Page 14 of The Captain's Little Girl

“He’s your daddy now,” Hope observed as Cricket pulled the contents out of the satchel to show everyone.

“Stickers! I don’t get those anymore since I put just a couple on Daddy’s gear,” Rosie laughed. “If the guys hadn’t ribbed Tex for the ‘smells like a rose’ one, he wouldn’t have banned them.”

“You have to admit that there’s a big aromatic difference between any of the daddies and a flower when they’re on a mission,” River giggled.

Rosie pinched her nose and nodded fervently. “Especially Tex! P.U.”

“I wish we had wine,” Ember suggested. “We could have a toast welcoming Cricket officially to the group.”

“No way,” Rosie shook her head. “When I admitted I’d had four shots, I got… four shots.” Her implication did not baffle anyone.

“Just wait until your first spanking,” River warned Cricket.

“Mark has swatted me on the bottom before to get my attention. That wasn’t bad,” Cricket shared.

“You’ll know the difference if you really screw up,” Hope warned. “I do always feel better afterward. I know everything is forgiven and I have a fresh start. Sam doesn’t hold grudges, but he does have an awfully hard hand.”

“Let’s save the stickers for another day. I don’t think I want to earn a spanking yet,” Cricket decided, tucking that book back into the bag.

“Look! You have the glittery colors. Can I borrow the green for my princess’s shoes?” Rosie asked.

“Of course!” Cricket opened the large pack and held it out to Rosie.

Minutes later, they were all embroiled in their latest design. Each worked carefully to produce a masterpiece to show their daddies when they were done. Chatter filled the air as they talked about everything from their little lives to their jobs.

Although Cricket had hung out with everyone many times in the past, this time felt different. When her phone rang in her pocket, Cricket looked at the display and groaned. It was the Harbor Grill. She looked at River before answering.

“Hi! This is Cricket.”

“Sorry to bother you,” their manager, Russ, apologized. “A large wedding party just called. Their caterer and reception hall canceled at the last minute. We have space in the back room to save the day, but I need waitresses. Would you come in tonight?”

“That’s awful. The bride must be panicking,” Cricket sympathized. “I’m out at the training field without transportation. I can’t be there until six probably, but I’ll get there as soon as possible.”

“I’ll come get you.”

“It’s that urgent, huh?”

“Yes. Is River with you? She’s next on my list to call.”

“Hold on,” Cricket said to the manager, looking apologetically at River as she handed over the phone.

Five minutes later, they were packing their bags. Their manager had sent his wife to pick them up. There was just enough time to stop by River’s and Cricket’s homes to pick up clothes.

Cricket stared down the trail where the men would emerge as they completed the next lap around the course. She was going to miss telling him goodbye. Just as a familiar car approached, she spotted them. At their frantic waves, Doniphan and Mark raced up to hear their news.

“A bride won’t have a reception if we don’t go,” Cricket said sadly. “We should be off about eleven.”

“I’ll come get you, baby girl.”

“I’ll miss you,” Cricket said, leaning forward carefully to press her lips against his without getting close to his sweaty body.

“We’ll have our team celebration tomorrow night. Plan on sleeping at my place. Pack a few things while you’re at your apartment and pick up your car keys so I can get it looked at,” Mark directed.

“Thanks.”

“Come on, Captain. They’re going to be tough to catch,” Doniphan warned, pointing down the trail at the rest of the team who hadn’t broken their pace.

With one last kiss, Mark followed the medic with a burst of speed. Cricket thought proudly that they’d be back in the front in a few minutes. Her daddy was the best.

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