Page 32 of Tizzy's Little Thanksgiving

“What are you going to name her?” Eddie asked.

“Shelly.” She responded with the first thing that popped into her head.

“Nice to meet you, Shelly.” Eddie solemnly gave the turtle’s webbed foot a shake. “You are a very lucky turtle. My Tizzy is a very special, very sweet, and very loving Little. You two are going to have such fun together.”

Teresa giggled. He could be such a goofball and yet he was her goofball… at least for a few more days.

“How was your breakfast with the bride-to-be? Anything exciting being planned?”

An image of six turkeys strutting their stuff flashed into her head, but there was no way she was going to inform him of a possible prank. She was pretty sure there had to be some sort of “Littles Code” against squealing, no matter how unlikely she found the plan to be.

“Breakfast was good and we have an appointment to get fitted for our dresses,” she answered instead. “What are you going to do today?”

“I’m open to just about anything. What would you like to do?” His smile had her imagining all sorts of activities.

“Wren told me there are horses here we could ride—”

“Sorry, lovebirds, but we’re gonna be late,” Georgie cut in as she unceremoniously plucked Shelly from Teresa’s hold and shoved the turtle at her brother.

“Oh, I hope you’re not planning on using that on one of the Ranch’s ponies,” Wren exclaimed as Eddie reached to accept the stuffy with the same hand holding the crop.

“He wouldn’t!” Teresa said indignantly.

“Of course not, silly,” Georgie replied with a knowing smirk. “I’m sure he has far more nefarious plans in mind.”

Teresa instantly thought of the words written on the coffee mug:Don’t torture yourself… that’s my job. Her eyes flew to Eddie’s to find him smiling down at her, his dimples prominent as if the thought of being nefarious appealed to him. The dichotomy of the stuffed turtle and the leather crop had Teresa’s insides churning and her blood heating.

“I’ll see you later, little Tizzy,” Eddie whispered, reaching with his free hand to pull her close.

As his lips found hers, Teresa didn’t even care when her new Little friends started chanting the age-old rhyme about her and Eddie, spelling outk i s s i n g.All she concentrated on was how incredible it felt to be hugged to the solid broad chest of her Daddy and to kiss him back.

When he finally released her, making sure not to drop his arm from around her waist until she was steady on her feet, he lifted both the turtle and the crop, and winked. “Have fun at your fitting. We’ll all be waiting for you.”

All she could do was nod and allow herself to be pulled from the store.

“Your Daddy is H O T!” Luna exclaimed, waving her hand in front of her face as if to cool it.

“He’s not…” About to remind them he wasn’t her Daddy, Teresa simply couldn’t do it. No matter how temporary this was, for today, Eddiewasher Daddy. Instead, she gave the store one last look before gazing over at the service sub. “He’s not hot, he’ssmokinghot!”

The girls all giggled and Teresa found herself hoping the dress fitting would be quick because she really, really wanted to see exactly how nefarious her Daddy could be.

Chapter 13

Eddie

Pounding the last nail,Eddie straightened and stepped back in order to better admire their handiwork.

“What do you think?” Lucas asked.

“I think my baby sister is one hell of a lucky girl,” Eddie answered. “I can’t believe she is actually getting married, but I couldn’t ask for a better husband for her.”

“I’m the lucky one.” Lucas’ gaze went soft as if he were picturing his bride-to-be. “She stormed in here like a hurricane and turned my entire world upside down. I swear to you, Eddie, I’m going to do everything within my power to make sure Georgie is never sorry she’s my wife.”

All kidding aside, Eddie gave his friend a smile. “I never doubted she’d be anything other than happy. This is just going to be the cherry on top of her happy sundae.”

The men stood looking over the archway that Lucas had designed. They’d built it beneath the canopy of a huge maple tree whose leaves were a brilliant bright red. “All we have to do is add the flowers, and it will be done. I think she’s going to like it.”

“She’s gonna love it,” Eddie assured him. “Just think, in a few more days, you’re going to be my brother-in-law.”

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