Page 62 of Coulda

“Don’t ask a Frenchman that or we’ll never be allowed back in the country,” he suggested, laughing.

“I bet there’s shots we’ll have to get,” she commented a few seconds later, obviously having considered the ramification of the trip.

“You give shots every day, sweetheart. You can’t be afraid to get one.”

“Not everyone is as nice as me. Some people jab them hard. Maybe I don’t like turtles anyway,” she muttered.

“If I go with you to the doctor’s office, would that make you feel better?” Rio asked.

Immediately, she nodded her head. “Yes, Daddy. That would be much better. And…”

“And what?” he asked when her voice trailed away without finishing her statement.

“Maybe we could get ice cream afterward? Or go play mini golf? That would help me forget about the pain,” she promised.

“I think we could do one of those things.” Rio wasn’t going to tell her until the last minute that several shots might be required, depending on what she’d already had to protect her in the emergency department.

“I could probably go with you then. You’d get lonely without me,” she informed him.

Rio wrapped his arm around her waist and hugged her close to his side. “I would indeed, Little girl.”

EPILOGUE

Harper looked at the vicious woman holding the sweet toddler. Crossing her fingers behind her back, Harper hoped to have some effect on how Cinderella treated others when she got older.

“Miranda, I don’t think you need to worry about my love life,” she said quietly, hoping that would end the conversation.

“I don’t think you qualify as having a love life, Harper. All you do is take care of other people’s kids. I worried about you being bright enough to care for Cinderella, but she’ll be in school before any lack of mental stimulation puts her behind other students.”

“Let me assure you, Miranda, that all the children in my care have a wide variety of experiences and interactions. I’ve done my research to make sure that everyone learns as much as possible during their time with me. It would help if you would support my efforts. Tomorrow, everyone is bringing something that starts with the letter D. Have a conversation with Cinderella about things that start with a D.”

When Miranda looked at her blankly, Harper continued, “You know, dog, doughnut, dime, dinosaur…”

With a hiss of exasperation, Miranda interrupted. “I know what starts with the letter D. I didn’t barely make it through high school.”

“High school was a long time ago, Miranda.”

“I know. That’s what brings me back to what I was trying to discuss with you when you rudely shut me down. I’m only trying to help, and Rufus is a good guy, I’m sure.”

“I do not wish to go to the reunion with the homeless guy you have living outside your office. While I’m sure you would be happy to have someone take him in from the street so you don’t have to worry about him discouraging clients from visiting your knickknack store…”

“Collectibles, Harper!”

“Of course. As I was saying, your collectibles shop…”

“I don’t know why I even bother being nice to you. You just refuse to take good advice.”

Miranda turned, stalked to the doorway, and dug an envelope out of her pocket. “Oh, here’s your pay this month. There are only twenty weekdays in February so I prorated the cost down.”

“Miranda, your bill I gave you last week has the correct amount. Also, you were late seven times this month in picking Cinderella up. There is a fee for that.” Harper chased her to the door.

“You’re here anyway,” Miranda said with a sneer.

Taking a deep breath, Harper said the phrase she’d been practicing since last month. “I’m sorry your shop isn’t making enough money, but the policy is the same for all parents. If you are late, there is a penalty.”

“My shop is doing wonderfully,” Miranda gasped with affront. “I’ll bring you a check tomorrow.”

“With an item that starts with D,” Harper reminded her, trying to school her face not to smile as the unpleasant woman backed down like her mom had told her she would when they practiced.

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