Page 5 of Guiding Little Gabi

Sadie sat as well while she gave the question some thought before answering. “I am pretty religious about bathing. Does that count?”

Gabi nodded. “Of course it does. And since it’s a religious holiday, you could get them for violating the English Toleration Act of 1689. Not to mention the ‘reasonable’ and ‘non-excessive’ clauses in all fifty states, which they clearly violated. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If I had time, I’m sure I could find more things to charge them with.”

Suddenly, she became the center of everyone’s attention. Gabi glanced up to ensure she didn’t have a “Please Do Not Disturb the Lunatic” sign floating over her head.

Pippi was the first to speak, eyes wide and hands wringing. “I’m not sure we want to file charges, do we?”

Wren smirked. “It would serve them right if we did.”

Hayleigh glanced at Sadie. “Are the laws from 1689 even enforceable anymore?”

Sadie shrugged, then grabbed Gabi’s hands. “We are going to be besties forever! How do you know all that? Are you a lawyer or something?”

Gabi should tell them no. That would be the truth. Her father hadn’t been able to afford law school on his miner’s salary, so he’d attempted to play financial investor. He’d taken her savings without her knowledge to “grow it from a nest egg to a yard full of chicks.” It shouldn’t have come as a shock when his plan hadn’t worked, and he’d lost her entire savings. However, she was a lawyer’s personal assistant, and that was practically the same thing as a legal assistant, which was a stone’s throw from being a paralegal. Everyone knew paralegals were as smart as lawyers. So, all in all, she was pretty close to being a lawyer.

Besides, if they thought she was a lawyer, they’d be more likely to like her. She wasn’t going to be here very long. It usually took people longer than a few days to warm up to her overexuberant personality. Typically, a lot longer.

Besides, she could help these girls. Today, she was Gabi the Problem Solver after all. “I work at Raleigh Stevens and Associates law firm in Tennessee.” Perfect. She hadn’t lied. If her new friends misunderstood, that wasn’t her fault. “I have an idea of something you can do to show your Daddies how unfair they were. Have you ever heard of a Freeze Out the Fourth Protest?”

Thirty minutes later, she’d explained the silent protest. Their job was to take the rest of the night and spread the word. By breakfast, no Littles would be talking to any Bigs. “The Mommies, Daddies, and other caregivers will cave by sundown. I guarantee it.”

The girls left to spread the word. Gabi leaned back in her chair and smiled. She was going to be the most popular Little at the Ranch, and she hadn’t even made it to her room yet.

She loved Rawhide Ranch.

She hated Rawhide Ranch.

No, that wasn’t true. She loved the Ranch. But who would have thought twenty-four hours after bonding with her new friends over chocolate chip pancakes, she’d be in so much trouble?

Gabi sat on one of the benches beside Master Derek’s office door, staring at the double-sided fireplace. She tried to picture the flames that would be dancing in it when the cold weather hit. Then she imagined those same flames dancing over her bottom after Master Derek finished with her.

Never again would she play the role of Gabi the Problem Solver. She’d gotten ten Littles in trouble. She didn’t even know some of their names, but they knew hers.

Gabi had started biting her fingernails with the first Little Master Derek had called back to his office. By the time he called Pippi, Wren, and Hayleigh back, Gabi had no fingernails left.

On their return, each Little had walked stiffly past her with their Mommy, Daddy, or both, eyes and nose red. From the looks on their caregivers’ faces, she hoped that their punishment was over.

The only two left now were Gabi and Sadie. Gabi stopped breathing when Master Derek’s door opened. He stepped out of his office and strode straight to his naughty little wife. He pinned her to the bench with his gaze. “Sadie Marie, what do you have to say for yourself?”

Sadie shrugged, but that was a big mistake. Master Derek took her upper arm and pulled her to her feet. Taking her place, he flipped her over his knee and spanked her bottom right then and there. “When I ask you a question,” he said between swats, “you answer me with your words.”

Sadie wiggled and kicked. “I’m sorry, Daddy. Ouchie! I’m sorry. I’ll talk. I promise. Ow!”

Master Derek flipped her back to her feet and held her between his knees. “You are not even at the beginning of being sorry, little girl. When I get done, you’ll wear my handprint as a permanent tattoo. Not to mention I’ll be bringing the paddle you love so much. Get one of the security guards to walk you home. I’ll be there soon, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll be waiting with your nose in your naughty girl corner. Am I understood?”

Sadie’s bottom lip trembled as she nodded. “Yes, Daddy. I really am sorry.”

Master Derek hugged Sadie and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Gabi didn’t know about Sadie, but it made her feel better. At least it did until he added, “No, but I expect that will come soon enough.”

Turning to face Gabi, she swore she could see the disappointment written on Master Derek’s face. Gabi tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but it wouldn’t budge.

“Well, Gabi, I’m very sorry we’re meeting under these circumstances. It seems we have a lot to talk about, little lady. Let’s take this into my office.”

Without waiting for an answer, he took Gabi by the hand and led her through large double doors into the largest office she’d ever seen for just one person. It wasn’t what she’d expected the office on a ranch to look like. Well, other than all the leather and wooden furniture.

Master Derek’s office wasn’t dusty or cluttered. It could have easily been an office in Raleigh’s law firm. There were even bookshelves filled with thick, impressive-looking books.

A desk big enough to double as a bed dominated the far side of the room, but what caught her attention were the French doors behind the desk. Their ivory sheers held the moonlight at bay. She bet in the daytime, the view was breathtaking.

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