Page 37 of Reaching Little Robyn

The pout disappeared as she nodded emphatically. Leaning toward her, Robyn spoke softly, “I’m an even bigger girl but it sure is nice knowing that if I get scared or need help I’m not alone. Mister Rooster and my friends are ready to come help any time I need. Isn’t that nice?”

Gloria didn’t even hesitate. She lifted a small hand and patted her Daddy’s cheek. “It is, right, Daddy?”

“It sure is, sweetpea.”

Robyn giggled. This tiny tot had her Daddy wrapped completely around her little finger. Just like Sadie, Hayleigh, Wren, Moira, and even Nanny J had their husbands ready to defend them to the death if need be. It was something Robyn had always wanted and when she felt Rooster’s hold tighten around her, she finally began to believe she could have it too.

Lunch was hamburgers and hotdogs along with chips, apple slices and grapes. Lemonade was served in the cutest little glasses that had dancing lemons on them. When Robyn remarked on them, she and Moira spent a half hour discussing their best finds at garage sales.

“There’s a huge community sale coming up in Porter’s Corner next weekend. It started out small but word spread and now people from all over come and set up tables. There’s even vendor booths selling food and drinks and a bouncy house for the kids.”

“Well, I don’t think I’ll be doing much bouncing, but I’d love to go. I swear I can lose track of time just digging in old boxes and trunks.” Robyn turned to where Rooster was talking to Jagger, waiting for a pause in the conversation before asking, “Do you like rummage sales?”

“I do if you do,” he said.

It might be silly, but she totally believed him. “Great! Then it’s a date.”

“A double date,” Moira said. “We were already planning on going. We’ll let the kids do some bouncing to drain some of that energy and then take them over to Gram’s house. We can meet you at Leroy’s Place for lunch if you’d like?”

“That sounds perfect. By then my guests will be fed and off to do whatever they wish.”

When Moira announced it was naptime, the twins insisted that they needed a story and that Miss Robyn should read it. Robyn had no objection and wound up sitting on Rooster’s lap in the rocking chair in a large, sunny nursery reading not one book but two, because George informed her that theyeachgot to choose a story. By the time she closed the second book, little eyes were drifting shut. Rooster stood and carried her back to the living room while Moira and Jagger put their children to bed.

“Do you think everyone in Montana has swings on their porches?” Robyn asked as Rooster carried her outside.

“I’d sure hope so. There is a lot to be said for having a comfortable place to just sit and watch the world go by. A swing or some rocking chairs scream ‘stop and visit a while’. Out here people know their neighbors by name. In the city, I find that people might know they have neighbors but couldn’t pick their faces out of a line-up.”

Not wanting to think about sad things, she said, “It’s much better to have neighbors who are true friends.” Pushing the urge to hesitate aside, she looked up at him. “The only thing I can think of that would be better would be to have a friend who turned into a Daddy.”

Rooster looked down at her, his lips slowly curling into a smile. “Does this mean you’re ready to take that step?”

“It cock-a-doodle does,” Robyn managed before giggling.

“Little bird, you just made me the happiest man on the planet.” He bent down and kissed her which made Robyn pretty much the happiest woman on the planet as well.

She had no clue Jagger had stepped out onto the porch until she heard, “Nix on the coffee, baby bear. I think our guests are leaving.”

Breaking apart, Robyn blushed but didn’t bother to even try to hide it. Jagger knew what happiness was. Rooster stood as Moira joined her husband, her smile wide.

“Thanks for everything,” Robyn said, waving as Rooster did what roosters do. He strutted all the way back to the truck.

CHAPTER 15

Winston

Once he had his little bird in the truck, he knew he didn’t want to just go back to her place. True, her guests were most likely out and about, but he knew they had the freedom to come and go whenever they liked. Being caught kissing Robyn in the kitchen might do nothing more than raise an eyebrow, but if found with her writhing naked beneath him, no matter how much pleasure she was enjoying, it wouldn’t be worth the Yelp review that could destroy her.

An idea bloomed as he pulled away from Jagger and Moira’s ranch.

“Want to see my place?”

She looked up at him, suspicion in her eyes. “I thought the entire reason you had to have a room at Robyn’s Nest was because you didn’t have your own place.”

“It was and while I don’t have a bed I’d care to share with you, I do have a place.”

Suspicion changed to hurt.

“Hey, none of that. I meant if we shared my bed and a rafter fell off the ceiling, that might put a damper on my attempt to woo you.” He grinned as hurt turned to confusion mixed with a bit of pleasure.

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