Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
And my daddy will take care of me.
CHAPTER 20
The backyard teemed with all the people Saylor cared about the most. She’d become a part of the group with such ease and delight that she still was slightly shocked. Fitting in with new groups had never been easy for Saylor, and allowing others to see her in her most vulnerable state was so tough. Thank goodness, the daddies and her new friends made it so easy.
The men had shown the Littles a few personal protection moves before sending them out to swing. They’d made practicing self-defense part of their normal gatherings. All of the Littles felt more confident in their abilities with each session.
“I have a surprise to show you guys,” Saylor told the Littles as they crowded around her.
“Really? I love surprises,” Giana cheered.
“You do not!” Aspen said. “You like everything to run like clockwork—like it always does.”
“Well, yeah. Normally. But I do like surprises,” Giana rushed to assure Saylor. “A good surprise?”
“A really great surprise,” Saylor said, bouncing on her toes in excitement.
“Can we see it now?” Brooklyn asked.
“Daddy says after everyone has finished dinner,” Saylor told them, wrinkling her nose in disappointment.
“We could eat really fast?” Aspen suggested.
“I do not want to do the Heimlich on everyone at the barbecue,” Giana said, shaking her head to avert that bad idea. The emergency responder in her adult side couldn’t risk that.
“Or Saylor could sweet-talk her daddy?” Pippa asked with a smirk of amusement.
“Sweet-talk me into what, baby?” Max asked.
Immediately, the Littles turned to where Rexy stood guard for them. Unfortunately the huge dog had fallen asleep, and his legs thrashed as he chased rabbits and squirrels in his doggie dreams. They all spun back to look at each other and couldn’t be upset with Aspen’s pet. He was so cute!
“Um, Saylor?” Max asked, reminding them of his question.
Thinking quickly, she blurted, “We want to have another party next weekend.”
Max looked at her curiously before nodding. “Okay. You can just ask. No sweet-talking needed. Oh, by the way, I have a mystery for you to solve. There’s treasure waiting for you to find it.”
“What?” the Littles asked almost in synchrony.
“A treasure? Like a real treasure, or something like Brussels sprouts?” Pippa asked. When everyone turned to look at her, she raised her shoulders in a silent question. “A daddy might consider that treasure.”
“No Brussels sprouts,” Max promised.
“Oh, thank goodness,” Brooklyn whispered.
“How do we find the treasure, Daddy?” Saylor asked.
“Go grab your glasses, Saylor,” Max reminded her.
“Oh, yeah! Wait for me.” Saylor was back in a few seconds with the funky, artistic frames her daddy had helped her pick out.
“Oh, those are so cute!” Brooklyn complimented her. “Now I want glasses.”
“Now that you’re ready, here’s the first clue, Saylor. When you all figure that out, you’ll find the next spot to check,” Max told the group.
Saylor practically ripped the card out of his hand. Opening it, she easily read aloud, “Go look where Saylor always stores her portfolio. That’s easy. My trunk!”
“No running,” Max shouted after them as they raced into the house.
They slowed down until they were all inside. Then they took off for the car. Saylor had locked her car, or had her daddy? She ran back inside and grabbed her keys from the hook on the wall by the door. Racing back, she pressed the button repeatedly.
The trunk lid rose as they watched. A single white card lay on her portfolio. Brooklyn stepped forward and snatched it up. “The next clue is best friends with the drink mix that Pippa raided.”
“Follow me!” Pippa crowed and led the way back into the house. She dashed into the pantry with everyone hot on her heels. “Max stashes it back here. Got it!”
Pippa handed it to Saylor. “You read it.”
“Where Saylor first shook hands with her new best friend—eight times,” Saylor announced.
“That’s your stuffie, Tapper! Where did you meet him?” Giana asked.
“Daddy left him on the kitchen island.” Saylor pointed over everyone’s heads as they stood in the small pantry. Giggles abounded as they all struggled to navigate turning and exiting at the same time.
“It’s there!” Brooklyn said eagerly as she escaped. “What are those funny hats for?”
“Hats?” Saylor asked, as she walked last out of the enclosed area. “Oh, those are fun!” She stroked a feather sticking up from one and smiled.
“I don’t think those were here when we walked through before,” Aspen said. “Read it, Saylor.”
“Put on a hat and head for an underwater paradise. That’s the nursery! Everyone, quick pick a hat.”
“You have to be the princess,” Giana told her, handing Saylor the one shaped like a crown.
Soon, they all stood around the island, grinning at each other in delight. Aspen wore the feathered hat, which made her into a seagull. Rocking the cutest sea otter head, Giana couldn’t stop stroking the soft fur. Shells scattered all over Brooklyn’s hat, and a string of pearls dangled jauntily down one side. And Pippa? She sported a shark fin with a tail extending out the back.