Daddy's Little Cowgirl Read online

  She didn’t want to upset or disappoint him.

  “No lies, remember?”

  “Sorry,” she murmured. She moved her gaze to his, then away.

  He gently grasped hold of her chin and turned her face so she had no choice but to look at him. “You can tell me anything, sweet pea. I hope you know that. What’s going on? There’s been something on your mind for a while now. Are you missing home? It’s okay if you are. You can tell me; I won’t be upset.”

  She reached out and cupped his face with her hand. His beard had grown a bit longer. It suited him.

  “I’m not homesick,” she reassured him. “I love it here. The people on this ranch are so friendly. And it’s beautiful. Most importantly, you’re here.”

  He turned his face and kissed her palm. “So what is it? If you don’t like something about the cabin you can change it.”

  “No, the cabin is perfect.” It wasn’t large like Penny’s house but she adored it. Two bedrooms, an open-plan living room and kitchen with a huge fireplace. The log cabin was the stuff of dreams to her. And Macca had turned the second bedroom into a playroom for her Little.

  “Then what is it, sweet pea?” He placed his hands on his hips and she knew he wasn’t going to be patient for much longer.

  “I just. . .I worry that I don’t contribute anything to the finances,” she blurted out. “I don’t have any money. I can’t help with the bills or pay you back for the clothes you bought me or even buy you a gift.”

  He frowned.

  “Not that I’m not grateful for everything you’ve gotten for me,” she said quickly. She was worried he’d think she didn’t appreciate it all. She did. “I’m just worried you’ll get sick of paying for everything. If I could get a job, I would—”

  “Okay, stop, baby. Stop.” He lightly pressed a finger to her lips. “This is my fault.”

  She wrinkled her forehead. “What is?”

  “You worrying about this. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this. I could tell you that I will always take care of you and I don’t in any way resent supporting you. In fact, I like it.” He pressed a hand to the back of his head. “However, as much as I might enjoy taking care of you in all ways, I don’t want you to feel like you have to ask me for money to buy things you might want or that you’re dependent on me for everything.”

  He looked away. “I don’t ever want you to feel like you’re trapped with me because of money.”

  She knew he was thinking about his mother. How she’d moved from the US to Australia to be with his father then found herself stuck with an abusive asshole. When she’d finally managed to leave, Penny had helped her financially.

  “I would never feel trapped with you,” she said quickly. She reached over and grabbed his hand. “Never.”

  He turned back to face her.

  “You are not your father,” she told him fiercely.

  “I’d never want to be that man. Even though I would never hurt you, I still don’t want you to ever feel that you had to stay with me because you didn’t have the financial means to leave.”

  “I wouldn’t. . .Macca, that’s not why I said it.” Shoot. She’d mucked this up. “I was worried you’d get sick of paying for everything, not that I would ever feel stuck here with you. That won’t ever happen.”

  He leaned in and kissed her gently. “I know that’s not why you said anything. But it’s still something I should have thought of.” He rubbed his chin. “I’m going to set up a bank account for you and deposit money in it each week.”

  She shook her head. “Nope. No way. I don’t want more of your money.”

  This conversation wasn’t going how she wanted at all.

  “But then you’ll have your own money and you won’t have to ask me for things. It’s something I should have done as soon as we arrived. I was just too busy showing you off.”

  She blushed at the idea of him showing her off.

  “I don’t want your money, Macca. I won’t use it.”

  He gave her a stern look but she wasn’t budging on this. “You won’t use it?”

  “Nope.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m putting my foot down about this.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Your foot down?”

  “Uh-huh. Do not open that account for me. It will be a waste of time.”

  He studied her then he sighed. “All right.”

  She blinked. Okay. That was easy. Not that she wasn’t grateful, the last thing she wanted to do was argue with him. But it was unexpected. “All right? You agree?”

  “Yep. But there’s only one other alternative.”

