Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 116760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
“Well, I thought I might go for a walk to see the horses later.”
“All right. But text me when you leave and get back. Not because I want to control you, but . . .”
“But you worry,” she finished. “I know. I’m all right.”
She thought. She hoped.
“All right,” he said. “Call me if you need me, okay?”
“I will.”
A knock on the front door caught her by surprise.
Nerves filled her as she stared at it. Should she open it?
Don’t be silly, Bebe. You’re not in any danger, and even if you were, someone bent on attacking you would hardly knock, would they?
Moving to the door, she opened it. To her surprise, there was a small woman standing on the front porch. She had curly, crazy dark hair and a wide smile.
“Hi!” Reaching out, she grabbed Bebe’s hands, squeezing them. “I’m Ellie! And I’m sooo pleased to meet you!”
Ellie? She’d heard of Ellie. Abby had said something about her and, oh, her name was on the card Bebe had gotten the first day. But how come she hadn’t met her before now?
“Hi, I’m Bebe.”
“I know! I helped put together your welcome package. Abby said you liked it?”
“I loved it, thank you.”
Movement over Ellie’s shoulder caught Bebe’s attention, and her eyes widened as she saw the enormous man standing there. Bebe gulped nervously.
“Oh, I’m sorry. This is my husband, Bear. Bear, this is Bebe.”
Bear just nodded as Bebe awkwardly waved.
“Do you both want to come inside?” she asked.
“I will! Thanks! Bear just walked me over because he’s always worried that I’ll get lost.” Ellie turned to Bear. “I’m going inside with Bebe. You can go back to work now.”
Bear just crossed his arms over his wide chest and frowned at her.
Ellie huffed out a breath. “All right, I’ll call you when I want to leave and wait for you to get here. Love you!” She sent him kisses.
And to Bebe’s shock, the big guy pretended to catch one and placed it over his heart.
Well. If that wasn’t the sweetest thing she’d seen in forever, she didn’t know what was.
“Sorry about that,” Ellie said cheerfully as she stepped inside and started pulling off piles of clothes. “Bear is super overprotective. But I’m sure you know all about that.”
Bebe shut the door behind her. “I do.”
“He doesn’t like me walking around on my own. He claims that I get lost a lot. But I’ve lived on the Ranch for long enough now that I know my way around. I think he just likes to feel useful.”
Ellie took off another layer and stepped further into the cabin. “Ooh, I love what you’ve done with the place.”
“Thanks. I haven’t done much.”
Ellie waved her hand dismissively. “Truthfully, I’ve never been in here, but I’m sure what you have done is amazing.”
Bebe had to giggle.
“What?” Ellie turned with a big smile.
“Uh, nothing. You’re just so sweet and cheerful.”
“I’m so happy to be out of my house,” Ellie claimed as she sat on the sofa. “I’ve been stuck inside for the last week with a bad head cold. This is the first time that Bear has let me out. He wouldn’t even let me come see you.”
“Oh, is that why you were so wrapped up?” Bebe asked, looking at the pile of clothes on the floor.
“Hmm? Oh no. That’s what he makes me wear every time I go out during the colder months. Crazy, right? Takes half an hour just to get dressed to go anywhere. These Daddies are nuts.”
“Oh, Bear is your Daddy?” Bebe asked as she sat. “Wait, that’s probably rude to ask, right?”
“Not rude. I said it. And yep, he is. Here at Sanctuary, there are lots of Daddies. And people won’t really get offended or shocked at questions like that. Do you like it here?”
The question felt like it came out of nowhere, but Bebe found herself nodding. “I . . . really do. Everyone has been so welcoming, which is surprising.”
Ellie’s blue eyes widened. “Why is that surprising?”
She shrugged, wishing she’d never said anything. “Well, you know, because of who I am. People often make . . . assumptions before they meet me.”
“Well, that’s just rude!” Ellie said, sounding upset. “Why would they do that? So dumb. Anyone can tell that you’re lovely as soon as they meet you. And I don’t believe what I see on TV. Especially on reality shows. I don’t like to judge people without meeting them first.”
Bebe stared at her in wonder, then she gave her a big smile. “You’re a special person, Ellie.”
“Thanks. So are you. Now, do you have any hot chocolate?”
“I do. Someone very special helped pack me a welcome pack with some in.”
Ellie giggled.
Bebe did well the first day that Corbin left her at the cabin, especially with Ellie visiting her. And the second day didn’t go too badly. But on the third day, she lost all that calm.