To his relief she didn’t shy away from him as he slowly moved closer.
“Little darling, I need you to look at me. Eyes on me.”
She didn’t move. He slowly reached out a hand, not wanting to startle her. Buoyed by the fact that she hadn’t moved away, he gently touched her thigh.
That was when she started to scream. “No!” She threw her arms out, pushing his hand away then flung herself to the side, crawling along on her hands and feet.
“Shit!” he swore.
She ended up curled in a ball in the corner, rocking herself, her breath coming so fast he worried she might pass out.
Her terror ate at him and he glanced down in an effort to calm himself.
And that’s when he spotted the blood. Shit, no.
“Fuck, where is she bleeding?” Zeke said quietly. He hadn’t even heard the other man move up beside him.
“I don’t know. Call Doc. Tell him to bring a sedative.”
Zeke shot him a look but just nodded and backed slowly out of the room. He hated to have to do it, but if she was bleeding, they needed to get her calmed down and attended to.
“Little darling, I don’t know if you can hear me,” he told her in a low, soothing voice. “But I’m here now. I’m not going to let any harm come to you, understand?” As he spoke, he moved closer, managing to get with a few feet of her.
“You’re safe now, baby. Daddy won’t let anything happen to you.”
9
He watched her sleep.
She was beautiful. Her lips plump and rosy red, her eyelashes long and dark. She seemed even smaller when she was lying still like this. Doc had grumbled over how underweight and pale she was. After giving her a sedative, which Clint and Zeke had had to hold her down for him to administer, Doc had followed him as he’d carried her to his place. He’d stitched up her hand and bandaged it. He’d wanted to transport her to his clinic where he could watch over her.
Like hell. She was staying with him.
Possessiveness filled him. She was his. Even if he’d done a terrible job of looking after her.
Doc had left after giving him instructions for her care and demanding that he bring her to the clinic for a full check-up. Clint had just nodded. He wanted her to receive the best care. He didn’t think she’d had very much care in her life.
“No. No.” She thrashed her head back and forth on the pillow. “Don’t! Brian!”
He stilled. Who the fuck was Brian? She cried out. It was a sound filled with sorrow and hurt. His concern turned to anger. Had this Brian hurt her? If he had, Clint would kill the bastard.
Leaning forward in his chair, he cupped the side of her face. He needed to try and get some painkillers into her soon.
“Charlotte, it’s okay. You’re safe.”
She whimpered, her head thrashing from side to side. “Brian, no. Please.”
He stilled. What had this Brian done to her? He grabbed the bottle of painkillers, shaking out a couple into his hand.
“Charlotte, I need you to open your mouth and swallow these pills,” he told her sternly.
“No.” It was said in such a stubborn voice that he raised an eyebrow. She sounded like a naughty toddler who didn’t want to be put down for a nap.
He pressed the pills against her lips. She moved her head. “No!”
He sighed. Well, seemed like they were taking option two. She wasn’t going to be happy when she woke up and found out how he’d administered the medication, but he wanted her to get some pain-free rest. She was obviously exhausted. He was determined she wouldn’t get out of bed until she had some color in her cheeks.
This was his preferred way to give a little girl her medicine anyway. But he’d rather not do this when she was so out of it. He grimaced. But he would do what he needed to take care of her.
Charlotte was his. He no longer cared that he was her employer. It was obvious she needed him to step in. She needed his care now. And that was what she would receive.
Charlotte whimpered. “No. Please. I’ll be all alone.”
Her voice was high-pitched, childish. Lost. It pulled at his protective instincts.
“Hush, baby,” he said tenderly.
“Auntie, no!”
His eyebrows rose. What was she dreaming about now? She raised her arm as though to fend off a blow and his temper ignited. Had someone hurt her? Abused her? This aunt of hers? She cried out in pain from having moved her injured hand and he gently lowered the limb back to the bed.
“Easy, Charlotte.”