  “Me finding a job? I can try but I’ll have to get paid under the table.” Then there was the whole getting to work part. Driving on the other side of the road with different rules. Yeah, she wasn’t looking forward to that. She didn’t have her Australian driver’s license, even though she could drive.

  “You’ll need to sell me half of Nan’s house.”

  Her mouth dropped open. Sell him half the house? She couldn’t do that, could she? The house should be his anyway. She still couldn’t believe that Penny had left her the house when she’d died.

  “I’ll give you the house,” she told him. “Not sure how it will work—”

  He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Gigi, you’re not giving me the house. Nan wanted you to have it. It’s yours. But you’re letting my cousin live there rent-free when you could be earning an income from that. Or you could have sold it.”

  “I don’t want to sell it.” That just felt wrong. That house was the first place she’d ever truly felt safe. Penny had taken her in, given her somewhere to live, she’d been more than a friend. She’d loved her. She wouldn’t sell her house. It was part of her.

  “Then will you consider letting me buy half. Or let me pay you some rent on Everly’s behalf.”

  “No way,” she said quickly. That was just the same as letting him open an account for her with his money.

  “Yeah, I didn’t think you’d go for that one,” he replied dryly. “Think about it, all right?”

  The idea did have some merit. Then he’d own part of Penny’s house. And he could be certain that she wouldn’t sell it. Not that she would. But it would give him some security. She didn’t want to take his money, though.

  “Could I decide the price?” She could make it something ridiculously low.

  “No,” he replied sternly. “It will be a fair market price and you will take what the market decides.”

  She chewed at her lip. “But you’ll let me start paying for half the bills.”

  “Baby, there’s barely any expenses living here. The cabin is provided as part of my job. All I pay for is a bit of food and cable.”

  “But you’ll let me pay my share? If I sell you half the house?”

  He sighed. “Gigi, you moved half-way around the world for me. I like taking care of you. You can’t work, and to be honest I’d be worried about you if you were working off the ranch. Especially when I wasn’t around to make certain you don’t get overtired or stressed. I know it sounds selfish, but when I’m working, I like knowing you’ll be safe here with people watching over you.”

  He didn’t need to be worrying about her while he was away working. She got it.

  “I don’t want you to worry. And I’m not really in any hurry to leave the ranch, particularly if I have to drive.” She grimaced.

  “We do need to teach you to drive. You might eventually want to go places. Although there’s usually someone coming and going who can take you. I’d rather you focus on adapting to life here and on your health and on me than worry about money. Let me take care of you and keep your money for yourself.”

  She sighed.

  “I’m sure if the roles were reversed, you’d look after me.”

  That was true. She also figured she could get in the occasional grocery shop when he was away. And she’d use her own money to pay for her clothes and things.

  “All right,” she t
old him.

  “All right you’ll stop worrying about money and paying your half?”

  “Yes, but if I want to buy the groceries or pay for something for the cabin you won’t protest.”

  His gaze narrowed. “You drive a hard bargain. But all right. And I’ll buy half the house for a fair market price.”

  “Twenty percent below fair market price.”

  “No deal,” he said firmly. “Fair market price. My cousin lives there for free.”

  “She pays insurance, rates and upkeep. I wouldn’t say that’s for free.”

  “Fair market price.”

  “Fine,” she huffed out. “You’re a stubborn man.”

  “Yes, I am. But I’m your stubborn man. Now, can I show you your present?”

  “Ooh, I forgot about that.”

  He held out his hand to her. She slipped her smaller hand into his. He tugged and she fell against him. Hugging her tight, he kissed the top of her head. “I love you, baby girl. Thank you for coming to live with me.”

  “You don’t ever have to thank me for that.” She closed her eyes tight, pushing back the tears. They weren’t sad tears; no, these were tears of happiness. Still, she didn’t want him to see them and misinterpret their meaning.

  He led her to her playroom. Opening the door, he stepped inside, drawing her with him.

