Page 16 of Promising Little Poppy

“Are you sure? You don’t look too excited,” Poppy said, trying not to let the fleeting look she’d seen run across CJ’s face threaten her joy of the day.

“I’m quite positive,” CJ assured her, turning from the mirror. “I was just wondering if the Ranch has an on-site barber shop I could visit. My hair grows so quickly, and while I’m pretty easygoing, when it comes to my hair, I can be a bit meticulous.”

Poppy smiled in relief. “There’s a salon if that will work, though I’d like to say you’re beautiful no matter how your hair looks, Daddy.”

This time, CJ’s smile lit her entire face. “Aren’t you just the sweetest Little ever.” Holding out her hand, she added, “Lead me to these beautiful tablecloths.”

It felt like it took forever for the pair to reach the lobby. Of course, Poppy knew it didn’t take any more than the few minutes it always took to get to the heart and soul of the Ranch from their guest suite, but with the excitement in her belly, a day filled with her friends, yummy food ahead, and her Daddy at her side, she was beyond ready to get the festivities started.

She tugged at CJ’s arm, impatiently hurrying toward the oversized double-sided fireplace where several of her friends stood in various forms of equally adorable attire.

There were Littles in diapers and with sippy cups standing with their Caregivers. One young person wore an adorable puppy collar and matching ears while another Little she had yet to meet had on the most appropriately themed onesie readinggobble till you wobble. Throughout the lobby, stations had been set up hosting everything from a craft station with colorful tissue paper and handprint turkeys for Littles to create to a cookie-decorating station manned by Rawhide Ranch’s esteemed chef, Connor Blackburn.

Poppy briefly hoped that Chef Connor’s famous chocolate mousse was on the Thanksgiving dessert menu—she’d happily snack on that over pumpkin pie any day. And, for the sake of any misbehaving Littles, she also hoped that the man had lefthis often-complained-about wooden spoons back in the kitchen where they belonged.

Hayleigh, Chef Connor’s Little, came bounding up to Poppy and CJ, throwing her arms around her friend with a squeal that had several guests looking their way while chuckling fondly over the antics of the two girls who were acting like long-lost friends. While in reality, it had been less than twelve hours since the friends had last seen one another. Regardless, their energy was infectious and CJ laughed at the pair.

“Come on,” Hayleigh chirped like a happy little bird. “Let’s go make turkeys together before it’s time for the feast!”

With hopeful eyes aimed at her Daddy, Poppy looked to CJ for permission. And when her Caregiver granted it with a gentle nod and firm reminder that she would be watching Poppy from across the room, the pair of Littles scampered across the lobby to meet up with Sadie, Billy, Seth, and a few other Littles Poppy had been getting to know over the last week and a half.

CJ

The giggle of Littles was doing simply that—laughing and squealing with such joy that it nearly broke CJ’s heart. Already, she was thinking of reasons to stay at Rawhide Ranch past her check-out date. Grasping for any reason to keep Poppy in her life.

“You look like you’re in way over your head over there. Need a friendly ear?”

A woman with coppery-red hair and piercing blue eyes walked up to CJ where she was standing idly off to the side. It wasn’t that CJ was uncomfortable around people she didn’t know well, she just preferred to take her time, dipping a toe intothe water to test its temperature as opposed to jumping in feet first. CJ gave the newcomer a small, tentative smile. “Just a lot happening here today. I tend to be a little more on the low-key side of things.”

Holding up a clear plastic party cup full of a dark-red punch, the woman clicked her cup against CJ’s. “I’m Amelia. I run the uniform department and help the theater teacher with costumes when they need an extra hand. I also sometimes help with stage productions at the university.”

Instantly recognizing the name, CJ’s smile grew into something genuine. “So you’re the infamous Miss Amelia. I’ve heard a lot about you in my short time here at the Ranch. Poppy has chosen to wear her own clothes while exploring the Littles’ Wing so far, but she has mentioned you on several occasions as going out of your way to help her both in the past and as she’s explored this new side of herself.”

“You know,” Amelia replied with a coy smile. “I could say the same thing about you. Seems you’ve captured the attention of quite a special young lady. She has spoken very highly of you.”

CJ knew better than anyone to assume someone’s gender, sexuality, or preferred kinks. Hell, with her short hair, athletic build, and non-existent chest, she sometimes felt more like a teenaged boy than a fully fledged woman. And while she loved her role as a Caregiver, it was still frequent that she was mistaken as a submissive based on her gender alone. Still, the way Amelia radiated a calm, caring composure in the briefest of interactions, CJ would almost have put money on the woman being a Caregiver, too. It made her feel wonderful to know Poppy had someone else in her corner, someone to help look out for her Little when CJ wasn’t around.

Glancing across the lobby to where Poppy was seated at a table with her head thrown back in side-splitting laughter, CJ responded on a long sigh that told of her internal exhaustion.“Actually, it’s that special young lady who has capturedmyattention.”

CJ knew their time was running short, still she couldn’t hold back her true feelings for the woman.

Amelia gave her a gentle smile and CJ could tell why Poppy gravitated to the young woman. “I know it isn’t my place to say anything to you,” she said almost shyly, “but you should know that she cares for you. Even if she doesn’t show it in the traditional sense, I can tell that she cares about you deeply. I can’t help but feel like you might be the first person who has ever put this much faith in her. And finally, after three years here at the Ranch, her confidence is slowly starting to show.”

CJ’s initial plan for her time at the Ranch was to escape her past—to escape the hurt the end of her last relationship had caused. And now, after less than two weeks with Poppy, CJ wasn’t any closer to figuring out her next move after leaving the Ranch than she’d been when she’d arrived. But one thing was for sure, she couldn’t lose Poppy.

Not because Poppy needed CJ.

But because CJ needed Poppy.

She needed her Little girl with the sleepy early morning smile and soft, green eyes. CJ needed cozy nights cuddled on the couch, quiet meal time of new and favorite foods, and lazy bath times full of bubbles and giggles in equal amounts.

People had platonic relationships all the time, CJ thought to herself. She could find intimacy outside of her dynamic with Poppy and continue to care for her special Little kitten. If there was any place to find everything she needed, Rawhide Ranch was it. And if Poppy wanted to seek out a romantic relationship outside of their dynamic, well, CJ would just have to be okay with that.

After all, it would mean she could keep her Little, her kitten, her Poppy.

Almost on instinct, CJ began to look for Master Derek as a plan started to form, feeling the need to talk to the man right away. Surely, the Ranch owner would be able to point her in the direction of a place nearby that was open, welcoming, and accommodating to those in the lifestyle.

She had enough savings that she could start a new photography studio and live comfortably for at least half a year. And though her heart was in erotic and boudoir photography, she would gladly take family portraits for the rest of her life if it meant she could keep Poppy nearby.

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