Page 5 of Protecting Little Phoebe

He raised his eyebrows. “You barely know me.”

“I’m a good judge of character and you’re a good man, Barren. You’ll find her. She’s out there.”

Barren sighed. He wasn’t so sure.

Barren drove out of Rawhide Ranch’s gates, waving at the security guard as he went past. He liked how secure this place was. Derek took the safety of everyone on the Ranch seriously, especially the Littles.

It was too bad that he hadn’t clicked with any of the Littles who currently lived on the Ranch. However, no one had seemed right. And he didn’t want to make another mistake like he had with Krystal. This time he was determined to find the perfect Little. He kept driving. Perhaps he’d come back another time.

About half an hour into his drive, he saw someone on the opposite side of the road. A bright red classic Chevrolet pickup was pulled over without its hazard lights on. There was a woman standing next to the pickup. Suddenly, she kicked one of the tires, before grabbing her foot and nearly falling over as she jumped around.

He quickly turned around and drove up behind the pickup, turning on his hazard lights as he parked his truck. The woman didn’t even notice him as she hopped back and forth, swearing. Annoyance filled him. As a woman alone, she should be aware of her surroundings at all times. What was she thinking?

The urge to scold her was strong, but he held himself in check. This girl wasn’t his. Barren took a quick moment to study her. She definitely looked younger than him. She had her pale blonde hair up in two pigtails with red and white ribbons. She wore a pair of white cut-off shorts, red pantyhose, and sparkly red boots. A cropped white sweater with a red heart stitched on the front completed the outfit.

She was absolutely adorable.

And not dressed for the weather at all. While they had hit spring and the sun was shining, it was only around fifty-eight degrees outside. Not warm enough for tiny shorts.

“Miss? Are you all right?” he asked as he approached her.

She suddenly spun with a cry. He expected her to show fear or worry. To step back, away from him. What he didn’t expect was for her to move toward him, for her to reach out and… hug him? Was she really hugging him? Who was this woman? Was she all right? Maybe she’d hit her head?

“Um, are you all right?” he asked again.

“I’m really, really not,” she told him, stepping back. “But I’m so glad to see you.”

“You are?” he asked slowly. What was going on?

“Uh-huh. I was getting worried that no one was going to drive along this road. And that I was going to have to camp overnight in Cherry.”

“Cherry?” he asked.

She patted the bright red pickup. “This is Cherry.”

“You thought you would spend the night in your vehicle? Do you know how low the temperature gets at night?” Not to mention how unsafe that was for a woman alone.

She held up a finger. “I do not. But, also, I hate camping. And I think I would really hate camping in Cherry in the dark and cold. So that’s why I’m so happy to see you. I mean, not just because I need help. I’m sure I’d be happy to see you anyway.”

“You would be?” he asked, feeling more confused by the moment.

“Sure.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Um, I don’t know. You seem like a nice guy.” She looked him over and nodded. “Yes, I declare that you’re a good guy. Hi, I’m Phoebe.” She held out her hand and he stared down at it.

She had small red hearts painted on her nails.

Dear lord.

Who was this girl? And how had she landed in his path?

Sometimes it’s when you least expect it that fate steps in.

Nope. He wasn’t listening to Derek right now. That was ridiculous and this girl wasn’t for him. She was too young. Too impetuous and lacking in self-preservation. Not for him.

Or maybe she’d be perfect for you, idiot. If you just took a chance. If you let someone in.

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