Page 19 of Big Daddy Sheriff

It was then that Alyssa noticed Belinda had walked quietly away from the group. She started to climb by herself, a sad look on her face.

“Excuse me,” Alyssa said.

She walked to Belinda and started climbing with her. “Whatcha up to?”

“Just playing,” Belinda said meekly.

“Do you want to play with us?” Alyssa prompted gently, wondering what was wrong. She could tell something was, but she didn’t want to push too hard.

They reached the first platform and Belinda stopped, not climbing any further. Instead, she sat there, sucking on her bottom lip, when suddenly she burst into tears.

“What’s wrong?” Alyssa asked, hugging her. It didn’t matter that she’d just met the woman. She wasn’t going to let her hurt alone.

Belinda didn’t pull away. A moment later, she said, “I’m worried you won’t want to be my friend because I wear diapers.”

Alyssa could feel the tears soaking through her shirt, dampening her shoulder. She continued to hug Belinda, saying, “I think it’s awesome that you’re so Little. In fact, you want to know something?”

She felt Belinda nod.

“I’ve always wanted a little sister,” Alyssa continued.

Belinda pulled away and looked into Alyssa’s eyes, as if searching them for sincerity. Evidently, she liked what she saw, because she said, “Really?” She sniffled.

Alyssa nodded. “Yep. I know I’m a Little, too, so notthat mucholder, ageplay-wise. But I’ve always thought it would be cool to have a baby sis.”

Belinda was grinning now, though tears still streaked her puffy cheeks. “You don’t think I’m a weird baby or something?”

“Of course not,” Alyssa said. “I think you’re the little sis I’ve always wanted! We’ll have so much fun playing. Just stick close to me.”

Belinda giggled, hugged her new friend, and then eagerly followed as they climbed down to rejoin the others.

On the ground, Mindy and Janie cheered before everyone exchanged hugs.

“This is going to be awesome!” Mindy said. “But do you want to change before we play?”

“Change?” Alyssa said.

“Yeah. You could go to the store. My Daddy owns it. It’s a… you know, normal store… except in the back room. Want to see it?”

Alyssa still wasn’t sure what Mindy was talking about, but she said, “Sure.”

“Daddy!” Mindy called. “Can you open up the store so we can show Alyssa all the cool stuff?”

“I don’t see why not,” the handsome man said.

With the promise of coming back to play, the group made their way out of the fenced-in park and toward the store. It was when they were crossing the street that Quinn came up beside Alyssa and said quietly, “That was sweet the way you took care of Belinda.”

“Thank you. We’re all Littles here, right? Just because we aren’t all the same doesn’t mean we can’t be best friends.”

He smiled affectionately. “Sounds like maybe you could see yourself hanging around here for a while, getting to be close to the other girls.”

The longing in his voice wasn’t lost on Alyssa.

Yeah. She could see herself hanging around Big Cedar.

And Quinn Hardin.

Inside the store, Alyssa found the space to be exactly what Mindy had said: a normal store.

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