Mallory thought about his question but one look in Payne’s direction had her sigh and then whisper, “Both, I think. I don’t want to disappoint anyone.”
“I know putting yourself out there is difficult, but do you think I would have shared your work with anyone if I didn’t think you were an amazing artist?”
One of the boulders in Mallory’s stomach crumbled away as she said, “No, I guess not.”
“And do you think Sadie and Reece would be this excited about putting the show together if they didn’t think your work was beautiful and needed to be shared with the world?”
“No, Sir,” she whispered as another boulder melted away.
“And do you think Reece would want to make your pictures of her animal friends into a coloring book if she thought they were ugly?”
“No, Sir.”
“And do you actually think Payne, a fellow artist and animal lover, would keep encouraging you to share your talent with everyone if he didn’t honestly consider you to be incredibly talented?”
One look in Payne’s direction and seeing one hand planted on his cocked hip while he waggled that same finger like he’d done that day at the barn, had her sighing again. “Well, no, but?—”
“No buts,” Fletcher cut her off before she could start arguing again. “You are an artist with an amazing way of seeing and drawing the world around you. I’ll bet you a million dollars that every one of your paintings sells before the evening of the show is over.”
His confidence had her pulling back to look into his face. Though he was smiling, she could see how serious he was reflected in his eyes. “But I don’t have a million dollars to bet with.”
“If they don’t all sell and you win the bet, you will owe me one Mallory Blackstone original painting. And I get to choose the subject.”
She blinked again before nodding and holding out her hand. “It’s a bet. But you aren’t allowed to buy anything in order to win the wager.”
Fletcher chuckled and wrapped his hand around hers, shaking it up and down three times. “It’s a bet. Now, are you ladies and gent done with your planning? Or should I ask Chef Connor to make some box lunches so you don’t get in trouble with your Daddies for missing lunch?”
“No need to do that, Fletcher,” Master Derek said, stepping into the room. “They’ve worked enough today and can get together tomorrow morning to finish up if they need to.”
“But, Daddy,” Sadie started to argue, swallowing back whatever else she was planning to say when he turned and looked at her. “Yep, tomorrow’s fine. In fact it’s perfect. No problem at all. We’re done for today.”
Mallory did not argue when Fletcher turned them to the doorway. As they left the room, she paused and turned back to look at the team. “Thank you for all the work you’re putting into this. I’ll try to be more positive from now on.”
“You’re very welcome,” they said in unison as they waved. “We’ll let you know if we need to meet again tomorrow.
Instead of heading to the cafeteria or one of the restaurants for lunch, Fletcher guided his sweet but insecure rope bunny out the front door and down the stairs to where his car waited.
“Where are we going?” Mallory asked as he helped her into the passenger’s seat.
“We’re going into town,” he said, wrapping the safety belt around her and hooking it securely.
He had her identification in his pocket in case she needed it but had left the rest of her wallet in their room so she wouldn’t be tempted to argue about spending money. It might be an underhanded way of doing things, but Fletcher didn’t care. Sometimes a Dominant had to be sneaky to get his way without punishing his subbie for wanting to make things even.
Life wasn’t about balance or making things even all the time. Life was about loving and giving what you could and, for Fletcher, it meant buying his rope bunny a new dress for her big night and whatever else she might need to make the transition from a Rawhide Ranch service submissive to beinghiswoman, submissive, and rope bunny as they built their future together.
He parked in front of the diner and turned off the engine.
“Lunch at the diner?” she looked at him, confused but trying not to show any fear.
“Lunch at the diner followed by shopping for a new outfit for your show and some new art supplies to play with,” Fletcher said, releasing his seatbelt.
He was impressed when she remained seated and waited for him to come around and help her from the car. He laced their fingers together before looking around the small town. “Eat or shopping first?”
A loud rumbling from Mallory’s stomach answered before she could say anything.
“Eat first it is,” he said with a chuckle, guiding her to the diner’s front door.
Chapter Twenty-Two
