Page 166 of Cowboy Daddies

I giggled as both brothers had lifted their heads and asked that question at the exact same time. I’d forgotten they’d often done that as kids and evidently hadn’t grown out of synchronizing their speech.

It didn’t seem to surprise Kate either. “No one. I was simply pointing out that unless Livvy wants to chance losing a hand, she needs to fill her plate before sitting down with you two.”

The brothers looked at each other and once again, they acted at the same moment as shoulders shrugged and napkins lifted to wipe mouths.

I began to stand only to have Lincoln reaching out to place his hand over mine. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Well, unless you two believe licking up the grease and the crumbs from those platters counts as cleaning them, I thought I’d make myself useful and actually wash the dishes.”

“You thought wrong. You are supposed to be resting.”

“Lincoln, I’m fine. Even Dr. Eastman said I could start walking today so…”

“No, he said after twenty-four hours, and since it won’t be a full day for another hour, you’ll sit right here and keep your foot up.”

“That’s the stup—” It was a combination of Kate’s gasp and quirk of Lincoln’s brow that had me scrambling to recover. “Most stupendiest ability to do math in one’s head I’ve ever seen.”

“Good save, Liv,” Luther said with a chuckle. “And he’s right. We’ll take care of the dishes.”

I huffed because sitting around twiddling my thumbs was so not my forte. “Fine, Lincoln, but if this is your idea of a reward for saving your bacon, you need a refresher course,” I mumbled but evidently not quietly enough as Kate giggled and Luther chuckled.

“Or you can consider my not pulling you over my lap and smacking your behind even before you sat down to eat as saving your bacon, and it’s Daddy to you, little girl.”

My head shot back to stare up at him. “Smack my behind? For what?” When his eyes drifted to the crutches leaning against the island and then to the watch on his wrist, it turned out I could do some mental math of my own. I sighed. “You win. I’ll sit here pretending to be a bump on a log while y’all have all the fun.”

“And?”

And what?

I think your Daddy expects you to be answering that.

Like I needed more sassy snark in my life. But the nudge did the trick.

“And thank you for being ever so diligent in your duties.” When his brow didn’t instantly lower, I batted my eyelashes and added, “Daddy.”

“You’re very welcome, pixie,” Lincoln said and dropped a kiss on top of my head then picked up my empty plate and headed to the sink.

“Try changing the channel to the home network,” Kate suggested as she grabbed the bacon platter.

“Gee, thanks,” I snarked but then smiled. Actually, that wasn’t a bad idea. I was about to slip my foot off the stool where it had been resting when I sensed danger. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the twins’ eyes on me.

So this is how a poor little rabbit felt when a pair of hawks are circling overhead. But bunnies were quick little things weren’t they.

“Daddy, would you bring me my tablet and pencils?”

“Sure.” Lincoln wiped his hands on a dishtowel before picking up the items from where I’d left them on the island.

“Oh, and can you help me move to the other side of the table?”

Lincoln grinned. “Why? Afraid of a sneak attack?”

I caught myself before rolling my eyes. “Of course not. The light is better coming from over my shoulder than blinding me by looking into it.”

“You’ve always been quick as lightning,” he said obviously not buying that excuse. Of course the fact that the entire kitchen was flooded with sunlight streaming through the bank of windows might have weakened my case just a tad. Still, he picked me up and deposited me in the chair Kate had occupied. He went back for the stool and soon had my ankle supported again.

“Make sure you use a lot of red,” he said softly when I opened the box of pencils. “I believe lots of color on a naughty girl’s butt does wonders to help her remember to be Daddy’s good girl.”

“I’m not drawing that!” I whispered.