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But it was only when he remained completely quiet, some two hours later, that she woke up.
“Mabel,” he said, “how are you feeling?”
Her eyes shone. “Daddy. You’re here.”
Instantly, her words were like a balm for his heart. “Of course I’m here, babygirl,” she said. “Daddy’s not going anywhere.”
Mabel looked sad. “Daddy, I’m grateful you found me, but I really don’t see how I can stay here.”
Rip frowned. “Why not?”
“Well, for a start, I’m not sure that Haze would—”
“Haze says he wants us to stay.”
“But I don’t see how he could—”
“What happened between us was wrong because it was in the workplace. But our relationship wasn’t a mistake. We were driven wild by it. Haze gets that. When he and Winter first got together, they didn’t exactly rush to tell the whole town about it. And they got up to all sorts in Winter’s bath house, by the sounds of it. Honestly, sweetheart, you talk to any couple in this town and they’ll all tell you they get it. There’s Tammy and her three Daddy Bears — you think they’ve always been good as gold when it’s time for their medical check-ups?”
“I’m sure Dr. Tammy wouldn’t do anything naughty in her surgery,” Mabel whispered, her eyes flicking over to the door, checking Tammy wasn’t listening in.
“You want a bet?” Rip hissed back. “This is Liberty, honey. The town where things are done a little differently. Love and lust are held in high esteem here, as important to the infrastructure of the place as food, water, shelter.”
Mabel laughed. “You really think lust is as important as shelter? You should try spending a night in the mountains with nothing but lust to keep you warm.”
“And you should try spending a lifetime with a roof over your head, but no lover to take care of what’s going on in here.” He placed a hand on her chest, and she felt a tingle of warmth spread through her.
“I get what you’re saying,” she said. “But Brandon Marshall didn’t seem very pleased with whatwedid in Liberty.”
“We’ll make amends for that,” said Rip. “We’ll make it right with everyone.”
Mabel hesitated. “You really think we could stay here?”
Rip nodded. “I know it. We just need to find our place. Pull our weight.”
Mabel raised her eyebrows. “You reallyhavebeen talking to Haze.”
“Listen, babygirl,” said Rip. “I know it’s going to take some time, but if you’d like to put in the groundwork, I would too. I love it here. Being in Liberty. Being with you. I’d like to set down some roots.”
“But don’t you want to work in the movies?”
“Actually, no,” said Rip. “Not sure I was cut out to be a Weapons Master.” He rubbed the bruise on his arm. “Or a stuntman.”
“Whatdoyou want to do then?” Mabel asked.
“I want to be my own boss,” Rip replied. “With my very special business partner, of course.”
“Two bosses?” Mabel asked, amused. “Wouldn’t that get messy?”
“You’ll only be a boss at work,” Rip replied. “At home, young lady, you’ll follow Daddy’s orders, each and every day.”
“Even on green days?”
“Even on green days.”
Mabel looked down at her bandaged hand. “Am I allowed to go home yet, Daddy?”
“You are, sweetheart. That’s what I’ve been sitting here waiting to tell you. Dr. Tammy says you can go home. And if you’re happy to call my home yours, then—”
