Chapter 8

Les

She was sobeautiful with the sun glinting off of her hair and her eyes sparkling with joy and innocence. He hadn't been able to keep his eyes off her the whole time she'd watched the sun setting.

Les stood behind Rae-Rae, his arms around her waist as they watched the stars for a few more minutes. Neither of them wanted to let the moment go, but when he felt her shiver, he realized that the temperature was dropping. Raelynn had been in Texas for a long time. She probably wasn't used to the cooler evenings in Montana anymore.

"Let's get you a sweater, then I have an idea for your first Rawhide Ranch activity."

Rae-Rae looked at him and chuckled. "It seems so weird now to need a sweater in June. I don't think I even packed one."

That wouldn't do. Not at all. Les wasn't about to have her cold every night, so he took her hand in his and said, "Then we'll get you one."

She didn't argue with him, probably remembering how insistent he could be. She'd hardly ever won anytime she tried to argue over something that involved her health, safety, or comfort, and she wouldn't win now, so it was good she didn't try to.

As they made their way to the Ranch store, she began to skip instead of walk and Les knew it was finally happening. She was feeling comfortable and getting into her Little space. He couldn't be happier.

As they browsed the clothes, he found the perfect sweater on a rack. It didn't scream the nineteen-seventies like her wardrobe tended to do, but it was purple and looked like it would reach her knees. When he held it up for her approval, she bounced on her toes clapping in excitement.

Les helped her into it. When it fit perfectly, and she was purring over how soft it was, Les knew it was the one. He took her to the checkout counter, finished checking out, then took her by the hand and led her out of the store. It wasn't until they were back outside that one of the lights glinted off the tag on the sweater and reminded him it should be removed.

"Hold on a second, babygirl," he said as he raised her arm and pulled the tag off. Tucking it in his pocket, he took her hand again and told her, "Okay, we're good to go."

"Where are we going, Daddy?"

God, he loved hearing her call him that. He'd never get tired of it.

"You'll see." He gave her a wink and they started back on their way.

Before long, the light from the fires came into view and Raelynn stopped short.

"It's so pretty, Daddy. Are we going there?"

"Yep. What's a trip to Rawhide Ranch if you don't go to at least one bonfire."

"Yay," she exclaimed, "race you to it!"

Instantly, her hand was no longer in his, as she ran full speed toward the flames.

"No running!"

To her credit, Rae-Rae stopped short as soon as he shouted, but when she turned around, there was a pout on her face. It was so fucking adorable, it almost made him want to give in. Almost.

"Babygirl, it's dark out and you don't know the area well. You could get hurt. Even if you did know the area, any number of things could be in the way. It's just not safe."

She hung her head, the pout even more intense now. She looked for all the world like someone had taken away her puppy and he felt a little bad for her. Not enough to let her run, but still, he could sympathize.

"Okay, Daddy," she finally relented. As she made her way back to him, she said, "I wish I had some marshmallows. We could roast them."

"Lucky for you, they do have marshmallows to roast. They have all the supplies for s'mores."

"Really?"

Just like that, the pout was replaced with a brilliant smile and she fast-walked back to him, grabbing his hands and trying to pull him along, "What are we waiting for? Let's go, Daddy!"

Chuckling at her enthusiasm, Les allowed himself to be pulled along. They really should hurry. He only had a couple of hours before he was supposed to be on duty.

They reached the bonfire and Les watched Rae-Rae take in all the activity happening around them. There were Littles eating the classic campfire snacks, while others were either roasting marshmallows or cheering on the Bigs who were doing the roasting for them. Ingredients were being passed out; someone was playing a guitar. It was a tune Les recognized but he wasn't sure from where. Yet more Littles were walking across the unoccupied logs, balancing as if they were on a beam in the Olympics while a Big watched to be sure they were safe.

The light from the flames danced across Rae-Rae's skin and reflected in her eyes, highlighting the look of wonder in them as she looked one way then another as if she couldn't figure out what to focus on next.

Les led her to the supplies for s'mores and they were given everything they'd need. He helped her skewer a marshmallow before doing his own. They headed over to the fire and Les wondered if she'd ever mastered roasting a marshmallow or if she still burnt them to a crisp. Just to be safe, he made sure to get his only lightly toasted as she bounced, unable to keep still.

Rae-Rae chatted happily about s'mores, music, and meeting new people as she pulled a black marshmallow from the flames. She looked at her handiwork and said, "Shoot! Why won't these things ever work right?"

Les chuckled as he showed her the marshmallow he'd done, perfectly the way she liked them. "Trade you."

Her smile could light the night as she thanked him, and they finished assembling their snacks. She was so excited she was talking a mile a minute, and Les didn't have it in him to tell her to stop talking with her mouth full, content to let her chatter away. He could listen to her all night. Unfortunately, time was running short.

They finished eating and Les used a few of the provided baby wipes to clean the chocolate from her face and hands. He wasn't sure how she managed to get some on her forehead but he found himself glad her hair was up or she'd have likely gotten chocolate in it as well. He wasn't sure that would come out as easily with the wipes.

With snacks eaten and faces cleaned, he led her over to the other Littles. He wasn't keen on giving up any of the limited time he had with her to someone else, but she had mentioned wanting to make friends with other Littles and there was no time like the present.

"How's everyone enjoying the bonfire," he asked the group as they approached.

"It's great!" was the most common reply among them.

"I've never met you before," Wren, one of the permanent residents at the Ranch, said to Rae-Rae, "Would you like to join us?"

Rae-Rae looked at him, then at the group as if she couldn't decide who she wanted to hang out with more. Finally, her curiosity won out and she turned to him, "Can I, Daddy?"

"Absolutely, babygirl," he said as he kissed her forehead, "I'll be right over there. If you need me, just signal."

"Okay, Daddy. Thank you!"

Les left her to visit with the other Littles while he went to join the Bigs sitting on a log keeping an eye on their own Littles.