The Art of Discipline: Running Toward Trouble (The Mockingbird Chronicles) (14 page)

“Those are what those long things were?” Dani frowned.

“Yeah, but I don’t know what Emma did. Stevie only gets those out when she’s really pissed.”

Dani’s frowned deepened as she looked up at the ceiling. “Is she gonna be okay?”

“Oh, she’ll be fine. Won’t be able to sit for a week, literally, but I’m sure whatever she did, she won’t do again,” Anna reassured her.

“I don’t get it, why would she volunteer for that?”

“Oh, come on, like you’ve never asked to get your tail lit? It’s the same thing. Emma understands what she needs, and so does Stevie. You have to trust her, trust them both.”

Dani shook her head. “You make it sound so easy. How would you feel if it was the other way around, and it was Stevie on the receiving end?”

“Are you kidding? I’d be pissed they didn’t invite me to watch!” Anna laughed.

Dani shook her head. “Now I really need a cupcake.”

“Seriously?”

“Hell yes, what’s the name of that bakery again?” Dani asked, pulling out her phone.

* * *

“If it’s okay with your mom, you can have one.” Dani invited the little boy who was eyeing her half-eaten cupcake on the counter.

“Can I, Mom?” He looked up at a middle-aged woman with blond hair.

“Sure, Brandon,” she agreed as Dani smiled and showed him the selection she had in the box.

“Mom can have one too, if she wants,” Dani offered.

“Why, thank you. It’s been ages since I had a cupcake,” the woman smiled. “They are so pretty, where did you get them?”

“Cupcake Haven. It’s right around the corner on 3
^rd
,” Dani answered.

“Wonderful. I didn’t even know they were there. Maybe we can have them do your birthday party next month.”

“Birthday, huh? How old are you going to be?”

The little boy smiled. “Seven.”

“Wow, did you pick out a theme yet?”

The little boy nodded enthusiastically. “Arrrggg, it’ll be a pirate birthday, matey.”

Dani laughed. “Oh, I can see you are all set then. Tell ya what,” Dani paused as she pulled out a piece of scratch paper from under the counter and scribbled a note and a phone number. “I happen to have some pirate friends, I’m sure they would love to come to your party.” Turning to the mother, she said, “Tell them that Brandon here is a personal friend of Danielle Ryan, and needs the best birthday party any seven-year-old ever wanted.”

“Thank you,” the woman smiled, taking the paper, the bag with her purchase, and her cupcake. With a final wave, she and Brandon left.

“That was nice,” Anna started, only to be stopped when Dani held up a finger as she dialed her cell.

“Morgan. Yes. I want you to contact Riley Entertainment. Yes. Tell them that if a woman from Fort Strymon calls inquiring about a pirate-themed birthday party for her son, Brandon, to make sure it happens. The works, right. Yes, right. And make sure it gets charged to my personal account. Yes. No. Yes. Yes. Right. Good. Thanks, Morgan.” Hanging up her cell, Dani smiled at her gaping employee.

“I can’t believe you just did that.”

Dani shrugged. “Every seven-year-old deserves a kick-ass birthday party.”

“Oh, maybe I’ll have you plan my next birthday,” Anna smirked. “A few pirate wenches, beer… I could so do that.”

Dani laughed. “We’ll see…” Dani’s voice trailed off as Stevie appeared from the back entrance, followed a moment later by Emma. Quickly coming around from the back of the counter, she passed by Stevie, unable to resist flashing her a dirty look before stopping short in front of Emma. “You okay?”

Emma winced, but nodded. “I’ll be fine, Dani.” Emma then squinted. “Why are your teeth blue?”

Dani flashed her a smile. “Frosting. Want a cupcake?”

“Cupcake?” Emma raised a questioning eyebrow.

“Yeah, bakery around the corner. They only deliver if you order a dozen. So I ordered six.”

Both eyebrows shot up. “You had six dozen cupcakes delivered to the store?”

“Yeah,” Anna spoke up. “Most of them are gone though, only have about six left.”

“Please tell me you didn’t eat them all?” Emma looked at Dani, concerned.

“No, she didn’t, I helped,” Anna volunteered.

Emma and Stevie exchanged glances, as Anna laughed. “We had a dozen delivered to the dry cleaner’s next door, one to the law office across the street, another to the post office, and two to the daycare. Gave a few away here, too. They went pretty quick.”

“I bet,” Stevie answered. “How many did you have?”