“Don’t. Don’t hurt me.”
Christ. She was killing him. He leaned in closer. “Daddy’s here, little darling. No one will hurt you while I’m here.”
To his shock, she immediately settled. That wasn’t what he was expecting.
“I’m sorry I can’t be what you want, Brian. That I’m not woman enough. I’ll try harder. I promise. I’ll stop daydreaming. I’ll try to socialize more. Please.”
Fuck. He’d had enough of this. He was about to tell her to forget all about Brian and her aunt when he stilled. She was so guarded when she was awake, could this be an opportunity to find out a bit more about her?
It would be a breach of trust. And privacy. But little girls shouldn’t keep anything from their daddies. However, she didn’t know yet that she was his. He would have to wait.
“Charlotte, Brian isn’t here. He can’t hurt you.”
“He left me. Like everyone else.”
He took a deep breath in, let it out. Her voice was so lost and lonely. Everyone left her?
Just like you have for the last week, asshole. Didn’t matter that he hadn’t known about her past. Or that they didn’t know each other well. He’d had a duty of care to her.
He’d failed her.
Yep. Asshole was too nice a word to describe him.
“Charlotte—” he started to say.
“You’re kicking me out? But I have nowhere to go!”
Fuck.
Tears ran down her cheeks. She was killing him. “You’re safe here. This is your home now. With me. On Sanctuary Ranch.”
He knew he was making some huge presumptions without talking to her first, but seeing her curled up in a ball, so helpless and scared had broken the last of his control.
“No. No. No.” She shook her head back and forth. Shit, she was getting herself all worked up. “Can’t let myself pretend this is home. This place is too good for me.”
Too good for her? What the hell?
“Have to be good. Work hard. Not create problems. Can’t lose this job. But he’ll fire me if he knows…” her voice trailed off.
Shit. He guessed the he was him. He’d fire her if he knew what? About her past? Or because she was taking food? He didn’t give a shit about the food. Stealing wasn’t good. However, something was off about all this. She seemed to be scared of losing this job, which didn’t gel with someone who would steal from the hand that was feeding her.
And even if she was stealing, he wasn’t going to force her to leave.
“You don’t have to go anywhere. You can stay here as long as you want. Make friends. Have a family. I promise you.” He brushed his fingers through her gorgeous hair.
She frowned slightly. “Can’t. Clint doesn’t like me.”
He froze. “What makes you say that?” It was so far from the truth it wasn’t even funny. He wanted to know where she’d gotten that outrageous idea.
“That kiss. It disgusted him. Avoiding me. Be lucky if he doesn’t tell me to leave. Got to do a good job. Can’t let them down. It’s what I always do. Fail people.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
He didn’t know how much she was taking in, but he hoped that at least on a subconscious level she could hear what he was about to say. “You could never disappoint or disgust me. It’s my fault I’ve been keeping a distance. I foolishly thought I was protecting myself. And you. But no more. From now on, you’ll see so much of me that I promise you’ll soon get sick of the sight
of me.”
She let out a pained noise. Time for some medicine.
He pulled back the covers, noting the way she shivered despite how warm the room was. After Doc left, he’d removed her shirt and bra and dressed her in one of his t-shirts. He wondered what sort of pajamas she preferred. Something with Disney princesses? Or cute animals? He’d have to find out.
He gently rolled her onto her side facing away from him. He stripped off her panties. Ellie was going to bring her over some clean ones once she’d gotten dinner under control. He threw them away. He’d pick them up later. Then he curled her legs up against her chest and pulled the shirt up over her bottom. He tried not to let his gaze linger on her gorgeous ass. He was meant to be taking care of her. Not ogling her.
That could come later. When he’d make certain she knew what he wanted. Then one of the first things he’d do was spread her wide and take in his full. He’d shave off the small patch of curls covering her pussy so he could see, touch, and taste everything. He had to take a deep breath. Later, Clint. She needs care, not you lusting after her.
