Two days later, the sun rose over the beautiful Ferguson’s Folly’s garden to create a gorgeous day. The thunderstorms that had raced through last night had prevented the decorators from preparing for the children’s birthday party happening amongst the manicured floral displays. Essie threw herself into a frantic flurry of activity as she attached the bunting and balloons to decorative pillars surrounding the tables and game area.
Hanging out in her room to be alone, she and Zander had snatched as much time as possible between their busy schedules. Between sizzling kisses, they’d reconnected their lives, sharing highlights of their time apart and their hopes and dreams with each other. Together, they’d discussed a range of Daddy Dom and Little girl activities to figure out what they were interested in exploring and what didn’t appeal to them.
Essie still blushed at several items that appeared on his requirements: medical care, spanking and other punishments, bathing, and even a reward chart with her daily “chores”. She didn’t understand how he could define activities like eating regular meals, drinking water, and free time as chores, but Zander hadn’t budged on those requirements.
He’d come home last night with a chart and the cutest baby animal stickers. After taping the chart on the inside of her bathroom door where no one should see the display, Zander had absconded with the stickers. Essie picked up her new water bottle from one of the raised flower beds and took a big drink. Until she had a chance to search his room for those darn kitten and puppy stickers, she’d have to earn them the hard way.
Zander spotted her action and winked at her. Essie scolded herself when she smiled back. His approval shouldn’t mean that much. But it did. She stifled a moan when he leaned over to pick up a new bag of balloons to fill. His athletic ass was bitable. She snickered. She’d enjoy nibbling on any part of him.
Over the last two days, they’d kissed a lot—delicious, deep exchanges that left her wanting more. Zander hadn’t pressured her to take things faster. While he seemed really into her, other men had battered her confidence in the past. Could she be naked in front of him?
“Hey, I brought an extra set of hands,” Ivan called, showing up with his ethereal sister, Tiffanie. Essie bet a stiff breeze could knock Tiffanie over.
Eager to stop her self-reflection, Essie waved and called her greetings. Having chatted with Tiffanie repeatedly over the weeks Ivan had worked, enhancing the manor for the activities, Essie had learned Tiffanie wasn’t one for feeling sorry for herself despite her cancer treatments. The frail blonde pitched in whenever she could muster the energy. Essie treasured her newest friend’s sweet and positive nature. Bad things shouldn’t happen to such good people.
“Do I have a job for you!” Essie said. “Could I talk you into fluffing these bunting pieces? Then we could come grab them and hang them up. You know, like an assembly line?”
“Of course. I’m glad to whip them into shape,” Tiffanie said, claiming the chair and getting busy.
Ivan met Essie’s gaze and nodded his appreciation. He pattedhis sister on the back and hurried off to attend to a clogged toilet. “Hey, Zander! Good to see you!”
“Ivan! Thank goodness you’re here. We’ve got a dozen six-year-olds coming for a birthday party,” Zander said.
“Should I put down puppy pads to catch the oopsies on the bathroom floor?” Ivan joked.
“I wish!” Essie said and laughed. How lucky was she to get to work with this crew?
“The pony trailer is coming down the driveway,” Sara called from the doorway.
“I’ll go help get Bubbles unloaded and settled in the field,” Zander told Essie, stopping by where she stood to run his hand over her back. His touch sent shivers down her spine. “Save anything high for me. I don’t want you on a ladder.”
“Thank you! I’ll be good,” Essie assured him as she continued to decorate frantically. Of course, the birthday boy had to request a pony. She couldn’t use the tent for this one and had set everything up yesterday.
A few minutes later, the clop of hooves made her pause and stop working for a moment. Essie smiled at the sweet pony who’d arrived with flowers in his mane. The kids were going to flip out over him.
“This is a gorgeous pony!” Zander said as he guided the prancing creature through the garden. “I wasn’t expecting a boy named Bubbles.”
Essie studied the adorable pony who stretched a velvety nose out to smell the nearby roses next to the handsome man.Handsome Daddy, she corrected herself. “Oh, he is the cutest!”
“Now I want to ride him too,” Tiffanie said. Essie nodded immediately.
“Oh, no! Watch him, Zander!” Sara called from the doorway.
“What is that beast doing!” an irate voice bellowed.
Essie watched Bubbles grab a second plump rose and snip the flower from the green stem. Zander pulled him away from the rosebed. Bubbles didn’t cooperate. The pony was determined to enjoy more blossoms.
Edmund floated over the pavers to save his prized flowers. “Get that scoundrel out of here!”
Doing her absolute best to not dissolve into giggles, Essie watched the ghostly figure throw himself between the pony’s nose and the bushes. As if Bubbles could see or feel Edmund’s presence, he reared back, dragging Zander a couple of feet away.
Cussing filled the air as Zander struggled to get the pony under control. Essie even learned new words and phrases. Finally, he pulled Bubbles out of the garden toward the pen where he’d stay. Edmund plopped himself on the raised wall and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Thatponyisn’t eating another of my prized roses. Over my dead body!” Edmund bellowed.
That was all she could take. Essie burst into delighted giggles. Edmund harrumphed at her. She wrapped her arms around her stomach as the laughter rolled through her. When Tiffanie joined her merriment, Essie pulled herself together enough to check where Tiffanie was looking. Thank goodness, her gaze wasn’t aimed at Edmund. What had amused Tiffanie?
Tracing her friend’s line of sight, Essie spotted Zander urging Bubbles into the fenced-in area. Unfortunately, the pony had chosen to poop. A strong smell drifted toward the women, turning their amusement to “Ewww!” Muffled curses followed as Zander finally penned the pony in place before stalking off. Several minutes later, he returned with a bucket and a shovel.
