Page 20 of Magic and Mayhem

Probably.

But I didn’t let the story distract me.

Looking down at my clothes, I frowned. I wasn’t exactly dirty but I didn’t looktake out on a dateclean. “Do we have time for me to change my clothes?”

Daddy was still smiling when I looked back up, so I didn’t think it would be a problem. “I don’t know. I think you look cute like that. The paint on your ass makes it look perfect.”

Ugh.

“Again?” Trying to turn my head around and see my butt didn’t work. “I was so careful.”

Kind of.

He chuckled, coming over and slowly leaning in to kiss my cheek. “I think it’s cute, but yes, you have time to change. The diner will be open for hours.”

Aww, I’d gotten my first kiss from Daddy already.

Wait.

He hadn’t changed his mind?

Trying not to look guilty or nervous, I nodded. “Yes, and the restaurants over by the Walmart are open late too.”

Shaking his head, Daddy pretended to still be serious. “Nope, not going to work. I already told someone about our date and now half the town knows. Some guy in a red pickup even waved and gave me a thumbs-up, and there was no way that was about my job.”

No, probably not.

“I think that was my oldest brother. I’m the youngest.” Family was hard sometimes. “My mother said they forgot their manners the second they moved out. But I didn’t. I’m very polite. But my mother says that’s because I want toys and rewards on a regular basis.” She wasn’t wrong, so it seemed like something I should warn Daddy about.

“I think that’s perfectly reasonable.” Daddy kissed my other cheek and smiled when I couldn’t help giggling. “I think you would do a lot for toys and rewards.”

I nodded since lying wouldn’t get me more toys.

Chuckling, Daddy stepped back and held out his hand. “Come on. Unless there’s anything you need to clean up?”

Thankfully I’d already done that, so I wrapped my fingers around his and started leading us toward the house. “Nope, I cleaned up the messy stuff earlier, and me and the creepy doll were just getting to know each other.”

Daddy looked over at her and shivered. “That’s truly disturbing. Her face…”

Yeah, she was unfortunate looking.

“She’s old and should be worth a lot of money, but unfortunately about ten years ago someone did a terrible restoration on her and ruined the value…and made her creepy. But the owners still want to keep her because she’s been in the family a long time, so they asked me to make her look old again and less scary.”

Why someone had thought giving her plastic legs would be a good idea confused me more than the badly painted face.

“She and I are still trying to decide the best way to make her look cute again.” I was pretty sure she was giving the current owner nightmares because he’d been very happy to turn her over to me.

“Do not tell me if that thing talks to you.” Daddy’s frown was very serious and I couldn’t tell if he thought I was crazy or the doll was magic.

Both?

“Yes, Sir, but there’s nothing…there’s nothing weird special about her.” Either way, I didn’t want Daddy to have nightmares, so I decided it was time to change the subject.

To something that could be just as scary, honestly.

“Who did you tell about our date?” My question made him groan and I couldn’t help laughing. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“Gossip is everyone’s main hobby around here, so part of this is not my fault.” Daddy was shaking his head. “I told my boss because I didn’t want there to be any issue with the whole armored car thing, not that I think you stole the gold.”

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