Page 76 of The Satyr's Guilt
The child was definitely Ram’s. She had hiscaramel-streaked hair and translucent eyes rife with mischief.
The dimples were her own, fitting her frillypink skirt, shiny black Mary Janes, and socks with ruffledtops.
“She’s pretty, Daddy.” He swung the childoff his shoulders.
“Yes, she is,” agreed Ram.
“Hey. What about me, little one? I’mhandsome, don’t you think?” asked Thorn.
She giggled. “No male’s as handsome as mydaddy. But you’re funny.”
“Funny’s good. Nice to meet you. Heard aboutyou.”
Jonquil scanned Denim with eyes which wereold for her age, which was probably about eight.
“We’re going to get groceries for dinner.”Ram was uncharacteristically soft spoken. No jokes with sexualovertones. “Come along, pest. See ya.” He grabbed Jonquil’shand.
Denim and Thorn waved.
Tugging on her dad, the girl did aone-eighty. “Denim, do you want to come for dinner tomorrow?Daddy’s cooking. He’s a great cook.”
“I’m sure she’s busy, pest,” said Ram.
“Please, Daddy. We never have dinnerguests.” She fluttered her thick lashes, giving him puppy eyes.Like any father, he couldn’t refuse.
“Of course. What was I thinking? Denim,please join us for dinner tomorrow.”
“Will your wife be there?” She cringed afterthe question stumbled across her lips, almost slapping a hand overher mouth.
Lame.
Jonquil giggled. “We don’t have a wife.Please, Denim.” She skipped around Ram, her fingers tapping hislegs.
“We really would like you to join us. It’llbe grill night. Steaks. Corn on the cob. Some green vegetable wehaven’t picked out yet. If the pest behaves, we might even get adessert.”
“Daddy makes me eat green vegetables. Idon’t mind. They’re good for you. Do you like green vegetables,Denim?”
“Asparagus. Love the stuff. My grandma mademe eat okra. Not so fond of it.”
“We can get asparagus. Huh, Daddy? And icecream for dessert.”
“Absolutely.”
“I’d love to come,” said Denim.
“How about me?” asked Thorn.
“You can come some other time,” saidJonquil.
“Don’t be rude.” Ram corrected his daughter,but he didn’t seem too upset. “Thorn, you’re invited too. Bring thebeer.”
“You’re gonna have to get your own booze,man. I’m busy.”
Jonquil’s grin spread from cheek to cheek.“Good. We’ll see you tomorrow, Denim. About six, I think. Is itgood, Daddy?”
“Perfect, pest.”
Denim smiled. “See you then. How will I knowwhere you live?”
