Page 45 of Their Little Foursome

“No, Sir, I leave it all the time.” At what must have been his shocked expression, Blake giggled. “I leave with Mommy. We don’t liveonthe Ranch. Her house is outside Porter’s Corner. Mommy works here and I go to school.” He paused and when Gordon nodded his understanding, Blake added, “I didn’t try to leave because I wanted off the Ranch. I didn’t leave because I was sorta hoping that…”

“That?” Gordon prompted.

“That I’d be missed,” Blake said then huffed. “Saying that out loud makes me sound like a pathetic dork.”

“No, saying it out loud lets me know how much you love the people on this Ranch. How much you want to be part of it. I’m hoping that includes the family that is waiting for us at the lodge… and that you hope part of that family includes me, the man who wants to be your Daddy.”

“It does,” Blake said. “When I was sitting here before, I was hoping the one to find me would be you, and then you stepped out of the woods and told me I did have a family.”

“Which is the truth,” Gordon reaffirmed. At the Little’s huge smile, he chuckled. “By that grin, I’m guessing all those ickies have gone away?”

“Wow, how do you know about ickies?”

“I have a Little girl,” Gordon reminded him. “And now I also have a Little boy. I’m pretty sure there will be lots of ickies between the two of you. Now, I can hear your tummy talking and mine is about to answer, so what do you say about heading back and getting some lunch?”

Blake nodded. “I think I could eat a bear.”

Gordon chuckled and set him off his lap. Before he had a chance to stand, Blake looked up at him.

“Thank you for coming for me.”

“You’re welcome and you’ll learn I will always come for you. Just ask your sister if you doubt me.”

“I don’t,” Blake said as Gordon stood. “Oh and thank you for not… well, you know.”

“I’m afraid I’m no more of a mind reader than your Mommy. I’m going to need a bit more clarification than ‘you know’.”

The Little’s face turned red and the toe of his sneaker dug into the dirt. “Um, for not, um… spanking me or somethin’.”

“I’m afraid I can’t accept your thanks,” Gordon said.

Blake’s head lifted. “Why not? I thought Daddies were supposed to forgive Littles like Mommies do.”

“Oh, there will definitely be forgiveness,” Gordon assured him. “There will also be cuddles. But those will come after I pull down your jeans and briefs and paddle your bare bottom for scaring not only your family, but everyone on the Ranch. Perhaps sitting on a red bottom will help remind you that running won’t solve a problem, but sticking around and asking for help does.”

Bracing himself to hear how he wasn’t Blake’s Daddy, he didn’t have consent to spank him, he was a big meanie, etc. etc. etc., Gordon was pleasantly surprised when all Blake did was ask, “Can you wait to spank me until after lunch?”

“I suppose sleeping on your tummy to take your after-lunch nap will serve the purpose just as nicely.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I’m really hungry.”

“You’re welcome, buddy.” Gordon took Blake’s hand and they did indeed walk out of the woods together. “Tell me, are the rumors I’ve heard about this mac and cheese true?”

“Oh, yes, Daddy. Chef Connor’s mac ’n’ cheese is like… like that famous painting of the woman, the one with the smile? I can’t think of her name.”

“The Mona Lisa?”

“Yeah! That’s her.”

Confused, Gordon looked down at the Little. “I’m afraid you lost me. How is a painting like mac and cheese?”

“Because they both have you ‘moan’. Get it, Daddy? Why do you think Lisa is moaning? Because she’s tasted the best mac ’n’ cheese in the whole wide world!”

Gordon never thought he’d hear a Little telling what was a pretty bad “Dad” joke, but he laughed hard, loving it when Blake’s giggles joined his. It was exactly what the two needed as they walked toward a new life together.

CHAPTER 21

Beverly

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