The Art of Discipline: Running Toward Trouble (The Mockingbird Chronicles)

by Stardawn Cabot

  Nodding, Emma waved to the brothers as she followed Frankie down the long hallway and into an enormous library. The wood-paneled walls gave it a feeling of warmth and the antique fireplace added an old-world charm. Large windows with padded benchseats also added to the ambiance as they were framed by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, filled with an extensive collection of books.

  “What a lovely room,” Emma muttered.

  “Thank you,” Toni answered as she invited Emma to sit next to Dani on the large, plush couch. She then seated herself in a light coral-colored ladies’ chair while Frankie made himself comfortable in the wingback chair near the fireplace.

  There was a large box on the dark walnut coffee table in front of the couch and Frankie motioned for Dani to open it. “We saved some of your things. Pictures, your favorite music box, Mr. Cuddles…” He trailed off as Dani opened the box.

  “Mr. Cuddles?” Emma asked as Dani retrieved an obviously loved pink stuffed pig from the top of the box.

  “He somehow got left behind when you left,” Toni quietly explained. “He went everywhere with you when you were little, and you slept with him every night.”

  “We tried to send a box to you, but your grandparents sent it back, unopened. We hoped that someday we’d be able to give him back to you,” Frankie smiled. “Just didn’t think it would take this long.”

  Holding the stuffed animal on her lap, Dani removed an ornate wooden music box and opened the lid. When nothing happened, she closed the lid and turned it over to wind it. Opening the lid again, she heard a familiar tune and, had it not been for Emma steadying her, would have dropped the box.

  “That song is real?” she muttered, placing the music box on the coffee table. Looking up, she wiped a tear from her cheek. “I used to hear that song in my head, but could never find it. I thought I’d made it up.”

  Digging deeper into the storage box, Dani removed two boxes of photos, a large photo album, and a smaller album. “The big album is your parents’ wedding album; we made sure to take it before you went to live with your grandparents. The rest of the pictures were either ours, or the pictures your parents left at our lake home. We thought you might want them one day.”

  Dani opened a small album. “It’s me when I was just a baby.” She showed the picture to Emma before closing the book and gently rubbing her hand over the cover.

  “Thank you for keeping all of this. Growing up, I saw very few pictures of me under age six, and all of those were always just me. Uncle Sean had one picture of my parents on their wedding day, but most of his memories were of my dad when they were little.”

  “You okay, sweetie?” Emma asked, brushing hair off of Dani’s face.

  “Yes,” Dani once again addressed them. “It’s just a little overwhelming.”

  Toni stood and moved to sit on the other side of Dani. Pulling her into a motherly embrace, she kissed the top of her head. “We’re not going anywhere again, Dani, I promise you that.”

  Pulling back, Dani smiled at her through her tears. “I’m glad you found me.”

  “Emma,” Frankie stood and extended his hand, “what say we give these two time to catch up while I show you my solarium.”

  Turning to Dani, Emma looked at her gently. “You okay if I go with Frankie?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Maybe Zia Toni can tell me some of the stories to go along with these pictures.”

  “I’d love to, now you two go on and see the flowers Frankie is always fawning over. We’ll be just fine.”

  Smiling, Emma nodded to Dani as she stood to follow Frankie from the room.

  Walking into the solarium, Emma once again was amazed by the home. Hearing the gurgle of water, she turned until she saw a small fountain in the middle of the room surrounded by padded wooden benches. She followed Frankie and sat down, turning sideways to look at him.

  “So Emma, have you enjoyed your visit?”

  “Very much, Zio Frankie,” Emma responded. “So what did you want to talk about?”

  “I want you to know that I know.”

  “Know?”

  “About your past.”

  Emma shifted. “What exactly do you mean?”

  “I mean that I’ve looked into you, Emma. I know about your mother and stepfather, and about the trouble that they have both gotten into. I also know that you have worked hard to keep your nose clean, and away from that life. I applaud you for that.”

  “Thanks, I think. But what does that mean?” Emma asked.

