Page 14 of Magic and Mayhem

“Thank you…”

He shook his head and chuckled. “Just say it, cutie.”

Pouting just a tiny bit, I sighed. “But you haven’t told me I could yet and you haven’t decided that you’re going to let me keep you—because that has to be mutual because you’re, well, real—and I figured I should wait until after our date? I thought that was very patient of me.”

“Yep, I’m real.” Daddy had a confusing look on his face, but he finally sighed and smiled. “Alright, after dinner I’ll decide if I’m going to let you keep me and then we’ll have the Daddy talk. Deal?”

“Yes.” I was going to be so patient he’d need to give me a big reward.

Oh, did he know that?

“And good boys who are very patient get rewards…and dessert.” That was important too.

Daddy looked like he wanted to laugh, but he nodded and pretended to be serious. “I think that’s a very reasonable rule.”

“I like happy rules.” I was being serious, but Daddy nearly giggled.

“I bet.” But instead of still being happy, he sighed. “But I have to go finish my work. I have an armored truck to find.”

He did?

Oh, he’d mentioned that.

“Good luck?” I wasn’t sure what the right response was to that, but Daddy barked out a laugh.

“Thank you, I’m going to need it.” Standing up, he came around the table and kissed my head. “You finish your snack and I’ll be back about six to take you out to the diner.”

“Yes. Six. Diner.” Nodding, I repeated it over and over in my head. “I won’t forget.”

Daddy chuckled and ran his hand over my back. “Alright, I have to go before you distract me by doing something else cute.”

Giggling, because I was going to be very good at distracting Daddy, I smiled as he shook his head and walked out the back door. “Bye.”

Daddy.

I had a Daddy in my hoard.

But how was I supposed to make sure he knew I was going to keep him?

Hmm, Boyd or Alick?

Well, I didn’t feel like being fussed at, so Alick seemed like the best bet. But I wasn’t sure if it was a workday or not for him, so I dug out my phone and sent him a text.

I met the new deputy but I don’t know how to keep him.

Yay, he was free.

As his number popped up on my screen, I swiped my finger across it and wiggled. “You’re free.”

He laughed. “Did you get arrested?”

“No.” That was probably a reasonable question, though. “Someone stole gold or a truck or I don’t know. I think I missed some details but he came and introduced himself and I’m going to keep him. He’s a Daddy and he’s sweet and funny and he likes my toys and he said I was a really good grown-up and he’s human. So, when can I tell him that I’m not quite human? I think that might be important for him to know in the long run.”

For some reason, Alick just let out big donkey laughs and I had to wait for him to remember to breathe.

Maybe I should’ve called Boyd?

Laughter or frowns…which was worse?

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