Page 14 of Daddy's Little Cowgirl

“Why.”

“Because Brylee is the neediest right now.”

He helped spread the blankets and was pleased to have Ellie snuggled beside him. He put his arm on the back of the sofa, giving her more room.

Ridge picked his drink up when the girls had fallen back to sleep. He admitted to himself he’d never felt so content as he was right then and wanted to pursue Ellie if she was attracted to him.

He’d see how she acted in the next few days.

Chapter Eight

Ridge placed his hat in the back seat and looked at Ellie. She was staring out the window, waving to all her friends. He reached over her and grabbed her seat belt, snapped it into place, and then his own.

He waved quickly, put the truck in “drive,” and took off. He knew the longer they stayed, the harder it would be for Ellie.

They were thirty minutes into their trip when he spoke up.

“Honey. You’ll see them again. I promise.”

She looked at him and nodded, but he could see how sad she was, and it felt like someone kicked him in the gut.

“I think you’re going to like the ranch. We have a cat that just had kittens. Would you like to hold one?”

That got her to smile.

“Yes. I’ve never touched an animal.”

“Why?”

“My mom was allergic.”

“Where are your parents?” He wished he had gotten some information from Darian, so he knew what to say and what not to say. He regretted it when her face darkened with grief.

“My mom died when a drunk driver hit her car, and my dad left because he couldn’t handle being around me and the house. It reminded him too much of her.”

“How old were you when he left?”

“Nineteen. Fortunately, I was an adult, so I didn’t have to deal with the foster system. I was lucky he lasted that long.”

“You don’t know where he is?”

Ellie shook her head. “No. I haven’t seen him since he left, but I’m guessing he went back to Mexico.”

“Is that where your parents are from?”

“Yes. They got a work visa, and after a decade, they both got citizenship.”

“Have you ever been there?” Ridge asked.

“No.” She didn’t know if she was happy about it or not. All she heard about growing up was how hard it was there. Everything from doing laundry to sweeping out the home was difficult. They had to do laundry in the nearest creek, which always had cold water. There was always so much dirt everywhere, so when they swept, the dust would fly, and nothing ever got really clean.

“How old are you right now?”

“Twenty-four. How about you?”

“I’m thirty-two.” He glanced at her. “What did you do after he left?”

“I moved into an apartment. I had a good job at a warehouse, so I thought everything was okay, but I got fired.”

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