Beau was so sincere, Palmer found it almost impossible to worry about the future. It was different to have people caring for her. She wasn’t used to having anyone trying to help her and now there was an entire Ranch. It was a nice feeling.
“Are you ready to get some food in your belly?” Master Beau asked.
“Yes, Sir. Have a good day, Master Alistair,” she said before Beau took her backpack from her and then took her hand.
“You too, darlin’.”
“Thank you for waiting with Palmer, Alistair.”
“No problem. She is as sweet as pie. Y’all have a good day now.”
“You were a very good girl to wear the clothes I placed out for you,”
“Brittany gave me this bow to wear, but I wasn’t sure if it was okay.” Palmer pulled a soft pink bow out of her skirt pocket.
“Why weren’t you sure, sweet girl?”
“Well, you said to wear what you put out and you didn’t put out the bow so I wasn’t sure…” Palmer trailed off. “Sometimes I’m too literal. I’m sorry.” She thought back to this morning when she’d pointed out that she hadn’t even had on pants. That was something she needed to work on. She added it to the never-ending list of things she needed to fix about herself.
Beau guided her into the elevator before kneeling in front of her again. “You never have to apologize, honey. Thank you forbeing a good girl and waiting on the bow because you weren’t sure. That was an oversight on my part and I should have been more clear. I picked out your clothes because I know sometimes making choices can be hard for Little girls, not because I want to control what you wear. You’re always welcome to add things to your outfits that will make you happy.”
Palmer nodded. “Thank you, Sir.”
“Would you like to wear the bow?”
Palmer nodded. She really did.
Beau slipped it from her hand and stood. “I think Brittany picked out the perfect color to match your shirt.” Beau slipped it into her curls and stepped back. “Precious.”
The elevator reached the ground floor and Palmer followed Beau off.
“We’re going to eat at the cafe today, little one.”
“Yes, Sir.” Palmer was excited. She hadn’t eaten there yet, even though they had an ice cream bar. She’d been too nervous. She did so many things by herself before coming to Rawhide, but now everything just seemed hard.
“What kind of things would you like to eat for breakfast?” Beau asked after getting settled at a table where they could look at the mountains. Palmer was surprised when he sat in the chair beside her and not across from her.
“I like anything, Sir.”
“Anything, huh?”
He shot her a brilliant grin and her tummy flipped. Palmer looked away, unsure what to do with the feeling. He tucked her blanket around her legs and she cherished the feeling of being cared for.
“How about liver and onions with a side of eggs?”
Palmer whipped her head back around to look at him in horror. She didnotwant to eat that for breakfast. She wouldif that’s what he asked of her, but shereallyhoped that wasn’t what he wanted.
Beau chuckled before setting a Littles’ menu in front of her. “I’m only teasing, honey. Not even the strongest stomached Big could eat that. How about some chocolate chip pancakes instead?”
He’d been teasing her? That was kinda silly. Palmer smiled. “Chocolate chip pancakes sound good.”
“Do you have any allergies, Palmer?”
“No, Sir.”
“How about milk to drink?”
“Okay, Sir.”
