Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 31777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
“Brat,” Reuben murmured. “We’ll talk about that sassiness later.”
Faith still didn’t look worried. “This would be great for Juliet.”
“Just what I was thinking,” Reuben replied with a gentle look at Faith. Then he turned to Maeve. “I’d like to purchase one for my sister, Juliet.”
“Of course!” Maeve said. “I have other animals too. Ferocious Foggy, Giggling Giraffe, Worrywart Worm, Brave Bat, Happy Hippo, and Adventurous Apple. I just couldn’t figure out what sort of animal to do for A. Anteater and armadillo just didn’t feel right or that easy to make.”
“What about an Alpaca?” Faith suggested.
“Alpaca . . . yeah, I like the idea of that! Thanks, Faith.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’ll try and get it to you as soon as possible,” she said. “Cat can call you to see where to send it. But you don’t have to buy it. I don’t sell them.”
“You should,” Reuben told her. “And I will be purchasing it.”
Okay, then.
She was not going to argue with this man.
Reuben guided Faith up the stairs. “Excuse us, we have to go before Faith gets too cold. The helicopter is waiting for you.”
“Can you believe that?” Maeve said to Gray as they headed toward the helicopter. “Reuben wants to buy one of my emotion toys.”
“I can believe it. Because they’re cute and clever. Just like my girl.”
Aww. He always said the best things.
Too bad you’re keeping something from him.
She placed her hand over her stomach.
But she was no longer ill. So it didn’t matter.
Right?
5
FAITH AND REUBEN
22nd December
“Ican’t do this, Daddy. I just can’t.” Faith could feel herself starting to panic.
She hated flying.
It felt like she was trapped in a giant metal dart. Sometimes she imagined a giant hand picking up the plane and just throwing it somewhere, hoping it would land in the right place.
All right, Faith.
You’re being a bit dramatic, aren’t you? You’ve flown before without any issue.
But she just kept thinking about storms and bad weather and it was freaking her out.
She reached for her seatbelt, trying to desperately undo it as her breathing became shallow and fast. Sweat coated her skin even though she’d taken off her hat and coat.
“Faith, look at me. Look at me right now.”
Reuben's stern words calmed her slightly and she gazed at him as he crouched in front of her, taking hold of her hands.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
“Y-you know I do!”
“Then you know that I will never let anything harm you, understand? Nothing is going to happen to you as long as I’m with you.”
“You can’t control the plane!” she cried.
“Of course I can. I can do anything.”
It was a ridiculous statement. So many things could go wrong and there would be nothing he could really do.
However, his supreme confidence that he could and would fix anything had her heartbeat slowing. And suddenly she could breathe easier.
Because even though he couldn’t control everything, she knew that Reuben would always do his best to keep her safe.
And that he would never put her in harm’s way. In fact, he spent most of his life doing whatever was necessary to keep her safe.
She squeezed Courageous Camel who she still held tight and she started to feel even better.
She could do this.
“Sorry,” she whispered in a hoarse voice. “I don’t mean to be such a wimp.”
“You know there’s a private bedroom on this jet, don’t you?”
Um, what was he saying?
That he wanted to have sex? Sex was the last thing on her mind right now!
Well, no, that wasn’t entirely true. A part of her always wanted him. How could she not?
The man was gorgeous. Tall and stern and handsome.
There was no resisting him.
“You want to fool around?” she asked. They hadn’t even taken off yet. The door wasn’t closed.
Urgh.
Had she really had a panic attack before the door had even closed?
“No, I don’t want to fool around.”
Oh. That was disappointing. “Why not?”
“Because I’m going to be too busy spanking your ass,” he growled at her.
“Daddy! Why would you be spanking me?” she asked. “That’s not nice.”
“You just called yourself a wimp. Are you allowed to put yourself down, Faith?”
Drat.
She bit down on her lower lip.
“No, Daddy.”
“That’s right. But this time, I’m feeling lenient, and I know you were still recovering from your panic attack. So I’ll let you get away with a lighter punishment.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “Or you could just not punish me.”
He grinned his evil grin. “Now, where would be the fun in that?”
She groaned. He was terrible.
“Faith! I’m so glad you’re here!” Alfie strode into the plane carrying a tray filled with drinks. He looked adorable in his long, bright red coat with white faux-fur trim.
“You are so festive!” she cried. “I love it!”
She had met Alfie several times when he’d visited Cat. He and Cat had become great friends. Alfie was a Little too, like them. He was also the flight attendant for the jet. She’d met him when she’d flown before.