Palmer shook her head.
“It’s so we can decorate our own flip-flops for May 28th.”
Beau felt Palmer tense in his arms. He squeezed her gently, giving her soft reassurance.
“I’m not going to participate in that day,” Palmer said, frowning.
“Is it because you don’t like the way flip-flops rub your toes?”
Palmer shook her head.
“Is it because they make you waddle like a penguin? It’s okay. They do that to Daddy too.”
Palmer giggled before turning serious. “No. M-May the 28th was the day my foster family was going to kick me out. If Master Derek hadn’t let me come here, I’d probably be living on the street. I’m really thankful for how my life turned out, but it’s a hard day. Daddy and I are going to pick out a special present for me to help that day not be so super hard.”
“I’m sorry, Palmer,” Pippi said, sincerely.
“That’s okay, you didn’t know and I think I do need to talk about it more, so that maybe it’s not so scary.”
Beau was so proud of Palmer.
“Have you thought about what kind of present you want yet?” Catherine asked.
“Not really,” Palmer said.
“Maybe a puppy,” Pippi said. She was sitting on her knees.
“I think it would be hard to have a puppy in an apartment on the Ranch,” Auntie Catherine explained, guiding Pippi to sit on her bottom in the chair.
“Yeah,” Palmer agreed. “It’s not a super lot of space.”
“Maybe you could have a party! Like a welcome home party,” Pippi said.
“Why?” Palmer asked.
“Because Rawhide Ranch loves you, sweet girl, and they want to celebrate you finding a Daddy,” Beau explained sweetly.
“We’ve been rooting for you since you got here, little one. We’re so happy to see you growing,” Uncle Sam added.
“That’s really nice,” Palmer said. Her throat was tight with emotion.
“And you’d get prezzies!” Pippi exclaimed.
“Oh, maybe people could just come to the party. I don’t need gifts. If I could, I’d give Ms. Hammond all the gifts.”
“Who’s Ms. Hammond?” Piper asked. “I don’t think I’ve met her yet. Have you, Daddy?”
Sam shook his head. “No, sweetie, I don’t believe so.”
“That’s because she doesn’t live on the Ranch. She owned the laundromat where I lived before I came here. She was always friendly and caring whenever I went there to use the WiFi,” Palmer explained. “She’d bring me a warm towel to dry off if I’d gotten wet in the rain and always gave me a snack. She’d pretend she just couldn’t eat another bite or had just bought too many even though I knew she didn’t have a lot of extra money to spend.”
“She sounds like a wonderful woman,” Sam said softly.
“She is,” Palmer said with a shaky smile as she looked around the table. “Besides, I already have everything I’ve ever wanted.”
Catherine pressed her hand to her heart and Beau understood her emotions. He was feeling the same way.
Piper suddenly rose up on her knees again. “Not everything! You could ask for babies!”
