Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
I reach for the spoon in Daddy’s hand, but he pulls it out of reach. “Let Daddy do it.”
I sigh and reluctantly sit back.
It’s worth it though, because as soon as I resign myself to how this is going to go down, Daddy scoops up a bite and holds it to my lips. I moan around the flavor. It’s so delicious. Or maybe anything would taste delicious after two days of bottles only.
As an added bonus, both my Daddies feed me bites, which means in the end I’m pretty sure I got more than either of them. My tummy is happy and full, and I’m grinning from ear to ear as my Daddies lead me out of the zoo.
“Are you tired, sweet girl?” Papa asks. “We can go back to the cabin now, or if you’d like, we could go to Main Street and check out the shops.”
“I’m not too tired, Papa. That sounds fun.”
I close my eyes during the ride into town in the golf cart. It’s truly so beautiful here, and I love the feel of the warm breeze on my face. The temperature is perfect year-round.
I finally look around when I hear voices and realize we’re in the center of town. I didn’t pay close attention to the other businesses on Main Street the first time we came because I was preoccupied worrying about our visit to the clinic.
This time, I look all around. “There’s a toy store,” I point out. “Oh, and a library. Can we go to the library?”
Papa turns to face me from the passenger seat. He’s smiling. “You want to go to the library on vacation? Have we turned you into a studious reader?” he teases.
I shrug. “Felicity said they have a lot of cool books. Plus, Felicity said one of the girls who works there is Little. Her name is Lizzy, and she’s also been to Rawhide Ranch before.”
“Is that so? Well, let’s stop there then,” Daddy says as he pulls the golf cart into a parking spot.
Papa jumps down. “I wouldn’t mind picking up something to read for pleasure during downtime myself.”
Daddy unfastens me and swings me up in the air before setting me on my feet. “Do I need to put a harness on you, or can you stay where we can see you at all times?”
“I’ll stay next to you, Daddy. I promise.” I actually love the harness and the leash. I love how they make me feel, but Daddy and Papa know that. I can’t hide it. I’d kind of like to be able to pick out some books without them hovering quite so closely though.
When we step inside, a woman comes from behind the counter. “Hi there. I’m Ms. Whitman, the librarian here. You must be visiting.”
Daddy nods. “We are.” He extends a hand. “Rhodes Taft.”
Papa shakes her hand next. “Tiago Murray. And this Little girl is Eloise Grace.”
Ms. Whitman doesn’t look like any librarian I’ve ever seen. She has long brown hair that isn’t even in a bun. She doesn’t have glasses either. I giggle inside my head as she smiles at me. “Welcome, Eloise Grace.”
“Thank you. You can call me Eloise.”
A red-haired Little girl pops out from behind Ms. Whitman. “Eloise! I heard about you from Felicity. I was going to ask my Daddy if we could have a play date. I’m so glad you came in. Oh,” she holds out a hand to me. “I’m Lizzy.”
I shake her hand in a silly formal way, making us both giggle. “Felicity told me about you too. She said you went to Rawhide Ranch for vacation one time.”
“I did. It was so much fun! I can’t believe you actually get to live there.”
I laugh. “I can’t believe you actually get to live here.”
“Good point.” Lizzy shrugs dramatically. Suddenly I realize she’s wearing a dress. I can tell she has a diaper on, but I haven’t seen a single Little on the island in anything but a T-shirt.
I lick my lips. “I, uh, like your dress.”
Lizzy spins around, letting it flair out. “Thank you. Do you want me to help you find a book?” She glances at Ms. Whitman. “May I please help Eloise?”
“If it’s okay with her Daddies, and if you girls stay where we can see you and out of trouble,” Ms. Whitman responds in what I assume is her sternest voice. It’s not very stern.
I look back at Daddy and Papa. “Is it okay? Please?”
Papa chuckles. “I’m not going to stand in the way of a Little girl who wants to check out library books.”
Daddy shakes his head. “Certainly not. Behave.”
Lizzy reaches for my hand and lures me to the middle of the room before she starts pointing out all the categories labeled above the aisles.
I glance back at my Daddies to find them in conversation with Ms. Whitman. “Why do you get to wear a dress?” I whisper now that we’re alone.