Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
“I know, I’m very happy.” She nodded, maybe a bit harder than she needed to, but she was excited.
Grady looked out toward the horizon. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t do anything much, really. You have an amazing daughter.”
Grady smiled. ‘That’s true. But I also have an amazing nanny.”
Sage’s mind went completely blank. Grady was like Dr. Seuss’s Horton the Elephant. He said what he meant and meant what he said. “No one has ever called me amazing before.”
Grady laughed. “That’s hard to believe, Wildfire. I do have one more question about Rose. Do you think she’ll start talking more?”
Sage nodded again. “It may take longer than you want, but she will.” Sage held up two fingers. “And hey, look what she used her words to say. First, she said the cookies were pretty. The ones you brought, I might add, and I agree, they were awesome. With her second word, she agreed that I was in trouble.”
“You don’t get in trouble, Wildfire. You are trouble,” he said quietly. “But you’re the best kind of trouble this ranch has seen in a long time. And speaking of trouble…”
Sage held her breath and crossed her fingers. She’d already had consequences for the glitter bomb. What else could she have done? Of course, he had said that he liked her kind of trouble.
After another long pause, he said, “I’m going to ask you a question, and if you don’t feel comfortable answering, then just tell me.”
Okay, now he was freaking her out.
He turned to face her. “How old is your Little?”
Okay, that was… unexpected. He’d made it pretty clear that those topics were off limits. Still, she had no problem answering him. “It varies, I guess, but usually around five to seven years old.” She gave him a sly look. “Was that the question you thought might make me uncomfortable?”
His lips blew right past smile and landed on a full-blown chuckle. He leaned back and relaxed. “If that didn’t make you uncomfortable, then I think we’re good.”
Well, that was good to know. Now she had questions of her own. “How long have you been a Daddy?”
He took a moment, then said, “I’ve known I was a Daddy since I was in college. My family practiced the lifestyle, though discreetly. When I was younger, I had several Littles, but once I married, it was only her. I haven’t had a Little since she died.”
When he didn’t move, she scooted over and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I’ve never had a Daddy, but if I did, I’d want one like you. Being your wildfire is nice.”
It was a lot more than nice, but she didn’t think now was the time to share those highly naughty dreams of hers that featured him prominently.
Grady wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. “Yeah,” he murmured. “I’m starting to like it too.” Things grew quiet, so Sage waited. Finally, Grady spoke. “I think it would be good for us both if I were to be your Daddy for as long as you’re here. How does that sound to you?”
Did he even have to ask her that? Her heart just might explode.
Grady Kane wanted to be her Daddy. At least for the next few months, he did. “Are you kidding? I think it sounds wonderful. Although I can’t promise not to get into trouble. It seems to be one of the things I do best.”
Grady chuckled again, but before long, he leaned his head back on the swing and let out a long sigh of contentment. The sound, deep and warm, did something dangerous to Sage’s heart. He’d said temporary, just for the summer, and if she wasn’t careful, he could crack her heart wide open.
“I can take all the trouble you want to get yourself into, as long as you can take the consequences.” Then he grew more serious. “But if we’re doing this, I have one rule written in stone. No lies. Ever. If you lie to Daddy, by commission or omission, I will bust your butt. Every time, without exception. Do you understand?”
Her heart beat hard enough to break through her chest. Was this really happening? She scanned his eyes, looking for any sign of teasing or doubt, and found nothing but truth.
So… yeah. They were doing this. Grady Kane was going to be her Daddy, at least for the summer while she was on his ranch.
She looked up at him, mischief in her eyes. “Well, I may get in trouble, but I’m not a liar. But I’m curious. How would you know if I lied? I mean, I might be really good at it.”
His eyes narrowed, but not from anger. No, she’d laid down a challenge, and those gorgeous eyes said it was one he was happy to accept.
“Are you testing me already, Wildfire? I already told you what I’ll do if you lie. Believe me, I’ll know. A Daddy always knows when his Little girl is telling a fib. Now, would you like a demonstration of what I do when you use that beautiful mouth to challenge me the way you just did?”