The Art of Discipline: Dani’s Discovery (The Mockingbird Chronicles) (22 page)

True to her word, Dani returned a few minutes later with one steaming coffee, one iced coffee, and one very large soda cup. Anna simply grinned when Dani handed her the coffee on her way to give Will his. Returning, Dani paused at the counter to grab her laptop. She then proceeded to one of the tables near the front of the store to try to start her emails before they got too busy.

Wincing as her backside made contact with the chair, she opened her computer and began to get to work. Hearing footsteps, she looked up to see Anna watching her.

“What?”

Anna closed the distance between them and took a seat opposite of Dani. Shifting a bit as she sat, she grinned at Dani. “I think we should insist on padded chairs in here.”

“Emma would never go for it,” Dani joked, feeling somehow closer to the short woman who was wincing across from her.

“Too bad, because I’m thinking sitting on a throw pillow might cause others to ask questions.”

“Stevie lets you sit on a pillow?” Dani asked quietly.

“Emma doesn’t?”

Dani rolled her eyes. “It’s part of the punishment.”

Anna let out a low whistle. “Man, and I thought Stevie was tough,” she laughed.

Dani shifted again, taking a long drink from her cup before giving up and closing her laptop. “So, why are you so against hard chairs today?”

“The same reason you are, I expect,” Anna winced and stood up. “Stevie decided I needed some special attention last night.”

Dani stood up as well, fighting the urge to rub her still sore bottom. “Yeah, I had more attention last night than I care to remember.”

“She was pretty mad, huh?”

Dani grimaced. “More like disappointed.”

“Ah,” Anna answered. “Been there, done that. Sometimes my inner brat gets a little out of control.”

“Inner brat? What do you mean by that?” Dani shook her head in frustration. “There is so much I don’t know.”

“Oh, I bet you know more than you realize. Being a brat. You know, when you act up to get attention. Like, waiting to see what happens when they get to three, or doing the exact opposite of what you were told, or,” Anna’s eyes sparkled, “the practical jokes.”

Dani groaned sarcastically. “Why do I get the feeling that life just got more complicated?”

Anna stepped closer to Dani and winked, “Well at least we know we’re loved, right?”

“Oh yeah, no doubt about that,” Dani adamantly agreed. She then looked around the store before quickly rubbing her backside. “I just don’t think I need to go looking for trouble. It seems to find me just fine without any extra effort on my part. But I guess that’s what they then mean when they say ‘love hurts’, right?”

Anna laughed. “That’s true, and sometimes it hurts a lot,” she agreed, rubbing her own backside in support.

* * *

“Morning, Emma,” Dani heard Anna greet from close to the back entrance. Looking up, she knew they would chat for a moment before Emma came to the counter. Taking another sip of her drink, Dani frowned slightly as she realized the cup was empty.

“Hey, Dani, are you ready?” Emma asked, bringing Dani out of her thoughts.

“Ah, sure. Stevie here?” Dani returned, noticing the slight frown when Emma saw how big her drink was. Shrugging it off, Dani tossed the cup into the trash can under the counter. Normally something this size would meet her daily allowance, but today she wasn’t in the mood to compromise on size. She needed the caffeine, and she wasn’t sorry about preventing the migraine she felt coming on.

“She’s on her way. Just called, but Anna says it’s been slow. I think we can go,” Emma answered a little tersely.

“Alright then, let me run upstairs and get it,” Dani returned, glad to escape Emma’s gaze.

Watching Dani go, Emma noticed a customer and made her way to the other side of the counter to check her out. Ringing up the sale, she happened to glance down at the trash can, frowning as she saw not only the cup that Dani had just deposited, but two other identical cups below it.

* * *

Dani shifted on the bench in the deli that Emma had selected for lunch. It was a place they frequented often, but Dani didn’t remember the benches ever being this uncomfortable before. Emma seemed to be enjoying watching her squirm, but then Emma seemed to be out of sorts ever since she’d come down from the apartment. She’d insisted on driving and then had been uncharacteristically quiet in the car. When Dani picked up another drink at the gas station, Emma’s mood only seemed to worsen.

The gun shop wasn’t any better, as Emma hadn’t said a word as Dani returned her purchase. And then at the deli, Emma had asked for a booth in the back, where she had Dani sit on the bench, rather than the padded chair that Emma was taking advantage of. If Dani didn’t know any better, she’d swear that Emma was still upset with her.