  “Emma, what are your intentions with my goddaughter?”

  Emma smirked before answering, “Actually I was going to ask you the same thing. What are your intentions with my girlfriend?”

  Frankie smiled. “We want to be a family for her. We made a promise, but now that Sean’s gone, she needs a family. I know she has you, but she needs us, and we need her.”

  Emma nodded. “It’s been a lot for her to digest, but I think she does need you. You’ve given her a link to her past, and the knowledge that at one point she was wanted by someone.” Emma paused as she watched the water flow in the fountain for a few moments. “Zio Frankie, I know about your past, your reputation, I mean, and I have to ask, how does Dani fit into that?”

  Frankie sat up straight and looked at Emma sternly. “Now you listen to me, bambina, Danielle will have nothing to do with any of my business. I want her to succeed on her own, which she has done very well. She doesn’t need any problems in her life. I want her to be happy and safe.”

  “So do I,” Emma seconded. “I take care of her the best I can, Zio, and I think I do a pretty good job.”

  Frankie’s face softened. “I think you have at that, Emma.” He also turned to look at the water before turning once more to Emma. “About your father…”

  Emma held up her hands and cut him off. “I want nothing to do with Patrick Sampson. Like I told you, he needs to be in jail for a long time. I know what he’s capable of, and honestly, I hope he just decides to slink away.”

  Frankie took Emma’s hands in his. “He’s not going to do that, Emma. I’ll do what I can, but you make sure the police are ready for him when he makes his next move, understand?”

  “I understand.”

  “Good.” Pulling Emma into a hug, Frankie kissed her on the top of her head. “Be safe, bambina.”

  As Frankie released her, Emma blushed slightly. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”

  “That’s all I ask, now what are your intentions toward Danielle?”

  Emma smiled. “I plan to spend my life with her, if she’ll have me that long. I love her, Zio Frankie. There’s just something about her that makes me complete, and I don’t want to ruin that, ever.”

  Frankie stood, slowing running his fingers over a pink rose, “I’m glad she has you to take care of her. I’m afraid she didn’t have enough of that growing up.”

  Feeling his phone vibrate, Frankie looked at it and shook his head before checking the messages. “Toni says we’re now allowed to come back to the library.” Chuckling, Frankie waited until Emma stood and then, offering his arm, he escorted her out of the solarium. “That’s my wife, always giving orders.”

  * * *

  Dani snuggled comfortably against Toni as they continued to look through pictures. “Is this at the zoo?”

  Taking the photo, Toni studied it before handing it back to Dani. “You loved horses even then. Made your papa take you on that pony two times.”

  “How old was I?”

  “About three, I think,” Toni grinned. “Already had all the men in your life wrapped around your little finger. Charlie would try to discipline you and you’d look at your father with those big blue eyes and bite that bottom lip…” She trailed off, laughing. “You knew just what to do to get your way.”

  “I didn’t know my mother was called Charlie,” Dani commented, pulling out another photo.

  “Well, your grandparents never liked it. Always called her Charlotte, no matter the times she asked them to call her
Charlie.”

  “What was she like?” Dani asked quietly, still looking through the pictures.

  Toni was quiet for a few moments before pulling Dani close with her arm. “Charlie was beautiful, both inside and out. She never met a stranger she didn’t like, and despite her upbringing, believed everyone deserved a chance. She loved your father more than anything, and when they had you, oh baby, I’ve never seen a more devoted mother. She adored you, Dani, more than anything in the world.”

  “Did they want me or was I a surprise?”

  Toni tilted Dani’s chin until she saw blue. Smiling gently, Toni released her before beginning. “You were a surprise, but once they found out that you were coming, they were ecstatic. And when they found out you were a girl, well, your father went through the roof with happiness. He wanted a daughter so much. I’d never seen anything like it. He planned to spoil his princess rotten.”

  Dani sighed. “I wish I could remember them.”

  “In time, maybe you will.”

