Page 36 of Tiffanie

“Do you really think so?” she whispered, trying not to hope for something that seemed out of the question. Who would let themselves fall in love with a random stranger who had cancer?

“Yes. Hasn’t he shared that he cares about you?””

“He has.”

“Just not that he loves you?” Ivan asked.

“Right. I keep reminding myself that we haven’t actually known each other for long.”

“How do you feel about him?”

“I can’t imagine my world without him in it.”

“Then see where things go. Phineas isn’t flaky. He wouldn’t be with you if he didn’t want to be by your side.”

She nodded. Ivan hadn’t said anything she didn’t already know. He’d simply endorsed her surging connection with the handsome man. “Thanks, big brother.”

“You better call me immediately, whatever you hear,” he said with a glower.

“I promise. I’ll share what’s happening as quickly as I can.”

“Thank you. Now, are you comfortable there as a cat pillow?” Ivan asked, waving a hand at Marmalade, who’d wiggled into a belly-up position.

“I’m great. Go fix something.”

Ivan saluted like a soldier who’d received his marching orders. He headed for his truck and drove toward town. He must have supplies to pick up.

Tiffanie wrapped her arms around herself and squeezed. Ivan was the best brother ever. She hoped he’d find someone amazing. She allowed herself to imagine who would match best with her brother. In the back of her mind, she’d wondered if he was a Daddy. Of course, that icky thought about her brother’s sex life got chased away immediately.

“La, la, la,” she sang to herself to erase that question.

“I can’t eat, Phineas. I’m too nervous about tomorrow,” Tiffanie said as her Daddy stood in the kitchen of his home preparing to cook for her.

“Not an option. Let’s go to your nursery. I think it’s time your Daddy played doctor with you to get you ready for your appointment.”

“I don’t like to go to the doctor. That’s not a game I’m interested in,” she protested, crossing her arms over her chest in defiance. She glared at Phineas, daring him to attempt to make her walk to the nursery.

“There’s my Little girl’s fire. I knew you hadn’t given up.” Phineas stepped forward and scooped her off the stool she sat on at the island.

“I said, no!” She wiggled, trying to free herself.

Immediately, Phineas stopped in the hallway and set her feet on the carpet. “Do you trust me, Princess?”

“Yes,” she said begrudgingly as she glared at him.

“You’re worried about tomorrow.”

“So.”

“I can take your mind off that, but you have to allow me.”

“You can’t,” she said confidently.

“How much do you worry when I tell you a good night story?”

Her mind flew immediately to the orgasms Phineas lavished on her when she had trouble sleeping. Pleasure completely whisked away anything she struggled to stop fretting about.

“You really think you can make me stop worrying?”