Page 6 of His Lucky Babygirl

“She doesn’t like me going alone…” He turned and cheesed at Melody, his bottom front teeth not fully grown in even as he was approaching his eleventh birthday. “The rapids are better before lunch.”

“You have a point.” Noah patted Zander on the shoulder and looked over at Melody. “Tell Nolan I got him. He’ll enjoy Princess Penny time, and I’ll take this rugrat down the lazy river.”

“Heck, yeah!”

“Okay. Don’t forget to put on sunscreen!” Melody tossed a bottle to Noah and crouched down to check on Penelope when her phone buzzed.

Zack: Hey, hey! Noah said you were doing some kink-work. Are you free next week?

Mel: Depends on what for?

Zack: We’ve had some new members at the club and want to offer demonstration classes. Would you be game?

Mel: Depending on the play, sure. I have the free time.

Zack: Perfect, I’ll get with the other owner today and we’ll meet up after newbie munch on Sunday. Okay?

Mel: Sounds great, I look forward to talking more.

“Swings, Melly!” Sarah tugged her sleeve for attention and grabbed her hand. “Please!”

Melody set her phone on silent, she slipped it into her back pocket, then turned to give the bouncy child her attention. “I thought we were going to have lunch first?” She picked up a groggy Penelope who quietly took in the new surroundings.

“Papa packed sammiches.” Sarah scrunched her nose in distaste. Forever the picky eater.

“Half of a sandwich and some fruit in trade,” she negotiated with the six-year-old. “For swings and s’mores tonight.” The latter was already preplanned and traditional for an outing.

“Waffles and princess story for our next wake-up?”

“Deal.”

They joined the men and Sarah climbed onto the table, sitting to eat her required half of the star-shaped ham and cheese sandwich. Sitting next to her, Melody sat Penny on the table, handing her bits of fruit and her favorite toddler cheese puffs that stuck to her sticky fingers.

“Such beautiful, well-mannered girls you are.” she said as Wes and Nolan approached the girl's table.

Nolan beamed at his daughter who squealed with delight. She excitedly butt-bounced and waved her arms at the sight of him. “I see you, my girl,” he sing-songed, closing the gap and picking up the fruit-sticky toddler.

“Zander took sunscreen and was child-napped by Noah and the rapids.”

“Good thing Mia isn’t here.” Nolan lifted Penny onto his shoulders. “No matter how hard I try to convince her that it’s as safe as can be, she damn near has an anxiety attack the whole time.”

“She seems to want you three in a bubble.” Melody reached up and wiped Penny’s hands which she’d already partially cleaned in her father's dark blond hair.

“The girls have been working a lot and I think Mia is hitting a breaking point.” Nolan adjusted Penny’s legs on his shoulders. “Even with you helping more when they’re elbow-deep in prep.”

“Since Lexi and Noah bought the Sampson property, she and Mia have been full steam ahead using the grounds to expand their empire.”

“Not if they’re too tired to enjoy it,” Nolan pointed out.

“I know, this is something they’ve been working on since before us. I’m trying to get her to slow down–”

“Without telling her to slow down.” Mel leaned on the edge of the table, folding up Penny’s blanket, keeping her hands busy while they talked.

“I’m sure there are inventive ways, Daddy always knows best,” he alluded, tickling Penny and heading on their way.

“All done!” Sarah announced, running toward her. “Sw-iiiings!” She jumped up to Melody, hugging her and laughing.

“Okay, you tell Papa where we’re going?” Mel grabbed onto Sarah’s hand and looked around the small picnic area.

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