Loud, thunderous footfalls, way too loud to be from just two Little girls, filled the stairwell.
“Walking feet, please,” Derek reminded them.
Beau watched as the gaggle of Little girls came down the stairs two by two. He searched the quartet for his favorite and smiled when he saw her red space buns. She hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, but a gentle push from another Little he thought may be named Wren sent her in his direction.
“Hi, darlin’,” he said, bending down so he didn’t seem so imposing.
“Hello, Master Beau,” she said, digging the toe of her shoe into the hardwood.
The action was so innocent it pulled at his heart. He held out the pink blanket with dancing ballerinas on it.
She gasped and hesitantly reached out, touching the blanket. “For me?” she asked, looking unsure.
“It is. I thought a bouquet of flowers might be too Big for you.”
Her face flushed and her eyes sparkled as she took the blanket from him, rubbing her face on it. “Thank you, Master Beau.”
“Every Little girl deserves something soft and special, just for them,” he said, booping her nose. A happy sigh reminded him they weren’t alone. “You’re welcome, little one,” he said, standing from his crouched position.
“Wren. Ivy. Your Daddies are here,” Derek said.
“Awww,” Wren whined, stomping to the door. “I wanted to see Palmer and Master Beau fall in love!”
The sound of a hand smacking a naughty bottom filled the room. “How about you try again,” Travis, Wren’s Daddy, said.
“Thank you for letting us come over and do our homework, Master Derek,” Wren said, sheepishly.
“Thank you, Master Derek,” Ivy echoed as her Daddy helped her with her backpack.
“Suddenly the Big House is the place to be,” Derek said dryly.
“We wanna see the magic happen.” Sadie skipped over to Beau. “My Daddy said you’re gonna start working here!”
“Sadie, at least show our guests into the kitchen before you start harassing them, angel.”
“Yes, Sir!” Sadie saluted before grabbing Palmer and dragging her to the kitchen. “Follow us, Master Beau! It’s taco night.”
Beau couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed this hard. Sadie was an absolute handful and watching Palmer’s eyeswiden at her new friend being naughty was adorable. He imagined Palmer didn’t have a naughty bone in her body.
“Do you want some more salsa, Palmer?” Derek asked, holding out the bowl to her.
“No, thank you, Sir.”
Beau frowned. He wondered if she always ate this light or if she was just extra nervous.
“You didn’t eat very much. Maybe you need a bottle,” Sadie said.
Palmer flushed beet red and had Beau not been so sympathetic, he would have found the whole situation to be amusing. He certainly had the bubbly brunette’s seal of approval.
“Sadie,” Derek warned.
Beau would admit that Daddy Dom had the stern look down. His eyebrow almost seemed anchored in place.
“Sorry, Daddy,” Sadie answered.
“Do we meddle in our friends' business?” Derek asked her.
“No, Sir.”
