by Pepper North
“I bet it was a relief to have a handsome military guy rescue you,” Hope suggested.
“My bottom wasn’t. Your dad spanked me for putting myself in danger before changing my tire and followed me home.”
“He spanked you?”
“Yes. He made quite an impression on me. So did the letters that began coming every day. By the time we met officially at that dance a week later, I loved your father with every ounce of my being. He was the one.”
“So why tell me now?”
“Sometimes, it helps to know that you aren’t crazy. That it’s smart to listen to that voice in the back of your mind that tells you he’s special. I did and we’ve been together for thirty years.”
Hope nodded as her thoughts tumbled over each other. She and her mother worked quietly together to pack the last of her belongings. There was only one last box to seal when Hope hugged her mom. “Thanks for always knowing what I need to hear.”
“Good or bad, I’ll always tell you the truth,” her mom promised. After giving her one last squeeze, the older woman left her alone.
Rushing to the shelf, Hope picked up the blue box. It was heavier than it looked and rattled a bit. Quickly, she stowed it in the open box and sealed it closed. Marking the box with fluorescent marker, she would know to open that box first. Carefully, she added it to the stack just as the doorbell rang. Her friends had arrived.
Within a couple of hours, they finished moving her things into Sam’s house. Hope had celebrated with her friends by treating them to the same cheap delivery pizza that they’d enjoyed in college. Her friends never changed. They still loved beer and had consumed all the cans Sam had stored in his refrigerator. Hope made a mental note to replace everything before he got home.
Hope lugged the heavy twelve-pack of beer into the house. It took the rest of her lagging energy. She didn’t know what was wrong with her, but her throat was scratchy and she ached all over. Instead of coming home to crawl into her crib, she’d stopped to pick up something special in case Sam was home.
The man working in the liquor department had steered her toward this choice when Hope had shared she wanted something special to replace the beers her friends had polished off during the move. I hope Sam will like this brand.
Pausing just inside the door, she held her breath, hoping to hear a sound in the quiet house. Silence filled the small space. With a sigh, Hope dropped the carton on the table. Every time she returned to Sam’s house or heard the smallest sound, she held her breath, hoping that he’d be home. Busying herself to keep from thinking, Hope pushed her sweaty bangs off her forehead and used the last vestiges of her energy to fill the rack in the door with the new beer.
The front door opened with a whoosh of sound, and four large men exploded into action. At the sight of weapons drawn with her as the target, Hope threw her arms over her head and babbled, “I’m Hope! Sam told me I could move in. I promise. He wants me here. Look, I just bought him beer. I don’t drink beer. It’s for him.”
“Calm down, Hope. I’m sorry we scared you.” Doniphan walked forward as everyone put away their guns. “It’s my fault. I called in an intruder alert when I saw the car in the garage. Everyone responded. I guess it was a bit of overkill.”
“Doniphan? These are the other guys in the squad?” Her heart still pounded as she peered at each face, trying to match them with the stories Sam had told her about them.
“Wait! Where’s Sam?” she panicked. “Is he hurt?”
“Sam’s fine, Hope. He got the short end of the stick and had to fill out all the paperwork. If I know him, Sam will be looking for you soon. Want to text him that you’re here so he doesn’t head to your parents’ house?”
“All we heard from him was how much he needed his little girl at home,” said a big guy Hope hadn’t ever met.
Those words echoed in her mind. Sam had told all his squad that she was his Little. Was he making fun of her? Hope stared at the military guy without knowing what to say.
“What’s everyone doing in my kitchen?” Sam suddenly asked, as he tried to elbow his teammates out of the way to reach Hope.
“You told them? Did you all laugh at my stupidity in thinking I was Little? I trusted you, Sam. I can’t believe you shared our private time together with them.” While he was blocked by the others, she bolted. Sobbing, she ran from the room out the back door. Her cell phone dropped from her hand as she pelted through the gate into the woods behind Sam’s house. Hope couldn’t think about anything but getting away.
She ran as fast as she could until her lungs burned. Finally collapsing at the base of a wide oak tree, she allowed the tears that threatened to fall. What kind of game was he playing? Hope’s heart felt torn in half.