Anna put her hands up defensively. “Only one, I swear.”

“And you?” Emma asked Dani.

“One and a half. Couldn’t resist trying the blue frosting.”

“Un-huh,” Emma smiled. “Okay, you’re free. You can head back to the office and your laptop.”

Dani frowned. “Maybe we should close up. Or I can finish the day with Anna. Wouldn’t you rather lie down for a while?”

“I’ll be fine, Dani,” Emma chastised. Turning Dani toward the office, she patted her bottom gently. “Go, before I change my mind and put you to work.”

“Hey Dani,” Stevie called as Dani paused. “See you at six tomorrow morning?”

Dani narrowed her eyes. “I don’t think I’ll feel up to running in the morning.” Without another comment, Dani disappeared into the office.

“What was that about?” Stevie asked, looking at Emma.

Emma shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll talk to her later.”

“Right, see you tomorrow. And I’ll see you at home, Anna,” Stevie smiled, giving her wife a quick kiss.

“Thanks, Stevie. For everything,” Emma said.

“Anytime, Emma.”

* * *

“How come we are eating in here tonight?” Dani asked, as Emma gingerly sat down on the sofa before curling up her feet under her.

“Thought it might be a nice change of pace. Watch a movie, curl up on the sofa together,” Emma answered, handing Dani a plate from the TV tray she’d set up.

Dani looked down at the plate. Emma had put the grilled chicken on a bun, added a scoop of potato salad and some fresh strawberries. At least she could identify everything tonight. “It’s because you are too sore to sit in the kitchen, isn’t it?” Dani accused.

“Eat,” Emma encouraged, ignoring the question.

Dani frowned. “I still don’t understand why you won’t let me see. You did last time.”

“Danielle, I already told you I wasn’t going to discuss it with you. Now, eat,” Emma pressed as she flipped through the movie channels before settling on something that was just starting.

Dani sat back, putting the plate on her lap. She managed two bites of her sandwich and a strawberry before she put the plate back on the tray. “I’m not very hungry, and I’ve already seen this movie,” Dani commented as she stood and headed down the hall.

“Dani. Danielle,” Emma tried, but Dani ignored her.

Dani headed directly to Uncle Sean’s study and sought comfort in his leather chair. Looking out the window, she curled up into a ball. At times like these, she could almost feel his presence, and being where he loved to spend time was soothing.

“Dani, I’m sorry. Please come back to the living room with me,” Emma’s voice pulled Dani away from the past.

“I told you I wasn’t hungry,” Dani replied crisply.

“How about a compromise? If you come back and sit with me, you can have a soda with dinner.”

“I’m fine right here,” Dani replied, never taking her eyes from the window.

“Fine,” Emma relented. “If you change your mind, I’ll be in the living room.” Emma waited a long moment, before finally turning and leaving.

Dani continued to stare out the window, her thoughts turning, when suddenly she noticed movement in a car parked across the street. Narrowing her eyes, she turned off the light, so she could get a better look. There was definitely someone sitting in the car, and it looked like he was watching the apartment with binoculars.

Pulling her cell out of her pocket, she dialed. “
Zio
Frankie?”

“Danielle, my
bambina
, so good to hear from you. Is everything alright?”

“I hope so. I was wondering if you still had people watching my store? There is someone in a car watching the apartment through binoculars. I don’t want to call the police if it’s your boys, but whoever it is giving me the creeps.”

Dani winced as her godfather let out a string of curses in Italian. “Go ahead and call the police,
bambina
. If it is my boys, they deserve to be slapped around a bit. If not, I don’t want to take any chances. I’ll call my boys and have them check it out regardless.”

“Thanks,
Zio
Frankie.”

“No problem, and you call me back and let me know what’s going on,
capisce
?”

“
Capisce
, I understand,” Dani returned with a smile.

“Good girl. Now hang up and call the police.”

“Yes,
Zio
Frankie. I’ll talk to you soon.”

Releasing the call, Dani dialed the police to report.

“Dani? Who are you talking to, and why do you have the lights out?”

“Don’t turn them on, Emma,” Dani hissed, before returning to the operator on the phone. “Please hurry,” Dani encouraged, “if it’s him, he has a habit of slipping away just in time. Right, goodbye.”

“What’s going on?” Emma asked.

“There is someone watching the apartment from across the street.
Zio
Frankie doesn’t think it’s one of his boys…” Even in the darkened room, Dani could see Emma pale. “Hey, come here,” she encouraged.

