CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Dennis hoots and hollers along with the rowdy celebration from the latest bingo winner. Luck hasn’t been on his side tonight, but that doesn’t stop him from joining in the ruckus. It’s about community and moral support for him.
“Break time,” he tells us. “We can stretch our legs.”
“I’m busy.” Ronnie’s tongue is poking out as she covers her sheet in dots.
My grin approves of her rapid-fire method. “Looks like a winner.”
“It’s not, but that’s okay. I’m gonna get all the numbers next time.”
“That’s the spirit!” Dennis shouts above the dull roar that’s spreading through The Paddock like a victory lap.
This is the place to be in Cloverleaf Meadows for most notable social outings.
Bingo is just one of many on their weekly event calendar.
Not only is there a mega-jackpot coverall round, but they also provide a separate game for kids with a wide variety of prizes.
The whole family can join in the fun and my little girl is taking advantage.
“B-I-N-G-O,” she sings. “And soon they’ll call my name-o!”
Dennis applauds her optimism. “Speaking of planning for the future, how are you ringing in the new year?”
“Same as usual,” I drawl. Unless there’s a kid-friendly event nearby that celebrates before bedtime, we’re tucked safely at home for the occasion.
He scoffs. “That’s not true. You’ve got a new member in your household. She’s gotta account for a few changes ‘round there.”
My gut clenches at the mention of Frankie. Our situation is more complicated than she’s willing to admit. If she thinks I’ll be satisfied with a one-and-done, she’s going to get another spanking. There’s a noticeable twitch in my dick and I inhale a calming breath.
“Ronnie’s nanny can spend the holiday however she pleases.”
My daughter’s hand pauses in midair, the dotting marker hanging in the balance. “Are you talkin’ about Frannie?”
“The one and only.” Dennis waggles his bushy eyebrows.
She discards the stamper as if it ran out of ink. Now we have her full attention. “I love her. She’s gonna be my mommy someday.”
My uncle chokes on his surprise. “Is that so?”
“Uh-huh, but not until she says so. I gotta be patient. It’s so hard to wait.”
“What’s the holdup?” The force of his question rests on me.
“Aside from the truth?” I shoot the old man a scolding stare of my own. “You can’t be serious.”
“Why not? Seems legit.”
My knee bounces under the table. “Frankie is Ronnie’s nanny. We’ve decided that’s all she’ll be.”
“For now,” my daughter inserts.
“Forever,” I correct.
She scowls. “Wanna bet?”
My exhale is ragged, much like this topic of conversation. “It’s not a game, cupcake.”
Dennis chuckles. “Your dad isn’t much of a gambler.”
“Not when the odds are stacked against me.”
Ronnie’s button nose crinkles. “What’s that mean?”
“He doesn’t think luck is on his side,” my uncle explains.
An uncomfortable prickle crawls along the nape of my neck. “You know who raised me.”
He dips his head. “I also know you’re not him. Pretty sure you’ve spent the entirety of your adult life proving it.”
“Which is why I don’t take risks.”
“Boring.” My little girl pretends to snore before resuming her stamping project.
“Let’s change the subject.” But again, I’m on a losing streak and my uncle holds all the cards.
“I understand Ronnie is your whole world, as she should be,” Dennis states in a tone that suggests there’s more coming. “But you’re more than a father. It’s healthy to let the man out of the cage every once in a while.”
I almost laugh. That’s exactly what I did in the barn just yesterday. But there are limits, such as the one we’re currently toeing.
The brim of my hat gets tugged down to hide any visible tells. “We’re not discussing this.”
“I believe we are. There are ample opportunities to let that part of you roam free. Don’t deprive yourself, son.”
“Are you speaking from experience?” This is beginning to sound like an exchange we already had recently.
“Absolutely,” he booms. “What do you call this?”
The wide stretch of his arms refers to the commotion surrounding us.
After his wife died, he spent several months locked away with his grief.
But then Brody married Paisley and took ownership of Benson Farmstead.
Retirement has rejuvenated him. He’s got me cornered and the smirk lifting his wrinkled skin is smug.
“So,” Dennis continues. “Be spontaneous for a change.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I mutter.
He claps me on the shoulder. “You do that while I babysit Ronnie on New Year’s Eve.”
My daughter chooses that moment to pay attention, squealing at her grand-uncle’s meddling. “Can we have a slumber party?”
“That’s the idea. I’ll be sure there are extra snacks and crafts to keep us busy. Bring the dogs along for the fun,” Dennis says.
Ronnie cheers loudly, managing to steal the spotlight over the crowd’s noise. “Yay! We’re gonna have the bestest time. Darla and Dottie looooove to stay up super late watching movies.”
“With those two pups in charge, we might never go to bed.”
