He leaned over her, kissing her forehead. “Goodnight,” he whispered, placing the book on the nightstand before turning out her light.
He left and headed downstairs. Jack was in the study, staring at his computer. “Look at this,” Jack said as he passed. “The cameras got a look at the culprit.”
Marcus looked at the image on the screen. It showed a woman’s face. She was emerging from the barn, carrying a bag over her shoulder. “Reckon that’s her,” Marcus said, pointing toward the bag. “Good work.”
“Has to be her,” Jack replied. “I set it up in clear view, and there she is. Recognize her?”
Marcus shook his head. Red hair cropped short. Pale skin, narrow eyes. “Nope.”
“Well keep an eye out. She might come back looking for more.”
“When was this taken?”
“A couple of hours ago.”
“Going to tell the sheriff?”
“Nope, I want to deal with this in house. If she shows up, I’ll get her turned into a Little and then she’ll learn that it’s bad to steal from me.” He turned off the screen. “And how’s our guest?”
“Asleep.”
“Good to hear. Got any plans for the morning?”
“Thought she could help with mucking out and then I was going to take her over to the creek. See if she wants to go swimming.”
“Just remember she’s a guest, not your personal plaything.”
“You know who she is, right?”
Jack shook his head.
“Derek’s daughter.”
“No shit, seriously.”
“You don’t recognize her?”
“It’s been a while. You reckon he knows she’s here?”
“Paid for it on his credit card.”
Jack stood up and headed for the door. “Then he can’t know you’re here, right?”
“Maybe it’s time I had a word with him, sort all this out.”
Jack turned back. “Just don’t kill him. It looks bad for the ranch.”
Marcus smiled. “I won’t kill him. I’ll just tell him his daughter is old enough to make her own decisions and if she still has a crush on me, well that’s on her, not him.”
“Holy shit, you’re still in love with her.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. Fuck, Marcus, you’re playing with fire here. If he finds out…”
“What if he does? Maybe he needs a reminder that he can’t control her all his life.”
“Keep talking like that and I might have to make you my head of security. You’re scaring me.”
“Quit yanking my chain, Jack.”
“Hey, I’ve known you and Derek since boot camp and I love you both but you better be sure before you go sticking your boot in that snake pit again.”
Jack left the office. Marcus sank into the vacated chair and stared at the blank screen of the computer. Did he love her or was it just lust because she looked even better than last time he saw her?
Tomorrow would answer that question.
He’d spend the day with her and see what that was like. He rubbed his eyes. It was time for bed.
He headed to his quarters over by the stables. It was a one bed place that used to be the tack room long ago.
Converted into living accommodation, it suited him fine. Or it used to. For the first time it felt like something was missing. It needed something.
It needed a Little.
7
Alison
When Alison woke up on Saturday morning, her first thought was of Marcus.
Had he really tucked her into bed last night? What had happened then?
The last thing she remembered was him kissing her forehead as she drifted off into the most relaxing sleep she’d had in years.
Had that really happened or was it a dream?
She sat up. The Wind in the Willows was on the bedside table. It was real. He had done it.
She climbed out of bed and stretched. The room was warm, the final embers of last night’s fire still giving out a glow that was enough to take the chill off the room.
She crossed to the window and looked outside. The ranch was already awake. People were marching back and forth out there.
By the garage, feet were sticking out from under a tractor, the sound of hammering was faint through the thick glass. Over by the stables she saw a figure she recognized. It was Jack.
He glanced her way and she waved. He tapped his wrist. Was he telling her she was late up? What the hell kind of vacation was it where she got told off for having a sleep in? They had a strange idea of vacations at Walker Ranch, that was for sure.
She glanced across to her right. There was Holly with another woman, both of them skipping their way over to the grass, a dog in tow running alongside them.
She wanted to join them. She wanted to be brave enough to wear the Little clothes outside like them.
Why not?
She was on vacation. She’d signed the contract. Nothing that happened here was going to leak out to anyone on the outside.
Holly was called over by Jack who was looking cross. He was telling her off for something. She wasn’t looking very contrite, grinning at him and sticking her tongue out.
Alison gasped as Holly was suddenly grabbed, the back of her skirt lifted and two firm spanks administered. Then she was set back on her feet as if nothing happened.
She walked away with her head down but she was soon smiling again as she headed back toward the main house.
Alison turned back into the room, heading for the bathroom. She was barely inside before someone was knocking on the bedroom door.
“Just a minute,” she called from the toilet.
“You’re late up,” Holly called in from outside. “What’s keeping you?”
“I’m not dressed yet.”
“Hurry up. Marcus will find out you’re late up if you’re not quick and then you’ll be in trouble. Wear riding gear.”
“He doesn’t scare me,” she shouted back, ignoring her racing heart as she brushed her teeth and washed her face.
Looking in the wardrobe, she found some riding clothes. Jodhpurs in white with a thin gold line running up them. Boots in black. Nothing suitable for her top half though.
She went with the brightest tee-shirt in there. It had a sunflower on the front, her favorite flower.
“Come on,” Holly called as she tied her hair back. “He’ll be cross.”
She pulled open the bedroom door. “I’m ready.”
Holly grabbed her hand. “If we go the back way, I can sneak you in the stable and pretend you’ve been there all morning. If you’re lucky, you’ll get away with it.”
They headed out the back door of the house together, Holly pulling her toward the stable. “Where are you two going?” Jack asked. “I told you to go get her and bring her to me.”
“I thought you meant to go riding.”
“Well, you were wrong, Holly. I know you want a riding companion but that will have to wait. Marcus has been in the cowshed all night. He’ll not want to go riding until he’s had some sleep.”
“Hasn’t he been to bed yet?” Alison asked.
“There’s a cow getting ready to calve and she’s in pain. He’s been doing what he can for her. The vet should be here soon to take over.”