Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Sneaky friends were a blessing and a curse.
“I did not.” Taking a deep breath, I felt much better when Daddy still managed not to laugh. “I think I need to pay more attention to what’s going on around me.”
Daddy slowly nodded. “Would it be inappropriate to say that I’ll install a driveway alarm for you?”
“Oh, they make those?” I wasn’t sure I knew that. “I know about wildlife cameras that catch angry squirrels and I know about those doorbell cameras that tell you over and over when the Amazon man comes.”
Daddy laughed that time.
“I think there are some stories I need to hear, but this would just be an alarm near the start of the driveway that beeped here or in the house when someone pulled up. We could keep it very simple.” Daddy frowned and looked adorably frustrated. “I really hate not being able to recommend a full home security system, but around here I think that’d be overkill.”
I agreed.
“We just don’t have much crime.” I shrugged and remembered not to point out that when you could eat someone or curse them, it helped everyone make better decisions.
“Not regular crime at least.” Daddy seemed frustrated to have to admit that, but since his job was crime, I thought it made sense. “But I’ve learned to accept that.”
Oh, was that a he understood about dragons and mages and the crime rate or something else?
“Understanding is important.” I wasn’t sure what else to say since he hadn’t said what he’d learned.
Daddy nodded but also smiled, so I still wasn’t sure I knew what he was thinking. “Yes, it is, and right now we’re going to make sure you understand that you forgot our date.”
Oh.
Shoot.
“Well, actually I forgot what time it was, not our date.” Daddy was very important, so I’d never forget him. But time…well, that was another thing. “At least I know where my wallet is?”
Daddy laughed, remembering Lorne’s silliness the first time they’d met. “I’m very impressed because finding his wallet took longer than he probably admitted.”
Probably.
But I didn’t let the story distract me.
Looking down at my clothes, I frowned. I wasn’t exactly dirty but I didn’t look take out on a date clean. “Do we have time for me to change my clothes?”
Daddy was still smiling when I looked back up, so I didn’t think it would be a problem. “I don’t know. I think you look cute like that. The paint on your ass makes it look perfect.”
Ugh.
“Again?” Trying to turn my head around and see my butt didn’t work. “I was so careful.”
Kind of.
He chuckled, coming over and slowly leaning in to kiss my cheek. “I think it’s cute, but yes, you have time to change. The diner will be open for hours.”
Aww, I’d gotten my first kiss from Daddy already.
Wait.
He hadn’t changed his mind?
Trying not to look guilty or nervous, I nodded. “Yes, and the restaurants over by the Walmart are open late too.”
Shaking his head, Daddy pretended to still be serious. “Nope, not going to work. I already told someone about our date and now half the town knows. Some guy in a red pickup even waved and gave me a thumbs-up, and there was no way that was about my job.”
No, probably not.
“I think that was my oldest brother. I’m the youngest.” Family was hard sometimes. “My mother said they forgot their manners the second they moved out. But I didn’t. I’m very polite. But my mother says that’s because I want toys and rewards on a regular basis.” She wasn’t wrong, so it seemed like something I should warn Daddy about.
“I think that’s perfectly reasonable.” Daddy kissed my other cheek and smiled when I couldn’t help giggling. “I think you would do a lot for toys and rewards.”
I nodded since lying wouldn’t get me more toys.
Chuckling, Daddy stepped back and held out his hand. “Come on. Unless there’s anything you need to clean up?”
Thankfully I’d already done that, so I wrapped my fingers around his and started leading us toward the house. “Nope, I cleaned up the messy stuff earlier, and me and the creepy doll were just getting to know each other.”
Daddy looked over at her and shivered. “That’s truly disturbing. Her face…”
Yeah, she was unfortunate looking.
“She’s old and should be worth a lot of money, but unfortunately about ten years ago someone did a terrible restoration on her and ruined the value…and made her creepy. But the owners still want to keep her because she’s been in the family a long time, so they asked me to make her look old again and less scary.”
Why someone had thought giving her plastic legs would be a good idea confused me more than the badly painted face.
“She and I are still trying to decide the best way to make her look cute again.” I was pretty sure she was giving the current owner nightmares because he’d been very happy to turn her over to me.