He’d lifted his right hand as he’d said his name, clearly expecting me to shake it. Like I’d ever willingly touch the slimy bastard. I left his hand hanging in the breeze and shook my head, a low chuckle escaping me at the assumption. Figuring just because I drove a fancy car I must be the owner further proved how much of a pretentious city boy this guy was.
Pulling his hand back, rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze turning wary. I’d clearly caught him off guard with my chuckle and firm refusal to pander to his ego. Before I could say another word, the doors at the top of the stairs opened with a bang causing Jack to spin back around to see what had caused the noise.
I grinned at the sight Derek Hawkins made dressed in his usual work attire of cowboy boots, jeans and white button up shirt with a bolo tie, the tall man was clearly in charge and not in the mood to tolerate any bullshit. Before the doors had swung shut, he was already making his way down the stairs. Dax andMoses moved to allow him through before returning to their positions blocking the way. Derek stopped in front of them, and I couldn’t help but think if all three of them were in suits, they’d look like a mobster gang with Derek at its head and his soldiers backing him up. But unlike Elita and her ilk, Derek ruled his domain with his heart, not his ego. As soon as he stopped walking, he folded his arms across his broad chest and spoke. His deep voice cut through the air.
“I’m assuming you’re Councilman Jack Bosman. I’m Derek Hawkins, the owner of Rawhide Ranch. I’d have been here to greet you when you arrived if you’d shown us the courtesy of letting us know you were coming instead of just turning up at my gate out of the blue demanding entrance. With the ruckus you’re currently causing, I’m sensing you like to be dramatic, to make sure everyone always knows when you arrive anywhere. Since I’m equally sure you make a habit of turning up to places unannounced, you should have anticipated you’d need to wait at least a short while before seeing me. And honestly, as a councilman, I would have expected a higher degree of decorum in your interactions than you have exhibited so far.”
He made quite an imposing presence, standing, arms folded across his chest as he glared down at the much shorter man and dressed him down like he was a bratty Little, not a professional politician. Derek’s instant command of the situation was so effortless it was clear he was a man in control of his world. That he could, and would, do whatever was necessary to preserve peace in his domain was unquestionable. His disgust at Jack’s attempted bullying of his staff was evident, as was the fact that he refused to tolerate such behavior on his land.
As he’d spoken, Jack ran his gaze over the ranch owner and the pinched look on his face made it clear he found what he saw lacking. Good thing Derek had never cared what the outside world thought of him.
“Mr. Hawkins, I assure you I’m not unexpected. We’ve spoken on the phone about you taking my stepdaughter, Calla Lewis, into your research program. You knew she was coming.”
Derek’s chin lowered and the ice in his blue gaze as he scowled at the man in front of him would have made every submissive or Little in a twenty-mile radius either hit their knees or pee themselves, but this fool held his head high, oblivious to how dangerous the tiger he’d just pulled the tail of was.
“While I do recall speaking with you some time ago, you not only never gave me your stepdaughter’s name, you never submitted any paperwork for Calla, or made any arrangements for her arrival. The reason I remember our phone conversation so clearly is because of how you had zero interest in discussing what she would be doing while here. Now here you are, being rude to my staff and making inhumane demands while trying to drop off a vulnerable young woman as though she were a package, not a person. That not only makes me question if you care for her at all, it also makes me quite certain you have absolutely no idea about what we do here at Rawhide Ranch.”
Jack started to speak, trying to explain himself but Derek was having none of it. Slicing a hand through the air, he cut the man off.
“Enough. If you can hold your tongue as you follow me to my office, we can discuss her enrollment in private. But one nasty word or cruel look at any of my staff or guests, and you’ll be escorted off the property with a lifetime ban. Do I make myself clear?”
After glancing toward the Explorer, Jack ran a hand through his hair before looking back to Derek and nodding. “I understand.” He looked over to where his wife stood beside his driver. “Ruth, come with us. You’ll need to sign for Calla. Joe, stay with the car. We won’t be long.”
