Page 96 of Little Bits of Daddy (Montana Daddies)

“Can I have some privacy?”

“Nope. No privacy for you.”

She wrinkled her forehead. “Why?”

“Because you kept something from me. And until I trust that you’ll tell me everything, you can expect me to be keeping a very close eye on you.”

Her shoulders slumped. He hated how sad and exhausted she looked. But she needed to know that he really wasn’t happy with her right now.

“I’m sorry, Daddy. I didn’t want to worry you.” After cleaning up, she stood and reached down to pull her pants up. He moved, pulling them up for her, then he flushed the toilet while she washed her hands.

Her cheeks were a light pink as she avoided his gaze. Taking her hand in his, he led her out to the bedroom. Sitting on the side of the bed, he drew her onto his lap.

“Worry me?” he said in a low voice. “And you don’t think I’m concerned now?”

She wiggled on his lap.

“No, stay still and tell me what’s going on? Why haven’t you been sleeping?”

“It’s so silly. And I don’t want you to think I don’t want to go. I do. It’s the best Christmas present ever ,and I don’t want you to think I’m ungrateful. And?—”

“Okay, wait,” he said, interrupting her. “This has something to do with our trip?”

She nodded, peeking up at him hesitantly. “It’s just a bit scary. You know? That big plane trip. I’ve never been out of the country. What if I get claustrophobic on the plane? What if I lose you in London? There’s a lot of people there and I won’t knowwhere to go or what to do. What if we get mugged? Lose our luggage? What if we get sick?”

“Okay . . . calm down, little rebel. Shh.” He held her tight and rocked her until her breathing slowed. He hated seeing her so worked up. “I want you to listen to me. Did all these things start to seem worse as you lost more sleep?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Because you know that you have nothing to be frightened of, right? I’ll be taking care of you. The entire time. It’s up to me to worry about all of that. All you need to do is have fun. I promise I will not lose you. Ever. If you feel funny on the plane, I’ll hold you tight. If we get sick, they have hospitals. If they lose our luggage, I’ll buy us new clothes. Nothing bad is going to happen. Not while Daddy is with you.”

“I know, Daddy. I’m sorry. I’m being silly, aren’t I?”

He kissed the top of her forehead. “It’s okay to be frightened of the unknown. What’s not okay is keeping all this from Daddy.”

“I know, I feel really terrible about that.” She put her hand over her tummy. “Are you going to spank me?”

“Do you think I should?” he murmured.

“Yes, Daddy. I deserve it. And I need it to get rid of that icky feeling im my tummy.”

“Yes, I’m going to spank you. Then you’re having a nap. And every day until we leave, you’ll be having a nap.”

“But how? I’ll be working.”

“After lunch, you’ll be taking a nap on the couch in my office.”

She gaped up at him. “I can’t nap at work!”

“You can and you will,” he said firmly. “Because Daddy is in charge.”

Yikes.

Napping in his office every day was going to be weird. But she decided she was best not to argue. Duke had his serious face on. He meant business.

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Right, over my lap you go. It’s time for your punishment, then bed.”

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