Page 27 of Harmonizing with Little Heaven Leigh

“Let’s give your legs a test drive. We’ll see how you do with getting dressed.”

She wasn’t quite as coordinated as usual, but she managed to get her clothes on with a little help. And then leaned against the cross and watched, while he did a quick scan of their area. The cross had already been cleaned and readied for the next players. The items he’d used and had dropped in the basket had also already been removed. One could never question the efficiency of the staff working in the Dungeon.

His bag went over one shoulder, and his free arm wrapped around her waist. It was a long walk, and tiredness dragged their steps at first, but once they were outside, the cool evening air perked them both up considerably.

Heaven shivered and leaned into him. “Promise we’ll still use the Dungeon after our house is built and we’re living on the Ridge? I’d hate to give it up.” There was just a touch of melancholy to her tone.

He squeezed her. “Of course. We’ll still be coming over here for work, you know. And you’ll come over for classes too. We’re not moving to another country,chiquita.”

“I guess. It’s just… changes.” She sighed.

He echoed it. “Change is hard. I’ll be glad once everything settles down. That might not happen for a long time, but I’m sure things will start getting easier once we open the shop. And think how much fun it’s going to be to have your own big workspace where you can bake every day.”

She looked up, a quick grin curved her mouth as her mood shifted. “That’s right. I can’t wait! I have so many ideas that I’ve been dying to try.”

He was right there on the same page. In this, as with many things, they were in synch. Both had been creatively frustrated for far too long. And they were both anxious to flex those artistic muscles and see what they could do with the best equipment and lots of space.

Heaven began to chatter about the project that was on the top of her list. “I’ve decided to keep the vegetable cakes to a sample selection of six different ones, instead of doing custom orders. I know I’m not going to have time otherwise.”

He still had some reservations about the “prank” line she was planning. As a Daddy, he was supposed to keep her from causing too much mayhem, after all. But her excitement about it was adorable, and he just couldn’t say no to her on this subject. Besides, the fake vegetables were harmless.

Heaven hadn’t been a prankster when she’d first arrived. She’d been dead set against the idea of getting in trouble on purpose, and honestly didn’t see the point of playing tricks. Until she’d felt her friends had been treated unfairly and decided to get revenge.

She’d managed to pull off a double prank, all on her own, without help. There had been some trouble, and it had led to all the Littles, not just the guilty ones, being denied dessert. Heaven was outraged that the innocent were being punished too.

She’d crept into the kitchen late at night to make piles of Brussels sprouts that were actually cakes. They were so real looking that no one noticed anything was wrong. The Littles had been confused at first, then overjoyed to be served the fake sprouts at dinner and had cleared their plates in record time.

That probably would have been enough to make her a legend, and to get her butt spanked, but she’d gone a step further. At the same meal, the Dominants had been served cake pops for dessert, and on the first bite had discovered raw vegetables hidden under the sweet coating.

She’d been properly punished for it, but ever since then the other Littles were constantly begging her to make more “veggies”. Now, with their own place, Heaven had decided a line of prank foods would be well received. Given the nature of the Ranch and the large number of Littles and bratty subs, she was probably right.

So he’d given her the go-ahead, knowing full well he might regret it later. “Which vegetables are you going to do?”

“Well, sprouts, of course. Broccoli, cauliflower, and a cute little pile of peas. I’m thinking baby carrots since they’ll be simple, and maybe cherry tomatoes. It’s a lot of green, but most vegetables are.”

“Hmm, yeah you’re not really going to be able to avoid green if you’re doing vegetables. Have you decided what else you’re doing for the prank foods?”

She snuck a look at him. “Maybe.” She’d been a bit guarded about some of her plans, and he had a feeling he knew why.

He let the silence build as they walked down the well-lit path toward the employee apartments, waiting for her to add more. She didn’t, which was worrisome. “Heaven… you haven’t forgotten our conversation, have you?”

“The one we’ve had about a dozen times, where you warn me that if the prank foods cause a problem, it’s probably going to bite me in the butt?” Her voice was deliberately neutral and she didn’t look his way.

“That would be the one.”

“I remember every word, Daddy.”

He was not reassured. “Rememberedandhave kept it in mind while planning?”

“Absolutely!” she assured him.

“Good, then you won’t mind telling me what the other plans are.” He put a little of the stern Daddy voice behind the words and let his hand slip down to pinch her bottom.

She yelped and pulled away. “Don’t you want to be surprised?”

He pulled her right back against him. “I absolutely do not, thank you.” He snorted. “Oddly enough, I’m not interested in surprise pranks.”

She came to a stop and turned to him, bottom lip jutting out in a pout. “Daddy, don’t you trust me?”

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