Page 36 of Daddy's Naughty Bartender
"No. He's stubborn."
"Good. You need stubborn." Linda leans forward. "Karen, I've known you since Mark died. Watched you rebuild yourself piece by piece. Don't let Betty Henderson steal your joy. Not when you've earned it so hard."
That evening, I come home to find Jason in Mark's study, no in my office. His laptop is open, phone pressed to his ear.
"I don't care if it's unconventional, Jim. The boy's smart, responsible, and wants to work. You saw his TikTok video helping his neighbor restore the car. He’s got talent. Don’t let your prejudice against his mother affect the boy." A pause. "Yes, I'm aware of my reputation. I'm also aware yours isn't spotless, so perhaps we skip the moral high ground?"
He hangs up, sees me in the doorway, and smiles. "Josh starts at Morrison Motors Monday. Apprentice mechanic. Madison Grace’s older brother agreed to train him."
"How did you…?"
"Made some calls. Reminded people that I may be new to Prairie Harbor, but I have connections in Chicago. Connectionswho do business here." His smile turns sharp. "Amazing how cooperative people become when their supply chains are mentioned."
"You threatened them?"
"I negotiated. Firmly." He pulls me onto his lap. "Nobody messes with what's mine. That includes your children."
"Jason, I…"
"I also spoke with three restaurant owners in Lincoln. They want to meet about wine programs. Legitimate interest, not pity." He nuzzles my neck. "And I may have found a lawyer interested in the discrimination case against your loan denial."
"You've been busy."
"I've been motivated." His arms tighten around me. "They want us to roll over, to break under pressure. Instead, we're going to thrive. Build something they can't tear down."
"What if they never accept us?"
"Then we'll build our own acceptance. The people who matter already do." He turns me to face him. "I'm not going anywhere, Karen. Not back to Chicago, not to easier relationships, nowhere that isn't by your side. Get used to it."
"I love you." The words come easier now, truth worn smooth by repetition.
"I love you too. All of you. The stubborn parts, the soft parts, the parts that call me Daddy when you need structure." His eyes heat. "Speaking of which, when's the last time you ate today?"
I flush. "I've been busy!"
"That's not an answer."
"Breakfast. I think."
“When are we expecting Josh to come home?”
“Not for another couple of hours.”
"Kitchen. Now." He stands, setting me on my feet. "We've discussed this. You lost six pounds from not eating these past few weeks. No more warnings."
"Yes, Daddy."
"Good girl." He kisses me deeply. "My good, sweet girl who's going to learn to take care of herself if it kills us both."
He pulls me gently but firmly toward the kitchen, a steady hand at my back guiding me. Once we're inside, he stands behind me, his presence grounding. "You know why we’re here, don't you?" His voice is low, the authority in it making the air feel thick with tension.
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I forgot to eat, Daddy. I'm sorry."
He tilts my chin up with a finger, making me meet his gaze. "You will stop making excuses. No more skipping meals. You're going to learn to take care of yourself, starting now."
Without another word, he retrieves the wooden spoon from the drawer, its cool surface against my skin sending a small shiver through me. "This is a reminder, not a punishment," he says. "You need to take care of yourself. You can’t take care of anyone else if you don’t."
His voice softens, but the intent is clear. He bends me over, my palms flat on the kitchen counter, my ass in the air. The spoon swings through the air and lands on my clothed behind. It stings way more than I expect it to.
