Page 30 of Daddy's Little Cowgirl

He picked up her hand and kissed the palm. “I know. But my first responsibility is to get you healthy. We have plenty of time for the rest.”

He could see her concentrate and think about what he said. After a moment, she nodded and sat up. He helped her to stand and then took her hand.

She stayed silent as they made their way down to the dining room. He sat her and then himself. A moment later, Maggie came out of the kitchen with two large plates. She already had glasses of water in front of them.

“Oh, this looks delicious,” Ellie said.

“It’s one of my favorites,” Ridge said.

He grinned when Maggie snorted. “Everything is this boy’s favorite.”

Ridge couldn’t disagree with her. “It’s only because she’s the best cook in the county.”

One of her eyebrows rose. “Just the county?”

He acted exasperated. “Okay, fine. The whole state.”

Maggie nodded. “That’s better. Now, you two eat. Leave everything on the table. I’ll get it all later after my show.”

He nodded and watched the woman leave. When he looked at Ellie and the smile on her face, he felt even more settled, knowing they were making her happy.

He wanted to see her smile every day, and he was determined to make it happen.

Chapter Eighteen

Ridge found a comedy that made them both laugh. It helped lighten her mood and relax.

It had taken a while for her to get her attention off the man pressed against her and what was happening on the TV. She guessed that about halfway through, she had fallen asleep against him when he lifted and carried her to her room.

Ellie felt Ridge tuck her into her cold bed. She pretended to be asleep because she knew he was either tired or had paperwork to do, and she didn’t want to interrupt him.

He was taking so much time with her, and she knew he had to be behind with things. She didn’t want him to get impatient with her. Ellie knew there was a high chance of him taking her back, but she wanted as much time with him as she could get.

The thought of losing him always made her stomach twist, making shards of pain race through her, and her heart felt like it would burst from her chest. She had to remind herself that she couldn’t be sad because she’d never had him in the first place.

After turning on the bathroom light, she got back in bed and closed her eyes. About an hour later, she sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

What was she going to do? She couldn’t keep missing so much sleep. Another light in the room wouldn’t help. It would have to be somewhere she felt comfortable with, and the only place she could think of besides his bedroom was his office. It had dark paneling, a huge fireplace, and a comfortable sofa.

Ellie grabbed a blanket and pillow and started for the stairs. She almost turned back because the bottom of the steps was pitch-black. She inhaled and started down the stairs. On the last one, she jumped off and raced into Ridge’s office.

She closed the door, leaned against it, and slowed her breathing. When she felt steadier, she walked over to the bathroom and turned on the light. Fortunately, the light from the moon coming in through the windows helped to keep her from running into things on her way there.

Once she had enough light to be able to see every corner of the room, she made her bed on the sofa and lay down.

Ellie planned on waking up at four and going back to her room. She didn’t want to be caught in the room because then she’d have to answer questions. Some she couldn’t, and others she didn’t want to.

She was jerked awake because of some yelling. She glanced at the clock on the wall and realized it was after five.

“I found her!” Ridge yelled over his shoulder before heading toward her.

She scrambled into a sitting position and hugged her knees to her chest.

Ridge sat down next to her and rubbed a hand over the back of his neck before he looked at her.

“We have been looking for you for over thirty minutes. I have a few of my men canvassing outside for you.”

“I’m sorry.”

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