He parted her white cheeks, taking a moment to stare at her puckered entrance. She made a protesting noise.
“Sh. This is for your own good, little darling. This is the way I usually give medicine. And take your temperature, which I’ll be doing regularly to ensure your good health.”
He knew many people wouldn’t understand his needs, but Clint hadn’t grown up caring what others think. This is why his great-great-grandfather had established this ranch. So that people who wanted a different sort of relationships could have a place to come and be accepted.
He grabbed the packet of suppository acetaminophen and pulled one out of its wrapping. Then he parted her cheeks again and pressed the small, white bullet into her bottom. He kept the tip of his finger against her hole in case she was inclined to push it back out as little girls were often inclined to do. But she let out a sigh and relaxed. He smiled and patted her hip.
“That’s a good little girl. You just rest and let Daddy take care of everything. From now on, you’re going to be well looked after. I can promise you that.”
There was a knock on the door. “One moment,” he called out quietly.
He rolled her onto her back and tucked the covers around her. She didn’t even make a murmur. He moved over to the door and opened it, stepping outside and closing it behind him so as not to disturb her. He needed a monitor for her.
“How is she?” Ellie asked worriedly. Bear stood behind her, looming over his petite girlfriend. They were complete opposites in so many ways yet completely suited to one another.
Bear held a bag in his hand.
“She’s still sleeping off the sedative. Her hand isn’t bad but she’s exhausted. I think she’s lost weight.”
Ellie bit at her lip worriedly.
“Hey, little one,” he said. “She’ll be all right now. I’m going to keep a close eye on her.”
“I don’t think she does so well on her own, Clint. And she’s really not good at asking for help. The other night she couldn’t light her fire and instead of calling me and Bear for help, she was just going to sleep in a cold cabin all night.”
What the hell?
“Luckily, we stopped by after dinner to check in with her and noticed how cold things were, aye, Bear?”
The big man nodded but he gave Clint a disapproving look. Yeah, he got it.
Clint sighed. “I’ve messed up. I should have been keeping a closer eye on her. I should have known something was going on. I definitely will be from now on. She’s my responsibility not yours.”
“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say you were wrong.” Ellie gaped at him in shock. “She’s not a responsibility to me. She’s my friend. I really like her. I don’t think she’s had an easy life and she finds it hard to trust in people. I just want to make sure you’re not going to be too hard on her.”
He frowned, unsure of what she meant. “What do you mean, too hard on her?”
“I’m sure she wasn’t stealing from you,” Ellie said in an almost desperate voice. She started to wring her hands together. “I’m sure she had her reasons for hiding all that food…” her voice trailed off as Bear wrapped an arm around her, pulling her back against his side. The big man sent him a look, telling him he better step in and stop Ellie from worrying.
“You found food in her room?”
Ellie chewed on her lower lip. “Yes, and I think it came from the kitchen. I’m sure she had a good reason—”
“Ellie, I’m not worried about the food. What did you find?”
“I didn’t mean to pry or anything, but her bed wasn’t made and I know what a neat-freak she is so I thought I would change the sheets for her. I banged my toe against one of the cans.”
“How much is there?” he asked with a frown. What the hell was going on?
Bear set the bag down then reached up and pulled Ellie’s lip free of her teeth, rubbing his finger along it. “About fifteen cans of fruit and beans. Some bags of rice. Non-perishable stuff.”
“I’m sure she has a good explanation, Clint,” Ellie told him. “You won’t fire her, will you? I’ll pay for it all.”
He let out an exasperated noise. “I’m not going to fire her, Ellie. And you’re not paying for anything. I just wish I could figure out why.”
“My aunt and uncle used to foster kids,” Bear said suddenly.
Clint wasn’t annoyed by what seemed to be a change in topic. When Bear said something, he usually had a point.
