Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Daddy, I’m finished.”
Duke came and leaned over her to read her lines. “Hmm, some of these got a bit sloppy toward the end, but I’ll give you a pass.”
She breathed out a sigh and stood.
“Do you need to go potty, baby girl?”
“What? No, Daddy!”
“Really? You’re moving around like you do.”
“That’s because I just had to sit on a sore bottom and write lines.”
“You sure?”
Of course, she was sure. Except, wait a minute . . .
“Oh, sugar. I’ve got to pee.”
“Come on.” Duke took her hand and led her into the bathroom. He helped her sit on the toilet, then left the room. When he returned, he was holding her hairbrush.
Uh-oh.
She stood and moved to the hand basin.
“Wash your hands, Little Rebel,” he directed. “Then I want you to grab hold of the counter and bend over, spreading your legs.”
Great. Just great.
She made sure to clean her hands extra well. Anything to put off getting her butt smacked with her wooden hairbrush.
“Come on, baby girl. Enough procrastinating.”
Sugar.
She got into position, staring at him in the mirror as he moved up behind her.
“Ten with the hairbrush, baby girl. Then your punishment is all done.”
She tried to stay relaxed, but it was nearly impossible. The hairbrush landed with a smack against each cheek and she let out a cry.
“Good girl. Eight more.”
Each whack of the hairbrush felt harder than the last. By the time he finished, it felt like her bottom was on fire and she was in tears again.
Duke set the hairbrush on the counter and then turned her, drawing her into his arms. “That’s it. All done. You did so well. What a good girl you are.”
“I’m s-sorry, Daddy,” she told him.
“I know, baby girl. I just want you to be safe. I know I can be overprotective, but you’re the most important person in my life. And I will do whatever it takes to look after you.”
8
Wedding Day
“Are you ready, Sunny?”
Sunny glanced over at Betsy and Jewel. They looked stunning in their dresses. She’d told them to pick whatever they felt comfortable in. Betsy was wearing a simple pale gray dress that had three-quarter sleeves and flowed out from the waist. Elegant and beautiful.
Jewel had gone for something edgier. Her gown was emerald green and fitted on the top. The long skirt had a high split at the side.
“You both look so beautiful,” she told them.
“Pretty sure that’s meant to be our line,” Jewel replied. “Damn, Sunny. You look amazing.”
“Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without the two of you. Thank you for everything. For being my friends, my family.”
“You don’t ever have to thank us for that, Sunny,” Betsy told her.
Sunny held out her arms and they both moved in for a hug.
“Enough of this,” Jewel said, drawing back. “You’ll ruin your hair and make-up.”
Sunny grinned at her. She knew the other woman had been close to tears.
“Are you ready to go out now?” Betsy asked. “It’s time.”
There was a knock on the door and Livvy poked her head in, looking slightly flustered. Sunny’s heart started racing in worry. What was going on?
“Hi, um, oh my gosh, Sunny! You look incredible.”
“Thanks. Everything all right?” she asked.
“Yes, there’s just a slight bunny situation.”
“Bunny situation?” Jewel asked.
“Yes. Sunny, maybe you could just stay up here for another five, no, ten minutes?”
Sunny’s lips twitched, relief filling her. Bunny emergencies she could handle. “Did Buster bring Cinnabun as his plus one?”
Livvy sighed. “I promise I will sort this. He said he didn’t bring her. Somehow, she escaped from her cage on her own. Ten minutes?”
“No problem. And if Cinnabun wants to attend the ceremony, that’s fine by me.”
“Thank you.” Livvy disappeared.
“Maybe we should go help,” Jewel said to Betsy. “I’ll go, you stay here with Sunny.”
“Why don’t both of you go?” Sunny suggested. “I wouldn’t mind having a few minutes to myself.”
“You’re sure?” Betsy asked. “Because I’m certain the twins will be able to find that rabbit.”
“I’m sure.”
“All right, we’ll come back when everything is sorted,” Jewel told her.
Sunny peeked through the closed curtain, grinning as she saw everyone racing around the backyard, obviously trying to find Cinnabun. Moving away from the window, she walked over to the full-length mirror.
This was it.
Her wedding day.
She twirled back and forth, the clear rhinestones sewn into the bodice of her pale pink gown glistened under the light, making her smile. She looked like a princess. The top part of the dress was tight and sparkly, while the bottom puffed out with miles of tulle.
Her hair was lightly curled and pulled back on one side with the most gorgeous vintage hair clip that Millie had lent her for the day.
She turned with a smile as the door opened again behind her. “Did they find Cinnabun . . .?” Her voice trailed off as she took in the older man walking into the room.