Page 7 of Santa's Little Helpers

“All right, then, as long as we understand each other. We can finish this discussion in my office tomorrow. Now let’s get you inside. Don’t think I missed the goose bumps all over your legs.”

I sighed. I did have goose bumps, but they were not from the cold.

I followed Sadie up the steps to my room. It was the same room I always stayed in, but I knew sending Sadie with me was Derek’s way of not embarrassing Erika. I respected that. There were definitely some situations where a subbie could learn from a bit of humiliation. This was not one of those times. I hoped Derek would not let her off easy for her naughtiness and oversights, but that was between the two of them.

Sadie flung open the bedroom door. “Welcome home, Uncle Jared.”

“Thank you, little one. If you don’t mind, I am going to take a quick shower. Isn’t it almost bedtime?”

“Yeah, but Daddy said I could stay up a little and wait for you. Did you bring me a present?” She bounced on the balls of her feet.

“Don’t I always?”

Sadie was the closest thing I would ever get to having a child of my own, and I loved spoiling her. It was so easy. Her thankfulness never failed to fill me with joy. Dragging my carry-on to the bed, I noticed there were no bed linens. Odd. I glanced around the room.

“What’s wrong, Uncle?” Sadie crinkled her eyebrows.

“Nothing, sweetie.” I didn’t want her worrying about it. Knowing Derek, he had it handled. I pulled a tiny wrapped box out of the suitcase and handed it to her with a smile.

She ripped off the pink bow and opened it. “Oh my God, Jared, these are beautiful!”

I smiled in satisfaction, knowing the pink-diamond teddy-bear earrings would speak to both her little and big side. “I’m glad you like them.”

“Like them? I love them.” She closed the box and threw her arms around me once more.

“Good. Why don’t you run along, and we can hang out in the morning, okay?”

“Okay. Sweet dreams,” she sang as she skipped out of the room and closed the door behind her.

A shower was exactly what I needed to relax and settle in. Traveling was stressful, even in Rawhide’s private jet. Dressed in some comfortable clothing, I headed downstairs. Derek and I always shared a drink and caught up on my first night at the ranch, and tonight was no different. I found him in the study with the scotch already poured. A fire roared in the giant fireplace, and the table boasted a cheeseboard covered with assorted fruits, nuts, and cheeses.

“Always the perfect host,” I teased.

Derek stood and greeted me with a tight hug and a slap to the back. “You know my Angel, everything has to be perfect.”

“You’re a lucky man.”

“Don’t I know it. Sit, let’s relax.”

I did not need to be asked twice. Sinking into the overstuffed armchair across from Derek, I took a swig of the drink. It burned going down, just the way I liked it.

“How was the flight?” Derek launched right into conversation, and we spent the next hour catching each other up on the goings-on in our lives. I listened as Derek went on about the changes and additions being made to the ranch. His love for the place was admirable. I used to carry the same fire for law, but not lately. I really needed to retire.

“Well, old man, I think we should call it. Angel is going to want to make a big to-do about breakfast.”

I knew this to be true. Sadie would prepare a breakfast fit for an army and expect us all to be at the table early. After the appetizers and drinks, bed sounded nice.

“That reminds me, do you have blankets for the bed up there, or am I sleeping on the bare mattress?” I asked sarcastically.

“Isn’t the bed made?” Derek questioned, his brow crinkled in confusion.

“Nope. No pillows or bedding anywhere in the room.”

Derek sighed. “I’m going to tan that girl. She told me your room was prepared. I should have checked.”

“Sadie?”

“Erika,” he answered. “I don’t know what is with her lately. I cannot keep her on task.”

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