Page 9 of Clean Slade
“Daddy, where are we going?” Mac asked when I set off for Luna’s Lodge, my temporary residence.
“We…we’re going to have a sleepover, sweetie. This kind man is taking us to this cool bed and breakfast.”
I looked at them both through the rearview and smiled at the kid.
“Hi, I’m Slade, and who are you, pretty girl?”
“Mackenzie.” She stifled a smile.
“Very nice name.”
“Thank you.” She wrapped her arms tighter around her dad. “Why are we not sleeping at home?”
King glanced at me and pursed his lips.
I couldn’t even imagine what he must be going through. What kind of mess his mind was, all while trying to find the right answers for his little girl.
“Just for fun, sweetie. Lots of people go away for the holidays. I thought we’d do something fun too.”
I smiled, trying to tell him that was a nice save, but he looked away. Instead, I focused on getting them to the B&B safe and sound, ensuring no one was on our tail.
Mac was still unsure of everything when we got to the large house, so I did what I knew best.
“I’ve got a little surprise for you,” I told her, dropping to her level.
My knee throbbed, but I ignored it.
“For me? What is it?”
Her father frowned at me.
“Well, it wouldn’t really be a surprise if I told you, would it?” Mac rolled her eyes, and I finally got a hint of the kid’s real personality. “But you see, I didn’t think we’d get here so late, so I need you to bereallyquiet.”
I lowered my voice to a hush, got back to my feet, and started tiptoeing toward my room.
“Come on. Follow me. They should be asleep, so we have to try really hard not to wake them up, okay?” I whispered.
Mac glanced at her father and then followed me, taking careful steps too.
King crossed his arms and watched us all the way to my room door, where I grabbed the handle.
“Are you ready?”
Mac nodded.
“And remember, don’t wake them up.”
I swung the door open. As expected, not only did she not stay quiet, she screeched, jumping into the room and onto my bed. I couldn’t help laughing.
King rushed to my side to peek through the door, distress written all over his face.
But the distress turned to shock when he found his daughter swimming in a sea of teddy bears and plushies.
“What is all this?” he asked, slowly turning toward me.
I shrugged.
“My collection of stuffed animals?”
