Beau had eaten dinner with Alistair and his submissive Dora when he’d first arrived. Alistair was a teacher for some of the school-age Littles’ programs. The couple had both been so welcoming.
“Thank you, Master Alistair,” Palmer said softly.
“Beau, good to see you,” he said, extending his hand.
Beau shook it. “I’m just returning Palmer to the dorm for the night. I’ll be back to collect her before class in the morning.”
Alistair nodded. “Yes, I spoke to Derek earlier. I’m glad this Little one is going to have a mentor. She’s very sweet and I’m glad to have someone to report all her good deeds to. She is a wonderful friend to her roommates and has been helping some of her peers who are struggling with their classes. She is an absolute delight to have at the Ranch.”
Palmer flushed under his praise and ducked her head again. Beau imagined it was hard for her to accept praise but that was okay. The Ranch would use its magic to get her there—he just knew it.
Chapter Four
Palmer waited in front of her door of the Little’s Wing. She twisted her new blanket around her fingers as she waited on Master Beau. He was coming to pick her up and take her to breakfast and her classes today. She was so excited. She hoped they could have dinner together again. If he wasn’t busy. Or if he wanted to. Maybe he didn’t want to. Palmer mentally kicked herself for getting too ahead of herself. Master Beau might just be taking her to breakfast and class. She should be grateful for what time she had with him and not be so selfish for more.
“Do you have ants in your pants, little one?” Master Alistair asked, his voice tinkling with amusement. He was filling in as the Dorm Top for the week.
“I don’t have on pants, Master Alistair.” Her skirt bounced with her nervous wiggles. It was the skirt Beau had left out for her to wear. Getting dressed had been lots easier this morning since she didn’t have to make any choices and she actually felt cute. The light wash denim skirt, soft pink unicorn shirt, and white sneakers made her feel just like a Little girl.
Master Alistair looked so shocked by her answer that Palmer felt her own eyes widen as she waited on the teacher’s response. Right before she opened her mouth to apologize, he spoke.
“I suppose you don’t, do you, honey.” He laughed, his deep voice carrying down the hallway. He tugged one of her curls playfully.
“There he is!” Palmer exclaimed before correcting herself. “There he is,” she whispered.
“I see him! He looks very happy to see you too, little girl,” Master Alistair said, nodding toward the approaching man.
His observation made Palmer feel like dancing. She was so happy too. There were nerves too, of course. What if she wasn’t what he wanted? Or what if she was too much or her feelings were too big? What if it didn’t work out and she wound up alone again? Oh no. Now she was jumping too far ahead again.
“Hey, now, I don’t like that frown on your face,” Master Alistair said, reaching out and stroking the wrinkles on Palmer’s forehead softly.
“Sorry, Sir,” she whispered, her face heating.
“You’re allowed to take up space and be excited, little one. There’s nothing wrong with hoping for happy things, Palmer.”
“It’s scary,” she admitted, meeting the older man’s eyes.
“I know, but you are the bravest Little girl I’ve ever met and I’ve met lots of Little girls,” he said, his tone full of pride.
Palmer found that strange. Why was he proud ofher? “Thank you, Master Alistair,” she said, instead of what she was thinking.
The older man hugged her again. “Have a good day today, honey. Try not to worry too much, okay?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good morning, Palmer, Alistair,” Master Beau said. “Everything okay?” he asked, searching Palmer’s eyes.
“Yes, Sir. I was waiting on you.” Her voice was shaky with excitement.
Beau reached out, stroking her cheek before pulling her into a hug.
“I think she was a little nervous, but she’s being such a brave girl,” Master Alistair explained.
Releasing Palmer, Beau knelt in front of her. “Trying new things can be hard, huh?”
Palmer nodded. “Yes, Sir. I’m not really used to happy things.”
“Well, if we have our way, it will only be happy things for you going forward, honey.”