Hoping to gain a little favor, Dani ordered the healthiest thing she could currently tolerate—a turkey sandwich, minus the tomato and lettuce, on wheat, with a side of fresh fruit. Emma gave her a slight nod of approval when she ordered but hadn’t commented more than that. The lack of encouragement only caused Dani’s stomach to knot. Maybe she’d misunderstood. She thought Emma had forgiven her last night, but obviously something was still bothering her.

“Dani, are you okay?” Emma suddenly asked.

Blue met green, as Dani blinked. It seemed a little too bright inside the deli, and Dani could feel the headache she already had getting worse. She really needed a soda, but with Emma already on edge, she couldn’t risk asking. Instead she sipped her water and answered as truthfully as she dared, “Just getting a little headache.”

“You want something for it?”

Dani wanted to scream yes, but shook her head. “I’m probably just hungry.”

Emma nodded. “Me too. You think the camera thing will take too long? I need to get back to the store.”

“Shouldn’t. I talked to the salesman already. Told him what we are looking for, and he should have the options already laid out. We just need to pick, and then we set up installation.”

Emma’s response was interrupted by the waitress who returned with their lunch. Knowing they were in a hurry, they ate in silence, and although Dani had claimed that she was hungry, she managed to choke down only half her sandwich.

Emma frowned, watching Dani pick at her food. It wasn’t her usual cheeseburger and fries, but she had hoped after Dani said that she was hungry that she’d make a better attempt at it. She’d been surprised at Dani’s choice, but then again, maybe Dani was just trying too hard today. She wanted the best for Dani, but maybe she was asking too much, too fast.

Dani shifted again on her bench. She was uncomfortable, the headache was getting worse, and her stomach was in knots and was aching rather unpleasantly. She needed more caffeine but had to wait until she got away from Emma’s ever-watching scrutiny. Living up to Emma’s expectations wasn’t easy, but as Uncle Sean loved to say, ‘If it’s worth having, it’s worth working for.’

After lunch, Emma and Dani headed to the local home improvement store to meet with the salesman. Dani found herself suddenly glad that Emma was driving, because her head was pounding. Her stomach had also worsened and began cramping, making her practically bolt for the restroom the moment they arrived at the store. By the time she found Emma again, she had already engaged the salesman and narrowed the choices down to two packages.

Dani approved the more expensive of the two, adding an extra monitor so they could watch the cameras from both Emma’s office and Dani’s living room, before bolting for the restroom once again. When Dani didn’t return promptly, Emma became concerned. Excusing herself from the salesman, she left to check on her.

“You don’t look so good,” Emma commented as she found Dani at the sink, splashing cool water on her face.

“I’m fine. Stomach is just a little uncooperative at the moment,” Dani answered, trying to shrug her off but suddenly shivering as an involuntary chill crossed over her. “Probably something I ate.”

“Except the fact that you barely ate anything,” Emma gently chastised as she placed the back of her hand on Dani’s cheek. “Honey, you’re burning up.”

Dani echoed Emma’s test, feeling her own forehead with her hand. “I guess that could explain the headache.”

“You still have the headache? It get worse?”

Dani nodded, not wanting to admit that she could barely see straight.

“That’s it. I’m taking you straight home and putting you to bed.”

“I have a conference call at four… I can’t,” Dani protested.

Emma raised an eyebrow, a look that Dani had learned well in the last few weeks. “You can reschedule or have one of your employees do it.”

“But…” Dani started, but the eyebrow didn’t budge. Groaning, she agreed with a nod. Bed did sound like a good idea.

“Good.” Emma grabbed Dani’s arm for support as she suddenly wavered. “Let’s get you home.”

Dani let Emma escort her halfway out of the store, when she suddenly stopped. “You set up the installation yet?”

“No, we can finish this another day. I want to get you home.”

Dani stopped short. “No, we’re this far. We should just set it up.”

“They haven’t even rung me up yet…”

“Emma…”

“Danielle…”

Dani crossed her arms across her chest. “I’m not leaving unless we finish this.”

Emma bristled. “Danielle, this is not negotiable,” she hissed.

This time it was Dani’s turn to raise one of her eyebrows as she repeated, “I’m not leaving unless we finish this.”

