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But she was worried that Dominic would get bored of admin work. He seemed a more hands-on man.
However, she couldn’t spend much time worrying about it right now without making her head hurt.
“Good. Hope you don’t mind, but Ellie unpacked your stuff, Gwen. We’re all really happy to have you here. Got to go.” He walked out, shutting the door behind him.
“Bear is usually a man of few words,” Dominic told her. “But they’re good people.”
“They seem really nice.”
“Let’s get you settled. I can tell you’re tired and sore. Even if you weren’t going to say anything.”
She winced at the light scolding. “Sorry. It is going to take some getting used to.”
“I hate that you’re not used to people looking after you. At the same time, I’m glad I get to show you what you deserve.”
He carried her into the bedroom and settled her on the bed. “Let’s find you some pajamas.”
Turning, he moved toward a set of drawers.
She whimpered.
Whirling back, he stared down at her. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Can I just have one of your T-shirts, Daddy? Unless you think I’ll stretch it.”
“Wouldn’t care if you did, Shortcake. But you won’t.” He carefully stripped her off and she didn’t have it in her to care that he saw her naked.
She was far beyond that.
After helping her put on one of his T-shirts on her, he tucked her into bed, then he sat facing her. Brushing back her hair, he gave her a tender look. “You should know that even though you’re unwell and can’t be punished, I am going to keep track of all your naughtiness. And there will be a reckoning. It might have to go on for a few nights considering how naughty you are.”
“I’s not naughty, Daddy.”
Whoa. Where had that come from? She could feel her cheeks heating, but the way he looked down at her wiped away her embarrassment.
He seemed so happy. Satisfied. Proud.
Of her?
Seemed such a small, silly thing. But she could feel her tension lifting.
“I’s a good girl.”
“Course you are.” He kissed her lightly. “But you can be a good girl and still be naughty sometimes. It’s okay. Us Daddies know how to deal with naughty Little girls. Now, I should have asked before putting you in the bed, but do you need to go potty?”
“Daddy! It’s a toilet, not a potty.”
“Hmm, I could get an actual potty if that would make it better. Might be easier with a sick Little girl to take care of.”
“I do not need a potty! I can go to the toilet. I’m a big girl.”
“No, you’re not. You’re Daddy’s Little girl. Now, potty?”
“Not at the moment, Daddy.”
“You’ll tell me if that changes. Sounds like the Littles on the ranch have put you together a care package.”
“That’s so nice of them. They don’t even know me.”
“That doesn’t matter to people around here. We’re a family. If I was away, both Kent and Clint would check in on you to make sure you were okay. And so would all the Littles, probably. We take care of each other out here.”
It sounded so amazing. And yet totally foreign to her.
“I know this might all take some getting used to, but all you have to concentrate on right now is getting better, all right? I’ll go get your gift in a moment. But I also got Kent to get me a few things to help take care of you. Doc was meant to come by to check on you, however he finally succumbed to the stomach flu. He was the last man standing. Apparently, everyone was about to murder him.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Ahh, well, his bedside manner leaves a bit to be desired. He’s a grumpy ass. I don’t know how Caley puts up with him sometimes. I think she locks herself away in her office and writes.”
“She’s a writer?”
“Uh-huh, she writes under the name CJ Bennett.”
“Oh my God! I love her work so much. She lives here?”
“She sure does.”
“I miss reading my books. Did my Kindle get unpacked? And where is my phone?”
“That’s part of what I need to talk to you about. There’s no screen time for you.”
“What? I have to check my texts and emails.”
“No, you don’t. If there’s anything urgent, I can read them for you, but I won’t do that without your permission. However, you will not be reading any screens. It’s on your list of don’ts from Xavier.”
“That’s . . . that’s . . . I . . . for how long?”
“Until Doc or Xavier say otherwise. And I will be watching you closely. So don’t think you can sneak onto them. Too much time on screens can give you a headache after a concussion.”
Drat. How did he know she’d been thinking that?
“But since you can’t read, I guess I could get hold of a couple of Caley’s books to read to you.”
