Page 12 of Bartender Daddy’s Girl (Daddy’s Girl #11)

CARRIE

Six Months Later

T he Stoneworks Bar feels different now.

The old wooden counter and chairs, the murmuring crowd all here in hopes they get a glimpse of my man beating the snot out of someone, the stereo system hanging overhead playing the same old songs it always has … once upon a time, it was my escape.

Now? It’s home.

Soon, I won’t be here as often. Judge knows it, and Frasier too. Our daughter will be here in a month, and I’ll spend most of my days at home with her. Knowing Judge, he’ll be right alongside me, shirking his responsibilities here, to be with his family.

And that’s why I love him.

I glance across the room, drinking it all in. After a long look, my eyes fall to Judge at the bar. He’s staring at me, but I’ve gotten used to it. The closer we get to our child arriving, the harder it’s become for him to look away from me.

And I freaking love it.

“You should take a picture,” I say, feeling a naughty smirk growing on my face. “Then you really won’t ever have to look away.”

“Yeah, but then you’d get jealous of a picture, and I’d have to beat up the phone because it made you feel bad.” He winks at me.

“You’ve got a point there,” I press a finger against my chin, as if contemplating some deep thought. “And we probably shouldn’t add a phone to our bills this close to baby time.”

We laugh together, and I can even hear Frasier snickering behind his newspaper.

“Old man,” Judge says, and yanks the newspaper out of Frasier’s hands. He looks flustered and annoyed for a second, but that’s probably because he already knows what’s coming. “I think we’re gonna head out for the night. You gonna be able to handle this place yourself, or should I ask Laura?”

“Old man?” Frasier grumbles. “Keep talking to me like that, and I’ll show you what this old man is capable of.”

“Pulling your back out when you try to swing at me?”

“This fucking guy,” Frasier says to me. “Am I right?”

“You’re not,” I stand up for my man, but we all know it’s just harmful fun.

“Yeah, you’re not the right person to ask. Guess I’ll have to gossip with the girls when you two are out,” he says sternly, but Frasier’s smile says it all.

We’re all one big, happy family, having fun at each other’s expense.

“Alright, I’ll cover tonight,” Frasier grumbles and gets up from his chair. “But don’t you go making a habit out of this.”

“We’ll see about that.” Judge folds the newspaper and tucks it away under the bar.

He joins me on the other side and takes my hand, leading me out the door and into the cool night air.

“Heading home?” I ask once we get to his truck.

Judge opens my door and gives me a kiss on the cheek before whispering. “That’s the plan. Unless you want to give the bar a show they’ll never forget.”

Heat rushes up to my cheeks, realizing what he means. He smiles widely, seeing the red, but that’s become the norm for us. Me blushing, him grinning, and pure joy embracing us.

“You better get going, Daddy” I say, sliding onto my seat. “Or I might just take you up on that second offer.”