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“No doubt because you pushed yourself too hard.”
As he spoke, Patti felt the sadness she’d been experiencing change into a spike of pure anger. He didn’t know her. He didn’t know what she’d been through. It was so unfair that he got to remind her of the most embarrassing moment of her life, the moment when everything had changed, when her self-confidence had shriveled up and vanished. She should tell him, let him know that she’d made and lost more money in her brief career than he’d most likely ever make in his whole life! She should put him in his place…
But of course, she didn’t.
Instead, she raised her voice to ask, “Why are you being somean?!“ before stomping out of the veterinary surgery. She had no plans to come back. Ever.
Like so much else in her short life, she’d been wrong about Trent. She was in desperate need of some comfort, and she knew exactly where to find it.
CHAPTER FOUR
Thesweetscentofbaby powder filled the air as Patti sat on a soft and pillowy play mat in Nanny Clara’s nursery. Surrounded by her friends Millie and Anita, she couldn’t help but feel comforted by the familiar surroundings. She clutched a stuffed bunny to her chest, its fuzzy texture providing some semblance of solace.
She’d spent hours in here since joining the staff at Littlcreek Ranch—far more time than any of her friends. But Patti had the feeling that of all them, she needed time in Littlespace most urgently.
Since yesterday’s difficult interaction with Trent, the only thing that had been keeping her going was knowing that there would be snuggles and play in the nursery, in a space where no-one would ever make her small.
Well. Not in a bad way, at least.
“Alright, my dears,” Nanny Clara said with a warm smile, “I’m going to leave you three for a moment. We have a new group of guests coming by any moment, and I need to do an induction for them. Can I count on the three of you to behave impeccably while I show them around?”
“Improperly?” Millie said, in her fancy British accent.
“Miss Reynolds, you know precisely what I said.” Nanny Clara gave an impish smile. She did a wonderful job of balancing discipline with fun. She knew when to be strict and when to relax. All the Littles loved her because she understood their nature. She didn’t punish anyone for being themselves. “Now be good, and I’ll be around shortly.”
“Thanks, Nanny,” Patti murmured, watching the kind woman leave the room before turning to her friends. “So, what do y’all want to play next?”
Millie and Anita looked at each other but didn’t reply.
“Well?” Patti said.
Anita pursed her lips. “Patti,” she said, “what’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” Patti said quickly. “Why?”
Millie touched her arm softly. “We know something’s wrong, love. You’ve been mega-distracted this morning.”
“Have I?”
Anita gently said, “Yeah, you have. Earlier, you dipped your paintbrush into your tea instead of the paint.”
Patti laughed lightly, the sound hollow and a touch too sharp. “Did I? Well, I’ve always struggled to perfectly recreate the color of fresh-brewed tea.” Her gaze drifted off towards the window, a faraway look clouding her usually bright eyes. Her hands moved unconsciously, fiddling with a stray thread on her t-shirt.
“You also called Nanny Clara, NannyBarbara.”
“I didn’t.”
“Three times,” Millie clarified.
Patti sighed. It was no use, of course. She looked down, feeling embarrassed that she was caught in such a vulnerable position. She wanted to deny it, but deep down she knew they were right. She took a deep breath and began to explain what had happened between her and Trent.
She explained it all: the problems with Lulu and the other animals, her chat with Trent over dinner, and the cruel way he’d rejected her yesterday.
“I think I’ve just been so worried about the animals and their strange sickness.”
“And Trent,” Anita said knowingly, adjusting her glasses with a concerned look in her eyes. “What exactly is going on between you two? You seem awfully invested in his troubles.”
Millie nodded in agreement. “It’s obvious, Patti. You’re deeply attracted to him, aren’t you?”
