Page 103 of A Very Naughty Christmas

“Since we’ve figured out that you’re ready, what do you want to do first?”

I thought about all of the options and ended up not being able to decide. How could I pick only one thing to do right now?

As I shrugged my shoulders, he let out another chuckle.

“How about if we go downstairs and make some cookies? Then while they’re cooling, we can go outside and play in the snow.”

“Yeah!!”

Chapter Four

“What type of cookies do you want to bake, sweetheart?” Daddy asked, pulling out mixing bowls.

“Gingerbread cookies! And afterwards, we can make them a house to live in!”

“All right.”

I sat down on a stool at the kitchen counter as he pulled out all of the ingredients that we would need. I patiently watched as he measured everything into measuring cups. Every time that he finished with one, he’d give to me and let me pour the contents into the big mixing bowl.

Up until a few months ago, he used to let me do the measuring, but finally, he said that more ingredients were getting on the floor than in the bowl, so he took over that task himself.

When everything was combined, he plugged in the electric mixer.

“Baby girl, I’m going to do the mixing this time. I don’t want cookie batter to go everywhere—the floor, the ceiling, your hair.”

I couldn’t help the smile that crossed my face at his teasing, which was valid considering what had happened the last time he let me use the mixer. I had mixed the cookies really well, except when I was done, I pulled the mixers out with the ‘on’ button still pressed down and batter went flying every which way. It was a huge mess, but it sure was delicious to clean up.

“Okay, Daddy.”

When he finished, he laid the dough out on the table and rolled it out until it was flat.

“Chloe, would you like to use the cookie cutter to cut out the gingerbread men?”

“Yes!”

I took the cutter and cut out a dozen little men as Daddy put them on three separate cookie sheets and slid them in the oven.

When he was busy with that, I rolled the excess dough into two little balls. When he turned back to me, I handed him one.

I loved cookie dough and have easily eaten both, but I wanted to share with my baking partner since he had worked hard to make the cookies too.

“You know that you aren’t supposed to be eating this, sweetie; it has raw eggs in it.”

“But it’s just a tiny bit. Please,” I begged.

He looked down at the cookie balls and said, “Well, since they are pretty tiny, all right. But we won’t be making a habit of this.”

“Yes, Sir,” I agreed, popping my small treat into my mouth. He did the same and sent me a small smile.

“When the cookies are baking, why don’t we get out what we’ll need to decorate the cookies and build a gingerbread house.”

“Yay!!”

I clapped my hands together as I raced to the cabinet where I knew the sprinkles, chocolate chips, licorice, and frosting were stored. Throwing the cabinets open, I grabbed what I wanted and carried them over to the kitchen table.

“How did you know where I kept the candy supplies?”

My cheeks heated up when I knew that admitting the truth might earn me a punishment. I didn’t want to get another spanking when I had just had two in the past day.

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