Page 4 of Sugar Walls (Sweet Treats 5)

“Yes, Natalie. The daughters are “bed buddies,” so to say. Long haul truckers with daughters submit their girls for an initiation when they turn eighteen. So for example, when Sienna turned eighteen, she was submitted for initiation by Tyler. Your uncle and I were her ‘initiators,’ so to say, and after that first encounter, she became part of the club.”

My mouth hangs open, but no words come out. My dad looks a bit ashamed and holds up a hand.

“I’m only telling you this because you asked, Natalie. We’re all part of this group, and that’s why people have been very accepting of Jock and my relationship with Sienna. We’re all members of Dads and Daughters, and it’s just a question of Sienna being with two men instead of one.”

This time, I gulp. My eyes are bugging out and my mouth goes dry.

“But I turned eighteen last month,” is my low whisper. “Does that mean that you’re going to submit me for membership?”

Jack sits back and looks thoughtful for a moment.

“I don’t know. Would you be interested, Natalie?”

I swallow and turn beet red this time. Holy cow. This is a dirty daughter swapping club where older men enjoy each other’s nubile young daughters. Holy shit! I had no idea this was going on in our little town, and that my dad was part of it too.

“I don’t know,” I finally manage. “It seems so crazy, Daddy. I mean, you’re basically a bunch of swingers.”

He shakes his head.

“No, we’re not swingers because no one’s married. There’s no cheating or “hot wives” or anything like that. Everything is mutual, and all the girls are an appropriate age as well. It’s legal. It’s just different.”

I swallow again.

“Well, I’m not dating anyone so …”

My dad quirks an eyebrow.

“So you want to be submitted?”

I sit back and shake my head.

“Yes! I mean, no! I mean, how do I know? I have no experience, and this is all so sudden! Daddy, were you a member of the club while Mom was around? Please say you weren’t,” I say, suddenly flushing. “I’ll never be able to forgive you if you were.”

Jack suddenly looks very tired again.

“Of course I wasn’t,” he says. “I only joined after Violet passed. Your mom meant the world to me, and I would never step out on her. There are clear boundaries that weren’t crossed because I loved Violet.”

I stop for a moment, and take a deep breath.

“Okay, that makes me feel a lot better. But can I get some time to think about it?” I ask. “This is all so sudden, and I really need to process it.”

My dad nods slowly.

“Sure, but I can do you one better. I’m headed out to the club’s lodge this weekend. Do you want to come, sweetheart? Take a look around, and meet a few people? I’m sure if you talk to some of the daughters who have already been initiated, they can give you some answers.”

I nod furiously.

“Sure, that sounds good. That’s a great idea. Let’s plan on this weekend then, Dad.”

Jack nods, pleased with himself.

“Okay, Nats. And by the way, did I tell you? This food is delicious. You’re becoming a better and better cook with each day.”

I giggle because my skills as a chef are still atrocious. My mom was an amazing cook, and she always had a hot meal on the table waiting for my dad whenever he was home. After she passed, I tried to pick up the torch, and it’s been hard. But I’ve been working on my cooking for the past couple of years, and now, I can actually make things that taste okay.

As we share a laugh and dig back into our food again, I smile. This is such a confusing situation, and my mind’s still blown by the realization that Dads and Daughters even exists. But what’s the harm in finding out more? It’s just a club, and I don’t have to join. Going on a fact-finding mission is the perfect next step.

2

Natalie

“Sugar, are you ready?” my dad asks.

I nod.

“Ready Daddy!” I say pertly while putting on my coat. “Where is the club located, anyways? You didn’t say.”

My dad grins.

“It’s out in the forest, about an hour’s drive away. We didn’t want to be too close to our little town because of its … well, unconventional nature. So we built a lodge about sixty miles away and it’s served as our local headquarters since.

“Cool,” I say brightly, before getting into my dad’s truck. “It’s going to be fun!”

Jack starts the car and we pull out onto the road. He puts on some country music, and the two of us listen companionably. This is what I live for: quality time with my father. I wish there were still three of us, but now that we’re only two, I treasure my time with Jack even more.

---