Page 17

“Well, so much for Tildi calming our Tiger down,” Chance said, clapping Boone on the back. “Good luck, brother. And may God have mercy on us all.”

Tildi and Kenzie burst out laughing as Kenzie pulled her inside the house, leaving a trail of sparkling confetti in their wake.

Tildi didn’t make it three steps inside before her legs stopped working. “Holy cannoli! Your house is bigger than the queen’s palace in England.”

Kenzie replied, “Well, it isn’t just our house. It’s the main lodge.”

Tildi’s confusion must have been obvious because Kenzie kept explaining. “You know… for the ranch. In the summer? When all the guests come?”

There would be guests besides her? “Is bringing home strays something this family does often?”

Tildi yelped when a hard hand delivered a swat to her behind. Her face was on fire when Boone turned her to face him. “You’re not a stray, bluebell. And if I ever hear you use those words to describe yourself again, you will be one sorry Little girl. Do you get me?”

She nodded, knowing that wouldn’t satisfy him.

“Words, Tildi. Do you get me?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

Ice cold dread sheeted through her body. What had she just said? Had she called Boone Daddy in front of his entire family? She needed to say something to fix her mistake, but her throat would not allow any words to flow. All she could do was stare up at him and pray he wouldn’t be upset.

Boone held his arms open to her. “Come here, little one.”

She launched herself at him and burrowed her face into his chest. What would everyone think? Sure, he’d told her that all his brothers were Daddies, but that didn’t mean they talked about it out in the open.

“Boone!” Kenzie called from behind Tildi. “You had three whole weeks to tell her about the ranch and you just let her come in here blind? Didn’t you tell her anything?”

“I had a few other things on my mind, Tiger. You try taking a tiny ship across an ocean.”

He sounded more amused than angry, so he couldn’t be too upset. She peeked up at him to find his gaze already fixed on her. He smiled and everything in her settled.

Boone was not the General. He didn’t care what other people thought, even his family. And if they were all Daddies, they wouldn’t be upset anyway. How long would it be before she stopped reacting to everything based on the way her messed up family had operated?

“We’ve had a long two days. I think the grand tour will have to wait for a while.”

Kenzie frowned. “But I wanted to show Tildi around. She needs to see the craft room and the playroom. Oh! And I got the latest Disney movie cued up in the home theatre. Ruby said she’d help us make caramel popcorn balls with chocolate chips.”

Tildi pulled her face away from Boone’s chest. That sounded like fun. Although she wasn’t sure she could stay awake for the movie. Still, she’d try if it meant not disappointing Kenzie.

Boone was already shaking his head. “We need to get unpacked first and Tildi needs to rest before dinner. But it sounds like fun for after dinner.”

Evidently, Kenzie wasn’t convinced. “But?—”

“Tiger,” Chance warned. “Boone said after dinner. Do you remember what we talked about?”

Kenzie sighed. “Yes,” she drawled out. In what sounded like a speech her friend had practiced, Kenzie added, “Boone and Tildi will need time to themselves. And Boone has the last word.”

“Right.” Chance crossed thick arms over his broad chest.

Tildi was disappointed and grateful at the same time. Kenzie’s plans sounded amazing, but she was exhausted. She hadn’t slept well the night before. Her brain wouldn’t stop telling her what a failure she was for disappointing Boone. Maybe Boone could spank her brain without getting her bottom involved.

On second thought, that didn’t sound like very much fun.

Boone reached for Kenzie and pulled her in for a hug. “Thank you for making plans to show Tildi around, Tiger. I’ll turn the night over to you right after dinner. If you both eat your vegetables, that is.”

Kenzie stomped her foot.

Stomped. Her. Foot.