“Hope! Where are you, candy girl? Talk to me. This is a big misunderstanding. Let me explain.” Sam’s voice sounded close.
Trying not to make a noise, Hope squeezed herself as small as possible. She didn’t want to hear his excuses. Nothing could ever make up for him telling her most private secrets to a bunch of strangers. She bet they’d laughed hard at her. Poor defective woman who wanted to be Little.
Sam’s footsteps faded into the distance. She didn’t know how much time had elapsed as she hid. Hope didn’t move—even when the clouds opened up above her and chilly rain pelted down. She couldn’t get much more miserable. Wrapping her arms around her bent legs, Hope rested her forehead against her knees and tried to figure out what to do.
“What the hell did you say, Hank?” Sam demanded of the team’s bomber when the group reconvened emptyhanded to gather flashlights and organize the search.
“Sorry, Sam. I didn’t mean to scare her or make her uncomfortable,” the large man apologized as the men gathered on Sam’s back deck.
“We frightened her by bursting in with guns drawn, Sam. She thought you’d gotten hurt. Doniphan reassured her that you were filling out the reports from the mission and calmed her down. He suggested she text you to tell you she was at your house. Hank blundered into calling her your little girl. She panicked.” Mark ran through the events with systematic thoroughness to make sure Sam knew everything.
“Who knew she’d be able to run that fast? Is she part rabbit?” Hank joked in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Slam! Sam’s fist struck Hank squarely in the nose, shattering it with a spray of blood. The team moved fast to separate the two trained soldiers. The well-deserved punch could have launched a dangerous fight.
“Get out of my house,” Sam growled as Doniphan and Mark hauled him back.
Hank yanked off his soiled T-shirt to mop up his bleeding nose. He turned to leave and hesitated. Pivoting to face Sam, he apologized. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause your Little any anguish. I forget that Littles have soft hearts and tend to be shy. It’s been a long time since I lost my Angie. Can I help search for her?”
“I think it’s best that you leave, Hank. We’ll have a team meeting after we find Hope,” Mark answered for Sam.
With a devastated expression, Hank turned and walked through the house. The remaining team members were quiet, waiting to hear the car engine start and fade into the distance. As soon as he left, the team sprang into action.
“This wooded area isn’t too large. Let’s divide it up into sections and search thoroughly,” Mark instructed.
With a clap of thunder, cold rain cascaded down. The team exchanged glances before darting from under the eaves into the rainstorm. The stakes had just gotten higher. They needed to find the little girl.
Nearly thirty minutes later, Doniphan crouched next to the shivering woman. Pressing buttons on his watch, he communicated with the team, giving their location. Breaking a glow stick, he dropped it to the ground to be able to see her better. Quietly, he spoke to the feverish Little. “Hope, it’s okay. I’m here to help. I want to get you somewhere dry.”
“Go away. I don’t need your help,” Hope croaked. Her throat hurt from her sobs, and she struggled not to cry in front of the m
ember of Sam’s team.
“I think Sam shared with you I’m a nurse. I can’t leave you here without making sure that you’re okay.” Thundering footsteps sounded in the distance.
Doniphan spoke quickly. “We’re all Daddies, Hope. That’s why Sam shared the good news that he had found his Little. We all have been searching for our special little girl.”
Hope stared at him, unable to process his words. Her head pounded from crying and she didn’t feel well. Her mind struggled with the loss of all her dreams and Sam’s betrayal. “It doesn’t matter. I’m glad you all had a good laugh over my stupidity.”
Gathering her shredded dignity around her, Hope struggled to her feet. To her annoyance, her balance was wonky. Doniphan reached out to support her as she swayed unsteadily. “I’m okay. I don’t need your help!”
She pushed away and faltered again, this time catching herself with a palm against the tree. The footsteps halted in front of her. Lifting her head, Hope stared into Sam’s green eyes.
“Why?” she croaked.
