Page 43 of Lilly's Little Labor Day

“Not yet. Let’s launch an internal investigation. But keep it quiet. I’m worried this could be something more than ambition.”

“What are we talking?” Snow said.

“Not sure yet. Maybe corporate espionage. Collin is the type.”

“I’m on it.”

“It can wait until after Labor Day,” Edward said. “Whatever he’s up to can wait that long. We’ll pick this up Tuesday. I won’t be back quite yet, but we can convene over the phone. I just wanted to get the ball rolling.”

“We’ll get to the bottom of it. Enjoy your trip,” Snow said.

Once the call was over, Edward lingered on the private patio for a moment, thinking over everything. He dipped his hand in the hot tub’s water and absentmindedly splashed the water. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but his gut told him it wasn’t good.

He couldn’t get too wrapped up in it now. The time would come. Quick enough, too. On Tuesday he’d set out for the pleasant drive back to Colorado.

The only question was, would Lilly be by his side in the Porsche?

“No. She can’t be,” he said aloud. “She can never be. She mustn’t.”

But the prospect of leaving her again sure hurt his heart.

He shook his head, cleared the cobwebs, and then decided to go back inside. Whatever was going to happen would occur regardless of his actions right now. He might as well enjoy the next few days with that precious Little.

Before going in, his mind raced once more as he thought of anything Collin could have seen in his office.

He couldn’t think of a single thing. He was all good.

Or so he thought.

What Edward didn’t remember was that he’d written something on the blotter that lay atop his desk.

There, on that large calendar, were two simple words that might sink him.

Rawhide Ranch.

Chapter 22

Lilly was excited yet nervous as she went into the playroom located on the second floor.

She’d already met Halle before going in, but they hadn’t had time to talk and get to know one another. She seemed sweet.

She was tall, athletically built, and of Native American descent. Her long black hair was shiny. So was the frilly pink dress she wore.

Her Daddy, Roman, was a strong, powerfully built Black man. His eyes were filled with humor and his easygoing nature put Lilly at ease a bit. Which was good, she realized, because she was quite nervous.

“You two are going to have more fun than any Littles ever have,” Roman said. “Go get to it.”

“You sound like you need some adult time,” Edward said.

“You could say that again. I’ve been having fun with my baby, but she’s wearing me out. And if I watch one more cartoon before I have a conversation with a Daddy or Mommy, I might keel over.”

The two men made themselves comfortable in two of the provided chairs and watched as the Littles hesitantly made their way toward the toys.

“I like your pretty dress,” Lilly offered meekly.

“Thank you,” Halle said. “My Daddy bought it for me here at the Ranch. I like your onesie.”

“Thank you,” Lilly said. She blushed slightly, feeling a tad exposed. While being a Little was nothing new—it had been part of her nature as far back as she could remember—being Little in front of others was very new! She wasn’t used to parading around in public. Until that trip, Little Space had been a place she’d only visited in private. It had been a secret she hid. Of course, she fit right in at the Rawhide Ranch, so she wasn’t showing anyone. But it was still a lot for her to grow comfortable with.

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