Frustrated, Emma ran a hand through her hair. “There is a bench by the checkout. I want you to wait for me there until I finish. And this isn’t over,” she threatened. “We are going to talk later.”

Dani managed a half smile. “I know, but your safety is worth it.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Talking sweet isn’t gonna help you now,” she half threatened.

“Be nice, or I’ll give you a big, wet, sloppy kiss. Then we can spend the next few days in bed together.” Dani then immediately blushed when she realized how what she said sounded.

“Yeah, but it won’t be much fun, sleeping on your tummy and all,” Emma teased back, patting Dani’s cheek with her hand. “Now, do you need help finding that bench?”

“Think I’ll be okay, go ahead and finish with the cameras so we can get home.”

* * *

Dani blinked back the tears as she rolled over from one side to the other. Emma had just tucked her in—after delivering a dozen swift swats to her pajama-clad bottom. It wasn’t so much that it hurt, although she couldn’t deny the sting on her already tender backside, but at the moment she felt so loved her heart could almost burst. Dani was a little sad that Emma couldn’t hold her this time, but Emma had to get back to the store. It was just Emma and Stevie this afternoon, and Dani knew she wouldn’t see her again until after closing. With a sigh of regret mixed with contentment, she rubbed her backside for a moment before allowing herself to drift off.

It seemed like only minutes later when Dani was awakened by the phone. Blinking the sleep away, she looked at the clock, which read 4:05 p.m. She’d been asleep for almost two hours. Picking up the landline, she muttered a “Hello.”

“Danielle, thank goodness. You’re not answering your phone. The Johnsons are here, wanting to start the conference.”

“Morgan?” Dani sputtered and then did a face palm. She’s been so focused on Emma and her backside, she’d completely forgotten about the conference call.

“Yes, it’s me. You haven’t been drinking or something, have you?”

“You know me better than that,” Dani scolded. “I wasn’t feeling well and must have drifted off. Give me ten minutes, and I’ll call in.”

“Right. I’ll tell them you’ll be with them shortly,” Morgan replied a little curtly before hanging up.

Dani looked at the receiver, muttering a few choice curses at it before she slammed it back onto its base. Practically flying out of bed, she had to suddenly grab the side table to keep herself from falling. Giving herself a moment for the room to stop spinning, she swallowed the bile back down her throat before forcing herself to head to the study to boot up the laptop.

When she returned to the bedroom, she realized that she’d only be visible from the chest up, so she didn’t bother changing out of her pajama bottoms and just put on a pressed shirt and suit jacket. She quickly brushed out her hair, pulling it back into a simple but neat ponytail before touching up her makeup.

Heading back to the study, she suddenly paused and turned back toward the bed. With a small smirk, she grabbed a pillow; after all, it wouldn’t do for her client to see her wincing every time she moved. Using the door frame and wall as a crutch, she make it back to the study and over to her desk. She then carefully placed the pillow on her chair before taking a seat. Taking just another moment to let the room once again stop spinning, she dialed into her conference.

“Mr. and Mrs. Johnson,” Dani greeted. “I apologize for the wait. I’ve been told you’ve settled on a date for Ashley’s sweet sixteen. I’ve been researching venues, and I think I found the perfect place for Ashley and her 300 closest friends…

“… Yes, yes, we’ve worked with her before, and I agree she’s a wonderful singer, all the kids love her,” Dani continued. She managed to get a list of possible performers—most of them way out of the price range, even for the Johnson’s—and she’d found someone who might work. “We will contact her agent and get back to you as soon as we know if she’s available.”

Dani listened to Mr. Johnson babble on for a few moments before she saw her opportunity to end the call, “Yes, Mr. Johnson. We will make sure this is the best sweet sixteen Chicago’s ever seen. You have my word on that… Great, yes… Yes, please see Morgan on your way out. She has some papers for you to sign and can certainly take care of the down payment as well… Yes, it was a pleasure. We will be in contact soon. Goodbye.”

Sighing as the screen went blank, Dani took of her headset. She massaged her temples for a moment. The headache was back with a vengeance, and all she wanted to do was go back to bed. Pushing away from the desk, she slowly stood and turned toward the door, only to almost fall back down as she saw Emma, arms crossed, leaning against the door frame.