Page 1 of Learning to Ride

ChapterOne

KIZZY

It’s the hottest time of the year, and I feel sorry for my daddies working out in the sunshine all day. I’m lucky that I’m only in charge of taking care of the house so I get to stay cool in the air conditioning while I tidy up. I’m also lucky that living with three boys—um, men—isn’t so bad because they do a good job of cleaning up after themselves.

After my grandma died last year, I was sent to live with them on the farm until I turned eighteen. That day has already come and gone, but I’ve got no desire to leave. They are all so good to me and treat me like a princess, so why would I want to go? I also love it here with all the animals even if it’s in the middle of nowhere and hours from the nearest neighbor.

Technically, only one of them is my daddy, but I don’t know which one. My grandma didn’t, either, and she didn’t know my mom. I was dropped off at her doorstep when I was a baby with a note saying one of her sons was my father. Since they are all brothers, it doesn’t really matter, and as soon as I got here they asked me to give them all the same title. Since then, it’s been Daddy Rowdy, Daddy Dalton, and Daddy Stetson.

Seeing the sun bright in the sky, I decide to take some cold drinks out to them in the barn and ask if they need anything else.

This morning, they were all a little distant, and I couldn’t figure out why. It might have been because I’d been washing dishes and accidentally poured a pot of water down my shirt. I usually only sleep in one of their old white T-shirts, so when it got soaked, it was practically see-through. I bet they were mad I ruined their shirt, and that’s why they didn’t talk to me before they left.

It could have been because of last night when we were watching that scary movie and I had to sit in Daddy Dalton’s lap. He seemed mad every time I jumped, and he kept having to readjust me. Even Daddy Rowdy was scowling at us instead of watching the movie.

Maybe Daddy Stetson told them about me lying out in a bathing suit yesterday afternoon? I thought they’d be at the barn all day, so I put on my bikini to get some sun. The suit was a couple of years old, so it didn’t fit right anymore, but he was so mad when he saw me in it, he took one look and stomped out.

They are usually so sweet and spoil me with pretty dresses to wear around the house, but lately, it’s been tense. The last couple of dresses they bought me didn’t fit so well, and I could see the frustration in their eyes as I modeled them. I’ve still been wearing them anyway because I don’t want to disappoint them. I guess my body is growing faster than they anticipated because the pale yellow one I’m wearing today is so tight across the top my boobs are nearly spilling out. Thankfully it’s flowy around my waist and thighs, but it’s short, and I have to be careful when I bend over. It’s probably three sizes too small, but I put it on anyway because I don’t want them to think I’m not grateful.

Grabbing a big pitcher of ice water, I hold it against me as I step outside into the hot summer sunshine. It’s so warm it’s already starting to melt as I make my way to the barn, and I’m sweating before I get there. I’ve only been out here for thirty seconds, so I can only imagine how hard this is for them. My poor daddies are out in the heat working so hard that they deserve a break to cool down.

When I get to the barn, I see the three of them on the other side with pitchforks and bales of hay. They’re shirtless as they clean the horse stalls, and I stand there for a moment watching.

Daddy Dalton is the biggest of all of them but not because he’s the tallest. He’s so wide and strong, but he’s got a big belly too. I love how cuddly and soft he is when we hug or watch movies. He’s the first person to give me a squeeze in the mornings or before I go to bed, and he’s always happy to eat anything I cook.

Daddy Rowdy is the slimmest, but he’s all muscles with not an ounce of fat on him. His six-pack and chiseled arms flex as he digs in the hay and tosses it in the stall. He’s always helping me around the house, even though I never ask for it.

Daddy Stetson is somewhere in between their sizes with thick muscles and a small belly. He is the one that always tells me how pretty I am and that everything I do is amazing. His words make me feel special, and it’s why I like talking to him.

After a moment of watching them, I feel the ice water running down my stomach and realize I’ve been watching them so intently that I wasn’t paying attention and spilled some down my dress. I squeak as I hold it away from me, and then I look up to see all my daddies staring at me.

“I thought y’all could use a cold drink,” I say and try to laugh off my silly mistake.

Daddy Dalton swallows hard as he looks at me, and Daddy Rowdy wipes his hand down his face.

“Come on over here, sugar britches,” Daddy Stetson says. “You’re right; we could all use a taste.”

“Stetson,” Daddy Rowdy says in a warning tone, but he ignores him.

I hold the pitcher out for them, and Daddy Rowdy takes it from my hands. He puts it to his lips, and I watch as his throat moves while he gulps. Something about the way he’s watching me as he licks his lips makes me fidget while I stand there. Heat blooms all over me, and I’m not entirely sure it’s from the hot temperature.

“You sure do look pretty today,” Daddy Stetson says before he takes the pitcher and begins to drink.

“I’d give you a hug, but I’m all sweaty,” Daddy Dalton says, but I just shrug.

“You know I don’t mind.” I smile up at him sweetly, and he growls playfully before scooping me up in his arms. “Oh my gosh you are sweaty.” I giggle loudly as he holds me tightly against him, and I feel something hard against my stomach. He must have left a hammer in his pants by mistake.

“I like rubbing it on you,” Daddy Dalton teases then gives me a quick kiss on the lips. They’ve been doing that a lot lately except I didn’t get my goodbye kisses this morning. As if reading my mind, he gives me another one. “I had to make up for missing it this morning.”

“I should get mine too,” Daddy Rowdy says as he passes the ice water to Daddy Dalton and reaches for me.

Daddy Rowdy pulls me in for a hug, and he smells like clean sweat and fresh hay. He’s got something in his pocket too because I feel it poke my stomach as his hands slide around my back and he pulls me close. His lips are on mine, but instead of pulling them away quickly like he usually does, his tongue comes out.

I gasp, and when I look up, I see mischief in his eyes.

“I’m still thirsty,” he says, and I laugh.

“Oh right. It’s so hot out.”