Finding Sadie (Los Rancheros #0.5) by Brandace Morrow Read Free Book Online Page B

known as Batty.
    I put a hand to my jaw, rotating it cautiously.  “It’s a good thing my head was turned.  I could have a broken nose right now.”
    “Where are you going?” he rumbles with his arms crossed, so I cross mine too.
    “Well, Daddy.” He takes a threatening step closer to me, but I power through.  “I’m going to get something for Rachel.  Will you be available in an hour and a half?  I’m going to need you for an event.”
    “Don’t call me that unless you want to be taken over my knee, little girl.”  It really should be humiliating that he’s in my face, threatening me in a Batman mask.  Why the hell isn’t it?  Why is it so fucking hot?
    I look up at him through my lashes and whisper, “Do you want to spank me?”
    His grey eyes are the color of gunmetal.  When did he get so close?  We stare at each other, both unmoving as nurses and doctors pass us in the hall.  “How old are you, Sadie?”
    I smirk and take a step back, telling myself I’m not retreating.  “It’s a little late to be worried if I’m legal, Batty.”  His eyes are questioning, but he doesn’t ask about the name.
    “You don’t care how old I am?”
    “Are you old enough to be my daddy?”
    “Do you have daddy issues?”
    I laugh out loud, the sound almost making me jump it’s so rusty.  “I have issues.  Period.”  I watch him, trying to recall how old he looked the other night, but really I wasn’t looking for crow’s feet and grey hair in the moonlight.  “I need to go.”
    He does that damn chin lift and turns, walking back the way he came.  I head to the front desk, telling Alyse that I will be back.
     
     
    When I get back to the hospital I’ve got several bags over my shoulders with more along each arm.  Alyse looks on with alarm as I sign in and move without hesitation to Rachel’s room.  She’s sleeping so I take off my shoes at the door, setting things up slowly.  I watch her when I’m done.  Her cheekbones are showing, elbows protruding.  She looks beyond emaciated.  And so, so tired.  The circles under her eyes aren’t from lack of sleep.  It’s just from living.  There are several cords going into her gown, some taped to her cheeks. 
    I’m prepared to wait all night, I have no where to be . . . well besides with Batty.  But this is my priority.  The door clicking open, then shut, brings Rachel around though.  Batty stands there in his cape and mask taking in the scene.
    Rachel gasps before either one of us can say a word and our attention is brought to her.  “Oh my God!”
    I lean forward and take her hand, giving it a little squeeze.  “Hey now.  Your parents probably wouldn’t want you saying that.”
    “What’s going on in here, Robin?”
    I smile and bring a wig from out of sight, making Rachel gasp again.  I tie a thin scarf around her head first, then put the neon pink wig on.  “We’re having a tea party,” I tell him, still adjusting the bob cut on the little girl’s head. 
    Next I bring out mine, a neon green that has Rachel giggling again.  “Do you want a wig, Batty?  I found a yellow one?” I ask, innocently holding it up.  He shakes his head, pulling up a chair next to the bed.  I move Rachel’s bed to sit up more and we concentrate on the ‘table’ I’ve set up at the foot of the bed.  Against the foot rail there are several stuffed animals, all of them with a place setting.
    “Where’s the food, or the tea for that matter?” Batty asks.
    I roll my eyes and share a look with Rachel that she unsurely returns.  “Batty.  We are imagining the food and tea.  It’s better that way.  We can eat whatever we want.”  I turn back to the little girl.  “What do you want to eat first?  Wait!”  I jump up before she can say anything and dig around another bag I had hung on the bathroom doorknob.
    “I almost forgot these!”  I hold up the bead necklaces and tiaras, placing them gently onto Rachel and then myself.