Chapter Eleven
Eric
Sitting next to Calla in the cafeteria, I marveled at how much progress she’d already made from the broken young woman who’d arrived mid-meltdown yesterday. Twenty-four hours of being in a safe place where she’d been shown compassion, care and support and, just like a desert flower that had received water after a long summer, she’d soaked up every drop and was getting ready to bloom.
The meeting with Derek had been enlightening for both of us. I’d heard the history of how Rawhide had developed from a horse ranch into what it was today before. When I’d first met with Derek he’d explained to me about the various classes offered in the Littles’ program and the university. While I’d been impressed and excited to join the research side and maybe even help add new classes into the mix, it had been on an intellectual level. Not a personal one like it was now.
I sat beside Calla as Derek explained how she could follow her dreams here, that she’d receive the support she needed to reach whatever they were. While I’d been caring for Calla, Derek had been going through her file that Jacqui had sent through after Derek had gotten her mom to sign the releaseforms. During the time she was at Pieces to Peace, Jacqui had encouraged her to plan for her future, getting her into an online school where she’d worked her tail off and had gotten her GED. Jacqui had been working on her college application with her when she’d been removed from Pieces to Peace.
No wonder Calla had regressed so quickly once in Denver. Not only did she have that asshole Jack tormenting her, she’d also had her first taste of freedom and independence snatched away just as it was in her grasp. Under the table where she couldn’t see, I clenched my fists as anger at how unfair the world had been to my sweet girl rolled through me. I mentally vowed she’d never have her dreams snatched away from her again. I knew Derek would help me keep that promise, as would every other person here at Rawhide. That included Jared Stark, the Ranch’s lawyer who was a shark when it came to protecting Littles from anyone trying to exploit or abuse them.
Before this morning’s meeting with Derek, I’d already firmly believed that Rawhide was where Calla needed to be. Had believed Derek when he’d told me she would be welcomed here. But seeing how excited Calla was now, sporting a huge smile and wriggling in her seat as she flipped through the course guide that Derek had given her, solidified my initial opinion that Rawhide was going to allow her to flourish like nowhere else could. She’d needed the time she’d spent at Pieces to Peace, but that was a clinic, designed for more traditional types of psychological therapies. She couldn’t have fully spread her wings living there long term. Rawhide was different. Here she’d get to go to college like other girls her age did, be able to follow her dreams knowing she had a safety net under her.
Lost in my thoughts and so focused on Calla, I didn’t see Cord come in. When his hand wrapped around my shoulder, I jerked from his grip, quickly standing to move away before I caught myself.
“Whoa, Eric. It’s just me, you’re safe.”
Rubbing a hand over the back of my neck as heat flashed over my cheeks, I slipped back into my seat. Keeping my gaze down, I focused on my hands while I prayed everyone I could feel staring would hurry up and go back to whatever they were doing before I’d caused a scene.
“I’m sorry, Eric. Thought you’d seen me walking over, didn’t mean to startle you.”
My breathing was still faster than it normally was, my mind scattered as I tried to rein in the fight or flight response I’d just experienced that now had nowhere to go. Maybe I should go for a run?—
The thought was cut short when Calla’s small hand reached over and her fingers wrapped around my left wrist, brushing over the scars. Jerking my head up, I was shocked to find myself looking directly into her hazel irises. Worry lines creased her forehead as she held my gaze. Turning my hand over within her grip, I wrapped my fingers around her wrist, linking us. For a minute, I just breathed, lost in the wonder that a girl who struggled to hold eye contact was voluntarily doing so to help me… for the second time in the past twenty-four hours.
She lifted her free hand and signed through the three colors I’d taught her earlier, making me smile.
“I’m green now, sweet girl.”
She tightened her grip on my wrist for a moment, before she let go, leaving my hand cold and empty as she slipped hers away.
Cord cleared his throat and I turned to him to find him watching me with a raised eyebrow and a sparkle to his eyes that said he knew I was gone on this girl.
“Don’t start, Cord.”
Grinning he shook his head, mumbling under his breath, “I ain’t the one starting something here.”
Having worked closely with Cord since I’d arrived at the Ranch, we’d gotten to know each other pretty well. He might not know the precise details of what Elita had done to me, but he was a smart man and had to have figured there was a reason I lived in a kink resort but never went looking for a play partner. Especially considering he knew I’d attended a club prior to being kidnapped. His connection to Sam was how I’d found out about this job in the first place. I’d been shocked when Sam had reached out to me with the offer. He’d understood why I’d needed to leave California, start over. He’d raved over Rawhide Ranch, certain I’d find some solace and peace here.
With a broad smile, he turned his focus from me to Calla who was frowning his way as she held her dragon on her lap.
“Hello, Calla. It’s lovely to meet you. My name’s Cord and I work with Eric in the research center here at the Ranch.” Before he could continue, Sadie and Bobbi, Cord’s Little, came rushing over chatting away to each other, their arms full of stuff that they dumped on the table. Bobbi moved the spare seat closer to Cord before sitting down, while Sadie grabbed a seat from an empty table nearby to put between Bobbi and Calla. The entire time Sadie and Bobbie hadn’t stopped talking. Something about finding the perfect dorm room.
With eyes wide Calla sat motionless as she took in the chaos that had just arrived at our table. Leaning forward, I wrapped my palm around the back of her neck, massaging the tight muscles like I had earlier on the couch. She’d responded well to the touch then, just as she did now. Her breathing settled into a more normal rhythm as she leaned my way. Warmth spread through my chest at the unconscious action that showed she trusted me to provide her with safety.
Cord’s voice wasn’t loud, but the tone cut through the girls’ chatter. “Girls, stop. This is Calla’s first day and you two haven’teven introduced yourselves before you started in on how you’ve apparently organized her life for her.”
Both girls instantly looked guilty and embarrassed, knowing Cord had a point. Even Bobbi who struggled with ODD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, didn’t try to argue otherwise. Sadie was the first to recover, and looked to Calla with an expression that was a mix of shock and sympathy.
“Oh no! Calla, we’re so sorry! We were so excited about everything coming together for you and we got talking and then we were here at the table before we knew it.”
And now she was babbling, and still hadn’t introduced herself. With a chuckle to break the tension, I lowered my hand from Calla’s neck to rest on the back of her chair.
“Calla, this little chatterbox is Sadie Hawkins, Derek’s wife and Little, while the troublemaker now trying to hide behind Cord is Bobbi, his wife and Little.”
Derek had explained earlier about Littles, Daddies and ageplay. Calla had seemed intrigued, and not repulsed by the concept which was a huge relief. While I was sure she had questions about the lifestyle, I’d hoped to expose her to some interactions between Littles and their Bigs during the day today before we discussed it tonight.
Both girls waved and smiled, even Sadie seeming to be at a loss for what to say.
