Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“A librarian, hmmm. You know, you’re not too old to go back to school. You could work on achieving that goal if that’s still a dream of yours.”
She tilted her head as she considered his suggestion. “I’ll keep that in mind. Right now, I’m happy in the daycare. Those kiddos need me, and I enjoy being there.”
“You let me know if that changes.”
“Okay. Now it’s your turn. What’s something I don’t know about you?”
“I got stuffed in a locker twice on my first day of junior high.”
“No way!”
“I didn’t have many muscles back then. The football coach let me out the second time. He took me to practice. Turns out I had pretty good hands.”
“Yes, you do,” she said with a knowing grin. “They do like to spank my bottom too much.”
“Of course they do.”
“Have we soaked in here long enough?” she asked before pressing kisses to his chest.
Her squeal echoed through the bathroom as he sat up, splashing water over the side of the tub. Zale carefully helped her climb out of the tub and he followed her to wrap her in a thick, thirsty towel. Drying himself quickly, he repeated the process on Pippa, but with gentle care interspersed with kisses and caresses.
“You are so beautiful, little girl.”
“I’m all purple and green, Daddy.”
“Even bruised, kitten, you take my breath away.”
His expression told her he meant it. Her daddy loved her with all his heart.
“Make love to me, Daddy.”
“You’ll tell me if you’re hurting?”
“Yes.” Pippa nodded quickly. She’d definitely tell him if something hurt a lot.
“Pinky promise?” he asked, extending his pinky toward her.
“Pinky promise.” That was like a rock solemn vow. She’d have to tell him now.
“Good girl.” Zale scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the nursery.
“In here?”
“I think we’re going to try out each room in this house at least a dozen times.”
She grinned. Zale was so much fun.
He sat down on the soft rocking chair. “Straddle my hips, kitten.” Zale helped her into that position before drawing her face toward his. The kiss that followed made her cling to him eagerly. Passion flared back to life inside her as Zale caressed and kissed her. Her daddy always knew exactly what she needed.
CHAPTER 19
Each of the team had stopped in at different times during the day to check on her. Even Aspen dashed over during a break to make sure she was doing okay. She couldn’t believe how much they’d welcomed her and made her part of their family. Tears prickled the inside of her eyelids.
“What’s wrong, kitten?” Zale asked from the doorway.
“I can’t believe how happy I am. I have you. The rest of the guys and Aspen. This job.”
“You’re where you’re supposed to be. It’s six. Are you ready to go home?” Zale asked.
“Yes. Let me tell Anne that I’m headed out. She’s going to let me work a half day on Monday with the toddlers. They all came by to see me today, too. I’ve missed them.”
She returned after a few minutes and linked her arm with his. “All checked out. Let’s go barbecue. What time are the guys coming over?”
“They may already be there. Koa wanted to get the coals started. He’s got something fancy to cook for us tonight.”
“What is it?”
“He wouldn’t tell us—wanted it to be a mystery.”
“Well, let’s go. I can’t wait to see what it is.”
Zale escorted her out of the building and into his Jeep. After fastening her seatbelt and stealing a kiss, he headed home. They passed that stretch of road where the accident had freed her. Pippa usually shivered from the memory, but that trauma faded more every day. She was in the right place with a man who adored her.
As if he understood what she was thinking, Zale wrapped his hand around her thigh and squeezed. “You okay, kitten?”
“I’m good. Getting better each day. You know, I think I’m incredibly lucky.”
“Because you got away?” he asked with a confused look sideways at her.
“Yes. But that’s not what I meant. I would never have met you without having met those… criminals,” she said after searching for a word that summed up what the father and son duo were.
“Scumbags? Perverts? Slime?” Zale suggested, making her laugh.
“They really are all those things. I think the worst is they treated people as less than animals. And just to make money and have power. I’m not highly religious, but I know right from wrong.”
“You could never hurt anyone, kitten. That’s not you. I’m not going to worry about what’s waiting for them. They aren’t worth a minute more of my time. I will monitor what happens to them and keep track of their releases if they survive prison.”
“You think something will happen to them in jail?”
“It’s likely. Those inmates have sisters, daughters, family. There’s a definite pecking order among those incarcerated. Their money will be tied up in court. I’d bet they wronged a few people along the way. All that will not make their lives behind bars easier.”