Page 37 of Big Daddy Sheriff

“What’s up, honey?” Quinn asked.

“I’m just going to watch,” she said. She was trying to act as nonchalantly as possible, but it was evident something was bothering her.

“Why?” Quinn said. Though he suspected he already knew the answer. He’d seen the look on her face when Walker had mentioned bathing suits.

“I don’t have a bathing suit,” she whispered.

“No worries. Joe has you all fixed up over at the store.”

Another moment passed. She finally said, “I’m really all good. Thanks, though.”

He cocked his head to one side and arched an eyebrow. “Honey, tell Daddy what’s actually going on here.”

He wrapped his arms around her. The embrace gave her a bit of courage, but her voice was still trembling when she said,“I don’t want to wear a bathing suit in front of everyone. I’m too fat.”

He nodded, indicating that’s what he thought she’d say. He looked into her eyes as he brushed a strand of her hair back, tucking it behind her ear.

“Is that okay, Daddy?” she said.

“Honey, your body is your body. If you’re not comfortable wearing a bathing suit, then that is your business. We have other options, though. You could do shorts and a t-shirt.”

“You wouldn’t be upset with me?” she asked.

“Babydoll, I’ll never be upset with you over something like that. I want you to feel comfortable. I’ll always support you. At the same time, though, I don’t want you to miss out on the fun.”

By now, Janie was already out, wearing a tankini. She giddily ran toward the slide, grabbed one of the innertubes stacked at the entrance, did a belly flop onto it, and soared down the hill. She laughed the entire way, even as she splashed into the pool, walls of water on both sides of her cascading down.

Alyssa smiled. “That does look pretty fun.”

From the bottom, Janie yelled up, “Hey, Alyssa. You gonna do it?”

Alyssa sucked in her bottom lip as she thought it over. A moment later, she gave a relenting smile. “I’ll wear a bathing suit, Daddy.”

“You sure you’re comfortable, honey? I want you to be completely at ease.”

She nodded. “Yeah. I hope no one throws up, though. I almost barf every time I see my fat body. I’m sure everyone else will, too.”

“Whoa there, little missy,” Quinn said, shaking his head. His eyes held an intensity as he said, “That’s the kind of talk thatwillearn you a spanking. I’d never spank you for having a negative self-image. I don’t like it, but you don’t need to be disciplinedover it. But you can control your tongue. And I won’t tolerate you saying such nasty things about yourself. Am I clear, little girl?”

She gulped. “Yes, Daddy.”

He relented with a smile. “Good. Now come on. Let’s go get you outfitted so you can hit up that slide.”

He kissed her forehead, took her hand, and led her toward the store.

His words were still ringing in her ears. She made a mental note not to cross the line.

Because it was clear that Daddy meant business.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Lana sat in her office and stared out the window.

She had a crappy view. What did she expect? It was a crappy car lot. But it served its purpose. Beyond washing her money, it actually turned a decent profit. She sold lemons to people with shitty credit and nowhere else to turn. She could charge whatever she wanted and they’d pay it. They were desperate. Of course, they had to finance it, but she got away applying astronomical interest rates. What could anyone do about it?

During her last senate race, her opponent had raised the issue, trying to make it a point of contention with the voters. She’d been able to dodge the arrows, though.

She could dodge any arrow.

---