Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 40942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
And she’d tried to never ask for anything.
“It might take me a while to believe in that,” she confessed. “And it’s not because I think you’re lying or I don’t trust you.”
“I understand. Some things take time.”
But she could help by talking to him. “I’ll work on communication, though. I, um, well . . . my Little is around six or seven. But sometimes when I get tired or unsure, I like to suck my thumb. So sometimes younger, I guess. You know I like doing magic tricks. I also like experimenting.”
“Experimenting?”
“Like creating things. I like to paint pictures and play with clay, and Play-Doh, and slime. I like mixing it all up. Messy play, I guess.”
“We can do messy play. Would you like any other toys?”
She shook her head. Wasn’t that enough?
He eyed her for a long moment. “You sure, baby girl?”
“I don’t know if I’ve ever played with anything else. I just like messy stuff, crafts, having a chance to do magic. And I guess I’ve always wanted an owl. But it’s not necessary for me to have one.”
“An owl? Um, I take it that you’re not talking about a live owl,” he said slowly.
Her eyes widened. “Is that a possibility?”
“No, baby girl. Daddy was joking.”
She stilled. “You called yourself Daddy.”
“I did.”
A smile broke out on her face. “I like that, Daddy.”
“Can I tell you a secret?” he asked.
She nodded.
“I like it too.”
Blakely giggled.
“An owl, huh? I think we could do that.”
“I don’t want you to spend your hard-earned money on me, though, Daddy.”
“Who else am I going to spend my money on? Besides, it’s my money and I’ll spend it on who I like. Which is you. How expensive are these owls? Ten thousand dollars?”
“What? No, Daddy!”
“A thousand dollars?”
“Daddy!” she cried. “Of course not.”
“Then I think one owl won’t break the bank.”
“Okay, Daddy. Thank you.”
“Are you sure that Mr. Whiskers and Mrs. Flopsy will be all right with a new friend, though?”
“You remember their names?” she asked.
“Of course I do, baby girl. They’re important to you.”
She sniffled. “I don’t know how you’re so perfect.”
“I’m far from perfect,” he countered.
“Then maybe you’re just perfect for me.”
21
“Hands over your eyes.”
She put her hands over eyes, dancing about in excitement. “What’s the surprise, Daddy? What’s the surprise?”
Five days had passed since Stafford had come home to find her up the ladder and spanked her.
Since then, he’d been making more time to spend with her. Two nights ago, he’d set up a movie night with blankets and hot chocolate. He’d even set up a place for Mr. Whiskers and Mrs. Flopsy to sit.
Her Little was slipping out more and more around him. But today he’d actually taken the entire day off. He’d been holed up in this room, getting her surprise finished.
To say she was excited was an understatement.
“I’m not going to tell you. I’m going to show you. Bear in mind, it’s a work in progress. All right?”
“I’ll love it, Daddy. No matter what.” Because he’d spent time doing this for her.
And that was worth so much to her.
“Take my hand and keep your eyes closed. Good girl.” He led her into the room.
“Now open your eyes.”
She opened her eyes, blinking rapidly to clear her vision. A gasp escaped her.
“Daddy! You . . . what . . . how? You can’t have done all of this today!”
“No, I got up early each morning to paint the room. And Grandpa Jack kept you busy while I snuck in the boxes of things I’d bought.”
“You shouldn’t have done all of this.”
“Do you like it?” There was a note of uncertainty in his voice. “We can change anything that you don’t like.”
“What wouldn’t I like?” She spun around, taking it all in. Three walls were painted white, but the fourth wall was a deep, dark purple. The bed was the same one that had already been in here, but he had put a white cover on it and a purple fluffy blanket lay over the end. There was also a matching fluffy purple cushion. There wasn’t much furniture, just two white wooden nightstands.
“The cushion and blanket came from the same shop. And then I saw this white, fluffy rug.”
That rug looked so nice. Skipping over, she lay on her back and moved her arms and legs back and forth like she was making a snow angel.
“This rug is the bestest rug ever!”
“Is it?” he murmured. “And what about the stage?”
“Oh my God! You built me a stage!”
In one corner of the room, there was a small stage built about half a foot off the floor. It wasn’t terribly high or big, but it was just perfect for her. There was even a purple velvet curtain that could be pulled around it.
“You know that friend I had come in to sit with Grandpa Jack while we had a picnic the other day? Well, he built this for me.”