Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 34451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Drat.
She sighed. “Okay, Daddy. Can we go now?”
“We still haven’t discussed the rules,” he told her.
“What rules, Daddy? I don’t think there are any rules when looking for a Christmas tree. I don’t think there are rules when you go looking for a Christmas tree. Oh, unless you mean that one that says we must have fun. Yep, that’s a good rule, Daddy. We have to have tons of fun.” She started tugging his hand again. “Let’s go, Daddy.”
“That is not the rule I’m talking about, Little one,” he said sternly. “Rule number one, you must be no more than three feet away from me at all times; unless I say otherwise. You must always keep your gloves, scarf, and hat on at all times. You do not touch my axe. And no running. Am I understood?”
“I don’t get to touch your axe? That’s a shame.”
He looked confused for a moment, then shook his head with a slight grin. “My actual axe, you brat. Now, do you understand?”
Sunny sighed. “Yes, Daddy. I understand. Now, can we go find the most perfect Christmas tree in the world!” She sang the last few words and he gave her an indulgent look.
“Of course we can, Little Rebel.”
“Yay! This is going to be awesome.”
It was supposed to be awesome. Unfortunately, Daddy was being a big party pooper.
“Daddy, this is best tree ever.” She gestured toward the tree in front of them. And it was a beautiful tree, tall and thick. It would look amazing with her unicorn ornaments and pink tinsel on it.
“You said that about the last ten trees,” he replied dryly.
“Yes, and you wouldn’t let me have any of them, Daddy. Why are you being so mean?”
“Little one, this tree has got to be twelve feet tall. Do you know how tall our ceiling is?”
“Well, I’m hoping you are going to say fourteen feet?” she asked.
“Our ceiling is ten feet tall.”
Her shoulders slumped sadly. “So this lovely, beautiful tree wouldn’t fit?”
He shook his head. “I’m afraid not, Little Rebel.”
“I don’t think we’re ever gonna find the perfect tree, Daddy.” Her lower lip trembled sadly.
“Hey, look at me,” he urged.
She glanced up at his gorgeous face. He had one of those faces that was going to look even more handsome as he aged.
“What’s that look for, Little Rebel?” he asked as he reached out and ran his thumb over her cheek.
“Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you, Daddy.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tight.
“You’ve got that wrong. I’m the lucky one.” He kissed her before drawing back to give her a warm look. “And we’re going to find the perfect tree. Don’t worry; we won’t stop until we do.”
She squared her shoulders. “Right, Daddy. We better get to work then. Operation: ‘Find A Christmas Tree’ is on.”
Thankfully, not even two minutes later, she found it. She wrapped her arms around it. “This is the most perfect Christmas tree in the world!”
She conveniently ignored the fact that she’d thought the exact same thing about the last eleven trees she’d found as well. This one was it. She just knew it.
“Please say it’s good, Daddy! Please!” She turned and gave him her best begging look.
“This one . . . might just be it.”
Relief flooded her along with happiness, and she jumped up and down while clapping.
“Yay!”
“Okay, baby. I want you to stand over here while I chop it down, understand?” he said as he led her about five miles away.
All right, that was a slight exaggeration. But still, she was several miles away. Duke took her to an old stump where someone had obviously cut down a tree a while ago. He brushed off the snow and pointed to it.
“Sit. Stay.”
She sighed. Honestly, she wasn’t Hatter. Yet, she sat and stayed. Sunny wasn’t silly; she had a prime viewing spot to watch him chopping down the tree from there.
There was no way she was missing that.
A warmth filled her as she sat and watched him get to work.
Her man was hot.
Super hot.
She was so lucky.
The tree started to wobble, and she found herself suddenly sad. Okay, so she was swinging from one emotion to another. But she couldn’t help but think that the poor tree didn’t deserve to be chopped down just so she could have something pretty to stare at for a few weeks. Tears dripped down her face as it toppled with a bang.
“There, all done. I’ll just . . . Sunny? What the fuck? What’s wrong?” Duke jogged over, landing on his knees in front of her. “Did you hurt yourself? What’s the matter?”
“We cut down the t-tree.”
“What? Yes. Why?”
“I just feel bad. Poor tree was just here, living its life, and we came and cut it down.”
“Oh, baby.” The worry fled from his face, replaced by soft amusement.