Page 222 of Daddy’s Fortitude

“Keira said she told Miles, and we had Honey with us.”

“Next time, you need to tell Eli. Or someone other than Miles,” he ordered.

“Am I getting spanked for that?”

“No, that’s just a warning, but you are going to get your butt spanked for running from me in the forest in bare feet.”

“I have my socks on,” she replied.

“They don’t count.”

“I didn’t want to get my new sneakers dirty.”

“They can be washed,” Ammo told her. “Your feet are more important than sneakers.”

“Yeah, but I’ve only got one pair,” she said. “If they’re getting washed, then they need time to dry, and then what am I going to wear?”

“You’re going to wear the new shoes that I’m going to buy you,” he said. “I’m sorry we haven’t bought any yet.” He picked her up, holding her on his hip. “We’ll take care of that tonight.”

“Oh, no, I really don’t need anything new, Daddy. I’m fine. I’ve got plenty of stuff.”

He looked down at her. “You’ve got one pair of sneakers and a pair of slippers, along with about five different outfits. That’s not enough stuff.”

“It really is, Daddy.”

“Why are you arguing over this?” He moved her around so that they were face to face, and he was holding her up against his chest. “What’s this about?”

She nibbled on her lower lip. “Well, you see, I just don’t think I should buy anything right now.”

It hit him hard. He was an idiot. Why hadn’t he thought of that? She was probably concerned because she didn’t have much in the way of funds until the insurance money came through. Even then, most of it was going to go to the bank and the lawyers. Gwen was still sorting out Charlie’s debts, as well as Kelly-Anne’s claim.

Fortunately, one item off Gwen’s to-do list had been taken care of. The sheriff of Greasy Knob was being investigated and it wasn’t looking good for him. He’d been suspended without pay, and the rumor was that he would never work as a sheriff again.

After Kelly-Anne was arrested, a lot of stuff became clearer about the way the sheriff was running the department. A large number of people had come forward with stories about the sheriff, and his favoritism toward his family.

Ammo was keeping an eye on things, and both Kirsten and Jeremy’s mom were keeping him updated. Life wasn’t ever going to be fun for the sheriff or his niece.

“This is about money, huh?”

She gave him a guilty look.

“You don’t need to worry about money. I’m paying for everything.”

“But you shouldn’t have to pay for everything,” she protested. “You already spent so much money paying off all those debts. Anything that’s left over from the house insurance belongs to you. And I don’t need that many clothes anyway.”

“Of course you do. It’s coming into winter, and you don’t even have a coat. You don’t have any rubber boots. You barely have any sweaters or jeans. And then there’s clothes that your Little might like.”

“That my Little might like?” she asked.

“Doesn’t your Little want some cute clothes? Maybe something with owls on it. Or Garfield? There are even special shops where you can get lots of different things for Littles.”

“I didn’t realize.”

“Either way, you’re getting new stuff. It’s up to you whether you want some say, or you want me to just buy it.”

“I want to argue with you, but I have a feeling I wouldn’t win, Daddy.”

“Of course you’re not going to win. Daddy always wins.”