Which is why he wasn’t in a hurry to go anywhere. He noticed none of the other men were moving either.
“Found out today that this is the first real Christmas Abby has ever had,” Kent commented.
Bear looked over at him. “What about when her nana was alive?”
“Apparently she wasn’t a fan of Christmas ‘cause her old man used to get drunk around that time and hit his wife, sometimes his kids.”
“Motherfucker,” Jed muttered.
Bear nodded agreement. He didn’t understand how a man could ever raise a fist to a woman or to someone weaker than him. To Bear’s way of thinking, men were put on this Earth to look out for all those that were weaker than them, but most especially those that belonged to them.
“That the reason she’s gone into Christmas overdrive?” Clint asked, looking over at his younger brother.
Kent took a pull of his beer then nodded. “Yeah. That, and she feels guilty about being so happy. Because she’s alive and happy and her brother is dead.”
Clint whistled.
“Not like Max wasn’t a shit at Christmas. The few times Abby tried putting up a tree and buying gifts he’d usually turn up and steal the gifts, hock them off.”
“Asshole,” Jed muttered.
That seemed to be the extent he had to offer, but Bear figured that word said it all.
“Whatcha going to do?” Clint asked.
“Give her a Christmas to remember. And then do the same next year and the one after that. Try to help her understand that even though Max was a shithead, we don’t have to forget him. I’m getting her to write something about him every day in her notebook. Probably should do that about her nana too. Then we can read through it on Christmas night. Try to remember those who have passed. Asshole or not.”
“Good plan,” Bear said.
Kent leaned forward. “Had another idea, wish I’d thought of it earlier ‘cause I would have had something made up. Starting the day after tomorrow, every day until Christmas Eve, I’m going to write her out a little task or leave her a gift each morning. Almost like a big Little girl’s advent calendar to count down to Christmas. Some days the task will be pleasant, others it might be less so.”
Now that sounded interesting.
“Good way of keeping her mind off Max.” Clint grinned. “I like it.”
Bear saw Jed nodding as well. Bear liked the idea even more. With all this wedding stuff going on, not to mention Christmas coming up fast, it felt like some days he barely connected with Ellie.
“Ellie’s parents called her,” he blurted out.
“What?” Clint asked with a scowl. “What the fuck are they thinking?”
Bear shook his head. “I confiscated her phone last night and sent her to bed early so she got a good sleep before tonight. They rang after she’d fallen asleep. I saw who it was and answered it. They’re upset because they weren’t invited to the wedding. They started to get mad, and I told them I’d speak to Ellie and get back to them. And not to call again until we got in contact with them. Wanted to tell them to go fuck themselves. Can’t make that decision for Ellie, though.”
“How did they even find out about the wedding?” Kent asked.
Bear shrugged. “I’m guessing maybe someone in Russell told them. Someone who knew them through Ellie’s aunt.”
“Seriously?” Clint scowled. “They really expected you guys would invite them after the way they treated Ellie? After having nothing to do with her for a year, now they want to be back in her life?”
“You think there’s some reason for it?” Kent asked. “Something they want?”
“Got to be,” Bear stated. “Don’t know what, though.”
Whatever their reason for calling, he doubted it was because they’d seen the error of their ways and decided to reconnect with their daughter.
“You don’t think they’ll turn up to the wedding, do you?” Clint asked.
“Don’t know.” But it was worrying him. And he was trying to keep Ellie from seeing that concern. She had enough going on. “I need to talk to her.”
“Let me check into them first,” Kent said. “I’ll have Corbin run some checks.”
“Appreciate that,” Bear told him.
“Anything, man, you know that.”
Another squeal had the four of them smiling.
“So, doesn’t look like I’m getting much sleep tonight,” Clint grumbled. “And you sad bastards don’t seem in any rush to get home. What do ya say to a game of poker?”
“I’m in,” Kent said.
Jed nodded.
“You’re on,” Bear said.
Ellie shook her booty.
Shake. Shake. Shake. Just as the song told her. Then she threw her hands up in the air with a laugh. She glanced over at Charlie as her friend pulled out the sprinkler. She giggled as her friend’s arm shot out in front of her. She looked towards Daisy and Abby who were dancing in a two-woman conga line.
That looked fun.
Ellie raced over to join them, placing her hands on Abby’s waist as Daisy led the line. She flung her feet out to the side and they conga-danced their way over to Charlie who moved in behind her. They danced in a line around the room until Abby reached their beds.
Ellie was exhausted. She flopped back on her bed with a laugh. Charlie walked over and switched the music off.
Ellie heard someone groan and rolled over to see Daisy lying on her side, facing her.
“Don’t tell Daddy this, but I think I ate too much candy,” Daisy told her, looking ill.
“You okay, Daisy?” Ellie asked her, concerned. “You want me to get your Daddy?” All of the daddies had decided to stay over, which didn’t surprise her. What had surprised her was that they’d left the girls to it.
Daisy shook her head. “No, I’m good. Thanks, Ellie. I think I’ll just go to bed.”
Ellie yawned. It was after two in the morning she saw with surprise as she looked at the clock on the wall. “Me too.”
