Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
She shrugged. “It’s just clothing. Feel free to tidy up after me as much as you like.”
“Thank you,” he told her solemnly. “Come on, let’s get you into bed.”
“I’m not really tired, though.”
“It’s well past the time that all Little girls should be in bed,” he told her sternly.
“Not me! I’m a night owl.”
“Are you?”
“Uh-huh.”
“What time would you normally go to bed?” he asked as he drew the covers back.
“Oh, I don’t know. Normally, I’d read a book for a while and then I’d just put it down when I was sleepy. Maybe two or three?”
“In the morning?” he asked, shocked.
She giggled. “Yes, silly.”
“And what time do you get up? Do you sleep in?” How did she get to her job on time if she was going to sleep so late? Although hadn’t she said that she was between jobs? She must be burning through her savings.
“Nah, I only need a couple of hours sleep and I’m good to go.”
She yawned as she said that which made him wonder if that was really the case.
“I’ve always been like this. My dad used to say my brain was just too busy to let me sleep.”
“Maybe I can help quieten it. Do you want me to braid your hair?”
“You can do that?” she asked as she climbed into bed.
“Yep. Do you have hair ties?”
“Uh-huh. I can get them.”
He shook his head and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Little girls don’t get out of bed without their Daddy’s permission.”
“They don’t?”
“No. They don’t.”
“But what about if their Daddy isn’t in the bedroom and they have to go to the toilet?”
“Then they should call out for help.”
“What if he’s not around?”
“Then the rule doesn’t apply, and you can get up and go to the bathroom. But I am here and you’re not to get out of bed without asking for my permission. Understand?”
“Um, yes.”
“I know I can come on strong. If I’m pushing too hard, then tell me. Say ‘red’ if you like. And we’ll stop and talk. The last thing I want is to scare you away.”
“I don’t see how you could ever scare me away.”
Well, he’d done it in the past. “Promise you’ll tell me.”
“I promise.”
“Good girl. I’m so proud of you for being so brave.” Sitting on the bed, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
Okay. What the hell? “What is that on your skin?” he demanded.
“Oh, it’s this new night cream I’m using on my skin. It’s so creamy and smooth. It’s got lavender in it to help me sleep.”
Yeah. That might be what he was tasting right now. Obviously the lavender wasn’t actually doing its job, either since she didn’t sleep well.
“Wait here while I get the things for you.”
Unless she doesn’t want you in her bathroom.
He turned. “If that’s all right with you.”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” she asked with a smile.
“Some women wouldn’t want a strange man in their bathroom,” he explained.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, you’re not that strange.”
Barren shook his head at her. “Sassy.” He walked into the bathroom, searching for her hairbrush and hair ties among the bottles of face cream, lotion, and bits of make-up that were scattered around. Ignoring the urge to tidy it all up, he returned to find her fidgeting on the bed.
“Are you all right, little girl?” he asked her, worried.
“I forgot to use the toilet! Can I go?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Yay!” she cried, jumping off the bed and racing into the bathroom.
She was so open with her thoughts and feelings. It was so refreshing after his life with Krystal. There was a part of him that wasn’t sure whether to believe in her reactions, though. It was hard for him to comprehend how anyone could be that bubbly and excited over such simple things.
He shook that thought off as she returned. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed a pillow, setting it on the floor in front of him.
“Come sit down and I’ll do your hair.”
She skipped over to him and plonked herself down in front of him.
Oh to be that young again. He started to carefully brush her hair.
“That’s so nice,” she said.
“It is?”
“Yeah, I didn’t realize how relaxing it would be to have someone brush my hair. When my brothers would do it, they’d hack at it so hard that my scalp would sting for ages afterward. This is much nicer.”
“That wasn’t very kind of them.”
She shrugged. “I guess they were annoyed about having to take care of me. My dad worked a lot, so they had to help take care of me and Joseph.”
“They should have been more careful with you. You’re precious.” He finished off one braid and started on the other.
“I am?” she asked in a hushed voice.
“You are,” he replied firmly. “And you should expect to be treated like a princess.”