Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
“Like I’d ever forget the most important promise ever made. Just checking to make sure that wasn’t a concussion talking.”
She rolled her eyes so enthusiastically, I knew she did so with every intention of being caught.
“And now that the deal is sealed, let’s go redden your ass, shall we?”
“You’re the Daddy.”
I was halfway across the kitchen when she said, “Wait, what about lunch?”
“Shit, okay, we’re gonna tag-team this.” I walked to the refrigerator and once she opened the door, I said, “Pick one.”
What happens when you ask a Little to pick from a variety? They don’t just grab one. Nope, they stare as if making the wrong choice might cause the destruction of the world. “Pixie, for every second you take, I’m adding a swat.”
“Daddy! I have to read the labels!”
“That’s another two!”
“Okay, okay!” Her finger began to move. “Eeny, meeny, miny , moe, catch a…”
“Casserole by its toe,” I provided, adjusting her in order to be able to reach in and grab the first in the stack before stepping back and shutting the door with my hip. “Oven,” I instructed and between the two of us, we got the oven opened and set to 350 degrees, the casserole inside, and were once again almost to the door when she stopped me again.
“Wait, the timer!”
“Little girl, do you want my hand to fall off with all those extra swats you’re earning?”
She laughed and shrugged. “Better than burning the house down.”
I couldn’t argue with that and after setting the timer, she was the one who said, “What are you waiting for, Daddy? It’s time to saddle up and ride!”
Chapter Twenty
Livvy
I believe it’s God’s grace that allows the important things to stay the same.
I honestly didn’t think I’d ever heard the most perfect words being said at the exact moment they needed to be heard. Because so much had changed. I’d spent years living in a world built on lies. Lies that had wrapped around my heart so tightly that I’d learned not to look into the future, not to expect anything other than what first my father and then Roland allowed me to have, to know. It had taken more words, these written on papers that they’d never wanted me to see, that had begun to weaken the stranglehold of those men, of their lies.
The important things…
Only it wasn’t any thing that I’d needed. It was someone. It had always been the same someone. He was the one who’d finally said the words that freed me. Not demanded anything of me. Just reminded me of the grace that was a gift waiting to be accepted.
“Livvy, come back to me.”
He’d known me then and he knew me now in a way that I knew would always remain the same.
“I’m here, Daddy. I’ll always be here.”
He didn’t ask if I was sure. Just accepted that I knew what I needed and was ready to make sure I received whatever that was. It had been silly bubble bath hairdos and gentle love making for the first time last night. Now it was the need to know that he’d give me this as well. A safe avenue to release the stress, the fear, the ugly thoughts. The freedom to fall into the abyss knowing without a doubt that this pain wasn’t a replacement of the softness, but an addition.
He undressed me as if he were revealing a most precious piece of art. As if I were covered in the most fragile porcelain instead of denim overalls and white cotton. Once I was as bare as the statue of Venus, he bent forward to place a gentle kiss on my lips that filled me with such a feeling of love that I felt the flush spread throughout my entire body. Without words, he spoke volumes. He lifted me to lay across his lap where he sat on the bed. Even in preparing to light my ass on fire he’d made sure to protect me from harm.
My flesh pebbled as his fingertips ran across my body. Thousands of tiny bumps rose as he lifted my hair and set its weight off my back to drape over my shoulder. I quivered at the warmth of his breath as he spoke against the shell of my ear.
“Who are you?”
“I am Lincoln’s.”
“Who am I?”
“You are mine.”
“Together.”
“I am Lincoln’s and Lincoln is mine.” Tears began to fall before the first stroke was given when he whispered.
“I am Livvy’s and Livvy is mine.”
This man was grace personified.
He kissed my cheek and I felt a peace I’d never known settle over me.
“Ready?” he asked softly.
“Ding, ding, class is in session.” I smiled as I reached up to ring the pretend bell.
His chuckle was the most beautiful sound and when that first smack landed, I joined the chorus with a cry and for some reason only the two of us would ever understand, it was the first note of the most glorious song I’d ever sing.