Page 174 of The Promise Of Rain

“You trouble,” she echoed.

He flipped her around and pressed his face into her little belly until she squealed.“You’re trouble!”

I moved away from the stairs, a happy sheen over my eyes, and returned to the kitchen.

The sound of splashing and laughter filtered down the stairs.There would be a mess of bubbles and water everywhere, but the sound alone was worth it.

I sat down on the couch to take it all in.

I was blessed, blessed beyond belief.

Fifteen minutes later, Deacon brought Annie downstairs in her footy pyjamas, her freshly shampooed hair slicked back from her little face.

“What do you think, Mommy?”He held her out for my inspection.“Does Babycakes smell good?”

I wagged my eyebrows.“Good enough to eat!”

She squealed and kicked her feet to be put down.

While Deacon set her up with her magnetic tiles, I slipped back into the kitchen and sat down.

Deacon walked into the kitchen and plucked me from my seat.“I deserve a reward.”He sat in my chair and put me on his lap.Pressing a hard kiss to my mouth, he grinned.“I vanquished the Hairy Larry.”

I wrapped my arm around his shoulders and smirked.“I heard.Seemed like Annie did most of the vanquishing.”

He frowned at me.“She swears a lot.”

I rolled my eyes.“I know.”

He winked.“You should do something about that.”

Leaning in close, I whispered, “Like make you wear a ball gag?”

“Don’t push me, Jenny.”His eyes darkened, his big hand patting my butt.“You know what happens when you do.”

“Oh, I know,” I assured him, a secret smile on my lips.“I went shopping.”

His eyes lit up.“Yeah?”

“Mhm.With Maggie and Maxine.”

His eyebrows flew up.He always knew when I gave those two free rein.Their choices were apt to give him a heart attack.

His lips curved into a wicked smile.“You going to show me later?”

“If you’re a good boy,” I murmured.

“You want another spanking, baby?”He grinned, that long dimple showing me just how happy he was as he added, “Not that it was much of a punishment.”

“I’ll tell Darlene,” I threatened with a wide grin.“She’ll paddle your ass.Her words, not mine.”

He dipped his chin, a smirk dancing on his lips.“You’re cruising.”

“I know.”I laughed and climbed off his lap.“Get out of here and let me finish this.”

He stood and held my chair out for me and tucked me back under the table.“Hurry up and get her to bed so I can finish you,” he growled.

I grinned up at him, knowing the longer I held him off, the better my punishment would be.“Your parents are coming for dinner and then we’re going to The Loose Moose.”