by Maren Smith
“Hey. Just because I like to shop does not make me weird.” Archer grabbed the list from Clint, looking it over. “I’m on it.”
“What you want me to do?” Doc asked.
“Check in with the people providing the horse and carriage.” He figured Doc couldn’t alienate them too much. Right?
“Kent, need you to check in with Father Thomas, who is performing the ceremony.”
“Sure,” Kent replied easily.
“Zeke, can you and Eden visit the place we’re having the reception and make sure everything is set?”
Zeke nodded. “Sure can, boss.”
“Bain, you’ve got the florist.”
“I know nothing about flowers.” Bain shot him a dark look.
“Get Ari to help.”
Bain sighed.
“Jed, I’ve got you down for the cake decorator. Make sure she’s all good.”
Jed nodded.
“Bear, need you to help Ellie figure out something else for the bridal shower.” The girls were all supposed to be going into the spa in town but that was off the table now.
He took in a deep breath and looked around at them all. “There’s something else. Charlotte doesn’t think she has any family attending this wedding.”
They all frowned at that.
“I intend to show her differently.”
“Good,” Zeke grumbled.
“Charlie’s been family since the moment she stepped on this ranch,” Bear added.
Satisfaction filled him. Charlie might not have any blood relatives, but family could be a choice.
“What are you going to be doing?” Kent asked.
“Taking care of Charlotte.”
Kent gave a nod of satisfaction then stood and whacked his hand against Clint’s back. “We got this, brother.”
They better have. Charlotte deserved a magical wedding and he was going to give it to her.
Chapter Five
She really did look like shit.
She studied herself in the bathroom mirror. Her skin was pale. There were dark smudges under her eyes. And her collarbones seemed more pronounced than they had a few weeks ago. Shit. Would she even fit her wedding gown? She was due to have her last fitting tomorrow. What was she going to do?
“Charlotte?” Clint called out, walking in with a frown. “What do you think you’re doing up?”
“I needed the toilet.”
His frown deepened. “You should have called out for me. What if you’d fainted again? You could have fallen and hit your head against the sink.” He shook his head. “Next time yell out for me.”
She turned to scowl at him. “Clint, I can’t call for you every time I need to use the toilet.”
“You can. I’ve cleared my schedule. I’m going to be taking care of you. And Little girls shouldn’t get out of bed without Daddy’s permission.” He ran a thumb over her cheek. “How are you feeling?”
She took stock. She felt like she’d been run over by a bus. But at least her sore throat hadn’t gotten any worse.
Yet.
“I’m all right.”
“Uh-huh,” he said skeptically.
“I can’t just spend the next few days in bed, Clint,” she said. “All the wedding stuff—”
“I’ve got it all under control, little darling. Can you try to trust me and let me take care of things?”
“How can it be under control if you’re looking after me?” she asked.
“While you were napping, I roped in some help.”
“But the church—”
“Kent’s on it.”
“The reception—”
“Zeke and Eden.”
“All the stuff I need—”
“Archer.”
“Archer?” She thought about that for a moment. “Actually, that’s probably the best choice. I have a dress fitting tomorrow. Please, can I go?”
He frowned. “No. You’re grounded and you’re supposed to be in bed.” He looked at her pointedly. “Have you washed your hands?”
She shook her head. He turned on the faucet and stood behind her, reaching around to pump some soap on his hands. His arms were around her, his front pressed up against her back as he gently massaged her hands, washing them clean.
She stared at him in the mirror. Her big, gruff cowboy with a huge protective streak that stretched to everyone living on Sanctuary Ranch.
“I’m so lucky to have you,” she whispered.
He glanced up at her, meeting her gaze in the mirror. “You got that the wrong way around, baby. It’s me who is lucky to have you. I know I don’t always get everything right, Charlotte. Not even close. But can you trust me to give you what you need?”
Of course. He always made sure she had what she needed.
“Yes.”
“Then let me worry about all of this. I’ll arrange the dress fitting. Your bridal shower. You just concentrate on obeying Doc’s orders. Can you do that?”
A weight lifted from her shoulders. She didn’t have to do all this on her own. He was always there to help her. She should have asked for help earlier, but she struggled with that. With feeling like she was a burden, the way her aunt had always treated her.
“I can.”
The smile he gave her was everything. She’d have promised him the world for that smile. So, things might not be exactly right. At the end of the day she was getting everything she’d ever wanted.
Him.
He dried her hands then picked her up, carrying her back to the bedroom and putting her into bed.
“Little Charlie hasn’t had much playtime lately. Maybe she’d like to do some coloring? Or watch a cartoon?”
Actually, she would love that. “Coloring please, Daddy.”
He smiled. “Good.” Then he clicked his fingers. “Wait, I forgot. Doc left the vitamin suppositories and some sort of shake for you to take. I’ll make it for you and bring it all up.”
She groaned. Great. More butt stuff.
Charlie bit her lower lip as she concentrated on her coloring. She could hear Clint on the phone out in the hallway. He’d moved out there to make some calls. A cartoon was playing on the T.V., but she wasn’t paying much attention.
