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Three more times, that awful switch snicked across her backside, leaving one fiery line after another. Each one throbbed and burned deeper with every heartbeat. Junie burst into loud, heaving sobs. She dropped to her knees at the edge of the bed, burying her face in thecovers, her hands pressed to the sides of her hips because she couldn’t bear to touch the blazing skin of her bottom.
Tanner tossed the switch aside. The mattress dipped as he sat down and reached for her. “Come here, baby.”
Junie threw her arms around his neck and sobbed against his shoulder, big, hiccupping cries that shook her whole body. He pulled her into his lap and held her close, one hand rubbed slow circles on her back while the other cradled her head against him.
“I know it was a hard lesson,” he said gently, pressing a kiss to her temple. “And hear me, Cupcake. I’m so damn proud of the way you care about the people you love. You bring happiness and joy to everyone you meet, not only with your pastries, but with your smile and your heart. However”—and here his voice grew serious—“if you ever disobey me and get yourself in that much trouble again, the spanking you just got will feel like playtime compared to what you’ll earn. What should happen if you want to do something other than what I’ve told you to do?”
“I sh-should c-call you… and a-ask or let y-you take care of it.”
Her breath hitched as she tried to speak through her tears.
His arms tightened around her. “That’s my good girl.”
Lifting her easily, he carried her bridal-style out to the front porch. The evening breeze felt cool against her tear-streaked face as he sat down on the porch swing with her still curled in his lap. They swayed gently while she cried out the rest of her tears against his chest.
Sniffing, she pressed her face closer to his shirt. “I love you,” she whispered.
Tanner’s hand stroked slowly up and down her back. “I love you too, babygirl. More than you know.”
When the last of her tears had slowed to soft sniffles, Tanner carried her back inside the cabin. He set her on the kitchen counter with a pillow underneath her sore bottom, then moved around the kitchen with calm confidence, pulling out ingredients while they talked and laughed about the Great Frog Caper. The way he tookcare of her so easily—feeding her bites of grilled fish and vegetables between soft kisses—made her heart feel too full for her chest.
Later, after they had eaten, he led her to the bedroom. The fire he built in the big stone fireplace crackled warmly, casting dancing light across the walls. Junie lay on top of the covers exactly as he told her, watching him with growing excitement. She was tired. It had been such a big day, but she didn’t want to miss a single second of whatever Tanner had planned for them.
Her eyes grew heavier as she watched the firelight play across his broad shoulders. The last thing she remembered thinking was how much she wanted him… and then sleep pulled her under.
Tanner stood in the doorway of the bedroom, arms crossed over his chest, watching Junie sleep.
The soft glow of the bedside lamp painted her face in gentle gold. Her lashes rested against her cheeks, her breathing slow and even, one hand curled under her chin like she was still a little girl. His Little girl. He couldn’t stop the feeling of thankfulness that spread through his chest every time he looked at her. After everything they had been through—the fear, the fight, the hospital, the long nights of holding her while she trembled—she was finally resting peacefully.
What he had ever done to deserve a gift like her, he wasn’t sure. But he intended to spend the rest of his life making sure she never regretted that choice.
His phone buzzed quietly on the nightstand. He glanced at Junie to make sure it hadn’t disturbed her, then slipped out into the great room and answered.
Boone’s voice came through the line, “You two planning on coming back to the main house anytime soon, or should I just send the Littles out there with sleeping bags?”
Tanner chuckled low. “It was supposed to be a short trip. Guess I got carried away with the whole ‘keep her safe andresting’ thing.”
Boone snorted. “You think? The girls are driving me insane. They keep asking when their favorite baker is coming home. Ruby’s got three batches of cookies waiting, ‘just in case’.”
Tanner smiled, leaning against the kitchen island. “Tell them thank you from Junie for the gift basket. And ask them who the hell put the pamphlet about smoke signals in there.”
Boone laughed outright. “That was me. Figured it might come in handy if she ever needs to signal for help again.”
Tanner shook his head, genuinely shocked. “You’ve got a twisted sense of humor, big brother.”
“Pot, meet kettle,” Boone shot back. Then his voice grew more serious. “Listen, the reason I called… Preston’s final bid for a get-out-of-jail-free card failed. He was denied bond again.”
Tanner’s grip tightened on the phone. “You mean all the bribes and threats Harlan threw at everyone didn’t work?”
“Apparently not,” Boone said. “Looks like even the Lassiter money has its limits.”
Tanner’s jaw clenched. “He better hope they keep him locked up. Because if he ever sets foot out of that jail, he’s a dead man.”
Boone was quiet for a beat. “You’ve got someone more important than Preston to think about now. Don’t forget that.”
Tanner glanced toward the bedroom door. Boone was right. Junie was his future. Preston was just a ghost from the past. Somewhere in the background of Boone’s call, there was a loud crash followed by shrieks and giggles.
Boone groaned. “Somewhere in this house, there is one last frog that keeps croaking every time I even whisper that I can’t find it.”