“Candy girl, I’m sorry I’ve hurt you. Will you let me explain?” Sam wrapped his arms around her, pulling her shivering form against his warmth.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. My keys are on the rack by the garage door. Let me get them and I’ll be on my way.” Heavy sobs racked her frame as she rested against him. Then, realizing that she was making a fool of herself again, Hope pushed herself away, scrubbing at the tears that coursed down her cheeks.
“I’ll have to come get my stuff… Next week, okay?” She could hardly understand her own words. She felt so bad. Her fingers clung to Sam’s shirt for strength.
“I don’t want you to leave, Hope. You’re my little girl. You should be with your daddy.” Sam scooped her up in his arms and carried her back toward the house.
Hope dropped her face onto his wide shoulder. She could hear the voices, but couldn’t process the meaning behind the words. If only Sam could be my daddy for real. Fresh tears escaped her closed eyes at that thought. If only…
“Doniphan, she’s really sick. Her body is radiating heat. She looked feverish when I saw her earlier. The rain must have made it worse.”
“Let’s get her back to your house and I’ll see what I can do to help.”
“Thank you.”
Chapter 12
Strong hands stripped her wet clothing off as Hope weakly battled their efforts. “Stop! Just let me go. You don’t want me anyhow!” she mumbled.
“You couldn’t be more wrong, candy girl. I want you with me forever,” Sam reassured her with a kiss on her forehead. “Let us take care of you. I promise when you are well, I’ll let you go, even if it breaks my heart. I love you, little girl.”
His words tumbled inside her feverish brain as she tried to understand what Sam was telling her. That kiss reassured her the most. Without the energy to keep fighting, Hope collapsed against his broad chest. Clinging to him, she whispered, “Please, Sam. Don’t have made this a prank.”
“I’m so sorry I’ve hurt you, Hope. It was never my intention. Let Doniphan check on you. I need to know you’re okay.”
When she mumbled his name, the two men quickly removed the last of her clothing. Wrapping a warm blanket around her, Sam carried her into the beautiful nursery. Hope looked around with glazed eyes as he laid her on the changing table.
“No!’ she fussed as Doniphan raised the blanket over her bottom and quickly pressed the thermometer Sam always left in the lubricant deep into her bottom.
“Shhh, little girl. It’s okay,” Sam comforted as he brushed the chaotic tangle of her bangs from her face.
“Hedgie?” she whispered.
“He’s here, candy girl. He’ll snuggle with you after I get you all cleaned up. You don’t want to get him muddy,” Sam distracted Hope.
“Oh, no! Hedgie likes to be clean,” Hope mumbled.
“Stay here with her, Sam. I’m going to run out to get my medical bag,” Doniphan warned.
Alone, Sam spoke quietly to Hope. “Little girl, I’ve screwed things up so badly. I was so excited to come home to you. I was going to insist you move in this weekend. But you beat me to it. I love your surprise.”
“Daddy… I wanted to be your little girl so badly.” Hope raised the cover to hide her face. She didn’t want him to see how much his joke had hurt her.
“I want that too, Hope. More than I’ve wanted anything in my life. I love you, candy girl,” he confessed.
“Don’t be mean, Daddy. Don’t trick me any further.”
“I’m not lying to you, Hope. I love you.”
She shook her head in disbelief. Hope was so tired. She didn’t have the energy to protect herself from him. Feeling empty inside, she closed her eyes.
“Sam, her temperature is one hundred and two. A degree more and I’d insist she go to the hospital. We need to get that down. I’m going to give Hope some medicine rectally and we’ll put her in a cool bath.”
Hope could hear Doniphan’s voice, but it didn’t make sense to her. She gave in to the exhaustion plaguing her and dozed. She tried to move away as Sam spread her bottom wide. The thick object they pressed into her bottom stretched her small opening uncomfortably before Doniphan slid it deep into her tight rectum.
“Go run cool water in the tub. She’s not going to like it, but we need to clean the mud from her skin so she can rest,” the medic directed.
She missed her daddy’s presence as he moved from her side. “Don’t leave me, Daddy, please,” she begged.
“Candy girl, you’re ripping my heart out. I’m not leaving. I’ll be right back. Count to ten and I’ll be here,” Sam promised.
