“I want you to use this instead of sucking on your thumb. It’s an orthodontic one.”
She scowled. “What’s wrong with my thumb?”
“This is better for your teeth.”
“I’ll probably lose it.” And maybe that would be on purpose.
He raised one eyebrow. “I thought I could tie it to your snuggly so you wouldn’t lose it.”
Damn it. He knew she would never lose her snuggly. She let out a disgruntled sigh.
He rubbed her knee gently. “Give it a try, huh? For me? Don’t want you messing up your teeth.”
Her tummy bubbled with happiness. “All right, I’ll try.”
“That’s my good girl.” He reached into his bag again, brought out some Winnie-the-Pooh coloring-in books, story books and, best of all, three nighties. One with Tigger, one with Eeyore and one with Kanga and Roo.
She picked them up with a squeal. “These. Are. Awesome!”
He grinned. “Saw them. Thought of you.”
“Thank you, Daddy! Can’t wait to wear them!”
“That’s good. You
can try them out when you take a nap later.”
That killed her good mood. “Nope, don’t need a nap.”
“You look tired, despite going to bed early last night.”
“I woke up early,” she told him.
“Half a mind to put you back to bed now, but I thought you’d want to play with your Legos.”
Damn him. She did want to play and she definitely didn’t want to go for a nap now.
“Last gift. Doubt you’ll see it as such, though.” He drew out a small, flat wooden paddle.
She froze. “What’s that for?”
“This is Daisy’s naughty girl paddle.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s not.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Nope.” She shook her head so hard, her hair whipped around her face.
“Baby girl,” he said in a warning voice.
“Daisy doesn’t need a naughty girl paddle,” she said, her voice growing more childish. She watched his face grow soft, but didn’t take much notice since she was too busy denying the existence of the paddle in his hand. Ouch. How much would that hurt?
She couldn’t even imagine.
“Daisy is a good girl,” she insisted.
He nodded, surprising her. “Daisy is a good girl. But sometimes she does naughty things. And sometimes, she will get the paddle on her bare bottom to help her remember to obey the rules she has to follow.”