Page 50 of Protecting Little Phoebe

“Yes, Daddy. I do miss Snickerdoodle, though.”

“We can go get him before we go to the shop later if you like.”

“Oh, yes, please, Daddy,” she said as he moved around the room, pulling the curtains and turning off the lights. A small nightlight came on so they weren’t completely in darkness. Walking back to the crib, he sat facing her.

“I won’t sleep, Daddy,” she warned.

“Roll over, my baby. I’ll rub your back and see if that helps.”

She shuffled over so she faced away from him and he rubbed her back until he heard a soft snore escape her. With a smile, he stood and raised the side of the cot.

Just as he’d thought, she’d gotten off to sleep quickly.

Lucky for her, Daddy knew just what she needed even when she didn’t.

“I’m so excited!” Phoebe skipped back and forth in her slippers as she swung Snickerdoodle around with one hand. Her other hand was firmly encased in Barren’s large hand as he led her toward the store.

She’d finished a nap, something she hadn’t thought was going to be possible. She was usually far too busy to sleep during the day. But she’d woken up in the crib, with all four sides raised! Barren had been there immediately to help her out and he’d taken her straight to the bathroom. Which was a smart move on his behalf because she’d been busting. But now they were heading into Rawhide Ranch’s shop, and she was so excited!

“Now, listen to the rules, please,” Barren said firmly as he came to a stop and turned her to face him.

“Rules?” she cried.

“Yes, rules.”

“I don’t see how there can be more rules, Daddy. I think if you come up with any more rules my head might explode.”

“I think you can handle it,” he told her solemnly. “While we are in the shop, you are to stay within eyesight of me at all times. No running off to look at something or wandering away. Understand?”

She sighed. “Well, okay, Daddy.”

“And if Daddy tells you to do something, you have to do it straight away. I don’t want any arguments or pouting.”

“But pouting is so fun.”

“Little girl,” he said in a warning voice.

“Yes, Daddy. No pouting. I understand.”

His girl was a demon to shop with. She flitted around from thing to thing, picking it up and then discarding it.

She never went out of his eyesight, though.

“Oh, Daddy this is just the cutest!” she cried, running her hand over a white, fluffy scarf with matching hat.

They would look good on her and he picked them up to put them in the basket.

“You don’t have to buy them for me, though.” She reached in to take them out of the basket.

“New rule,” he said.

“Oh no, Daddy! Not another one.”

“Yes, another one. If something goes into the basket, it doesn’t come out unless I take it out.”

“All right, Daddy.”

He realized he’d made a mistake after that as she stopped reacting with excitement at everything she saw. Finally, he drew her to a halt after they’d walked past a red onesie with white hearts on it that he just knew she had to love.

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