Muffled under the covers, she began counting, childishly adding one thousands between each of the numbers to keep herself from rushing. “One, one thousand, two, one thousand, three, one thousand…” Hope had reached eight when Sam pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“I’m back, candy girl. Let’s get you in the tub. I think you brought half of the forest home with you.” Sam picked her up and carried her to the bathroom.
“Brrr!” she protested as he stripped off the blanket and placed her in the cool water. Sam wouldn’t let her scramble out. He quickly washed her arms and legs free of the itchy mud. Scooping her from the dirty water, he wrapped a thick towel around her. Setting her on the vanity, Sam braced her against his chest as he brushed her hair free of tangles and bits of leaves and stems. Finally, he lowered her onto his bed and covered her up.
When he tucked Hedgie into her arms, she pulled the stuffie close and rubbed her face against his soft fur to comfort herself. Unable to stay awake any longer, Hope gave in to her exhaustion.
“Go shower before you get into bed. I’ll stay with her,” Doniphan directed, waving a hand at the dirt clinging to Sam’s clothes.
Pushing aside his first impulse to refuse, Sam nodded his thanks and turned toward the master bathroom. He stopped to get a pair of sleep pants on the way. “I wish I could strangle Hank,” he growled at his teammate.
“You’d have to choke me as well. I’m the one that started everything by calling an intruder alert,” Doniphan admitted as he sat next to his curled-up patient.
“Hank is an idiot.”
“Hank is a Daddy without a Little. He’s missed his Angie for years. Do you think he would cause Hope pain on purpose?”
Sam scrubbed a hand over his face before admitting, “Probably not. I don’t know if I’ll be able to work with him again. I can’t worry about that now. I need to focus on Hope.”
“Go shower. We all need some sleep. I’ll leave some medicine and write out the instructions while you clean up.”
Ten minutes later, Sam heard the click of the door as Doniphan let himself out. Wrapped around his little girl, Sam pushed everything out of his mind to focus on Hope. She was the only one that mattered.
When his Little shifted restlessly against him, Sam turned onto his back to give her a bit of space. His heart lurched inside w
hen she followed him to settle resting on his chest.
Please, let me fix this!
Chapter 13
Blinking, Hope pushed herself up on her elbows. Her head felt clear of the fog that had plagued her. Feverish glimpses of Sam coaxing her to eat broth and drink cool liquids flitted through her mind. Had he been taking care of her while she was ill? Why?
A whisper of sound announced her movement, and the handsome man appeared in the doorway. His brow was wrinkled with concern and dark circles attested to a lack of sleep. He smiled upon seeing her propped up in bed.
“Hi, candy girl. You look like you feel better. I’ve been worried about you,” Sam said softly as he approached to press a hand against her forehead. “I think your fever is finally gone.”
Hope stared at him, trying to memorize his features. When she didn’t speak, he brushed his fingers through her hair, jolting her into action. She sat up, tucking the covers under her arms to hide her nudity.
“Sorry I’ve been a bother. You could have just called my folks. They would have come taken me off your hands.” Hope looked down at the quilt covering her and plucked at the soft fabric.
“A daddy takes care of his little girl.”
“I hope you find her soon. The Little you want, I mean. If you ever even wanted a Little.”
“Hope—”
She interrupted him. “Could I have some clothes, or could you step out of the room so I could get dressed?”
“Let me help you, candy girl.” Sam opened a drawer and withdrew a pair of her shorts and a T-shirt. Placing it on the bed, he said softly, “I like seeing your things here, Hope. Thank you for moving in.”
“Yeah, that was before I knew I was your joke. That was really mean, Sam.” She shifted uncomfortably when he sat on the edge of the bed.
“There is no joke, Hope. I want you to be my little girl. On a team like mine, there are no secrets. The man who scared you in the kitchen was Hank. He actually was the first to admit that he was a daddy. We’d been ribbing him about never having a girlfriend. Finally, he told us about Angie. She was killed in a car wreck while he was deployed. I’d never seen any of the team cry before, but Hank broke down in front of us. It started the conversation. Turns out we’re all looking for our Littles.”