. “You’re very important to me.”
Danny blinked, tears threatening but not falling. He reached for Easton’s hand.
They walked the rest of the way together, fingers twined.
At the apartment, Easton held the door open. Danny slipped inside, quiet as a shadow. No bratty bounce. No silly voices. Just that tight-held quiet Easton recognized far too well.
“Come,” Easton said, leading him into the bedroom. “Let’s take care of you.”
Danny hovered near the bed as Easton crossed to the dresser. He opened the top drawer and pulled out the small, dark-blue jar they’d gotten from the Ranch dispensary. It was calendula salve, lightly scented, and safe for Littles.
He sat on the edge of the mattress and tapped his thigh. “Lower your pants and undies. Then over my lap.”
Danny fidgeted. “Are you going to spank me?”
Easton met his gaze. “Do you think I should?”
A pause. Danny bit his lower lip. “No... I already got punished.”
