Page 63 of On His Ranch

“Next time, I think you can have milk while I drink my beer,” Chase mused, almost to himself as he took another swallow. “Maybe chocolate milk, if you’re a good girl.”

The knots in her belly alternately tightened and loosened until she didn’t know how she felt, except squirmy. “How do I earn chocolate milk, Daddy?”

“Hmm, that’s a good question. Because havin’ a daddy is more about what youwilldo than won’t.”

“Okay.”

“We won’t be able to discuss all of ‘em in one sitting, but some of the most important ones are: no cussin’, no keepin’ secrets, no eye rollin’, either.”

I guess he saw after all, she thought, blushing.

“Remember your manners, that’s another good one.”

I have good manners, she thought, almost rolling her eyes before she caught herself.

“This here would be where you say ‘yes, Daddy,’” he prompted.

“Yes, Daddy,” she answered as dutifully as she could manage.

“We’ll work on that, I know you can do better. And lastly, no brattin’.”

Her brow crinkled. “Uh, what’s that, Daddy?”

Chase’s grin flashed once more. “It’s a bit of a longer conversation. Finish up your dinner, we have other items on the agenda.”

Thatdidn’t sound good.

He quickly confirmed her thought by adding, “We have your punishment to deal with.”

Piper squirmed in her chair. “P-punishment?” she squeaked.

“The one you said you deserved?” he prompted.

“Oh. Well, yeah, I know Isaidthat, but…”

“I thought I said ‘no brattin’.” He chuckled at the perplexed look on her face. “And it’s not up for discussion. Understand?”

“Yes, Daddy,” she said, pouting.

“Eat your dinner.” That said, he went back to his own with relish.

But Piper quickly discovered she no longer had an appetite. Instead, she pushed her food around her plate, her stomach in knots. Shediddeserve to be punished, but that didn’t mean she looked forward to it.

Time seemed to drag on as her dread of the impending punishment grew. Every move he made caused her to flinch until even the sound of his fork clinking against his bowl set her teeth on edge.

But when he pushed his chair back, all of a sudden it felt too soon. He stood up, making sure she was looking at him before he spoke. “Now, although you’re my little girl, you earned a big girl’s punishment, and that’s what you’re gonna get. Understand?”

Piper squirmed in her chair. “Ah… I think so.”

“Alright then, here’s how this is gonna go. I have somethin’ to tend to, so while I do that, I want you to clean the kitchen. We don’t want my mom to have to worry about that when she gets home.”

“Okay. Sure. Um, I mean, yes, Daddy.”

“You’ll get used to it.” He winked.

Piper stood up, her legs a bit wobbly. But she was relieved. Maybe being a little girl would work to her advantage where punishments were concerned, because this was by far the best one she’d gotten. She began gathering up their dirty dishes.

“Jus’ one more thing.”

---