She was starting to see that his idea of good ideas and hers were vastly different.
“What?” she asked suspiciously.
“Each evening, after you’ve had dinner and gotten ready for bed, you can sit on Daddy’s knee and tell him all the mischief that you got up to. Then we’ll add ticks to your naughty girl chart.”
“I don’t have a naughty girl chart.” And she didn’t need one.
“I’m sure we can make you one. I’ll get another whiteboard for it.”
She groaned. “You’re one of those people aren’t you, Daddy?”
“One of what sort of people?”
“Someone who really loves their lists.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You have something against lists? Isn’t it good to be organized?”
She shook her head. “Organized. Lists. How did we ever become friends?”
“Must have been my irresistible charm.” He grinned at her. “And yes, Mari-girl. I love lists. You’re going to love them too.”
Somehow, she doubted that.
“Any more limits?” he asked her
She dropped her gaze to her hands. “Just don’t humiliate or call me names. I think that’s the one thing I couldn’t ever take.”
“Never, baby. Never. My little princess will only ever hear how beautiful and lovely she is. I promise. Now, we’re going to have to do your rules when we get home because we’re meant to meet with Doc in fifteen. And that man is grouchier than a bear with a sore paw when he’s kept waiting.”
23
“I really don’t think I need to go see the doctor,” Mari whined as Linc had her hold onto his shoulders while he pulled on her old sneakers. She needed some winter boots. The shoes he’d bought her wouldn’t be suitable for the snow and ice.
After tying them up, he stood and grabbed one of his old coats from the coat closet. It was miles too big for her, but it would keep her warm. When he put it on, she looked like a girl playing in Daddy’s clothes.
Too damn cute for his peace of mind.
He did up the buttons, then rolled up the sleeves so they weren’t hanging off the end of her arms.
“We need to check with him that you’ve been getting the best care up to now. Which I don’t think you have. Didn’t you say there was a pump you could use to keep watch on your blood sugar levels?”
“Yes, but they cost money.”
“And I explained that’s going to be covered.” He cupped the side of her face. “Stop worrying. Let’s meet with Doc and see what he says.”
She chewed her lip. “I don’t like doctors, they always make me feel stupid. I never understand what they’re saying. And I always feel like I’m doing something wrong.”
“Hey, Doc isn’t going to make you feel like that,” he told her in a kind voice. “Okay? Sure, he’s grouchy and has a terrible bedside manner.”
She frowned and he inwardly cursed himself. He wasn’t doing the best job at soothing her.
“But he’s not ever going to be mean or condescending. Doc will just want what’s best for you, like I do.”
“So he won’t be mean to me?”
Damn it, why had no one taken care of this sweet girl? Well, none of that mattered now. He’d ensure that no one was ever mean to her again. “Do you really think I would ever let someone be mean to you?”
She shook her head. “No.”