Page 21 of Taught to Obey

I surveyed the studio with a critical eye just as a delivery truck rumbled to a stop in front of the building. Daddy was right. Maybe I could open early? The sound of footsteps on the porch drew my attention and I headed to the door to meet the delivery woman, who was holding a large box.

“Knock knock!” she said in a jovial tone.

“Hi, there. Thank you so much,” I said, opening the screen door. But just before I could accept the box, Daddy swooped in front of me and took it.

“Good morning, Amy,” Derek said with a friendly nod at the middle-aged woman with long dark hair. He tucked the huge box under one arm. “How’ve you been?”

The delivery woman—Amy—gave him a broad smile as she stood in the doorway. “Oh I’ve been all right. Just broke up with my boyfriend but damn if I don’t feel two hundred pounds lighter now. What do you say, Derek? I’m currently conducting interviews for my next boy toy. Care to apply?” She winked at him, and I realized there was something very, very familiar about her. A second later, it hit me. She looked just like Kay from the diner. But in different clothes and with a different haircut.

Derek chuckled. “Amy, I’m touched that you would consider me, but I don’t think I could handle you.” He winked back at her, and another thought occurred to me. They looked to be around the same age. What if he liked her? What if he decided he would rather be with a woman closer to his own age?

Doubts and insecurities plagued me. I wanted a fresh start here, but I didn’t want to begin my time in Rocky Springs with a broken heart. I stood awkwardly as I watched the interaction between Amy and Daddy continue to play out.

Amy chuckled and gave a wry shake of her head. “I’m just teasing, of course. From what I hear from Kay, you’ve already got yourself a woman.” Her eyes drifted to me, and she gave me an appraising look. “You must be Gemma, the artist from Connecticut. Welcome to Rocky Springs! It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’m Amy, of course.” She offered me her hand and I promptly shook it. Her grip was firm, and she possessed a self-confidence I couldn’t help but envy.

“Hi, Amy,” I said. “It’s so nice to meet you, too.” Some of my insecurities from earlier started to fade. “Um, I hope this isn’t a rude question, but are you Kay’s sister?”

She smoothed a hand through her hair, then struck a dramatic pose as she cupped her own face. “Why yes, I am. I’m the younger, sexier twin. But don’t tell Kay I said that or she’ll put salt in my coffee!” She laughed and I found myself joining in. I also wished I could joke around and interact with people with as much ease as she could. She was the sort of person who was comfortable in her own skin. Oh how I wished I could be more like that.

We exchanged a few more pleasantries before she finally announced she had to finish her route. She waved farewell and skipped down the porch steps to her waiting truck. I waved back, even though she no longer had her eyes on us. I shot an amused look at Daddy.

“She’s a character,” he said with a grin, “just like Kay.”

“I think they’re both very nice,” I said, “though I’ll admit I was worried for a second when she hit on you. I didn’t realize she was joking at first.” I didn’t mention that her comment had also caused me to worry that maybe Daddy would decide he wanted to be with someone older than me, someone closer to his own age.

Daddy shut the screen door, set the box on the floor, then guided me into the center of the room. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead. The stubble on his face tickled my cheeks, and a spasm of heat rolled through my core. It seemed the smallest act of affection from him was enough to get my motor running.

“Baby girl,” he said, playfully nuzzling his nose against mine, “even if she had been serious, you would’ve had nothing to worry about. I’m all yours, darlin’, and you’re all mine.”

CHAPTER17

GEMMA

I gaspedwith delight when I opened the box and peered inside. More supplies for the giftshop side of my studio—the keychains, magnets, t-shirts, etcetera—had arrived. I was still expecting a few more boxes, but this was a great start.

“My tacky tourist doodads!” I said, pulling out a handful of keychains that were miniature depictions of my most popular abstract mountainous landscape painting.

Daddy knelt next to me on the floor and peered into the box. He pulled out a t-shirt that had a colorful rising sun on it, another of my most popular paintings. For these particular items, I’d decided to use the prints that frequently sold out on my website.

I giggled as he removed his flannel shirt followed by his navy-blue undershirt. And then my eyes promptly widened, and my throat went dry. Oh my. Daddy was ripped. His sculpted chest was spattered with dark hair, making him appear extra rugged and manly. My heart fluttered and warmth spasmed between my thighs. This was the first time I’d seen Daddy naked from the waist up.

He seemed oblivious to my gawking as he pulled the t-shirt he’d grabbed from the box over his head. He shoved his arms through the holes and tugged it down. Facing me, he placed his hands on his hips, modeling the shirt with a wide grin. He made a flourishing motion at the text that was printed below the sun: Gemma’s Gallery, Rocky Springs, CO.

“Now I’m a walking advertisement for your studio.” His warm smile nearly brought tears to my eyes. A couple of days ago, I hadn’t even known he existed, but today his support meant the world to me.

“Thank you, Daddy.” I rose to my feet and looked him up and down. “You look very nice in that shirt, but… you also looked pretty nice without a shirt at all.” My face promptly grew hot.

Before he could respond, I heard my cell phone ringing. All the way upstairs. Crap. I’d left it on the kitchen counter.

“I’ll be right back!” I called as I bolted toward the stairs.

“No running, baby girl,” Daddy said. “Not in the house and most certainly not on the stairs.”

With a dramatic sigh, I slowed my pace, but only to a slow jog. I didn’t want to miss the call. What if it was the sign people saying they could come early? Or what if my accountant needed to reach me? I realized if it was important, whoever was calling would likely leave a message, but I didn’t want to take the chance. Especially when cell phone service could be spotty in Rocky Springs. As I reached the kitchen, I made a mental note to have a landline installed as soon as possible.

“Hello?” I said after swiping the answer button. I moved my mouth away from the phone a second later so the person on the other end wouldn’t hear my heavy breathing.

“Hello, we’ve been trying to reach you about your car’s extended warranty…” came a robotic female voice.

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