“Thank you for letting me borrow Gio tomorrow.”
Joker hummed as he took a sip of his water, pretending he knew what the fuck she was talking about. Borrow Gio for what?
“He wanted you to come with us, but with all the walking around in the snow we’ll be doing, I told him that might not be such a great idea.”
I bet.
“I mean, walking with crutches is challenging enough without adding ice to the mix. We wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself again.”
Joker stared at her. Hurt himself? He hadn’t hurt himself. The ladder being pulled out from under him had hurt him.
“Besides, it’s just for a few hours. He’s been stuck in the cabin for days taking care of you. He could use a little break.” She batted her long, mascaraed lashes. “He’s so attentive and nurturing. I’ve always loved that about him.”
Stuck in the cabin taking care of him? What the fuck? There wasno wayGio had used those words. If she was looking to get a reaction out of him, she was about to get one. He opened his mouth when a child appeared next to him. Well, fuck.
“I better get back to Gio. He’s waiting for me. See you, Sacha.” Mariam jumped to her feet and pranced off to Gio, her moves causing her breasts to bounce. Joker could appreciate a beautiful woman. He’d had plenty in his bed over the years, had even become friends with some of them, but this one? This one, he wanted to push in front of a moving sleigh.
“Why are you sad?” Dotty asked. “I brought you a cookie because you looked sad.” She handed him a dog-shaped sugar cookie with a red bow on its neck.
Joker smiled. “Thanks, Dotty. I like your dress.”
Dotty looked down at her red plaid and green velvet dress, then whirled around. “Thank you! I picked it out myself.”
“I’m not surprised. You’re very stylish. The lights on the tiara are a nice touch.”
“I told Mommy that it needed lights. How else would people know it’s a Christmas tiara?”
“A sound argument,” Joker replied with a nod.
Dotty cocked her head to one side and then looked out at the floor. “Are you sad because that lady is making kissy faces at your boyfriend?”
Joker turned his head, his hackles rising at Mariam, who was very obviously pouting her lips at Gio. And his boyfriend? Fuckingoblivious. Turning back to Dotty, he barked out a laugh. She’d sucked in her cheeks, making fish lips and kissing noises, her hands on her hips.
“That’s exactly what she looks like,” Joker said. “You need to pretend you’re flipping your hair back, though.” He demonstrated, and Dotty expertly did the same with one of her pigtails, then giggled.
“Is she trying to steal your boyfriend? Is she a hussy? She doesn’t look like a hussy.”
Joker almost choked on his saliva. “Um…what?”
“I like hussies. They’re so pretty, and they love the snow! I asked Mommy if we could get a hussy, and she looked very confused, too, like you. But then I heard Miss Rita telling Miss Bernadette that only hussies steal boyfriends. I don’t want a hussy if they’re going to steal my Mommy’s boyfriend. That’s just not done.”
Joker could barely contain himself. She wasadorable. He put a fist to his mouth, and when he knew he wouldn’t fall out of his chair laughing, he responded. “Dotty. What you’re thinking of is ahusky. It’s a type of dog. You were talking about a dog, right? Fluffy tail, pointy ears, usually have blue eyes, talk a lot?”
“Well, yes, obviously.”
“Obviously.”
Dotty’s little brows drew together, and she planted her fists on her hips. “So what’s a hussy then?”
“Oh, sweetie, that’s a question for your Mommy.”
Speaking of….
Amara appeared, her smile bright as she greeted him. “And what are you two giggling about over here?”
Dotty looked up at her mother. “Mommy, I was confused. What I want is ahusky, not a hussy. What’s a hussy? Is she a hussy?” Dotty pointed behind them, and they turned to find Gio and Mariam standing there, gaping at them.
Amara gasped. “Oh sweet Jesus. I’m so sorry. She’s confused. We’re going to go now.” She quickly ushered Dotty away.
