Page 51 of Daddy's Little Farmer

“Pack whatever you need. I’ll do your hair at Larkin’s,” Aleena said. “We’ve got the rest.”

The girls gathered everything and headed down the stairs. Mara stiffened when she saw Landry waiting by the front door. She was afraid he’d stop her.

Landry bowed. “Have a good time tonight, Miss Mara,” he said.

Mara smiled and hugged him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Stay with the girls.”

“I will, I promise.”

“Very good.” Landry looked at her friends. “It was nice to see you all, young ladies.”

“You, too,” they all chimed.

The girls piled into the limo.

Mara watched the different houses pass by. She looked at the girls. “How did you guys get used to living this way?”

Larkin laughed. “I had a hard time for a while.”

“I did, too,” Brylee said.

“But getting to know the people that were taking care of me helped,” Larkin said. “I wouldn’t say I’m used to it now, but I’d do anything to be with Darian.”

“I feel like that. I just wish Rafael would help me adapt more. He’s always gone. He comes home for dinner but then goes into his office right after. Most time, I’m asleep when he comes to bed, and he’s gone before I get up.”

She was glad when the girls scowled.

“Hopefully, tonight will shake him up, and things will change,” Aleena said.

“I hope so, too.”

Mara’s eyes widened when they pulled into a driveway and up to a house as big as Rafael’s.

“It looks like a castle,” Mara said.

The girls laughed. “That’s what we all said.”

Hicks opened the back door of the vehicle.

“We’ll be leaving here at six forty-five,” he said. “Try not to be too late.”

Larkin laughed. “I’ll try hard this time.”

The driver sighed. “I’m sure you’ll try very hard.”

Mara had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at the sarcastic tone.

Mara’s eyes scanned the area as she followed the girls up the stairs.

“Elder, we’re going to try to leave by six forty-five,” Larkin said when the butler closed the door behind them.

“I’m sure you willtry,” he said.

Brylee and Aleena giggled.

Larkin scowled at them and then turned back to Hicks. “Do you think it would be okay if we had a tray of goodies brought up? We’ll be starving by the time the buffet is open tonight.”

---