Page 12 of Hearing Little Hadley

“Bullshit.”

Finn was surprised by the Ranch Master’s bluntness.

“Maybe not in name, but definitely by actions.”

“We can’t.”

“Bullshit,” the Ranch Master said again.

“You don’t understand.”

“Then help me understand.”

“She’s never had a friend before me. Her parents were...”

“I know who they were,” Derek interrupted. “I’m assuming they caused her to be so fearful.”

“Yes, they were so worried about her being made fun of by the media and by people around them, that they trained her to be seen and not heard. They died and she will never get closure from that; they’ll never be able to tell her they were wrong. She’s never had a person that wasforher in life. I’m her only friend. If it didn’t work out, she could lose the only friend she ever had and the only family who’s ever accepted her for who she is. I won’t do that to her.”

“But you need to consider what else you’re doing to her.”

“What else am I doing to her?”

“Denying her the Daddy she deserves. You know and accept her better than anyone else in her life. You’re clearly her safe place. She already seems to have a deep bond with you.”

Finn thought over his words. He hadn’t considered it from that standpoint.

“Do you want her to have a Daddy?”

“She really wants a Daddy.”

“Have you considered what you would do if she found a Daddy?”

“I’d make sure he was treating her right, vet him, maybe run a background check?”

“No, after all of that. If he wanted her to move in with him? If she wanted him to move in with her?”

“Her house is paid for, so he would probably move in with her.”

“And you live together, correct?”

“Yes.”

“What would you do?”

“I would find my own place.”

“How hard do you think that would be on her?”

That was something else Finn hadn’t considered.

“Sometimes love makes us stupid and it keeps us from seeing what’s right in front of us,” Derek offered.

Finn weighed his words. It would kill him to move out. He’d be plagued with worry and concern for her. Fuck. Could he actually handle seeing her with another man? No man would ever care for her the way he did. He clenched his fists in frustration. He’d been so sure he was doing what was best for her.

“Daddy, can we go play in the indoor playground?” Sadie asked, stopping a few yards in front of them. She danced and pulled her jacket closer around her. The night had a definite chill to it even though they were inside.

“That’s fine with me, angel, but you need to ask Master Finn.”

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