Chapter 23

An hour later,they found Derek and Sadie in the lobby, eating at one of the tables just outside the café.

When Sadie saw her, she jumped out of her chair and rushed toward her, stopping just a foot away before easing closer and giving her a surprisingly strong hug for such a petite woman.

"I'm so glad you're feeling better," she exclaimed before releasing her and returning to her seat.

"Good morning," Derek said, rising from his chair as any proper gentleman would. "You're looking much better than the last time I saw you, Miss Dolly."

"Thank you, Sir. I'm feeling much better."

After the men exchanged greetings, she shifted so she was half hidden by Quincy. He looked at her and she smiled and nodded. They had agreed that he would talk to Derek first and she would ask questions if the men did not address her concerns in their conversation.

"I have a few questions concerning the position we discussed the other day," Quincy said, jumping right into the fire.

"Do you want to go to my office to talk?"

Quincy shook his head. "No, here's fine. If things work out, we can meet later to deal with the particulars."

Dolly tightened her hold on his hand as nerves got the better of her.

"I'm very interested in taking the position, but only if Dolly will be allowed to move here. With me."

Derek looked at Sadie who was nodding so hard Dolly was surprised her head did not fly off. Instead of answering the question, Derek looked at her.

"What about you, Miss Dolly? Are you interested in moving to Rawhide Ranch? In living here with Quincy?"

Dolly had to swallow before she said, "Yes, Master Derek. I love him and would be very happy living here. With him. We've already agreed that we're it for each other. And I feel very comfortable here on the Ranch." She paused for a moment before adding, "My big question is, would you want a clumsy romance writer living here? I would never directly name the Ranch or anyone here in my books, but I do write about erotic romance and BDSM."

Surprisingly, Sadie spoke before Derek had a chance to. "Of course we'll let you live here. And work here. You could be one of our erotic-romance-writers-in-residence. We could maybe even hold a special weekend where you tell guests about your books or do readings and book signings for the guests. Couldn't she, Daddy? And I could be your assistant and help promote your books and get everyone to read them. You could even help me write a book about being Little? ‘Cause I have lots of ideas."

While Dolly was stunned by Sadie's enthusiasm, she was also terrified by what the Little was proposing. "Um, we can talk about all that after I move here, okay? That is if Master Derek approves?"

Derek looked like he was going to bust a gut not laughing at his wife's excitement, and Quincy was shaking beside her as he worked to hold back his own chuckles.

"I think gaining an author-in-residence and a new staff physician as a package deal is an intriguing possibility," Master Derek finally said. "If you're interested, Dolly, we might even be able to find you a position at the college as an advisor or writing tutor or instructor."

Dolly smiled at the offer. "Maybe we can talk about that once I've moved here as well? I have a book to finish before I think about anything else."

Quincy squeezed her hand and she looked up at him. "Told you it would be all right. And now I get to spend the rest of my life playing doctor with my Dolly."

The End