“The bike isn’t scratched?”
He sighed. “Yeah, it is. But you don’t need to worry about that. We’re going to use the emergency money.”
“What about the cost of fixing the RV?”
“Let’s worry about that later, okay? I’ll get Razor to fix the scratch on your bike.”
“But what’s the point in keeping the bike if I’m not ever going to ride it?”
He sighed. “I’ve been thinking about that. I think I might have been a touch short-sighted.”
“You?” she gasped theatrically. “Never.”
“Watch it, brat. You’re still in trouble for getting on the bike and starting it without me being here. And without a helmet on. You could have given yourself a concussion.”
“But I wasn’t expecting it to move!”
“Doesn’t matter. Safety first. That’s one punishment.”
Uh-oh.
“You’re going to spank me, Daddy?”
“You should know better than to get on a bike and start it without your helmet, so yes. You’re getting a spanking once you’re completely healed. Like Hack said, I might have to start keeping a notebook for once you’re feeling better.”
“You know, I never liked that Hack. Always thought he was filled with jibber-jabber.”
“Jibber-jabber, huh? That’s a new one. And I liked his idea of a notebook. I have a feeling there’s going to be a few spankings earned over this next week.”
“But, Daddy, I’m a good girl.”
“Course you are. But good girls still break the rules.”
“I’ve kind of gone all gooey inside. Of course, that could just be the painkillers. Or hunger.”
“You’re hungry?”
“Not really.”
“You still need to eat. I’ll order some Chinese. Now, where were we?”
“Your short-sightedness toward me riding my bike. And also, toward forgiving punishments earned.”
He just shot her a look.
Right. Might be time for her to be quiet now.
“Maybe I should have taught you to ride that bike. If I had, then this never would have happened. But I didn’t want you to ride it, because I was worried about you getting hurt. And because the Fox bought it for you.”
“Duke, you know the Fox is just a friend, right? He’s like that weird uncle that you dread inviting to your birthday party because you know he’s going to say something outrageous and insult everyone.”
“I know, baby girl. You’re right. And I should have taught you to ride.”
“It really doesn’t matter,” she told him, reaching over to take his hand. “I still think we should sell it. I’m not sure I want to ride it anymore.”
“You shouldn’t let this scare you off, Sunny. It was just an accident.”
“An accident which scratched the bike and dented the garage door and my head?”