I had no idea how anyone could stand working for such a vile human, but obviously Joe had some reason to put up with the man. Watching Ruth as she rushed over, head lowered, to her husband’s side, I wondered if she too needed saving from this bastard. But that would have to wait for another day. Calla was my only priority today.
Before he turned to lead the couple inside, Derek looked my way.
“Dr. Maestro, if you can manage to coax the young lady out of the vehicle, please take her inside and get her settled. Seems you and Cord got the new room finished just in time. I’ve made sure it’s available for your use, along with a suite for afterward.”
My lips twitched at his use of my doctor title. He never did that, so it had to be for Jack’s benefit he did so now.
“Yeah, we put the final touches on it this morning. Who knew we’d need it so soon?”
Derek smirked, dropping the harsh persona he’d slipped into to deal with Jack for a moment. “Ranch magic, my friend. Ranch magic.”
A huge part of Rawhide Ranch’s programs were dedicated to educating those who came here, that included the Littles. Within the Littles’ Wing in the resort, there were several spaces to cater to every age of Little/Middle. The younger Littles were cared for in the nursery and preschool rooms, while the older Littles/Middles had a handful of more traditional-looking classrooms. There were lockers in the hallway and the students moved between the rooms for different classes just like they would at a normal school. While each of the rooms in the wing had a “Time Out/Aftercare” room attached, none had been specifically set up to handle a neurodiverse student suffering with sensory overload or a meltdown.
When Cord and I had brought up the idea of creating such a room with Derek, he’d been excited by the concept and hadallocated us one of the timeout rooms to convert. Derek had cautioned us to not rush but instead to take the time needed to get it right. So we’d taken nearly a month to complete this first room. Every part of it was a result of careful research and planning. Sound-absorbing panels on the walls and ceiling were installed to make sure the room was quiet no matter what was happening outside. The main overhead lighting was made up of four large square panels that sat flush with the ceiling. The LEDs were not only color-changing but also dimmable. Using the panel near the door or an app, the lights could be set to whatever an overwhelmed Little needed.
We’d used a pale earthy tan paint, wanting something that was soothing on its own, while also being light enough that any images projected would be visible. The state-of-the-art projector we’d installed could turn the room into an oasis within moments. To begin with we’d loaded outer space, underwater, rain-forest and tropical beach scenes. We could easily add anything future neurodiverse Littles needed.
The floor was covered in a soft, deep pile carpet that felt heavenly against bare feet. A large armchair big enough for a Daddy along with a Little to get comfortable sat in one corner. There was also a huge floor cushion along with a few beanbags. Three different types of sensory swings hung from hooks in the ceiling along one wall. Floor to ceiling bubble tubes were installed midway along two walls, emitting soothing blue light when turned on. The wall around the entry door had cupboards which contained everything we’d been able to think of that might be useful. Weighted blankets, body socks, baskets of fidgets, coloring books and pencils, headphones, eye masks and a bookshelf of resources to name just a few.
Warmth spread through me at the fact my girl would be the first to use the space. Mentally shaking my head, I forced my thoughts back on track. Calla wasn’t my girl. I had to stopthinking that way. I’d be settling her into whichever seating option she preferred by herself with a weighted blanket while I kept my hands to myself. She was a patient. Someone who needed care. I didn’t even know if she was a Little, or if she even knew what one was. Let alone if she wanted a Daddy.
“At least, not yet,” a small voice whispered in the back of my mind as I returned to the car to check in with the girls to see how Jacqui was doing with getting Calla to trust me enough that I could help her.
Chapter Six
Calla
The moment the door started to open, I jerked my head to look in that direction. Raising my trembling hand, I chewed on the edge of my thumb as I waited to see who was coming for me. When a man I didn’t know smiled down at me, panic at what he’d do surged. Wrapping my arms around my legs, I pulled them tighter against me as I rocked and more tears dripped down my cheeks.
Dr. Stringer’s voice broke the silence. “Eric? Is that you?”
“Yeah, Jacqui, it’s me. Hi, Calla, not sure if you remember me from earlier. My name is Eric Maestro, I’m the one who gave you the phone.”
Frowning, I vaguely recalled now that he had. I often had trouble remembering things, especially since I’d left Pieces to Peace.