At least the phone call had postponed having to get her vitamin. She reached over for her smoothie cup. It was a big, plastic cup with a straw in it that she used in summer for iced drinks.
She took a big sip of the nutritional shake. It was chocolate flavored and while it had a slightly strange texture it was actually quite good. A bit like a milkshake. It felt soothing on her throat. She yawned. Truthfully, even though she’d just woken up she could probably lie down right now and have a sleep.
But she wasn’t telling Clint that.
Clint walked back in. “That was the seamstress; she’s going to come here for your final fitting once you’re feeling a bit better.”
Her eyes went wide. “She is?”
“Yep. Told you I’d handle it. How’s the drink?”
“It’s actually good.”
“I’ll talk to Doc about getting you some more. Along with the vitamins, that will help build your system back up.” He glanced down at her picture. “What are you drawing, little darling?”
“Can’t you tell, Daddy?”
She loved teasing him by making him guess.
His face screwed up so he looked like he was sucking on a piece of lemon. She knew he had no idea what it was. She bit back a giggle.
“It’s a horse pulling a carriage with a castle in the background.”
Her mouth dropped open. “How did you know?”
“It’s obvious. Plus, Daddies always know.”
“You never know, Daddy!”
He gasped and placed a hand against his chest. “I do believe I’ve just been insulted.”
She just shook her head at his antics. “You’re silly, Daddy.”
“And you’re overdue for your vitamin.” He sat on the side of the bed and reached for the bottle of suppositories
. He patted his lap. “Over you go.”
She pouted. “Why do I need the vitamins, Daddy? I’ve got the shake.”
“Doctor’s orders. Stop pouting. You don’t want to add to the spanking you’re already owed.”
“Why am I getting a spanking?”
“For not telling Daddy that you weren’t well. For not asking for his help. For not eating properly.”
Drat.
“If I’m on bed rest, I don’t think I should get a spanking.” At least that’s the way it should work.
“Your punishment can wait until you’re feeling better,” he told her. “However, a couple of smacks to get you moving when you’re procrastinating isn’t going against Doc’s orders.”
She squeaked at this warning and practically threw herself over his lap. She was wearing a soft nightgown with a picture of a sleepy owl on the front. Clint pulled it up over her ass then drew her panties down.
She tensed. She hated this. She swore that she was never going to forget to eat properly again if it meant she got to avoid any more of these icky suppositories.
Why couldn’t Doc prescribe normal vitamins? Those gummy ones you chewed on would be perfect. Clint rubbed her bottom and she gradually found herself relaxing into his touch.
Then he parted her bottom cheeks and the vitamin was pressed against her back hole. It didn’t hurt. It wasn’t that big. There was a bit of stretching, but she was used to having her bottom stretched.
It was more the embarrassment of lying over there while he inserted it that she didn’t like. When it was in, she tried to scoot off his lap, but he held her still with his hand on the small of her back. He pressed her bottom cheeks together.
“Just lie there for a moment while we give that a chance to work.”
Finally, he drew up her panties then turned her over so she was sitting on his lap. He hugged her tight. “I know that’s not easy for you. But I want you to be well. You’re my world, little darling. I hope you know that.”
“You’re my world too, Daddy.” She hugged him back tight.
Chapter Six
Charlie woke up with her throat burning.
It was far worse than it had been yesterday. She’d been hoping it would magically disappear overnight. Instead, it seemed to have gotten worse.
Push past it, Charlie. You can do this.
With her eyes half-closed and her head thumping something wicked, she shoved back the covers and tried to sit up. She swayed and rubbed at her eyes.
This wasn’t good.
“Little girl, what do you think you are doing?”
Clint’s voice boomed through her head, making her groan. She pressed her palms to her eyes as he turned on a light.
“Stop yelling, Daddy,” she said in a scratchy voice.
“I wasn’t yelling, baby.” His hand gently grasped hold of her chin, tilting her face up. “Open your eyes.”
“Can’t. Light hurts them.”
Whoops. She probably shouldn’t have admitted it. “Now he’ll make me stay in bed all day,” she muttered to herself.
“Little darling, you were already staying in bed all day.” A large, cool hand was pressed against her forehead. “Don’t you remember that you’re on bed rest?”
Bed rest? How could she be on bed rest?
“Shit. You’re burning up. How’s your throat?”
“Sore. Like my head. And my whole body.”
“Poor baby,” he said sympathetically. “Let’s lie you down and take your temperature.”
“Gotta go potty.”
“All right. Can you open your eyes if I turn the light off? The drapes are still closed.”
“Think so.”
She felt him move away. “There you go, little darling. Try now.”
Slowly, she opened her eyes. Clint crouched in front of her, his face twisted with worry. “How’s that?”
His voice was hushed. Gentle. Tears welled in her eyes. “Good,” she croaked.
After he carried her to the bathroom, he left her on her own to use the toilet. She could hear him speaking quietly into his phone in the bedroom. Probably to Doc. She groaned. His head popped into the room and she squeaked since she was still sitting on the toilet.
“You okay, little darling?”
