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“I covered all the food groups, Daddy.”
“Uh-uh. How did you do that?” he asked.
“Uh, well, I had fruit.”
“What sort of fruit?” He gave her a suspicious look.
“Cherries.”
“Cherries?” he repeated.
“Yeah . . . maraschino ones.”
He sighed. “And what else?”
“Uh, well, I also had protein and dairy.”
“Really?” he asked sceptically.
“Uh-huh. In the form of chocolate fish and whipped cream.”
“April Carson. Is that seriously what you ate for dinner?”
“Well, yep, and some potato chips. Hence, why I needed more potato chips.”
“April,” he grumbled. “That’s not an acceptable dinner and you know it. What did you eat today?”
“Umm, well . . . I’m so sorry you had to come back, Daddy. That ticket probably cost a fortune. And how did you get here? Did someone pick you up? I could have come and gotten you.”
“That wasn’t happening. You’re in no fit state to drive. I got Larry to come get me.”
“Larry? Oh, God. That must have cost an arm and a leg.”
April had grown up with very little. Money was always a worry for her, no matter how much he reassured her. The only time she didn’t seem to worry about finances was when she was in Little headspace.
“Baby girl, I said don’t worry about the money and I meant it. Understand me?” He made his voice stern.
She nodded. “O-okay.”
“And don’t worry about Ben’s stag weekend. It’s not like I was having a good time. Ben is probably grateful that my grumpy ass is no longer there.”
She gave him a faint smile. “My grumpy badger.”
“Can’t believe that nickname has stuck. I should have spanked you the first time you said it. Definitely should have taken a belt to your ass when you said it in front of my brothers.”
A small giggle escaped her. “Sorry, Daddy.”
“No, you’re not.”
“No. I’m not.”
“Because you’re a brat who still hasn’t told me what she ate today.”
“Shoot. You noticed, huh?”
“I notice everything about you, baby girl.” He brushed her wild hair off her face, taking note of her swollen eyes and pale skin. Fuck. She looked exhausted and traumatized.
Nope. He was never leaving her the house on her own again.
