“I know, baby.”
“I’m moving toScotland,” I threatened again.
“I’ll talk toHatch about opening a chapter there.”
I let out afrustrated squeal. “Timbuktu, then.”
“You hate theheat, Ducky.”
“Timbukthree,then.”
“I’d venture aguess it’s even hotter there.”
“I’ll learn tolike it,” I sassed.
“Then I’m suresomething can be arranged.”
I threw my handsin the air. “I’m not going to Timbuktu.”
He rose to hisfeet. “I know, baby girl.”
“Are you evergoing to unlock the chastity belt?”
Dad moved outfrom behind his desk with a gentle smile and pulled me into his arms. “One day,when you have a little girl who takes your whole heart, Daisy, you’llunderstand the need to protect her from all the evils in the world.”
I dropped myhead to his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist. “This is why I can’tstay mad at you.”
“I know.” Hechuckled, kissing the top of my head. “It’s my superpower.”
“Okay, I’m goingto go now before Huck gets fed up and leaves without me.”
Dad lifted myface… like, my whole face. Gently, of course, but he didn’t fuck around when hewanted to get his point across. “If he gets fed up with you, for any reason,he’s not the man for you. Got it?”
I rolled myeyes. “Yes, Daddy, I got it.”
“Come on, I’llwalk you out.”
I followed himback out to the great room where Huck and I said our goodbyes and headed out tohis truck.
Daisy
“SO, I PASSED the background check, huh?”Huck asked as we drove.
“How did youknow he ran a background check?”
“I didn’t… untiljust now.”
I sighed.“Shit.”
Huck chuckled.“It’s all good, Daisy. Seriously.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. It’s goodyou have people looking out for you.” His expression grew somber. “Noteveryone’s as lucky.”
I gasped. “Oh mygod, did something happen to Louisa?”
“No, thank god.If anything ever happened to my sister, I’d be in prison.”
