Page 36 of Soothing Little Sylmen

Tomorrow morning, 10 a.m. Central time. I’ll be on the phone, as will my partner and Miss Connie, Sylmen’s aunt. There are a lot of people you have to speak with before this goes any further.

Gael

I understand and I look forward to it.

Powering my phone down, I settled into relaxing with my boy. The conversation would be a little strained. At least I thought so based on that text reply.

But it was necessary. If Blaze cared about Sylmen’s desires in any way, he would happily agree to letting me come back. Maybe even just on a trial basis so he could be sure of my intentions. I thought to myself that I would keep that in my back pocket. A trial run so to speak, even though I never intended to leave Sylmen.

My boy needed me, and I needed him.

Not even Blaze Anders could keep us apart.

Chapter Seventeen

Sylmen

I was obsessed with Daddy.

I could never have pictured finding someone so utterly perfect for me when I’d come to Rawhide Ranch. Ralphie had told me the place was magical, that people met and fell in love, that it could be just what I needed. And yet I had questioned it because it seemed so out of reach.

Now here I was with a Daddy who went above and beyond to make sure I had everything I needed.

When he’d snuggled with me last night after taking me to visit Zack and then to dinner, I’d relaxed, sinking deep into my regression without a care in the world. He texted someone on his phone, but I didn’t pay him any mind because I was too content, my thoughts focused on what he was giving me: comfort, joy, peace.

The next morning Daddy was already waiting for me, a smile on his face as he held up a fresh diaper and a sippy cup of juice. In no time he had me changed and set up with toys on the floor. The carpet was comfortable, giving me the space to spread out everything. Playing felt different from what I was used to, but I didn’t mind. I couldn’t be a baby all the time.

Well, technically I could—but right then I didn’t want to. It was nice to focus on playing while Daddy went around the room cleaning up and keeping busy.

I didn’t think anything of it until he squatted down across from me. His eyes were worried, the pronounced dip of his brow letting me know he didn’t have easy news to share.

“Sweet boy,” he said, “I wanted to let you know that I texted Blaze yesterday to talk with him about me coming to the ranch.”

My jaw dropped. He’d already messaged Blaze? I couldn’t believe it. Sure, he was my Daddy and always thinking ahead, but I figured I would have to take care of something like that myself. To know I wouldn’t have to was a relief.

Daddy reached over, putting his finger under my chin to close my mouth. “I wanted you to be able to relax, not worry about Blaze or the ranch or anything else. When I texted him, he said he wanted to talk on the phone with me today. That call is coming up shortly, so I wanted to make sure that you knew who I was talking to and why. You don’t have to be Big for this. Daddy has handled it. I only wanted you to know.”

I bit my lip as I pondered over how it made me feel. While there was shock, I was also happy. If Daddy could take control and make sure Blaze was on board, then I didn’t have to try to negotiate anything myself. Daddy was smart. He knew what to do for everything.

Nodding my head, I opened my arms so he could hug me since it looked like he needed it. Daddy dropped down until his knees hit the floor, then pulled me up into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist, my arms around his neck as he squeezed me tightly, supporting me so I wouldn’t fall.

“Oh, baby, I adore you. Everything will be okay. Don’t worry.”

I rubbed my nose against his neck, letting him know I understood and that I was fine with him taking over. After a moment he eased me back down so I could play, then stepped away. I got lost in my toys again, not wanting to be impatient or too focused on Daddy.

It wasn’t until I heard ringing that I perked up to listen. Daddy must be using speakerphone. Blaze’s voice echoed around us once the call connected.

“Gael,” my boss and friend said, his voice holding a note of curiosity.

“Hello, Blaze. I have you on speakerphone so Sylmen can hear if he needs to. Right now, he is playing so he may not be paying attention, but I refuse to keep secrets from him.”

Blaze hummed, and I knew from the sound he was happy to hear this conversation wasn’t a secret. I also wondered if he was picking up on what Daddy hadn’t said outright—that I was playing with toys, which wasn’t something I did at Anders Ranch. Then again, I had told him I was coming to Rawhide. There was no doubt in my mind that he had looked the place up, that he knew what it was truly about. Blaze was protective that way. He wasn’t going to let me go somewhere that might hurt me. He wasn’t going to risk me being in a situation he didn’t understand. We were family on the ranch.

Blaze’s voice cut through my thoughts. “I’ve got Connie and Robin with me. Robin is my partner. Ms. Connie is Sylmen’s aunt.”

“You better be taking care of that sweet boy.” My aunt’s voice rang out in the room before anyone else could speak.

“I sure am, ma’am,” Daddy said warmly. “He is one very happy boy. I’m honored to get to be here with him and that he’s giving me a chance to prove that I can be the support he needs.”