“It’s her party, Eli.”
Feeling smug, I stick my tongue out at Uncle Eli. “That’s right. It’smyparty, so you have to do what I say!”
A heavy hand comes to rest on the back of my neck, and when I look up at Daddy, his expression is stern. “Rude Little girls do not get tea parties, Melanie Brynne. They get sent upstairs for an early nap with a red-hot bottom. Apologize to your Uncle Eli right now.”
Embarrassment heats my cheeks as I peek up at Uncle Eli’s stony countenance. “Sorry for being rude, Uncle Eli.”
The gruff man in front of me softens, just a fraction. “Apology accepted, little one.”
I notice he’s wearing his apron again, so I offer up a hopeful smile. “Uncle Eli?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“I feel really, really bad about being so rude. Could I please give you a kiss to make up for it?”
Another little test of Tori’s vision for my life here with the Thornes. The whole room seems to hold its breath, and you could hear a pin drop as we all wait for his reaction.
And then he sighs, heavily, as he crouches down beside me. Leaning over, I press a kiss to his grizzled cheek.
“There. All better.”
Affection warms his eyes for just a moment before he pushes to his feet again. “Don’t let it happen again, or I’ll take my spoon to your bottom.”
It takes all the self-control I have to nod solemnly. “Yes, Uncle Eli.”
All around us, the rest of the Thorne siblings stare on in utter shock. And in that moment, I know Tori is right.
I have every one of them wrapped around my little finger, and there isn’t anything they wouldn’t give me.
Maybe I should let them keep me, after all.
CHAPTER 20
AXEL
There’s something different about my Lanie. Ever since Max and Tori came to visit, she’s seemed… lighter. She hardly even argues about using her diaper anymore, even though I can tell it embarrasses her.
That isn’t to say the past week hasn’t been full of naughtiness. If anything, Lanie seems to have fully embraced her role as a grown-up toddler, and every time we turn around she’s gotten into some new trouble.
Which is how I find myself staring down at a very repentant Little girl, her shoulders slumped and her eyes locked on the floor as she waits for her punishment.
“You were very, very naughty today, Melanie Brynne.”
At my words, her shoulders hunch even further. “Sorry, Daddy.”
“Look at me, Little girl.”
She peeks up at me through her lashes, her bottom lip puffing out in a pout. “I didn’t mean to be naughty, Daddy! It just happened!”
“Really?” I let one of my brows raise. “You justhappenedto sneak into Uncle Colt’s office and you justhappenedto find thestack of papers with our quarterly reports printed on them and you justhappenedto use those papers for your art project?”
“Yes, exactly.” Smile flashing, she beams up at me. “I’m so glad you understand!”
It’s all I can do not to burst out laughing at her. “Melanie…”
“I can’thelpit, Daddy! I’m bored!”
Guilt stirs in my chest. The roads have been cleared for over a week, but I haven’t told her that because the thought of taking her into town worries me. But perhaps I can use that to my advantage. “Tell you what. If you can go a whole twenty-four hours without getting in trouble with meoryour Uncles and Auntie Gray, I’ll take you on a shopping trip in town.”
