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Sadie bit her lip, her body shaking with laughter and her eyes watering, but no sound came out. Pippi wasn’t so lucky. Between the mess on the desk, the look on his face, and the nervous excitement at watching all of the pranks play out bubbled up, she started to giggle. She slapped her hand over her mouth, trying to muffle the sound, but it was no use. Once she started, Sadie also lost her battle and dissolved into laughter.
Master Derek sat silently, a look of amusement on his face even when it was obvious he was trying to hide it.
“Laugh it up, girls, because I can promise you won’t be laughing later. Why don’t you both find a corner to put your nose in while I get to the bottom of this madness.”
Pippi’s stomach tightened. Last time she was in the corner, she’d spiraled to a yucky place in her mind. Sadie groaned but turned to do as she was told, but Pippi couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Master Derek raised a brow at her as he cleaned the cake from his hand with a handkerchief. “Are you looking to compound your troubles, little lady?”
Pippi shook her head. “No, Sir, but… last time I was in the corner, it made me feel really yucky. I… I think it might be a hard limit for me right now.”
A huge smile spread across his face as he rounded the desk and closed the distance between them. “I am so, so proud of you for telling me that, darlin’. I know that wasn’t easy. Seeing you find your strength and reclaim your identity during this visit reminds me why I do this. May I give you a hug?”
Pippi was surprised at his genuine words. “Yes, Sir. Thank you.”
“I’m so proud of you,” he repeated as he pulled her into a full-body hug. “No corner for you, but you’re going to go sit on that couch right there and you’re not allowed to talk or get up unless I tell you to. If you feel like you’re starting to spiral, I want you to raise your hand and we will discuss it, okay?”
Erika knocked and poked her head in again. “Master Derek, the Dentens are here.”
“Oh dear,” Pippi groaned. The tight feeling in her tummy released into a kaleidoscope of fluttering butterflies. If they were here, then they must have discovered her prank. This was all about to get a whole lot worse.
“Let me guess, you pranked them too?”
Pippi nibbled her lip and nodded.
Master Derek smiled and gave her another squeeze. “I am so proud of you. It’s not going to save your little bottom though, so don’t get any ideas. Go to the couch like I said while I talk to the Dentens.”
Pippi hurried to the couch and sat on her hands. She was so freaking nervous.
“Let them come in, Erika, and can you please call Chef Connor and Angel and have them come to my office. My phone is out of commission at the moment.” He pointed to the mess of cake on his desk.
“Yes, Sir.” Erika giggled as she disappeared from view.
As the door opened and the Dentens walked in, Pippi felt like the air had been completely sucked out of the room. Her heart was pounding and she felt like she was going to throw up. She couldn’t bring herself to look at them, so she stared down at the carpet beneath her feet.
“Samuel, Catherine, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Master Derek asked.
“We’re looking for our naughty Little girl. Looks like we came to the right place,” Mr. Sam said.
Our Little girl? Did she hear that right? Was he claiming her even after she’d been so ridiculously naughty?
“You have indeed. Ms. Piper was caught this morning helping Sadie swap out the art around the Ranch.”
“Yes, we did notice the new decor on our way in this morning.”
Pippi could hear the laughter in Ms. Cat’s voice even though she wasn’t laughing outright.
“She’ll be lucky if I don’t make her recreate those photos starring her and Tops from around the Ranch.”
“That sounds like a devious and fitting punishment,” Mr. Sam said.
“Yes, I think so too. Maybe I’ll make her go through each one of those scenes.”
Pippi thought about what was on all the photos they’d hung up and she was so glad she wasn’t Sadie at that very moment.
“I’ve been informed by my naughty little wife that today is National Prank Day, and I have a feeling there are going to be many, many Little ones going to bed on their bellies tonight.”
“Rest assured that our Little girl will be among that crowd, but not until after she cleans up the mess she’s made,” Ms. Cat told Master Derek.
