He chuckled. “Well, I don’t have wings and neither do you, so I think a plane might be our best option.”?
She giggled at his silly words and Pike hoped that would ease some of her nerves.?
“I know riding on an airplane is a new experience for you, but we will be together and it will be so fun,” he encouraged.?
“Maybe a new frame?” she asked.?
Dallas loved to craft and often made shadowboxes of fun things they’d done together. Pretty frames with baseball tickets, concert wristbands, and photos of them together hung on a large wall in their living room. The mementos had become very precious to the couple.?
“I think that’s a great idea, baby. I’d love for you to make us a beautiful frame for our first plane ride together.”?
She smiled and nodded. “I’m really nervous, but I’m excited to have the adventure with you, Daddy.”?
Pike took her hand and pressed the back of it to his lips. “I love you, Bitty Baby.”?
“I love you too, Daddy.”?
Pike grinned as his Little girl gasped at every sight she saw through the rental car window. She’d squealed when they’d reached the famous Rawhide Ranch gate. Even though they’d never visited before, the tall, wrought iron gates with the double Rs was famous in the DDLG community. Proudly, she’d sat tall when he’d handed over their identification to the guard in the guard shack. She’d clapped at every pasture and animal? she’d seen on the long drive up to the main building.?
“Is there, Daddy!” she squealed, almost bouncing in her seat and pointing to the resort. “Rawhide Ranch!”?
“I see it, Bitty,” he chuckled.?
“This was the best ‘cation idea ever, Daddy!”?
“Aw, I’m glad you’re so excited, baby,” he said, pulling to a stop in front of the three-storied main resort building. Once he’d applied for Dallas and himself to visit, the staff? had done a background check. After their background checks had come back cleared, he’d been sent an email with a personalized pin so he could explore the website. Not only were the efforts the Ranch underwent to ensure their guests’ privacy very much appreciated, Pike found the whole process fascinating.?
The sound of Dallas unbuckling her seatbelt drew his attention to her as she put her hand on the door handle.?
“Dallas Kate,” he warned, his tone stern and firm.?
She sat back in the seat and folded her hands in her lap contritely. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”?
“I know you’re excited, but you always wait for Daddy. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”?
Seeing two men, one tall with long black hair in a braid and a younger man in a cowboy hat coming down the steps that led up to a wide covered porch that spanned the length of the lodge, he opened his own door to meet them.
“Welcome to Rawhide! I’m Dax and this is Moses,” the younger man said as Moses offered his hand. Pike noticed both his silence and his firm grip, but most of all the man’s smile as he looked into the car to see Dallas staring out at them. Witnessing Dax’s hands moving and Moses nodding, his hands dancing in the air as well, Pike understood the tall man was deaf and the two were conversing in sign language.
“Moses will take your bags in and I’ll park your car in the visitors’ lot,” Dax said.
“That will be great, thank you.” Pike made sure to include his appreciation to both men by using the ASL gesture for “thank you,” pleased to see Moses smile in acknowledgement of his appreciation. “Just let me spring Dallas,” Pike added and walked around to let his Little out. She took his hand and stood, giving the two men a shy smile and a small wave which they each returned.
While she took the opportunity to look around the large acreage, he straightened her white ghost dress. It was probably one of Pike’s favorites. It was white with a ruffled hemline and ruffled sleeves. The ghost’s black eyes and mouth sat in the middle of the dress and a pink applique bow sat on the shoulder. She wore black leggings under the long sleeve dress with black boots. Her long bangs were clipped out of her face with a black bow that a ghost sewn into the middle.?
Dallas wasn’t just dressed as a ghost because of the upcoming Halloween holiday. She was just a spooky-loving Little girl. Her nursery was done in a black matte and gray gothic theme with a shelf full of creepy horror figures,? not that Pike minded. He loved every one of them because they brought her so much joy.?
“Ready, Bitty?”?
“Yas, huh,” she said, taking his hand again after she tucked Teefs under her arm.?
He guided her to the steps that led up to a large porch. He could see the double entrance doors from where they stood. “Hold the railing, Bitty,” he instructed, still holding her other hand.?
“Good girl,” he praised when they’d reached the porch. He knew his actions were probably overkill as it had only been six steps, but she was the most precious person in his life and he would do everything in his power to always keep her safe.?
He opened the door and escorted her inside.?
