“I know, baby. And I know it’s hard when you get so excited, but Daddy will never let you jeopardize your safety, even if it means spanking your bottom every day until you learn to control your impulses.”
I canfeelthe blood drain from my face as I twist around again to stare up at Mommy. “He wouldn’t really do that, would he?”
“If it was necessary, yes.” Her expression is stern when her eyes meet mine. “You are the most precious things in our lives, Alexis. We will do whatever it takes to keep you safe and protected. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Mommy.”
“Good girl.” Taking my hand, she tugs me toward the front door of the boutique. “Let’s give them a bit of privacy and go see what Solene has for you.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Catharina
The bells above our heads ring as we step into the boutique, and a moment later Myra steps out from the back of the store, a wide smile plastered on her face. “Cat. How lovely to see you again.” Her gaze shifts downward, her eyes lighting up like Christmas. “And this must be your little Lexie I’ve heard so much about. We’ve been waiting to meet you, little one.”
Alexis presses closer to my side, and my heart swells at the knowledge she seeks comfort and safety in me. “It’s all right, my love. Myra is Solene’s Mommy. I promise she won’t bite, though she might spank you if you’re naughty in her store.”
Laughing, Myra bends down to hold a hand out to my Little girl. “But you won’t be naughty, will you, Lexie? You’re far too precious for that.”
Tentatively, Alexis reaches for Myra’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Myra. I like your dress. You’re very pretty.”
“Oh.” Sighing softly, Myra presses a hand to her heart and looks up at me, a sheen of tears over her eyes. “Cat, she’s perfect. I’m so happy for you.”
As the only two Mommies of Little girls on the island, we’ve bonded over how apart we sometimes feel from the others, and in her eyes I see the same joy I feel every time I look at my sweet babygirl.
“I am a very lucky Mommy indeed.”
“You are. I have a feeling our Little ones will be the best of friends.” A frown tugs at her lips as Myra straightens and looks around. “Let me just go see what’s taking Solene so long. She had an idea for a new design a couple weeks ago, and it’s almost impossible to drag her away from the sewing machine when she gets like this.”
“No worries. We’ll just take a look around the store, see what calls to us.”
“Perfect. I’ll be right back.”
Myra disappears into the back of the store again just as the door opens and Maxwell strides in with a very contrite-looking Victoria cradled in his arms. Out of habit, I move to take her from him, but then I remember Alexis by my side and I keep my hands down as I watch him bounce my sweet little niece in his arms.
“Do you want to help Alexis pick out some new clothes, Victoria?” I offer instead. “This is her first time and there are a lot of options to choose from.”
Victoria instantly brightens, nodding her head vigorously. “Can I show her the princess dresses?”
Solene’s ever-expanding selection of dress-up clothes is Victoria’s favorite part of visiting the shop. “What do you think, little imp?” I ask, looking down at Alexis. “Would you like to be a princess?”
Awe flickers over her face as she bobs her head. “Yes, Mommy!”
“All right. Go with Victoria. Your Uncle Max and I will be in these chairs over here, watching you.”
Maxwell hesitates for just a moment before setting Victoria on the ground and giving her bottom a pat. “Go on, little thief.”
Side by side, we watch as our Little ones hurry off toward the display of princess dresses, each such a close replica of the cartoons I can only imagine the time and effort Solene has put into each one.
Sliding my gaze toward Maxwell, I take in the strain around his mouth and eyes as he watches his babygirl hurry off. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” But he doesn’t even glance my way. “Other than the ten years she took off my life when she opened that damn door. The car wasn’t even stopped yet, Cat.”
“Perhaps we should have invested in some child safety locks,” I say, not without sympathy. I can only imagine how terrified I would have been under the circumstances.
“I’ve already got Oliver looking into having them installed. The problem is, we’d have to fly someone to the island or ship the cars off individually. Logistically, it’s a bit of a nightmare.”
“And I’m very glad it’s your nightmare.” When he turns his head to glare at me, I can only shrug. “You’re the control freak who insists on personally vetting every single person who steps foot on the island instead of letting the rest of us help.”
