Page 51 of Creed

He gulped. “What lingerie photoshoot?”

I walked around his desk, and he didn’t protest when I brought up the Amazon page he was looking at. “Oh my God.” I laughed.

“What’s wrong with it?”

I might have been laughing but my heart was swelling at the same time. “I hate to break the news, but a dirt bike is dangerous and especially dangerous for a six year old.”

“Addie isn’t a prissy girl. When I was trying to calm her I got her talking about things that make her happy, so I know that girl doesn’t need a Barbie.” He defended himself.

I leaned against the desk and crossed my arms. “What exactly did she say?”

One side of his lips turned up and I could tell he might have had a soft spot for Addie. “Punching stupid boys straight in the mouth when they’re mean and the monkey bars at school.”

That sounded about right. “Let me see that shopping cart.” I demanded.

“No.” He tried to move the laptop.

“You’ll eat when you show me.” I threatened.

“Fine.” He let go of the laptop and I hit the tiny shopping cart icon.

“A miniature boxing ring, a punching bag, a karate outfit, a t-ball set, a basketball hoop, and last but not least, puppy supplies. “What the hell, Creed? You’re getting her a dog?”

He shook his head. “Correction, I’m getting myself the dog. Addie can just cuddle with it and let it provide some comfort. I never had one as a kid, so why not?”

“Puppies make messes and tear things up. Do you have time to train a puppy?” I felt like the parent in the house.

He rolled his eyes. “We have dog trainers on site.”

“Okay, and what kind of dog were you thinking? A big scary one?” I wasn’t too fond of the idea of getting a dog. It meant Addie would get attached and it would come live with us. I loved animals, but we already had enough adjustments to make.

“Nope, I thought Addie would like to choose.”

“So, you’re really getting Addie a puppy? Creed, they take a lot of attention, and we already have a lot of adjustments to make. Plus, we may not be here long enough to complete the training. I like things clean and well kept, so if you’re going to do this against my protest, why not a rescue dog that’s already trained and has the manners needed to live inside a house?”

He shut his laptop and stood. “Because she should grow up with the dog, not have it for two or three years and watch it die. She already lost too much.” He stepped around me and walked to the kitchen.

I followed him. “Shouldn’t I have some say in this since I’m going to be her parent?”

He stopped and turned to look at me. “The dog can live with me, and she could come for visits.”

“Right, and visits are what she would want once she’s attached to it. What will you do with it when you’re off on missions?”

He snapped his fingers after thinking about it. “If Auntie Morgan decides to be a stick in the mud I’ll just build a doggie daycare right here at Creed’s Lake.”

I laughed. “You think I’m the spoiled brat here? Not even I would build something frivolous just so I have services at my fingertips. Let’s just get Addie out of foster care and make decisions as we go.” I suggested.

He lifted a brow. “We?”

“Well, you’re making decisions already!” He was so damn irritating.

“I’m uncle Creed and I get to spoil her, then you can do all the crappy stuff like discipline and baths and shit.”

I burst out in laughter. “Baths and shit?”

“Yeah, what kid likes baths? Plus, no six year old wants some old man to give her baths. I think there might be laws against it. That’s a mommy job.” He looked panicked for a moment then relaxed. “She is definitely out of diapers, right?”

I stepped around him. “You’re unbelievable.”

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