“Sorry, Mommy! Sorry!”
“We have talked about that sassy mouth of yours, little girl. Apologize to Palmer right now, Pippi.”
“I’m sorry, Palmer. I didn’t mean to be sassy to you. I was just surprised you sounded so shocked. Lots of us want to play with you, but we knew you needed time to adjust. We’re really glad you’re here with us now.”
Palmer’s eyes filled with tears again, but this time they weren’t from fear or embarrassment. They were from a tender feeling that Palmer couldn’t quite name, but she thought maybe it was what having a home felt like.
Chapter Nine
“I know it’s very fast and this probably isn’t what you had in mind, but I do think it’s what’s best for her,” Beau said, feeling very much like a teenager trying to ask a firm father for permission to date his daughter.
Derek laughed, a deep belly laugh. “Beau, I moved Sadie into my home the first day I met her. I didn’t feel like she would do well in the Littles’ Wing and I knew in my heart she was mine. I am not going to judge you for having the same thoughts about Palmer.”
The corner of Beau’s mouth tipped up, relieved to be given permission. He had been worried Derek would think he lost his mind.
“I also want to move her to the preschool room. She's not enjoying her classes, but she loves Nanny J.”
“Miss Price and Miss Samantha will be thrilled.”
“Okay then,” Beau said, surprised his conversation had gone so quickly.
“Anything else?” Derek asked. The smug bastard looked almost amused.
“I had a whole speech planned.”
Derek laughed again before clapping Beau on the shoulder. “You have my blessing. I know she’s in great hands. Whatever you do, I will support you.”
“Uncle Beau Bear!” Pippi shouted from her chair. Palmer waved, probably not brave enough to shout in the restaurant.
He waved excitedly back at the Littles. He made his way to them and pressed a kiss to both of their red curls. They almost looked related because of their similarities.
After he settled beside Sam, he picked up a menu. “I’m so glad I made it in time to eat with my best girls.”
“It’s us. We’re his best girls,” Pippi leaned over, whispering not at all quietly to Palmer.
“I want to be your best girl,” Sam teased, causing both Littles to giggle.
“Did your meeting go okay?” Palmer asked. Her relaxed features were gone and Beau hated that she was worried.
“It did. It went great,” Beau assured her. He stretched his hand across the table and set it palm up. Palmer studied it for a moment before placing her own palm on top of his.
“Well, Palmer has been a very good girl this morning. She was ready when we picked her up and she has such wonderful manners,” Catherine praised.
Ducking her head, Palmer studied the table. Poor baby. Beau understood how hard praise could be when you’d never received any before.
“I’m so glad you were a good girl for Auntie Catherine,” Beau praised.
When Palmer didn’t answer, he reached over and pulled her chair closer to him, draping his arm over the back of it. “What did you pick for breakfast?”
“Chocolate chip pancakes.”
“Oh, yummy!”
Beau chatted with everyone between feeding Palmer bits of her breakfast. She didn’t balk and he took that as a good sign, especially considering the things he was going to be introducing her to over the next few days.
He rubbed her back before pressing a kiss to her cheek.
“I missed you this morning,” she admitted softly.
