“She didn’t fall,” Reese supplies, and for once it feels like she’s actually on our side rather than the mortal enemy she’s been determined to paint herself as since we first arrived. “I think it just scared her a bit, is all.”
Lanie trembles in my arms, whether from the cold or lingering fear from her near-fall, I’m not sure. Either way, I want to get her inside and away from the sheriff’s prying eyes, so I give Reese a curt nod. “Thank you for catching her. Gray, we’ll be in the bookstore.”
“I’ll be right behind you.”
Trusting she’ll follow when she’s ready, I turn and head for the bookstore, Bram walking along beside me. “I’m sorry, Ax. I couldn’t reach her fast enough.”
“It’s all right, Bram. I’m not mad at you.” Inside the blessed warmth of Bram’s favorite store, I head to the right, toward the single-stall bathroom at the front of the store. There, I set Lanie on her feet and gently pull away so I can examine her.
“Are you hurt anywhere, baby?” I ask as I run my hands over her, and Lanie shakes her head.
“No, Daddy. The nice lady caught me so I didn’t fall.”
That may be the first time I’ve ever heard anyone refer to Sheriff Donnelly asnice, and the thought nearly makes me snort with laughter. But my Little girl has been very naughty and laughing now will make her think it’s okay for her to defy me.
Rising to my feet, I cross my arms and stare down at my naughty Little girl. “What did Daddy tell you about getting out of the truck, Melanie Brynne?”
“Umm… I don’t remember.”
“Really? Perhaps Daddy’s belt would help your memory.” I tap the buckle of my thick belt, and have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing when Lanie’s eyes go comically wide.
“No, Daddy! I remember, I remember! Um, you said to wait for you to come let me out.”
“That’s right. So why didn’t you wait?”
“I was just excited. I’m sorry, Daddy.”
Goddamn, I wish she wasn’t so cute when she’s in trouble. It makes it hard as hell to actually discipline her. “I have half a mind to put you over my knee right here in this store and spank that naughty bottom until you can’t sit right for the rest of the day, Melanie Brynne.”
“Daddy, no! I’m really sorry, I won’t do it again, I promise!”
“Youreallypromise?”
“Yes, Daddy, I really, really promise!”
I pretend to think it over. “All right. But you will listen to me and your Uncle Bram and your Auntie Gray the rest of the day or I will find somewhere nice and private to spank youandyou’ll lose out on your treats. Am I making myself perfectly clear, little girl?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl. Let’s go find you some books to take home.”
We step out of the bathroom just as the front door of the store opens and Gray walks in, her expression dark. Of all of us, she butts heads with the sheriff the most, and there’s a running bet between me and all my brothers as to whether they end up killing each other or fucking each other first.
“You get things sorted with Reese?”
Gray’s expression somehow darkens even further. “For now.”
There’s worry behind her words that tells me we’ll need to talk when we get back to the house.
But neither of us wants to say anything that might upset Lanie, so I force a smile for my babygirl’s benefit and look down at her. “Why don’t we go help Uncle Bram pick out some new books?”
“Okay!”
Seemingly oblivious to the tension between Gray and I, despite it being thick enough to cut with a knife, Lanie takes off in search of her Uncle Bram.
“I already texted the others, let them know I’m calling a family meeting after Lanie goes to bed.”
“Good.” And yet, I can’t shake the nagging feeling that our run-in with Donnelly is just the beginning of the shit storm coming our way.