Emma quickly crossed the room and allowed Dani to pull her into her lap. Curling up, Emma looked where Dani pointed out the car. “I can’t tell if that’s him,” she frowned.

“Neither can I, but don’t worry, we’re safe in here. Between
Zio
Frankie and the police, one of them will get him.”

“But what if they don’t? I’m so tired of being scared, Dani.”

“Me too,” Dani pulled Emma closer, laying a kiss on her forehead. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Emma nuzzled up again Dani, closing her eyes and enjoying the closeness. After a long moment, she heard Dani curse. “What?” Emma’s eyes flew back open.

“He’s leaving. Damn it.”

“Maybe it was Frankie’s boy?” Emma said hopefully.

“Maybe. Regardless, it doesn’t matter now, he’s gone.”

Emma frowned. “Well, I guess I should clean up the kitchen.”

“I’ll do that,” Dani offered. “I think you’re too tired.”

Emma raised an eyebrow. “Don’t even think about trying to send me to bed,” she scolded. “I’m not going to sleep this early.”

Dani grinned. “Who said anything about sleep?” she taunted, bending and kissing Emma’s neck.

“God, Dani,” Emma moaned. “You are so evil.”

“So I’ve been told,” Dani replied with a smirk.

Emma then let out a yelp of surprise as Dani stood, picking her up as she did. “Put me down,” she protested.

“Nope. You’re mine. I found you fair and square.”

“Dani,” Emma scolded, as she effortlessly carried her into the bedroom, then laid her gently on the bed.

Crawling up next to her, Dani lifted Emma’s shirt so that her stomach was exposed, and began to caress it with gentle kisses. “I think you have way too much clothing on,” Dani whispered.

“I do, huh?” Emma smirked as she let Dani remove her shirt. “I think you do as well.”

Dani grinned and practically ripped off her shirt, throwing it to the side of the room. “Better?”

“No, still too many clothes,” Emma argued, running her hand down Dani’s chest.

Dani smiled, reaching behind her and releasing the clasp on her bra, before slipping the straps off her arms and removing the garment. “Now it’s your turn,” Dani whispered in Emma’s ear, before nibbling the lobe.

Emma moaned, and copied Dani’s actions, removing her own bra and adding it to the pile on the floor.

Dani moved from the ear, down Emma’s neck and turned her attention to one of the newly freed breasts, before continuing down to Emma’s belly button. Kissing around it, she put a thumb on each side of her pants; she started to slip them down Emma’s hips, before a hand stopped her.

“Wait.”

Dani sat back up. “What?”

“We can’t do this tonight.”

“Yes, we can.” Dani tried to resume her kissing.

“Danielle, stop. No more. In fact, maybe you should put some pajamas on.” Dani frowned, but Emma smiled. “You’re not in trouble yet, but very sneaky, Danielle.”

“What?” Dani asked. “Can’t I make love to my girlfriend?”

“Not tonight.”

Dani stuck her lip out in a pout.

Emma tapped the end of Dani’s nose. “Pajamas first. Then you can go finish your dinner, before you clean up the kitchen.”

“But what are you going to do?”

“Thinking a shower,” Emma said before muttering, “a cold shower.”

“I could wash your back,” Dani offered.

“Pajamas. Eat. Kitchen,” Emma repeated. “And maybe if you can manage that by the time I get out, we could still catch a movie.”

Dani frowned.

“Or it could be bedtime,” Emma amended.

“Pajamas. Eat. Sneak into the shower and surprise girlfriend,” Dani tried.

“And then sleep on your tummy, after said girlfriend paddles your behind.” Laughing as Dani stuck out her lip once more, Emma gave her a swat before scooting off the bed. “Get moving, young lady.”

Chapter Eight

Dani looked at the clock on the nightstand, sighing at the red 5:15. She rolled over, trying to will herself back to sleep, but knew it was futile. She’d been up since 3:38, and was tired of just lying in bed. Finally giving up, she carefully lifted the covers and slipped out of the bed as quietly as she could. Breathing a sigh of relief when Emma didn’t even move, Dani grabbed a pair of sweats and a t-shirt before heading into the bathroom to change.

Emerging from the bathroom a few minutes later, she grinned. Emma was still asleep and if she timed this right, Emma would never even know that she’d been gone. Her plan though was suddenly thwarted as she opened the bedroom door, and then stopped cold as it squeaked.