Page 55 of Protecting Little Phoebe

“Hmm, I used to. But my ex didn’t want them and now… I’m not so sure. What about you?”

What would he say if she said she wanted them? Was he ready to adapt his life for a child?

Whoa. Getting ahead of yourself there.But he couldn’t deny that he was imagining her in his life.

Permanently.

“I don’t know, either. I hadn’t thought about it much if I’m honest because I never found someone I thought I would want a relationship with long-term. I’m happy either way.”

Reaching over, he squeezed her hand.

“We need to stop soon, though, Daddy.”

“Why is that? Do you need to go potty? How is your booster seat? Comfortable?”

“It really is. I didn’t think I would like it, but I’m so much higher now.”

They’d had a booster seat in the store at Rawhide Ranch that could be used to raise her up.

“I don’t need to go potty, though,” she told him.

“Then why do we have to stop?” he asked. They had a tank full of gas and he was going to drive as far as he could today before she grew tired. This trip would take them a couple of days.

“Snacks of course! You can’t have a road trip without snacks. I’m pretty sure it’s illegal.”

“Illegal? Really?”

“Uh-huh. I think they might throw you in jail.”

“That does sound serious,” he said. “What sort of snacks do you think we need?”

“Hmm, I like Gushers, Swedish Fish, Twizzlers, Snickers, and chips.”

“What sort of chips?” he asked.

“All of them.”

“Right, well, you’re not going to get all of that. But we’ll stop and you can choose one snack.”

“One snack, Daddy? Are you serious?”

“Very serious,” he said firmly. “One or none. It’s your choice.”

“I don’t think that’s even a choice, Daddy. I don’t think I can survive on just one snack.”

“I think you can do it.”

“This is gonna be a great road trip, Daddy!” she cried. “The bestest ever.”

“Glad you think so, my baby. I’m just happy to be on a road trip with you.”

“Aww, Daddy, you’re the sweetest.”

“Into the corner. Now.”

She stomped her foot before looking down at it in shock. Oopsie. She hadn’t actually meant to do that.

“Did you just stomp your foot?” he asked, arms crossing over his chest.

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