“One of the kids, boy named Mason, used to hide food under his bed. Used to drive my aunt nuts, though she never got mad at him. She always made sure there was plenty of food for him to eat at mealtimes and snacks in between. Used to always tell him that he could snack whenever he wanted. After a few months, he slowly stopped hoarding.”
“Did they ever find out why he did it?”
“Yeah. His mother was a druggie. Always forgot to do the grocery shopping. He got fed at school, but there was often nothing when he got home. Every so often, she’d get her act together and buy some food. But not that often. He was skinny as a rake when he came to live with my aunt and uncle.”
“So even though he moved in with your aunt and uncle, where there was plenty of food, he still worried it might disappear?” Ellie asked.
Bear shrugged. “Yeah. He learned early on that to survive that’s what he had to do.”
Was that it? Had her childhood been similar to this Mason’s? He wondered how long she’d been doing this. His gut churned at the thought of her as a child, of her not having enough to eat.
“It doesn’t seem like she’s been eating any of it.”
“I feel so terrible that I didn’t realize there was something like this going on,” Ellie said sadly.
Bear hugged her against him.
Clint reached out and tipped up her chin, staring down into her eyes. “Hey, now, it’s not your fault. Understand me? If anyone is at fault, it’s me for not looking after her properly. But that’s all changed now. I can assure you that I’m going to take care of her from now on.”
Relief filled her face.
“I’ll talk to her about this hoarding stuff when she feels better and I have no intention of firing her over it. All right?”
She nodded. “And will you talk to Allan, too? Because I don’t think he’s being very nice to her.”
“Yes, I plan to,” he said in a dark voice. Obviously, Ellie didn’t know everything that had happened earlier. “Now, I get why Charlotte didn’t come to me about her problems, she doesn’t trust me.” Yet. “But you know you could have come and talked to me if she was having trouble with Allan, don’t you?”
Ellie looked guilty. He wasn’t truly upset with her. But she needed to know she could come to him about things.
“We’ll be having a talk about that later,” Bear said in his deep voice.
Ellie’s cheeks flushed red and she glanced up at Bear. �
�I’m sorry.”
Bear snorted. “Well, that’s good. We’re still going to have a talk. Keeping things from me isn’t allowed, is it?”
“No, Daddy. Sorry, Clint.”
“That’s all right,” he soothed, knowing she had to be rattled if she was calling Bear Daddy in front of him. “I just hope I can get Charlotte to open up to me about what’s going on. Thanks for bringing her stuff. I’ll let you know when she’s ready for visitors.”
Bear nodded. “You know she’s welcome to come stay with us. Ellie and I will take care of her.”
He scowled. What the hell? “You don’t have room for her.”
“We’ll make room.”
Ellie looked back and forth between the two men.
“I’m her guardian. Charlotte stays with me.”
“Is that the only reason you’re taking care of her? Because you’re her guardian? Because I know a dozen men who’d gladly take that job.”
What. The. Fuck.
“I am her guardian. She stays with me. Period.” He turned to the door, and reached out to grab the handle before turning back. “And no, that’s not the only reason I’m taking care of her.”
He stepped back into the room and closed the door softly behind him, but not before he saw the shit-eating grin on Bear’s face.
Asshole.
10
She woke up completely disoriented. And feeling like absolute crap. Her mouth was dry. Her head was thumping and she had the energy of a drained noodle. If it wasn’t for the pressing need to pee, she thought she might just lie here for oh, at least a month.
This bed was heaven. The pillow was thick and molded to her head. The cover was obviously feather and sort of floated around her.
Only thing was this wasn’t her bed. Where was she? And why? She pushed at the covers, letting out a small moan as her right hand protested the movement. She stared down at her hand in confusion. What had happened? She tried hard to think, but it was like her memories were stuck behind a wall of fog. She had a vague recollection of someone yelling. But she wasn’t sure who. And when she pushed herself to remember her head ached even more. Why did she feel like she’d been hit by a truck?
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