Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 37828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“Chop-chop?” the Fox asked in a low drawl. “Is that really the way you speak to me, baby girl?”
“You’re not you, Daddy. You’re Butler Daddy. What goes on with Butler Daddy stays with Butler Daddy.”
“I don’t think I like when you use my own words against me,” he murmured. Bending down, he took her chin with his, tilting her face back so he could kiss her nose. “Brat. What sort of tea?”
She grinned as he let her go.
Sunny’s eyes were wide as she stared over at her. “You’re so brave.”
“Nah, his bark is worse than his bite.”
“No, it’s not,” Sunny argued.
“It’s definitely not,” Brody said, sitting beside her. She leaned into him.
The Fox came over and poured them their tea. “There you go, ma’am. And for you, sir?” he asked Brody in a perfect British accent.
“It’s weird when you call me sir.” Brody shuddered.
The Fox grinned.
Duke walked into the room, looking shocked. Sunny jumped up, rattling the table.
“Duke? What is it?”
“I just went over and spoke to Sav,” he said.
“What’s wrong? Is it Livvy? Do I need to go over there?”
“No, baby. Best to stay here. The guy that pulled up in that truck. That was his brother, Cash.”
“The one who disappeared? Who Sav thought had died?” Sunny asked.
“Yep. Turns out, he’s not dead.”
“Well,” the Fox said. “That’s a twist even I didn’t see coming.”
An hour later, Brody closed his eyes as he rested his head against the headrest. After that announcement, none of them had really felt like playing. Sunny had made an effort, making them hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles. It had been fun, but also, he was kind of relieved to be going home.
Autumn groaned in the backseat.
“What’s wrong, Bunny?” the Fox asked.
“My tummy hurts.”
“I think your hot chocolate was more sprinkles than anything else,” Brody commented, twisting to rub her leg.
“Pup, sit back around. That’s not safe. Baby girl, do you need me to pull over?”
“No. I’ll be all right. That was weird, huh? That guy coming back from the dead, and on Christmas day,” she mused.
“Yep, like a real Christmas miracle,” Brody said.
“That’s the sort of miracle I don’t need,” the Fox said as he drove them home.
Yeah, that would be more of a nightmare than a miracle.
Autumn suddenly gasped in the backseat. “Stop the car!”
The Fox slammed on the brakes and was out of the car before Brody could register what was going on.
The Fox opened Tutu’s door. “What is it? Are you going to be ill?”
“No! Let me out! Let me out! It’s snowing!”
Brody peered out the window. Whoa. It was light but it was definitely snowing.
“Hell, Bunny. You gave me a fright,” the Fox scolded as he got her out of the car.
Brody climbed out as well, watching on with a grin as Tutu danced around, her hands out.
“That’s so cute,” the Fox commented.
“Come on, Brody-bear! Do a snow dance with me!”
With a laugh, Brody joined in as the Fox watched on with an indulgent smile.
Tutu threw her head back. “It’s a snowy little Christmas after all!”
Half an hour later, the Fox bundled them back into the car, grumbling about them getting ill from being cold.
When they were in the garage, he helped Brody out of the car before reaching into the back to pick up an exhausted Autumn, who slumped against him as he held her on his hip.
“It’s a miracle,” Tutu said, raising her head up to look at them both sleepily.
“The snow?” Brody asked. “That’s not really a miracle in Montana.”
“No, silly billy, that I found the two of you. And that’s all I could ever want or need this year and every other. And maybe a Tums. My tummy is really hurting now.”
“Come on, Pup, Bunny, time for bed. And a tummy rub. And if you’re really good, I’ll tell you the story of how the Fox got his very own happy ever after.”
“That’s my favorite story of all,” Tutu replied.
His too.