  She loved this room. Before they’d even arrived in Montana, he’d hired someone to come in and redecorate so it was all ready for when they got here. A large mural had been painted on one wall. It was of a big gum tree with a pair of koalas in it, one sleeping, another munching on eucalyptus leaves. Underneath the tree, a kookaburra sat on the back of a really fat wombat with the cutest face. She loved wombats.

  Across the other side of the room there was a desk that was set up with crayons and a pile of coloring books. Then in the corner there was an oversized, dark-blue bean bag. Next to it was a white bookshelf filled with children’s books. In the opposite corner there was a large round rug on the floor and a chest filled with toys.

  It was perfect. Even though Macca kept telling her they needed more toys to fill it. She turned her head, and spotted something sitting to her left against the wall where the mural was painted. Something quite large and hidden under a blue sheet.

  “Is that it, Daddy?” she asked, yanking at his hand excitedly. If the present was in here, then it was obviously for her Little.

  “Yep.”

  He led her over and let go of her hand. He grabbed hold of the sheet. “You ready, baby girl?”

  She bounced up and down onto the balls of her feet. “I’m ready! I’m ready!”

  He whipped off the sheet and she could scarcely believe her eyes.

  “Well? What do you think? Do you like it?”

  “Like it? Like it? I love it!” She raced forward and ran her hand over the wooden rocking horse. It was gorgeous. Light brown with a darker mane. It had reins, a black saddle, complete with stirrups for your feet. The saddle was padded and smooth.

  “Daddy, I don’t think I’ve ever seen something more beautiful.”

  “I know how much you like watching the horses, so I thought I would get you one of your own. Well, a wooden one.”

  “Where did you even find it?” It was bigger than a normal rocking horse. So tall that she’d almost struggle to climb onto it. So definitely not a rocking horse made for a child.

  “I know someone who makes furniture for Littles and I asked him if he could make you one. Surprisingly, he already had this one made. Apparently, he’s had a few enquiries about rocking horses for Littles.”

  “Oh, I love it.”

  “Want to hop on?”

  “Yes, please, Daddy.”

  He lifted her on, and helped her fit her feet into the stirrups. She picked up the reins.

  “How do I look, Daddy?”

  “Hmm, do you know what? I think you’re missing something.” He moved over to the chest and opened it.

  Her mouth dropped when she saw what he pulled out. She squealed. “You didn’t!”

  He laughed. “I didn’t? I didn’t what?”

  “You didn’t get me sparkly cowgirl boots.”

  “Hmm, well if I didn’t buy them for you, then I wonder who I bought them for,” he teased. “Don’t think they’re quite my size.”

  “Daddy, stop teasing.”

  He grinned and walked closer, holding them out to her. She grabbed hold, clasping them to her chest. “I loves them. I’m gonna wear them everywhere.”

  “I’m glad you like them, sweet pea. Let’s put them on, yeah? Every cowgirl needs cowgirl boots.”

  “Sparkly cowgirl boots.” The sparkly part was important. They were tan-colored with white, blue and yellow rhinestones stuck along the sides in a pattern of interlocking circles. They were absolutely gorgeous. He helped her put them on then stood back as she beamed at him.

  “Now, you definitely look the part.”

  “Yee-haw! Go horsie, go!” She let out a laugh of pure joy as the horse rocked back and forth. It took some getting used to. She hadn’t ridden a rocking horse in years. And the only one she’d been on had been at her neighbor’s house. She’d never had one of her own. But she soon got used to the motion.

  “What are you going to name your horse, sweet pea?” Macca asked, watching on indulgently.

  Hmm. What to name her horse? It had to be something regal. Something befitting such a fine steed.

  “Princess Peaches,” she told him proudly.

  Macca laughed. “Princess Peaches is perfect.”

  “Sweet pea, you are not wearing your boots to bed,” Macca told her as she stood next to the bed, dressed in her striped pink and white pajamas with the bottoms tucked into her boots.

  “I don’t want to take them off,” she moaned.

