Page 91 of Forever By Morning

Aunt Laverne followed, making sure sure no stragglers escaped. “Cara, come on with us. I’ll put you in one of the empty rooms.”

“Aww, you don’t have to do that.” Cara’s smile was wide and a step away from Sleepyville.

Aunt Laverne held out her hand. “C’mon, sweetheart.”

Before Helena could take up the caboose, I took my chance on helping out now that my clothes weren’t in imminent danger of being ripped off.

“You got her, Beck?” Kira called from the landing.

“I got her.”

Helena pouted. “No, you don’t get me.” But she was already leaning against me.

I waved at them, then swept Helena into my arms.

She yelped and linked her arms around my neck. “Put me down, Beckett Manning!”

“Nope. I’m putting you to bed.”

“You already had that pleasure, buddy. Lost privles…prives…privileges!”

I swallowed down a laugh. I certainly had, but damn if I didn’t want them back. “What floor are you on, girl?”

She pressed her lips together and made a zipping then key turn motion and tossed it over her shoulder.

“You tell me, or I put you in my truck and take you home.”

Her pressed lips went into a pout. “Fine. Third. I think.”

I sighed and went over to the desk. A wide-eyed Jenny was staring at us. “What room is she in, Jenny?”

“Um, 304.”

Helena was playing with the curls at the back of my neck, twirling them like she did when she was sleepy. The stark memory hit me in the chest like a hammer.

One night with her and I was a fucking goner.

“Do you have your key?”

Helena blew raspberries again. “Of course, I have…” She peered around me as if she was magically going to find it. Her huge golden eyes went glassy. “I lost my purse.”

“Okay, we’ll figure it out.”

Jenny was leaning on the counter with a sappy look on her face. Great, this was going to be all over the orchard by morning. “I can get another key.”

“That would be great.”

As Helena swung her legs, I shifted her tighter against me. “You can put me down.”

“Nope.”

She sighed, then she tipped her head against my shoulder. “Fine.”

“Jenny, when Kira comes downstairs, check with her and see if Helena’s purse is in her car.”

Jenny grinned. “Will do.”

“Oh, can you make sure the girls get some snacks?” Helena closed her eyes. “Need snacks after that many margaritas.”

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