“I don’t know.” He cocked his head sideways. “I don’t have any chocolate bars right now.”
She pressed her lips together as she placed two small fingers at the bridge of her nose and shook her head as though she had lost all hope for him. Finally, she sighed as though more than put out. Her eyes were twinkling, though, the shadows of fear easing.
“I’ll take you on your word then,” she sighed. “But you really should stock up on chocolate bars. It’s more precious than gold when dealing with kids, ya know.”
He nodded solemnly. “I’ll keep that in mind. So what’s the secret?”
“Kisses.” She leaned back as though she had just pulled off the coup of the century. And to beat all, she was laughing at him.
“Kisses?” he asked her carefully.
She nodded confidently. “Lots of kisses, Dash. And Momma’s already upset. You better pucker up.”
She was giggling. She clapped her hand over her mouth, though, when her momma walked quickly from the bathroom, dragging a wide-toothed comb quickly through her unruly locks.
“You forgot hair bands for me, Mr. Prepared-For-Everything,” she muttered in irritation as she swept the waist length curls behind her shoulder and lifted her head.
Her eyes narrowed instantly. Her hands went to her slender hips, emphasized by the snug fit of denim and the black blouse tucked into the waistband.
“What are you two up to?”
Cassie’s eyes rounded instantly as she jumped from the bed and flew to her momma’s arms.
Elizabeth caught her easily, a smile crossing her lips, even if it was highly suspicious. She accepted the little girl’s exuberant kiss to her cheek, though, and returned it warmly.
“Don’t we have pretty clothes, Momma?” She leaned back to allow her mother to admire the dark gray velour outfit. “Dash has good taste, huh?”
The little girl was almost as tall as her mother. Dash watched them covertly as he rose to his feet, lifting the bag from the bed as he flexed his shoulder muscles, checking the fit of the leather bands that held the knife sheath between his shoulder blades.
“Yes. Dash has good taste.” She allowed her daughter to slide to the floor, laying her arm across her shoulders. “Get your coat on now, Cassie. It looks like Dash is ready to leave.” Her voice cooled measurably. “Maybe you better hurry and use the bathroom first, though. We might have a lengthy drive ahead of us.”
Cassie bounced away while her mother looked after her. When the door closed, Elizabeth turned back to Dash.
“No chocolate bars,” she said as she sat down at the edge of the bed to lace the boots Dash had provided for her. “It makes her too hyper and she won’t eat her meals. Right now, vitamins are more important.”
He knew there was no way she had heard their conversation. She lifted her head after finishing, glancing at his questioning expression.
“She bargains for chocolate, Dash. What did she promise
in return?” He watched her lips press together as though she were trying to control her own grin. “Don’t believe that child. She really doesn’t know the secret to the universe, or ancient druid curses. She just thinks she does.”
Hell, she hadn’t offered those to him, he thought with a spurt of amusement. But then again, he knew the little girl was after a hell of a lot more than chocolate. The little conniver was after a bit of matchmaking.
He shook his head as Elizabeth rose to her feet, her eyes narrowing on him.
“Well?” she asked him curiously. “What was it?”
He shrugged. “Can’t tell. Chocolate secrets are sacred, you know.”
She snorted at that. Thankfully, Cassie chose that moment to come bounding out of the bathroom. Elizabeth turned quickly to take care of washing and drying her hands, then a quick pat to thick childish curls and getting her into her coat. The whole time, Cassie talked.
“Are we really going to a ranch, Dash?” She stared up at him in amazement. “I’ve never been to a ranch before.”
“Definitely a ranch, Cassie.” He opened the door.
Two feet of snow greeted him and more was still falling.
“Come on, chatter box.” He swung her up in his arms and began pushing through the snow to the Hummer, making certain to clear a path for Elizabeth as she moved behind him.