Page 30 of Little Bits of Daddy (Montana Daddies)

“That doesn’t mean it’s warm outside, little girl. And it’s my job to make certain my girl is well-protected.”

“I’m already sweating. I’m going to faint from heat stroke.”

He snorted. “I won’t let you get heat stroke.”

“You might not know. I might just keel over. Then you’ll have to carry me all the way home. So, I think the safest thing is to take some of these clothes off.” She grabbed hold of the buttons of her jacket.

“If you take any of those off without permission, I’m going to pull down those pants and long johns and smack your bottom.”

Well. Drat.

“Come on. It’s cooler outside and we need to get a move on. You’re cranky because you’re hungry.”

Cranky because she was hungry? She’d spent half her childhood hungry. She was not cranky. But as she stomped after him, she had to admit she did feel a tiny bit out of sorts.

“Hmm, after our picnic, someone needs to have a nap.”

“Do not,” she replied.

He turned and raised an eyebrow. “Or maybe we can skip the picnic and just eat lunch here.”

“No, Daddy. I’ll be good,” she said quickly. “I’m not cranky. See.” She plastered on a big smile.

He shook his head with a grin. “You’re adorable is what you are.” He went over to his truck and opened up the back, pulling out a fishing rod and a small tackle box. The picnic basket came out next.

“Ready, baby?”

“Want me to carry something, Daddy?” She wouldn’t admit it, but it was kind of chilly out.

“Nope, little girls don’t carry things. Well, other than their stuffies.” He winked at her. “Follow me. It’s not too far.”

They soon arrived at the creek and he set up the blanket. “There you go, have a seat and I’ll get the food out.” He tapped her nose. “Got to feed my baby.”

She smiled up at him. “Can I take the hat, scarf, and gloves off, Daddy?”

He nodded. “All right. But if you get cold, they’re going back on.”

He drew out some containers of food. Potato salad, leftover roast chicken, and some soft buns. Then he pulled out a pink plate and spooned some food onto it, before placing it and a fork in front of her. “There you go, baby.”

She looked at the mound of food in dismay. “Ahh, Daddy, are you sure this isn’t your plate?”

He snorted. “Daddy doesn’t eat off a pink plate.”

“Why not? Pink’s a great color. Are you prejudiced against pink, Daddy?”

“Nope, I happen to love the color pink. On my little girl. But Daddy needs a big plate and an adult sized fork for all the food he eats.”

Sure enough, his plate and fork were much larger than hers. So was his huge pile of food. He also pulled out a carton of juice and poured some into a cup for her then attached a lid.

“A sippy cup?” She stared at the object as though she thought it might bite her.

“Yes, little darling. A sippy cup. Drink up.”

She wrinkled her nose and picked it up but didn’t take a drink.

“Do you need some help? You do know how a sippy cup works, right?”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, duh.”

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