“We can all take turns in the bathroom,” Charlie said. “Daisy, you go first.”
Daisy nodded tiredly. They’d already all put their PJs on, they just needed to brush their teeth and use the facilities.
After she’d used the bathroom, Ellie climbed into her bed. The main lights in the room were off, but the fairy lights that hung off each of the girls teepees provided a pretty, soft light. She grabbed Jeremiah Bear Junior and hugged him tight. Then she rolled towards Charlie’s bed.
“Charlie?” she whispered.
“Yeah?” Charlie whispered back.
“Thank you so much. You’re the bestest best friend a girl could ever have.”
There was a beat of silence then a little sniffle. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had too, Ellie. I hope you had a great night.”
“I’m with my best friends, we’ve had candy, played games, had our nails done and danced, what more could a girl want for her hen party? It was wonderful.”
Her cheeks ached from smiling so much. Her tummy felt slightly queasy from too much sugar. And she was so tired, she couldn’t even keep her eyes open. She’d had an amazing time.
“Yay. Now get some sleep or you’ll be grouchy tomorrow.”
Not a chance.
Ellie was grumpy.
Super grumpy.
Which was unusual for her. She wasn’t really a grumpy sort of person. But there was this icky feeling in her tummy, probably from an overload of sugar, and her head was sore, probably too much Coke and not enough water, and she just generally felt off.
She stomped her way into the cabin, Bear walking quietly behind her. And for some reason even that made her feel grumpy and she had no idea why.
“I wanted to stay longer.” She pouted.
“Baby, it’s nearly two in the afternoon, you spent all night and most of today with your friends. It was time to come home.”
His voice was mega patient. Understanding. And her level of grouchiness grew.
With a sigh, sh
e stomped her way towards where her toys were kept in a chest next to the fireplace. She pulled up the lid.
“Ellie, aren’t you forgetting something?” Bear asked.
“Nope. Gonna do some coloring.” Maybe that would put her in a better mood.
“Ellie,” he said more sternly.
“I’m gonna get my glasses,” she snapped, walking past him. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Bear reached out and grabbed her arm as she moved past him towards where her glasses were normally kept.
“Ellie, look at me.”
She glared up at him. “What?”
His gaze narrowed. That look meant she should tread carefully. Only problem was, she seemed bound and determined not to listen to reason today.
“I know you’re tired and grouchy, but you want to watch your tone, little miss.”
“Can’t watch a tone, it’s invisible,” she informed him.
He sighed, and looked to the heavens as though searching for patience.
“Ellie, go unpack your bag,” he told her in a low, calm voice.
“I don’t want to. I want to color.”
“Gonna give you to the count of three,” he rumbled. “One.”
She scowled.
“Two.”
She stepped back. He let her go.
“Th—”
Before he got the word out, she was moving towards the backpack. She hauled it over to the bed, then pulled everything out and started shoving it into drawers.
Bear sighed again. Then he came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Stop, little girl.”
“But you just told me to unpack.”
“This isn’t unpacking, this is having a tantrum.”
She stiffened at those words. Uh-oh. Then she looked guiltily around. Crap. She was acting like a total and utter brat. She sagged in his arms.
“I’m sorry, Daddy.”
He kissed the top of her head. “There’s my sweet girl. Now, I know you’re tired and probably not feeling all that great which is why you’re going to go to the bathroom and use the toilet, wash your face, brush your teeth and then you’re gonna come back and I’ll get you into your PJs for a nap.”
“I don’t need a nap.” She turned her head to scowl up at him.
“You do. You also need a good spanking.”
“Nooo,” she whined.
He turned her towards the bathroom and gave her a sharp smack that landed on her ass. “Get a move on.”
Ellie moved reluctantly and slowly. But she did move. She knew that not doing as she was told at this point was only going to make the spanking she had coming her way worse. And she guessed she did deserve a spanking after the performance she’d just put on.
Not that she’d tell Bear that.
She used the toilet, washed her face and brushed her teeth. As she did, she looked into the mirror. She looked tired. It wasn’t just the party, which had been epic. Best hen party a girl could ask for. At least a girl like her. But it was also the wedding preparation. Bear had wanted something very small. Just a few close friends, a minister and some food. She was the one who’d wanted something more. A magical Christmas fairytale wedding. It wasn’t huge, but it was more than Bear had anticipated.
So she’d been trying to do everything herself. Not wanting him to regret giving her this.
And she was sooo tired. It felt like she didn’t have the energy for anything else. She’d been trying to hide that from him too. She hadn’t seen as much of him lately as she usually did, which made hiding her fatigue easier.
Only that sucked too. She’d had barely any Little time lately and she missed it. But most of all, she just missed Bear. The way he’d hug her tight and make everything seem better.
Now her exhaustion was catching up to her. She couldn’t believe she’d acted like such a brat.
“Ellie? You finished up in there yet, little girl?”
Well, it seemed like she was getting some Little time now. Just not quite in the way she’d wished for. Still, she forced herself to walk out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. Bear was sitting on the bed, his legs wide. He crooked a finger at her then pointed to the floor between his big feet.
