Finn stared after her a moment longer than was strictly necessary.
Cinnamon and sass. Floured fingertips and pink bras on shower rods.
She wasn’t what he expected. Not at all.
And that’s exactly what made her dangerous. Temptingly dangerous.
“Daddy?”
Finn exhaled, forcing his focus back to Lucy, who was watching him with that small, knowing smile of hers. “Yes, lamb.”
“I’m okay if we don’t get a puppy right now.”
His attention zeroed in on his little pixie, her smile crooked, hereyes dancing. His chest constricted from the effort to withstand the pull of her daydream for a mother. But he’d learned the devastating and hard truth: Love wasn’t safe.
And despite his devil-may-care persona, when it came to Lucy’s heart, he had to play it safe.
Chapter 9
@TeaThymeNC:When life throws you surprise visitors and an unplanned Disney sing-along... you do what any self-respecting tea shop owner would: bake cookies.
Do you have a favorite Disney movie and tea pairing? Bonus points if you add a favorite cookie in the mix too. I’m pretty sure my brother’s ideal evening is Earl Grey sugar cookies and The Sword in the Stone (very on brand).
PS: I still know every word to “Once upon a Dream.” #PrincessProtocol #EmergencyCookies #BeOurGuestEnergy #LateNightMagic
Comments:
@JackAustenPhotography:You mean the correct pairing. The Sword in the Stone, sugar cookies, and Earl Grey is canon. Also, explain why a certain British pub owner was seen running out of your apartment like Cinderella past curfew.??Asking for science.
@GrannyDOfficial:Lucy told me you sing like a real Disney princess. I expect a performance next Sunday. Bring cookies.
@MaggiesCottageFlorals:My vote: Jasmine tea +Aladdin + shortbread. Because every girl deserves a magic carpet ride and a warm cookie.
@TGDPub:No contest. Tangled and black coffee + classic chocolate chip. #HandsDown #FryingPanProtection
@PastorNateNHC:Robin Hood & sweet tea with mint AND peanut butter oatmeal. Classic combo. And the Tangled movie tracks for @TGDPub aka “Flynn Dashwood.” #IfTheBootFits #ItsTheHair
@TGDPub:For the record, the smolder is genetic. And powerful. #ItsTheSmolder
@WisteriaGeneralStore:Just in: Coffee and vanilla–scented candles called The Smolder Blend and a special edition mug that says: “I Got Tangled in Wisteria.” Thoughts? Too much? Not enough? Asking for the retail economy. #SmallTownSchemes #MerchIdeasWelcome #WisteriaStrong
“Pardon me?”
Daphne turned from the oven, Dalmatian-print mitt on her hand, to see Finn standing before her wearing a clean shirt and a somewhat subdued smile. Just the thought of him changing shirts in her apartment had her wondering if she’d left the oven open, because her little kitchen turned sweltering.
Okay, okay, off-limits didn’t mean she couldn’t admire God’s good creation. Her gaze slid down his body and back to his face. Because it was very good. Maybe not as enticing as the car—she emphatically reminded herself—but certainly stare worthy.
He held a sleeping Lucy in his arms, her hair falling over his arm like a sleeping beauty, her breathing quiet and relaxed. Equally as stare worthy.
Daphne’s hand went to her chest before she skirted past Finn into the living room. “Why don’t you place her here,” she whispered, gesturing toward the small love seat. “I’m sure it’s way past her bedtime.”
Mr. Hotface complied with a raised brow that appeared to be a tattooed feature for most of their conversational exchanges so far. Daphne pulled the quilt off the back of the couch and feathered it over the little girl, sighing down at the sleeping princess.
“I guess she’ll have to wait and try one of the cookies tomorrow.” Daphne brought her gaze back up, barely keeping her smile in check. “But you’re welcome to one, if you’d like.”
“A midnight cookie with our beautiful rescuer?” That corner of his mouth tipped as he studied her. “How can I refuse?”
There was a strange sort of undercurrent in his expression she couldn’t quite place, a new softness tangled within the resident flirt, and it shifted the air in the room.