  Macca pointed at the bed. “Sit down and I’ll help you take them off. They can sit right next to the bed and you can put them on as soon as you wake up. But you are not wearing them to bed.”

  Her bottom lip dropped out. “That’s not fair.”

  “Boots are not worn in bed.”

  “But these aren’t just any boots, they’re special cowgirl boots.” She’d ridden her rocking horse until she’d felt ill with all the motion. Then Macca had made her get off and play something quieter for a while. So she’d done some coloring until dinner time.

  But she hadn’t taken her boots off once since he’d given them to her.

  “Little girl, I’m not going to tell you again,” he said in a stern voice.

  She sighed heavily and sat on the bed. “Fine. But I want them to sit on the bedside table so I can see them.”

  “They’ll stay on the floor by the bed and that’s final. Any more arguments and I won’t be taking you on a picnic tomorrow.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “A picnic? We’re going on a picnic?”

  “We will be if someone’s attitude doesn’t result in her going over her Daddy’s knee to get her bottom warmed and spending tomorrow writing lines about listening to Daddy when he tells her something.”

  “Sorry, Daddy,” she said quickly. He tugged off her boots. She did watch carefully to make sure he set them by the bed like he said he would.

  “We’re really going on a picnic?” she asked as he pulled back the covers.

  “We are.”

  “Where? What are we taking to eat? Are we driving there?”

  “Well, I thought we might ride to this nice spot I know of.”

  Her eyes widened. “Ride there? Like on a horse?”

  “Yes, baby girl, on a horse.”

  “A real horse?”

  “Well, I don’t think we’d get very far on Princess Peaches.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Daddy!”

  “What do you think? Does that sound like fun?”

  She nodded. “Oh yes. I’ve never been on a picnic! Do you need me to make anything to take with us?”

  “You. . .you’ve never been on a picnic?” He gaped at her and she
squirmed a little.

  “Umm, no. Unless eating lunch in the park counts?”

  He frowned and muttered something under his breath. Then he shook his head. “Well, I guess it’s going to be a day of firsts for you. First time on a horse. And first picnic.”

  “Tomorrow isn’t my first time on a horse, Daddy.”

  He looked puzzled. “But—”

  “I just spent all afternoon riding Princess Peaches. I’m a skilled rider now.”

  He grinned. “You are. But just in case, I’ll put you on a nice, quiet mare that will follow mine, all right?”

  She sighed. “Well, if it will make you feel better, Daddy. . .”

  “It will.”

  “I guess so. But don’t be shocked when my horse-riding skills show you up.”

  “I’ll attempt not to be jealous,” he promised her. Kissing her lightly on the head. “Go to sleep. You’ll need all your energy for tomorrow.”

  3

  “Cowboys are the sexiest thing ever.”

  A chuckle startled her and she gasped, turning. A large man stood behind her, dressed in a flannel shirt, dark blue jeans and scuffed, worn cowboy boots. A brown hat rested on his head, shielding his face from the sun.

  Not that the sun held much heat, or at least she didn’t think so. Certainly, it had nothing on Queensland sunshine. If this was autumn in Montana, she was in trouble when it got to winter. It sure was pretty though. In fact, she wasn’t sure she’d been anywhere prettier.

  “Sorry, sweetheart,” the man drawled. He pulled his hat off, revealing short, dark hair. Gray eyes watched her carefully. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

  And did she mention the accents? She loved the accents. Macca still had an Australian twang, which she adored. But she loved the different accents she’d heard since moving to Sanctuary Ranch. People from all over the US lived here.

  “That’s okay,” she told the other man quietly. “I just didn’t hear anyone walk up.”

  Or she wouldn’t have spoken out loud. Maybe. She had a bit of a habit of blurting out whatever she was thinking.

  It could be embarrassing as hell.

  “I’m Linc.” The big cowboy held out his hand for her to shake. “We haven’t been officially introduced. Thought you might be overwhelmed with new names and faces so figured I’d wait a bit.”