Page 8 of Hearing Little Hadley

“Perhaps we could kill two birds with one stone and join you? My Little one has just informed me she is starving,” a brown-haired man said as he approached Hadley and Finn.

“Hello, my name is Derek Hawkins. I believe you’ve met my Little one?”

Finn smiled and shook his outstretched hand. Sadie held Master Derek’s hand much like Hadley was holding Finn’s. The thought made Finn giddy for a second.

“We would love that, right, Hadley?”

She nodded back at the couple.

“Perfect. Where were you headed?”

Finn hesitated. “Actually, we were just looking for food. I don’t think we’d decided.”

“We can go to the cafeteria. It’s open and there’s something for everyone there,” Sadie suggested. “Do you like chocolate cake?”

Yes.

“Chef Connor is trying a new recipe and Hayleigh, his Little girl, said he was gonna put it out for supper.”

“Ah, that explains why you’re starving at 5:30.” Derek laughed.

“Well, Daddy. Iamstarving… just for cake.”

“Which you can haveaftersome actual food,” he reminded. “Can you show our new friends how to get to the cafeteria?”

“Okay, Daddy.”

“Do you want to hold my hand and I can show you where to go?” she asked Hadley.

Hadley looked at Finn first. He gave her an encouraging nod and she took the other Little’s hand before they both rushed off.

“Walking feet, Peeps,” Finn corrected again. He’d never dabbled in physically disciplining Hadley, but his palm itched to smack the urge to run out of her.

“Ah, to have the energy of a Little one.” Derek chuckled as the two men walked behind the excited Little girls.

“I could be so much more productive.” Finn laughed. “What did you want to meet with us about?” he asked.

“I try to meet all my visitors at least once during their stay. I like to make sure they have everything they need.”

Finn already had so much respect for Rawhide before he visited and now, after meeting Derek, it had grown even more.

“That’s amazing. I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to make sure we’re comfortable.”

“Did you guys have everything you needed in your room?”

“We did. Hadley loved the nursery furniture so much that I was going to ask if anyone had a recommendation on where I could purchase some for her playroom at home.”

“Oh, yes. Stop by the giftshop and Becky can help you. We’re lucky enough to have Colton Reed living up on the ridge. He is an artist when it comes to all things wood and is responsible for the furniture in our suites as well as in the Dungeon. I’m sure he’d be more than happy to discuss whatever pieces you might be interested in. We have catalogs for guests to look through.”

“Perfect.”

“I noticed she will be going to preschool for a few days during your stay.”

“Yes, just to let her experience it.”

“I think she will love Miss Price and Nanny J. They’re great with our Littlest ones.”

“I spoke with Nanny J via email and she seemed very kind.”

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