Page 15 of Their Little House Tristan
“A bundle deal, if you will.” He faced me.
“A gift with purchase.” I winked.
“But who’s the gift?” He pressed his forehead against mine.
“You, obviously.” And before he could argue, I pressed my lips against his.
Chapter Ten
James
I went back to Chained the next night and the one after. Although I spent the evenings chatting with friends for the most part, I popped into the little room several times each night just in case those cute boys were there. Not that I had any expectations from them, and I for sure did not want them to feel like I was a daddy creeper, but I needed to learn if they were at all interested in getting to know me. If they said no, there would be no more discussion about it, and I wouldn’t do more than wave and say hello in passing. Courteous acquaintanceship. I could have hunted Tristan down in the kitchen, but what kind of daddy would do that to someone at work?
But I really hoped no wouldn’t be the answer because I’d relived that kiss in my mind way too many times, and it would be hard to shut down the feelings it engendered. They had an innocent sensuality that warmed my heart and had my daddy self planning little meals and cartoon nights. King would love them both. He was a good dog. Did they like dogs?
King and I were a team. Love me, love my dog. But I couldn’t imagine anyone not falling for him.
And I was so far ahead of myself.
“Hey, are you going to drink that?” Bridger nudged the beer I’d ordered closer to me. “It’s been sitting there so long, it’s probably warm and flat.”
“Hmm?” I frowned at the glass. “Did I really order beer?” I hadn’t had a beer in months and then only because I was at a barbecue and hadn’t wanted lemonade, the only alternative. “I guess I’d better drink it.” But one sip confirmed it was as unpleasant as a warm, flat beer could be. “I think I’m going to the little room for a bit.”
“You’ve got it bad.” Bridger, who was currently crocheting something purple, smiled down at Hudson. His little was resting against his daddy’s legs, idly bouncing a rubber duckie on his own knee. “Not that I’m one to talk.”
“You’ve got a cutie, for sure.” My comment earned me a shy grin from Hudson. “And it doesn’t matter if I have it bad or not because I don’t know if they are interested in me or not.”
Mark shook his head. “Well, you need to find out before you invest your heart all the way. Daddy hearts are tender things.” He stood up. “Come on, Buddy. Let’s go with James to the little room.”
Buddy scrambled up from where he’d been lying on his back, kicking his feet. He wore sneakers that lit up with each bounce, a new acquisition that had him fascinated. And Hudson wanting a pair just like them. “We’ll play with you, Daddy James,” he said. “We can do a glitter project.”
Mark groaned, and all the other daddies in our group laughed. Glitter was the bane of all daddies and beloved of every little I’d ever met. “Let’s see what’s going on. Maybe we can do a puzzle.”
The look his little gave him indicated his best shot was if there were not any glitter activities tonight. I held up crossed fingers behind Buddy’s back in daddy solidarity, and off we went to the little room to find out what fun things there were to do. It was different every night and, thank heavens, glitter appeared only a couple of times a month on average. It took that long to get the last sparkly specks out of a little’s hair.
I always felt a little awkward walking through the main room with its St. Andrew’s cross and spiderweb, the snap of the whip and hiss of fire being extinguished with a little by my side. It was like they were too young for such things, although they were all adults. But, as Mark pointed out once when I brought the subject up, the littles were unbothered, most never even paid attention to any of it, so we shouldn’t worry.
The whole way, Mark was talking about all the fun things we could do together. “Maybe you’ll read me a story, Daddy James?” He was truly one of the nicest littles ever, and he and Mark were so good together. It was rare for another daddy to play with a little, but they were secure and kind, and while I really didn’t think I’d take him up on the offer, I appreciated it more than I could express.
When we got to the little room, instead of everyone doing crafts or singing or watching a cartoon, we found Miss Lily seated on a chair in the middle of the room with a big picture book. She didn’t often read herself, but when she did, she drew a crowd. Miss Lily could read or tell a story in such a way that even the daddies and mommies were drawn in. Her voice was the only sound in the room.
All plans to amuse me forgotten, Buddy whispered, “Story time,” and left us behind. He managed to wedge himself into the criss-cross applesauce seated littles and was soon every bit as rapt as all the others.
“She’s magical,” I said in the lowest voice I could manage. “Let’s find a seat.”
We managed to appropriate a love seat far enough from the story time that no other big people had grabbed it, and settled in to leave ordinary reality behind for a while. Miss Lily carried us all, little and big, into a world of fairies and unicorns where anything could happen, and most of it was good.
When the littlest fairy managed to convince the cranky frog that being a friend was way better than being a bully, everyone cheered and applauded. Then, as the group started to disband, chattering about the story, Miss Lily held up a hand. “Wait just a minute. I have an announcement.”
Every little dropped back to the floor and looked up at her. Miss Lily’s announcements were always going to be for something fantastic, wonderful, and the things dreams were made of. Or so I’d heard some of the middles saying once.
“We are going to have an event called A Little Fun. It’s a fundraiser for City GoldenDoodles, a group that has saved so many dogs and found them their new furever homes. Have any of you gotten your family dogs from there?”
Three hands went up. “Very nice! Aren’t they cute dogs?” Bobbing heads and grins greeted her words. “Anybody else have a pup from there? Daddies?”
I lifted my hand. “King is the best dog I’ve ever had. He’s sweet and brave and fluffy.”
“So you see why we all want to make sure this very worthy rescue has all the funds they need to keep them going into the future. Details of the event will be posted soon, but I just wanted to give you all the very first chance to sign up. It’s going to be so much fun!”
