Page 230 of Daddy's Naughty List

Sometimes, things that are almost impossible happen anyway.

Chapter Three

Lulu

Golden sunlight danced across Lulu's face as she stretched luxuriously in her cozy bed. A smile played on her lips—yesterday had been magical, and today promised even more adventures at Littlecreek Ranch. There would be no meetings about illustrations here. No discussions at the water cooler or being made to feel stupid for doodling and daydreaming.

No.

Today was all about being a Little, on a beautiful ranch, at Christmas. What could be better than that?

She packed a bag for the day, making sure to include a few art supplies and her sketchbook, in case inspiration hit her, and got going.

At breakfast, the communal dining room was alive with chatter and clinking silverware. Lulu grinned as she scooped up fluffy scrambled eggs from the food counter, letting the warm aromas of coffee and maple syrup envelop her. She plopped down at a table with some other friendly-looking guests.

Normally, Lulu would be nervous, but the fact that half the people in here were dressed in cute Christmas sweaters, glittery dresses, and festive rompers, and that there were a ton of tinsel-adorned stuffies on display, gave her more confidence than she’d ever felt before.

"Morning!” she chirped to the Littles at her table. “I'm Louisa, but you all can call me Lulu. Ooh, aren't the decorations just the cutest? I can't believe how pretty it is here!"

The others grinned at Lulu's infectious joy.

“I made that one!” said a red-headed girl with a Scottish accent. She pointed up at a beautiful wreath of holly and ivy attached to a thick timber beam.

“Wow, it looks professional!” gasped Lulu.

“Thank you. I’m Janice. I’d shake your hand, but I got a little prickled from the holly earlier.”

“Ouch!”

Janice grinned. “I’m alright, really. Just a minor prickling.” She took a bite from a stack of pancakes. “So, are you new around here?”

“Uh-huh. I’m from Philly,” replied Lulu. “Here for Christmas to get away from all the stinky hustle and bustle.”

“We’re pleased to have you.” That was another girl, with flowing blonde hair and a beautiful smile. “I’m from a big city, too. Being here is just…” She sighed before finishing, “dreamy.”

“So, what’s it like when it’s not the holidays here?” Lulu asked.

The Littles excitedly shared stories about horseback rides, harvest festivals, summer camps, and fireside sing-alongs late into the night. Lulu soaked it all in, eyes sparkling. This place was everything she'd dreamed of and more.

When she was done eating, she gathered up her sketchbook and pencils, and waved goodbye to her new friends. Lulu skipped through tinsel-trimmed hallways, peeking into the festively decorated rooms. In the communal lounge, she spotted a young woman hunched over a table, surrounded by a flurry of art supplies. Lulu tiptoed closer, not wanting to interrupt.

The woman looked up, her dark eyes twinkling under a curtain of inky black hair. "Oh, hi there! I'm Zoey," she said with a warm smile. "I haven’t seen you before."

Lulu grinned and waved. "Hello! I'm Lulu," she replied shyly. "Wow, it looks so much fun in here! And the decorations are off-the-charts cool. Like Santa’s workshop exploded! What are you working on?"

Zoey laughed, sweeping a hand over the colorful sketches and notebooks scattered across the table. "Ooh, top secret stuff! I'm cooking up somethin' special. Hey, do you like to draw too?" She nodded at Lulu's sketchbook.

Lulu blushed, hugging it to her chest. "Yeah, it's kinda my thing.”

“It’s not really my thing,” Zoey admitted with a blush. “I’m more of a writer, really. I’m doing my best with the pictures here because I’m trying to write a picture book. And you can’t have a picture book without pictures.”

“Right.”

“Can I see your sketchbook?”

“Sure.” Lulu shrugged and opened it up.

“Holy smokes!” Zoey cried. “These are amazing. Like, seriously impressive.”

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