Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
“Uh-uh, Little girl. Is this saved?” Beau’s deep voice asked from the doorway.
“Well, I was just going to check it again.”
“But it’s saved?”
“Yes, Daddy,” she answered, hearing the exhaustion in her own voice.
“Then you’re done for the evening. You need food and rest.”
“But…”
“No buts. You’re too tired and will only make a mistake now that will set you back. You’re past thinking clearly.”
She sagged against the chair for support and nodded. “I think almost to the drooling point.”
“Come on.” Beau scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the family room.
“Sit here and I’ll warm up the noodles for you.”
“Your special parmesan noodles?” Maisie asked, perking up.
“Yes, sweetheart.”
Within a minute, she had a glass of juice with a lid and a straw so she didn’t have to worry about spilling it. Soon, Beau sat next to her with a big bowl of noodles. “Eat,” he said, holding a fork to her mouth.
Maisie didn’t even try to argue with him about feeding her. He’d say no and inside, she really enjoyed being taken care of.
“G… Good heavens, that’s good,” she caught herself.
“That’s my girl. I knew you could come up with alternatives to cussing if I promised to come up with some new ideas to address your language.”
She smirked at him to disguise her instant concern that he’d devise a new punishment to keep her from cussing if his last one hadn’t caught her attention.
“My Little girl’s bottom is very sensitive,” he commented as he fed her another bite.
“No more plugs, Daddy!”
“I’m never going to promise that.”
“At least no more of the naughty cream,” she whined.
“That definitely seemed to get your attention,” he commented as he fed her another bite. “I could take away your favorite food.”
“Not your noodles,” she protested.
“I don’t have a mean streak wide enough to take away your noodles, Little girl. I meant ice cream.”
“Oh, you can take away ice cream,” she said in relief before back pedaling. “I mean, not my ice cream!”
“Hmm. I thought you’d eaten all the cookie ice cream sandwiches that kept disappearing from the freezer. I better call the exterminator. We must have huge bugs that can open the freezer door.”
“Oh, that kind of ice cream. Um, I’d prefer you don’t use that as a punishment but as a reward. I’d be very good to have one of those for dessert,” she promised.
“Food is fuel. It’s not a punishment or a reward for you, Little girl,” he stressed.
“Noodles are kind of a big reward, Daddy. I don’t know what you do to them, but your parmesan noodles are like crack.”
“Thank you, I think.”
Maisie couldn’t stop the giggles that poured from her lips at the perplexed look on his face. She enjoyed keeping her Daddy on his toes.
“I think I need a break for the rest of the night, Daddy.”
“It’s already nine p.m., Maisie. It’s almost bedtime. How about a bubble bath? You can play with the toys we brought from Avondale.”
“Did we bring bubble bath here, too?” she asked.
“I ordered some special to have here as well. You get your choice of bubble gum or lavender.”
“Lavender. That sounds relaxing,” Maisie said and opened her mouth for the last bite of noodles.
“Lavender it is. Finish your juice for Daddy and I’ll go start the water so it can fill the tub.”
Maisie turned to watch him walk out of the large gathering space into the hallway. She giggled, remembering the first time she’d noticed his butt. He’d definitely filled out his high school baseball uniform.
When he walked back in, she asked, “You don’t still have your baseball uniform from Avondale, do you?”
“No. Every player has to turn back in his uniform at the end of the season. Why? What brought that to your mind?”
“Your football pants, too?”
“Yes, Maisie, all the uniforms had to be turned in.”
She slid out of her chair and pulled her phone from her back pocket. “I bet I could borrow Amber’s cheerleader pompons and we could order a pair of tight pants for you.”
“Why would we do that?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.
“We could play dress up and I could be the sexy cheerleader. You could be the quarterback or the third baseman.”
“I was the pitcher on the baseball team,” he corrected her.
“I know, but it’s so much more fun to make it to third base.” Maisie paused for her naughty innuendo to register in his brain before inching toward the bathroom.
“No running, Little girl,” he warned.
“Catch me, Daddy! Catch me!” she shouted and took off.
CHAPTER 14
“Amber just messaged us. Did you get it?” Beau spoke into the phone, moderating his tone to hide his concern.
“No. I’ve been eyebrow deep in data all day. Is something going on?” Maisie asked.
“There was a shooting at Murphy’s. Rio interrupted the assailant before he could do a lot of damage.” Beau told her the bad and the good together.