“Daddy, I’m fine.” She made shooing motions at him. He simply gave her a stern look in reply. Then turned away again and walked out. She huffed out a breath. Thank goodness. Clint wasn’t big on boundaries.
She quickly cleaned up and had managed to pull up her panties before he returned.
“Let me help you,” he said quietly. He supported her while she washed her hands. And then he carried her back to bed. But instead of laying her down, he sat with her on his lap. “Doc wants to know what your temp is now. Let’s lie you over my lap and I’ll take it.”
She scrunched up her face but let him carefully arrange her over his lap. She sighed as he pulled up her nightie, then tugged her panties over her bottom.
“Easy, little darling. I know you don’t like this part. But Daddy doesn’t like when you’re sick. He wants you all better.”
She wanted that too. Especially with the wedding so close. He reached over to the bedside table to grab the thermometer and lube sitting there. Her bottom cheeks were parted and lube dabbed on her puckered hole. She shivered at the cool feel. She went from searing heat to cold and chilled.
The thermometer slid inside easily and he rubbed her lower back soothingly as they waited. When he drew it out there was a moment of silence where she guessed he was reading it.
He sighed. “Hundred and two.”
Well, bummer.
“Right, back to bed for you. I’m going to get you some medicine and a shake. You can try and eat some breakfast later. Anything else you need?” he asked as he tucked her back under the covers.
“No, Daddy.”
“Just rest, little darling. I’ll take care of everything else.”
She blew her nose. Urgh. So gross. She was stuffed up. She was tired. Two days had passed since she’d woken with a temperature and sore throat. She still felt like she’d been run over by a truck, but she was also itching to do something. She no longer wanted to sleep, drink, pee, and repeat. But at the same time, she didn’t have the energy to move.
The door to her bedroom opened and she reached for the remote, turning down the television.
Charlie glanced with interest at the big container Clint was carrying into the room. “What’s that, Daddy?”
“This is Doc’s entertainment box for sick Littles,” he replied.
“I’ve never heard of it before.”
“Apparently, he’s tired of Littles trying to push themselves too far when they’re not well, so he’s been working on this. He said when Caley injured her hands, it was difficult to get her to rest and relax. This idea came to him. But you’re the first to receive one.”
“That was nice of him.” Which wasn’t something one could usually say about Doc.
“Doc gets a bad rep. He does care.”
She immediately felt bad for her thoughts. Of course he cared. He looked after the health of everyone on the ranch. He’d just always been gruff and distant.
Clint set the box on the bed and she moved onto her knees to look in as he opened it.
“Ooh.” She pulled out a new coloring book that had an ice-cream sundae on the front. Inside were lots of outlines of different desserts to color. “Wow. This is cool.”
There was also a pack of new pens that were scented. She wished her nose was clear enough for her to smell them. She opened one up and tried to sniff it. Nope. Nothing was getting through.
“Still all blocked up, huh, little darling?” Clint asked, watching her.
“It sucks, Daddy.”
“I know it does. I’ll rub some stuff on your chest for you.”
She loved when Clint did that. He got up to go grab the vapo-rub.
Reaching in again, she pulled out a small hand-held game. One where you
had to press the buttons to get the balls in the hippo’s mouth.
The next item was a flat, fluffy unicorn that had a weird-feeling tummy. She looked at Clint in confusion as he walked back into the bedroom.
“It’s a heat pack,” he explained, opening up the back and pulling out a pouch. “You take this part out and heat it then put it back in the unicorn and you can hug it.”
That was genius.
“Will you heat that up for me, Daddy?”
“Sure thing, baby. I’ll do that in a moment. Let’s get this stuff on your chest first.” He sat on the bed behind her, leaning back against the headboard. She rested against him, her back to his chest. He opened the vapo-rub and scooped a bit out then pulled her nightgown away from her chest, to rub it gently on her skin.
She sighed with pleasure as he massaged it in.
“How does that feel, little darling?” he asked in a low murmur.
“Great, Daddy. Thank you.”
He kissed the top of her head before slipping out from behind her to go wash his hands. She attempted to blow her nose again. She knew she had to look a fright. She probably had a bright red nose and no doubt her hair was in a state. But she didn’t much care right then.
She drew out the next item. A pack of go-fish cards with pictures of mermaids on them. “Will you play this with me, Daddy?” she asked as he returned.
“After your nap, I will. I’m just going to go warm up your heat pack. I’ll be back soon.”
Nap, schmack.
But she sighed, knowing she wouldn’t get out of it. As he left, she explored the rest of the box. There was also a pack of clay and a soft, fluffy blanket. The last item was the best, though. It was a toy medical kit. Complete with stethoscope, thermometer, injector, tongue depressor, a tool to check reflexes and a blood pressure cuff complete with the thing that you squeezed to puff it up. She didn’t know what that was called but it looked like fun.
When Clint came back in with her heat pack, she showed him the kit.
“Daddy, I can check to make sure you’re not sick.”
Clint eyed the medical kit warily. Like it might bite him. He put the pouch back into the unicorn and handed it to her. She held it against her chest. It was quite nice to cuddle.