Page 53 of Honor ’N’ Duty

“Mama, please!” Laia let her head fall back, then stared at the light fixture over the kitchen island. “Rosa is five years old. Trust me, she can wait a few more years before worrying about politics.” Before Millie cut her off again, Laia blurted, “I have to go now, but we’ll come and see you soon. I promise. And I look forward to your flan.”

“But—”

“I’m sorry, but I really have to go. Have a good evening.” She ended the call, then groaned. Was there anything stronger in the house than beer?

She went into the living room and looked out the enormous picture window to see Kade toweling off Rosa. At the bottom of the stairs, Deck and Jamie were hosing off the dogs. She returned to the kitchen, then opened the refrigerator door. One of the door racks had been replenished with River Horse Ale. She reached for one, then stopped.

On the lower shelf was a tall metal can. Whipped cream. Well, why not?

She lifted the can from the rack and was about to grab a spoon, but as she began shaking the can up and down, she found it was nearly empty. After popping off the red cap, she tilted the can, put the nozzle to her mouth, and pressed it with her finger.

Gurgling came from the can as the sweet cream shot into her mouth. She swallowed, then uttered a moan of satisfaction. Kade and Rosa were on to something.

Tilting the can again, she pressed the nozzle, emptying the can and continuing to apply pressure to eke out what little cream remained. But all that came out was air.

“Did you just do a whippet?”

Laia spun to find Kade and his friends, along with Rosa and the two dogs, staring at her. She swallowed, then hiccupped. Humming from the refrigerator sounded like a foghorn, and she had to reach out to the counter to steady herself.

Kade grinned. The other men chuckled.

Rosa scrunched up her face. “Uncle Kade, what’s a whippet?”

“Uh.” His expression quickly morphed from one of humor to seriousness. “It’s a dog. Remember, we read about them in the dog encyclopedia.”

Rosa’s tiny brows met over her nose before she smiled. “Oh, yeah.” Then she sauntered back into the living room with the dogs in tow.

Deck chuckled. “Nice save.”

Oh. My. God. She’d inadvertently given herself a high from the residual nitrous oxide in the can of whipped cream, and all in front of three federal agents and her five-year-old daughter.

Wonderful.

Chapter Sixteen

“Quickly the King beck—” Rosa wrinkled her nose as she struggled to pronounce the word. “Beckoned to the musicians, and they struck up a dre-dreamy waltz.”

“You’re really good at this,” Kade said, amazed at Rosa’s level of reading, although since the pages were worn, and the binding already coming apart, he suspected she’d read this book a hundred times. Maybe more.

While Rosa turned the page, Kade tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, marveling at its softness and her adorable, freshly-bathed little girl scent. He grinned when she clambered higher on the bed to snuggle against his chest.

Smoke had curled up on the foot of the bed. He’d closed his eyes, but every now and then his ears flicked, telling Kade he was still awake and listening to every word Rosa recited.

“Go on,” he urged when she yawned. She was the one getting sleepy, but he was enjoying this too much for it to end so soon.

While she found her place again on the page, he wondered if he had a child whether his or her hair would be as soft as Rosa’s. Would they have his eyes or…Laia’s?

Jesus, he had to stop thinking like that.

Without warning, Rosa landed a wet kiss on his stubbly jaw. “Uncle Kade, I’m glad Mommy’s not mad at you anymore.”

“Me, too.” Although how long that would last was anyone’s guess. “Keep reading.” He pointed to where she’d left off.

“The Prince and Cinderella swirled off in the dance. Uncle Kade, can you be my prince?”

Okay, that got him. That one little question had the equivalent effect of parting his heart down the center while she jumped in and took up permanent residence. Right in the middle of the ooey-gooey center.

Rosa cocked her head. “Or maybe you can be Mommy’s prince. Mommy needs a new prince since Daddy died.”