19. Dale

Chapter 19

Dale

The midday sun was as hot as ever and the cool breeze that passed through the ranch was a perfect tonic. It might have only been a brief respite from the heat, but Dale wasn't about to complain. In fact, complaining was absolutely the last thing that came to Dale's mind as he surveyed the sight ahead of him.

‘Well that is a vision for sore eyes,' Dale giggled, playfully nudging Marshall in the direction of the Daddies as they set about hauling the individual segments for the new climbing frame into the big play barn.

Dale only had eyes for Kipp, but the sight of his Daddy alongside three other shirtless Daddies was a memory he wouldn't be forgetting in a hurry, that was for sure. And judging by the look on Marshall's face, he was of the same mind too…

‘ Mmmmm , yummy,' Marshall giggled, blushing slightly as he saw Max playfully flexing his arms in a show of strength alongside Kipp, Trey, and Axel too.

In the three weeks that had gone by since Leigh Crenshaw was defeated and publicly shamed into giving up his false claim on the ranch, Dale and Kipp had been super-busy.

The plan to turn the ranch into a fun, welcoming environment for Littles and Daddies alike was really taking off. There was a lot of work to be done, but Dale felt sure that it would all be worth it.

‘So… you don't regret sticking around then?' Marshall asked, smiling.

‘Eagle Ridge has all the adventure I need,' Dale said, dreamily watching Kipp as him and Trey erected a tall pinewood pole. ‘And the most perfect Daddy too.'

The two friends exchanged a knowing look and walked out from the ranch house's decking area with two trays full of ice-cool lemonade, protein cookies, and a couple of juice boxes too.

Dale was wearing a t-shirt that he had designed himself. The logo on it was a prototype for what the ranch's new welcome sign might be, and he was pretty proud of his work.

‘Making Rebel the ranch's mascot is such a wicked-cool idea,' Marshall said, eyeing up Dale's t-shirt. ‘Maybe you could make one for me too?'

‘Absolutely I will!' Dale replied. ‘It's not the finished design yet, but I'm working on it. I want everything to be just right.'

‘And it will be,' Kipp smiled, gratefully accepting the tall glass of refreshing lemonade. ‘I think this place is going to be truly special.'

‘Just as long as you don't steal too much of my customer base,' Max joked, sipping on his lemonade.

‘Same goes for me!' Trey added.

‘And remember, when you need Eagle Ridge's toughest tree surgeon, I'm your guy,' Axel chimed in. ‘And I plant trees too… in case you didn't already know.'

‘Well it looks like we're all set, Dale,' Kipp chuckled. ‘I don't think there's a better crew of Daddies and Littles around than the one we've got. And you too of course, Brutus!'

Brutus eagerly bounded over toward Kipp and Dale and enthusiastically sniffed them both and wagged his tail just like he always did.

Dale felt himself suddenly get a little bit emotional. The reality of the situation was hitting him, and the feelings were coming on strong too.

‘Hey, I know this is all very new,' Kipp said, wrapping his arms reassuringly around Dale and making him feel safe and secure.

‘I know Daddy,' Dale said, laughing in between the tears. ‘I just never thought my life would turn out to be so full of happiness. I guess I was always trying to go on all these big city adventures to look for something, but it was here all along. Argh , that's so cheesy!'

‘Maybe,' Kipp replied, kissing Dale's forehead. ‘But it's true. I was probably the same. I spent so long in the wilderness, but I think that time was well spent in the end. Eagle Ridge is a special place. We're all so lucky to call it our home. And hopefully some more people like us will do the same in the future too.'

‘Hell yeah!' Axel hollered. ‘This is making me want to find my own Little. You guys don't know of any tree surgeon loving boys, do you? I cook a mean tagliatelle too if that helps.'

‘Dude, your tagliatelle ain't all that,' Max laughed, playfully jabbing at Axel. ‘I think even Brutus might give it a miss!'

The Daddies all laughed together, and Dale couldn't help but notice that Marshall and Max exchanged a brief glance that somehow seemed like a whole lot more. Dale would definitely need to find out more about that look a little later, but for now it was all about getting back to work and working on turning the ranch into the haven for happiness he knew it could be.

As the work continued, Dale found himself and Kipp standing on the deck together for a moment of rest. It felt so natural to be next to Kipp, looking out onto the ranch – it was like it was simply meant to be.

‘Daddy, I love you more than anything,' Dale said, going up on tippy-toes and planting a kiss on Kipp's cheek. ‘I just want you to know that.'

‘I do know that,' Kipp replied, his charismatic smile making Dale's heart flutter. ‘But… I feel exactly the same about you. So that makes us even.'

Dale smiled and gladly let Kipp take his hand.

For Dale, this was the beginning of the next chapter of his life and he knew that it was going to be the absolute best.

‘Come on, darling boy,' Kipp said, walking out toward the barn with Dale. ‘There's work to be done. And if you're lucky, I'll give you a test run on the new spanking bench later too…'

Dale felt his cheeks flush red and couldn't help but smile.

Spankings, stuffies, and a ranch all of his own… Dale was a true Eagle Ridge Little and he couldn't have been happier even if he'd tried.