Paige crossed her arms and slumped down in her chair. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not here to baby you, Paige,” Maddie said. “I don’t even know if your dad likes me enough to take care of you.”
He jerked up at that. She wasn’t looking at him though. Her focus was on Paige, and he saw his mother glaring at him now.
“I don’t need taking care of.”
“I can see that. You’ve just been feeding the chickens?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve never been around a chicken. Unless I was cooking one, of course. I’ve heard they’re wonderful animals.”
Paige glanced over to Maddie.
He knew from his daughter that not a lot of kids at school understood Paige’s love of animals and pets.
They had three dogs because of that love, and every time he saw a sign for a cat, rabbit, or dog for sale, he couldn’t resist either. He didn’t like to think of them being put to sleep because no one wanted them.
“Do you like animals?” Paige asked.
“I love them. We could never have any growing up. My sister was always allergic, but I wanted one. A dog, cat, duck, rabbit. There was a time I even wanted a pig.”
“We have pigs, but they don’t like it when you touch them. They squeal.”
Maddie smiled, and he was struck by her beauty. She was nothing like Ivory. His ex had always worn a scowl, and would only talk about herself. Maddie’s face was free from any makeup. Her clear skin looked so soft he wanted to reach out and stroke her cheek, but he held himself back.
“I don’t like school,” Paige said, resting her hands in her lap. “Everyone laughs at me because I wear boys’ clothes, and because my mom didn’t want me.”
Maddie reached out, taking hold of Paige’s hand. “I didn’t like school either. They made fun of me. Called me fat, and all other cruel names.”
Caleb felt very protective, wanting to pull Maddie into his arms. She wasn’t fat. The jeans she wore showed off her glorious ass to perfection. It was nicely rounded, and would feel amazing snuggled against his cock as he drove hard and deep into her cunt.
His cock began to thicken as he looked at her. Her tits were huge, pressing against the front of her shirt. The shirt she wore was a man’s shirt, but that didn’t take anything away from the size of her breasts.
She was a woman with a lot of curves.
He’d never been attracted to slim women who were all skin and bones. It’s why he’d never craved Ivory’s touch. She’d been easy and scratched an itch they both had.
“That’s horrible. Did you punch those people?” Paige asked, raising her fists into the air. There was his little fighter.
Maddie shook her head. “No. I took it and ignored them.”
“Daddy says you have to fight for yourself. You got to stop people saying bad words, and then you fight.”
His mother placed their breakfasts in front of them, and he watched as Maddie picked up a fork and dug in. She didn’t complain about the calories, or how much fat was in it. He’d often have to sit opposite Ivory while she ate a no-fat, no-flavor yogurt.
He listened as Paige and Maddie talked throughout breakfast. His daughter was slowly falling for this woman. She softened, and by the end of breakfast, she threw her arms around Maddie. “I want you to stay.”
Maddie patted her back and looked toward Granny and Caleb.
“I’ll leave you two to deal with this. Come on, Paige. Let’s go and feed the dogs.”
He waited for his mother to leave the room, and focused on Maddie. Leaning forward, he rested his arms on the table, watching her.
“If she starts fights at school, they’re going to demand your time away from the ranch. I know it’s important that she stand up for herself, but often that leads to a lot of meetings and time away.”
“I don’t mind. If Paige is sticking up for herself against a bully, then I’ll be at the school no matter what.”
“Your mother said you struggle for time. It’s why I suggested it.”
He watched as she shoved her hands beneath her ass, sitting on them. “Do you fidget?” he asked.
“Excuse me?”
“My brother was forced to do that when he went to school. He struggled not to mess around with anything, and I guess it’s a habit I recognize.” He’d also noticed that she moved around in her seat, often struggling to stay in the same position.
“Yes, I was always messing around with things at my desk in school.” She released one of her hands to push hair off her face.
“The position will be full-time. You’ll have to live on the ranch.” He stood up. “If you follow me. I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping.”
She didn’t complain as he led her upstairs. There were five bedrooms in the home. His room was next to the stairs, Paige’s beside his, away from them, and he opened the third door and showed her inside.