Such a large man. A strong man. And yet so gentle and loving as well.
The perfect man for her.
She moved between his legs and he started to undress her. She yawned, unable to stop herself.
“You’re exhausted, baby girl.”
“Just a little tired, Daddy,” she replied.
“Exhausted,” he repeated. “And not just from last night. You’re doing too much. Don’t think I haven’t noticed your bedtime getting later and later.” He tipped up her chin then kissed her gently. “Should have put a stop to that before now.”
Uh-oh.
He drew off her bra, exposing her breasts, her nipples grew tight. He reached for her panties, pulling them down her legs. She held onto his wide shoulders as she stepped out of them. He ran his hand up her leg and round to cup her bottom.
“From now on, until I deem you’ve caught up on your sleep, you’re gonna have a daily nap,” he instructed.
Her jaw dropped and she just gaped at him. “I can’t nap every day!”
“You can. I’ll be home each lunchtime to eat with you then I’ll put you down. And I’ll be checking in to make sure you don’t get up as soon as my back is turned, so don’t even think about it. Two hour naps. Every day.”
“Two hours!” Oh, this really wasn’t good. “What if I can’t sleep?”
“Then you’ll stay in bed and rest at least.”
“That’s so boring.”
“Better to be bored than tiring yourself out so completely that you end up throwing a tantrum and getting a spanking though, don’t you think?”
Hmm. Let her think about that for a moment.
Bear tilted her face up with his hand on her chin. “You’re gonna start getting some more rest, you’re also going to write down all the tasks that have to be done between now and the wedding and we’re gonna divvy them up.”
“But I thought you didn’t want to do any of the wedding stuff. And I’ve got it under control.”
He frowned slightly. “Why would you think that?”
She shrugged. “You wanted a small wedding at the courthouse with just Kent and Clint. I was the one who pushed for more so I should organize it. Plus, you work so hard and I do nothing all day, so. . .”
“Do nothing all day? You serious?” He ran his thumb over her lower lip. “First of all, you do not do nothing all day. You run around taking care of everyone else. You’re down at the stables, helping with the horses or visiting people who aren’t feeling well or organizing stuff around here. Second of all, just because I might have wanted something different for our wedding at first doesn’t mean I do now.”
“You don’t?”
“No, baby girl.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I want you happy. This is what you want. And truth is, I like the idea of getting married at your aunt’s house with everyone around us.”
“Oh.” A weight lifted off her chest.
“Don’t like that you’ve been thinking you have to do it all because you’re worried this wasn’t what I wanted.” He gave her a stern look and she bit her lip. “Ellie, I do not want or expect you to do it all or run yourself ragged. So it stops now. Tomorrow, first thing you do after breakfast is write that list. We’ll go over it tomorrow evening.”
More of the weight lifted. “Okay.”
“Good, little girl. Also, Kent gave me an idea last night. A new Christmas tradition for us.”
She frowned. “What’s that?”
He grasped hold of her bottom with both of his hands. “I’m going to set you a task each day or sometimes I might leave you a little gift. Be like an advent calendar, only there’s no chocolate involved.”
“Oh. What sort of task? Like cleaning the cabin or something?”
He shook his head. “No, you already have this c
abin spotless. You don’t need to be doing any more cleaning. Some of these tasks will be for your Little, some will be for big Ellie.”
She still wasn’t sure what he meant but she found herself nodding, curious as to what exactly that meant.
“That’s my good girl. Now, lie yourself over my thigh. Let’s get this spanking done and then you can take a nap.”
“Daddy, I don’t need a spanking.”
“That’s what you say every time. Has it ever once worked to get you out of a spanking?” he asked in a deep voice.
She shook her head with a pout. Damn it.
He turned her, tipped her over his left thigh. Her legs were trapped between his so she couldn’t move them. His hand landed on her ass with a heavy thump. She jolted with a loud cry.
“Ow!”
Smack! Smack! Smack!
“Daddy!” she cried out. “It hurts!”
“It’s meant to, baby. Wouldn’t make much of an impression if it didn’t.”
Knowing he’d never stray from a path he set himself, especially when it came to her, there was no recourse for her but to lie over his leg as he paddled her bottom with his enormous hand. He very rarely used anything else. His hand made enough of an impact.
He spanked her until tears dripped down her face and she was sobbing. Then he drew her up into his arms, rocking her gently. He kissed her forehead, just holding her in his powerful arms until she calmed.
And when he slid her into bed with Jeremiah Bear there was a smile on her face.
Because Daddy loved her.
8
Charlie and Clint
Charlie climbed out of bed and stretched. She looked around her with a grin. She loved coming to the cabin. Even though Clint had cut down on a lot of his workload, he still had things to do when they were at the ranch and there were people in and out of the house all day long. Not that she’d have it any other way. She loved having so many people around when she’d felt lonely all her life. But still, having Clint to herself was special.
She grabbed her robe, wrapping it around her and slipped her feet into her froggy slippers. Even though Clint had lit the fire last evening when they’d arrived, the cabin still felt a bit chilly from being unused for so long.
A Montana Daddies Christmas Page 6