Page 69 of Daddy's Little Surprise

Rainey turned toward Daddy. “I really don’t know if I can do this. I... This is a bad idea. Dane and I can just hang out in your office and relax there. I think that sounds like such a better idea.”

She gripped onto her thighs. Why had she agreed to hang out with the girls? She so badly wanted to, but the nerves were getting to her. Dane started barking, and she took in a deep breath.

Before she knew what was happening, Daddy was pulling off the road.

“What are you doing? Why have you stopped? Is there something wrong with the car? Are we going to have to walk?I really can’t walk long distances while pregnant. I… I’m just always so tired.”

“Little girl.”

“It’s also not safe to stop on the side of the road. People are driving by. What if you try to get out and somebody harms you? What am I going to do then? I won’t have you, which leaves me alone.”

Dane continued to bark.

“Quiet, Dane,” Daddy commanded.

“Maybe Dane and I should just go home. That way, we can just relax. I’m making him worried, which is making me nervous. I don’t want to make him worried. Or maybe it’s because we’re pulled over on the side of the road. That could be it. He knows how dangerous it is.”

Daddy cupped her face with his hands, bringing her attention to him.

“Deep breath in. Hold. Now, slowly let it out.”

They continued this for several seconds as he helped her calm down.

“I think this was a bad idea,” she whispered.

“It’s not a bad idea. You’re just really nervous, which is normal. The other girls are nervous as well. They all want you to like them so you guys can hang out.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Little girl. Finn texted me, saying Charlotte was nervous. I have no doubt all the other girls are too. They are just like you, not wanting to have someone not like them. Everything is going to be okay, but if you really don’t want to hang out with them, you and Dane can come sit with me. They’ll understand.”

Rainey hadn’t thought the other girls would be nervous. They all had each other, and she didn’t have any of them. What if she did something to make them upset?

“Everything is going to be fine. Now, I’m going to get back on the road. You think about what you want to do. I won’t be mad if you go and hang out with them, and I won’t be mad if you want to hang out with me. I want you to be comfortable.”

Daddy took her hand and held it as he started to drive again. She was so torn on what she wanted to do. She didn’t like feeling this anxious and worried, but at the same time, she wanted to make friends.

It was so hard deciding what to do. She just wanted somebody else to make the decision for her.

“You’re all right. Everything is going to be okay. You can hang out with them for as little or as long as you want. They’ll understand, and they’re not going to judge you for it.”

“Maybe I’ll hang out with them for a coupleof minutes. I really wish you would come with me and Dane, but I know you have work.”

“I can try and do my work out in the main area if you would feel more comfortable with that.”

She shook her head as he pulled into a parking spot. It wouldn’t be fair. Daddy had work to do, and she felt like screaming Littles was going to be a distraction.

“Will it only be them, or will other people be there?” she asked, getting nervous again.

How would she react to having other people there? People she didn’t know. Would they look at her funny whenshe brought Dane with her? He wasn’t officially her emotional support dog, but he really felt like it.

“There might be a coupleof other people, but normally at this time of day it’s pretty dead.”

What if they wanted to hang out with her? What if they started to make her feel uncomfortable? Was she going to be able to survive?

It was a bit dramatic, but it was a thought nonetheless. It was a good thought. She was scared about going in there and not having Daddy. Rainey knew she would have Dane, though.

“If you don’t want to hang out with the other people, just politely let them know. And if they don’t take the hint, you let me know, and you can come hang out with me.”

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