Page 97 of Daddy's Little Surprise

But knowing she lied overtook everything else. The guilt was weighing her down. It hadn’t even been an hour, and the guilt was intensifying. Would she be able to keep this up?

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Daddy gently asked. “You seem different.”

Opening her eyes, she blinked several times, trying to get the tears to go away. He stared at her as if he knew what she was hiding. Did he? Had he spoken to Echo and figure it out? But he didn’t know she was talking to Echo before. So then, did Echo call him? But that wouldn’t make any sense either. It hadn’t been long between Rainey handing up with Echo to Daddy walking into her office.

“I’m okay. I promise. I’m just a little tired.”

“Should you be hanging out with Echo tonight if you’re tired?”

“You said I am taking a nap today, so I should be fine. And I already promised I would hang out with her. I can’t go back on my promise.”

Daddy kissed her forehead. “You won’t be hanging out too late. You need your sleep. Earlier bedtime and a nap tomorrow.”

Whining, she pulled away from Daddy.

“But I don’t need an early bedtime and nap tomorrow.”

“I think you do.”

“I don’t. I’m not that tired,” she whined again.

“Little girl.”

Okay, that was a lie. She was exhausted, but she had beenthis way for over a month. Not getting good sleep and working a lot of hours did that to a person.

“Early bedtime and a nap tomorrow is nonnegotiable. Health is one of your rules. We don’t want you to have to go back to the hospital for bed rest.”

She shuddered at the thought.

“No, I don’t.”

“Then an early bedtime and a nap tomorrow is in order. I might make nap time mandatory so you are always well rested.”

“I don’t need nap time every day.”

“We’ll see about that. Right now, you do. You are exhausted and not getting good sleep at night.”

“What if I can’t fall asleep for nap time?”

“Daddy will help with that. You’ll be able to sleep.”

She looked at him skeptically. How was he going to ensure she stayed asleep? That would be a hard task.

“Daddy has a coupleof tricks up his sleeve.”

“I still don’t think I need a nap.”

“We’ve talked about this.”

More like he talked about it, and she didn’t really get a say.

“But I’m just saying. I don’t think I need them. Naps are for babies, and I’m not a baby.”

“You’re my Little girl. Daddy wants to make sure you are healthy, and sleep is part of that. You will be taking a nap every day until I say so. Health rule, Little girl.”

“But.”

“No buts. You will be taking a nap either way. You can take it with a hot bottom. Your choice.”

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