My little girl giggles. “That’s okay. Just don’t tell Daddy.”
“It’ll be our secret.” How this cheerful man is related to my surly father remains a mystery.
“I appreciate the offer, but it’s not necessary.” There I go, dumping a cold bucket of water on their excitement.
“Nonsense.” Dennis swats my argument away. “This will allow you to let loose. Release your inhibitions. Dance the night away with a certain redhead. Whatever tickles your fancy.”
“Oh, oh!” Ronnie leaps off her chair. “You can take Frannie on a date. Just like you used to do with Mommy. Make sure you buy her pretty flowers.”
“What a great idea,” Dennis praises as his primary focus takes shape.
Pressure settles on my shoulders. “I doubt Frankie likes flowers.”
My little girl scoffs. “How do you know?”
“She’s not the traditionally romantic type,” I defend.
“Plan something more unexpected,” Dennis suggests.
Ronnie gasps. “Get her a knife! She loooooves knives. Can I have a knife, Daddy? Frannie told me to ask you.”
“Nobody is getting a knife,” I state evenly. That woman is going to be the death of my sanity. “And I’m not going on a date with Frankie.”
My daughter’s broad grin wobbles at the edges. “Why not?”
“She’s your nanny,” I say as if that will settle this dispute.
Ronnie immediately dashes those strands of hope. “She’s a superhero too! If you’re nice, maybe she’ll let you ride her motorcycle. It goes really fast. Like a rocket ship.”
“I’ll stick to horses. They’re more my speed.”
She blinks at me. “Horses can pull a sleigh in the snow.”
“That’s right,” I agree with her random thought.
“Just like Sven in Frozen. Anna and Kristoff were together in his sled. You can do that with Frannie on a date!” The connection she makes is baffling.
I’d be more impressed if it wasn’t at my expense. “How about I take you on a sleigh ride?”
“No, thanks.”
A sharp snort flies free, offended by her brashness. “We could try—”
“I want you to go with Frannie.” There’s an edge of finality in her voice that dares me to argue.
“Cupcake,” I sigh. “Frankie and I don’t get along.”
Her flat stare sees straight through me. “Yes, you do.”
“We really don’t,” I reiterate.
“Then why do you get hearts in your eyeballs whenever you look at her?”
Dennis tries to muffle a bark of laughter behind his fist, but fails miserably. “Spit it out, son. We’re all family.”
I grind my molars until an ache spreads in my jaw. “You don’t have to make this more difficult for me.”
The devious twinkle in his eye is alarming. “This is for your own good.”
There isn’t much left to say, especially with these two teamed up against me. “I’m sure Frankie already has plans.”
“Only one way to find out,” Dennis croons.
“Ask her!” Ronnie applauds her correct answer.
“We’ll see,” I evade.
“What’s she doing now?”
I glare at my uncle. “Does it matter?”
“Wouldn’t hurt to send her a quick text. Just to get it out of the way.”
“Yes, do that!” My seemingly innocent daughter points at where my phone sits on the table. “Tell her I miss her, m’kay?”
Before I can put an end to this spiral, the bingo caller turns on the microphone.
Every voice in the room shuts off as if connected to a switch.
“We’ll begin round seven in two minutes.
This will be a traditional bingo. Winner gets two hundred dollars or their choice of prize from the table.
” She sends a collective wink to the children spread around the large area.
“Yippppeee! I’m gonna pick the bedazzling kit. We need it to make our crafts sparkle.” Ronnie claps in optimistic glee.
My smile returns easily. “You’ll have to show me how it works.”
“Frannie can teach you. She’s got a whole book about it.”
Warmth spreads through my chest. “Of course she does.”
“Shhhhhh,” she shushes me and presses a finger to my lips. “We gotta listen.”
But my mind is elsewhere. The more I think about it, another night with Frankie is a fantasy I’m eager to explore.
I glance down at the punctures she left on my arm.
The wounds are healing, but my memory is infected with our explosive fuckery.
She might need convincing. I could leave that up to Ronnie.
Dennis would gladly join in the bombarding.
“Bingo! I got bingo!” Ronnie is jumping up and down, waving her paper in the air.
The caller laughs into the microphone. “Congratulations, cutie. Come on up here and get your winnings. For those playing for money, the game is still live.”
My little girl wraps me in a tight squeeze. When she straightens from the hug, her tiny index finger races down the slope of my nose and taps my chin. I repeat the gesture instantly.
“Guess what?” she whispers.
“You love me?”
“Duh,” she giggles and rolls her eyes. “That’s not what I was gonna say.”
“Tell me,” I urge.
Ronnie twirls away, the widest smile plastered on her face. “I’m gonna make Frannie something really super pretty for your date!”