Page 138 of Daddy's Naughty List

Once sworn in, Mrs. Bartram explained, “Your Honor, I’m afraid this case has been a waste of the court’s time. You see, Rochelle Talon has been placed on administrative leave pending a review of all her cases. We’ve discovered she did not follow the guidelines and procedures required by the Department of Child Safety in regard to screening allegations, categorizing alleged violations, and submitting her conclusions for review when it was first appealed. To be frank, this case should never have made it this far. After an unbiased review, none of the accusations against Ms. Belissa Carpenter were substantiated.”

It took the judge and several threats from Daddies in the courtroom to bring the court back to order.

Next, Raleigh called Sandy back to the stand, where she confessed to doctoring the pictures she’d sent in and basically making the entire story up. She claimed she only meant to get Bliss fired, but then everything had snowballed. Connor knew better. Sandy thought with Bliss out of the way, he’d turn back to her. That would never have happened. When he’d said goodbye to that woman, he’d meant it.

The judge found in favor of Bliss and told her she no longer needed to worry about the Department of Child Safety.

Bliss hugged Raleigh, which Connor grudgingly didn’t eviscerate his friend for. He watched his girl closely. Bliss could hide things when she wasn’t in Little space. She seemed to be fine, but he wanted to be sure.

He pulled her aside for a private chat. “Babygirl, are you all right? Are the yucky feelings gone?”

She quieted, thinking it over before giving him an answer. “I’m not quite okay yet. I need to ask you something first.”

Had she overheard his conversation with Bones the night before? He’d thought she was asleep, but he hadn’t checked. She’d be within her rights to ask him to leave. The only one who knew of their ‘engagement’ was Rochelle Talon, and she was going to be too busy trying to stay out of jail to worry about Bliss.

Knowing his girl, it could be anything. “You know I’ll do whatever you need, trouble. What is it?”

“It’s very, very important, Daddy.”

“Okay, trouble. Just ask.”

“Okay, hold on.” She reached behind her back and pulled out the pale pink box. “Can you put my crown back on me, please?” All the Musketiaras, who he hadn’t noticed were gathered around, burst out laughing.

He pretended to be angry. “I’m going to tell all your Daddies to roast your rear ends.” Then he focused on Bliss. “But you,I can take care of myself.”

He lunged for her, and squeals erupted as Littles dashed around everywhere.

Yeah, his babygirl was going to be fine.

Chapter Seventeen

Bliss

Bliss lay on her side, staring at Connor, trying her best not to wiggle. Her Daddy had told her if she woke him one more time to see if it was time to get up and see what Santa had brought her, Santa would make all her presents disappear.

She’d gasped at the time and pretended to go back to sleep. Now that she’d had time to think, she wasn’t sure her Daddy was right. It didn’t sound like something Santa would do. Still, since Santa had never visited her before, she wasn’t ready to risk it. Her Mary Poppins shoulder angel was whispering about aproper night’s sleep, while her Miranda angel kept talking aboutsomething bad about to happen.

Flopping onto her back, she distracted herself by looking around Connor’s bedroom. It was as big as her whole house. The walls were a dark pine green with cream accents and wide wooden beams crossed the high ceiling. Large black and white photographs of nature decorated the walls. She ran her hand over the luxurious earthy brown comforter as she grinned at the caramel-colored leather chair and matching ottoman they’d made such creative use of two nights before.

She rolled back on her side and thumped her pillow to get all the dips in the right places. Once it was perfect, she stared at the window that took up almost one entire wall. Was that the sun she spied peeking through the evergreens that filled the lot beside Connor’s? It was hard to tell, but maybe. She should ask Connor. It could be bandits sneaking through the woods.

“I wouldn’t,” Connor growled. “Not unless you want to start the morning with a red-hot bottom. Go back to sleep.” He rolled over and pretended to snore.

Unreasonable Daddy. Who could’ve guessed that, after moving her and the girls into his house for Christmas, he’d turn out to be such a Christmas grump.

It had taken her a long time to get to sleep in the new bed. A new house. She still couldn’t decide how she felt about the girls not being in the room with them. She’d never slept without them close.

Yes, Connor had video monitors so she could check on them without waking them up. But what if they needed her and didn’t make any noise? She’d better go check on them.

Laying aside the covers, she scooted to the edge of the mattress. Rolling onto her tummy, she hung her legs off the bed and inched herself lower.

“Let your feet touch that floor and see what happens, trouble.” Connor didn’t even turn over. How did he do that?

She pushed up on her hands and knees, crawling across the enormous, customized mattress and tried to search through his hair without bothering him.

“What are you doing, naughty girl?”

With a squeal, she crawled back to her side of the bed. “Nothing, Daddy. I just wanted to see your eyes.”

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