Keeping Kenzie - Pepper North Page 0,32

this Little girl a slice of pie at least for holding her in jail.”

“I’m sorry,” Samantha said, reaching out to pet Cupcake.

“It wasn’t your fault. You were just doing your job,” Kenzie answered at the exact same time.

Everyone laughed, and the sheriff motioned everyone toward the front. Soon, the two couples and one admired stuffed chameleon occupied the booth at the side of the crowded diner. Upon seeing them, the waitress called back, “Save meatloaf for the sheriff, Tony!”

When she reached their table, she asked, “Anyone else for meatloaf?”

“A cheeseburger for me with fries,” Kenzie asked without looking at the menu.

“Me too, but onion rings,” Samantha chimed in.

“I’ll take meatloaf as well,” Osiris elected.

They all laughed as the waitress immediately turned to call, “Another meatloaf for the sheriff’s friend, Tony!”

“That meatloaf must go fast,” Osiris commented with a grin.

“You’ll see why at the first bite,” Ben Underwood commented.

“Girls, what would you like to drink?”

“Chocolate milk,” Samantha selected.

“Me too,” echoed Kenzie.

With the men’s drink orders noted on her pad, the server hustled away to put in the rest of their order. A hush fell over the table that lasted exactly six seconds before Kenzie and Samantha spoke again over each other. When the two collapsed into giggles again, the Daddies just shook their heads.

“You go first,” Samantha insisted when she could breathe again.

“You own the chocolate shop we passed?” Kenzie asked.

“I do. You’ll have to come in and sample some treats,” Samantha invited.

“I’d love to!”

“I’m coming to the party tomorrow at SANCTUM. You’ll love everyone there. The Littles are the best.”

“Will you introduce me? I’m super glad I’ll have a friend there,” Kenzie confessed, before she realized she had assumed Samantha would be her friend. Talking quickly, she added, “I mean, if I can call you a friend?”

“You bet. I’d be very hurt if you didn’t. My Daddy doesn’t like it when people won’t be my friend,” Samantha teased. When Ben patted his handcuffs meaningfully, they dissolved into giggles once again, their friendship cemented for all time.

Chapter 16

With most of a half-pound cheeseburger and a ton of fries in her tummy, Kenzie leaned sleepily against her Daddy. She would have felt bad, but Cupcake was tired, too. Even Samantha slumped against the sheriff’s shoulder.

“I think we should get these Little girls tucked into bed,” Ben suggested as he signaled for the bill.

Soon, the two men led the way to their cars. After helping them into the passenger seats, they nodded at each other. Each vehicle turned a different way out of the parking lot. Kenzie twisted around to wave out the back window at her new friend.

“I like Samantha a bunch, Daddy,” she said wistfully.

“I’m glad. You’ll get to see her tomorrow at the party. I think you’ll like all the Littles. Everyone is as nice as Samantha. Maybe not as sweet,” he joked.

When Kenzie looked at him in sleepy confusion, Osiris explained, “Because she owns a candy shop, remember?”

Kenzie nodded before snuggling against the seat with Cupcake cuddled in her arms. She closed her eyes just to rest on the way home. A snort woke her. Glancing around, she watched Osiris pull into the hotel’s parking lot. Embarrassed, she asked, “Was I snoring?”

“Yep!” he cheerfully answered. “Let’s get you inside. A warm shower and bedtime for you, Baby.”

Osiris had her in their quiet hotel room quickly. “Bedtime in just a few minutes, Baby girl,” he assured her, turning on the water to warm. Quickly, he stripped off her clothing and brushed her teeth.

“I can do it,” she mumbled after he had finished.

His low chuckle should have clued her in, but she needed to concentrate as he helped her step into the water. She moaned in delight as the warmth cascaded over her body. Kenzie hadn’t agreed to take a shower while in custody. The thought had been so scary, and she wasn’t exactly getting dirty as she sat on her bunk. Now, she realized how much of a treat getting clean was.

By the time she dunked her head under the spray, the shower curtain twitched as Osiris stepped inside. Automatically, she shielded her body from his eyes, even though he’d already seen her naked several times. His hands pulled hers away from her curves gently.

“No hiding from Daddy. Turn around, Baby girl, and let me wash your hair.”

Kenzie moaned deep in her throat as his fingers smoothed the suds over her scalp. He scratched lightly at her scalp, bringing more sounds of enjoyment from her throat. Osiris helped her rinse