  Pulling out her phone, Toni wrote a brief message before putting the phone away again.

  * * *

  Frankie and Emma entered the library to find Dani and Toni still laughing. “What did we miss?” Emma asked, sitting down next to her girlfriend.

  “I was just telling Dani about the time she stole the horse, you remember, Frankie?”

  “Remember, how could I forget? Five years old and commits her first grand theft.”

  Emma started to chuckle. “Okay, somebody has to fill me in.”

  Frankie sat back down in the wingback. “Alright, let me see. Liam, Charlotte, Toni, and I were in Vegas for the weekend. Rather than get a sitter for Danielle, Liam and Charlotte decided to bring her along. One day, we all headed to a local ranch to ride. Danielle had been begging for lessons and Liam figured it was a good time to see if she’d really enjoy them.”

  “And did she enjoy it?” Emma asked.

  Frankie smiled. “Oh, she loved it. In fact, when it was time to leave, she refused to get off the horse. The ranch owner was in love with her by this time and told her she could walk her mount into the barn without a lead.” He looked at Dani and shook his finger her way. “However, our little Danielle spied an open gate and the minute the man’s hand left the bridle, she encouraged that horse with the biggest kick I’d seen and took off through the gate.

  “By the time they caught up to her,” Frankie continued with a belly laugh, “she was halfway down his two-mile driveway, insisting she could find her way back to the hotel on her own.”

  Emma laughed heartily. “I can so see you doing that,” she commented. “So what happened to Dani when her folks caught up with her?”

  Toni smiled and squeezed Dani in a one-arm hug. “It was one of the few times those big eyes of hers did not stop Liam from handing out some very well-deserved punishment.”

  Dani blushed and ducked her head. “I’m sure I could have found the hotel,” she said before once more dissolving into laughter. She then leaned forward, hugging Toni tightly. “Thank you so much, for everything.”

  Pushing Dani back, Toni kissed her forehead. “No need for thanks, it’s what family does.” Turning to Emma, she gave a mock glare. “And you, young lady, need to make sure that both of you are here for Sunday dinner at least once a month.”

  “I think we’d like that,” Emma answered, taking Dani’s hand into hers and squeezing it gently.

  Chapter Six

  “Stevie! Ow. Hey, let go. I need my ear!” Dani protested as Stevie led her through the door of the apartment.

  “That corner, now,” Stevie commanded, pointing.

  Stomping, Dani was about to protest, when Emma suddenly appeared in the hallway. One look of death from the still groggy redhead made Dani quickly change her tune as she practically flew to the corner.

  Brushing her hand through her hair, Emma narrowed her eyes at Stevie. “What the hell is going on? It’s not even 7:00 and you two are making enough noise to wake the dead.”

  Stevie pointed to the corner. “That one tried to ditch me, twice. She succeeded the third time, but I found her and then brought her home.”

  “And you needed to wake me up to deal with that?” Emma pouted.

  Stevie chuckled. “Well, I didn’t want to overstep. Besides, you’re cute this early in the morning.”

  “Hey, no making moves on my girlfriend,” Dani announced from the corner.

  “Danielle, be quiet,” Emma commanded while grinning at Stevie. “But she’s right, stop flirting with me and deal with her.” She winked at Stevie as Dani reacted.

  “No, Emma, you can’t do that, she’ll kill me.” Dani spun around in protest.

  Walking to the corner, Emma grabbed Dani’s arm and, pulling her far enough away from the wall, she delivered a single, stinging swat to her bottom. “I told you to be quiet, young lady.” Not waiting for Dani’s reaction, Emma got a firm hold on her elbow and escorted her to the sofa. “Sit down, Danielle.”

  Dani sat and looked at the floor.

  “Look at us.”

  Looking up, Dani sighed. Emma was going to be grumpy all day and Stevie looked ready to kill her.

  “First of all, I am not handing you over to Stevie, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t do it if you try to ditch her again. Understand?”

  “Yes, Emma,” Dani tried, keeping her voice respectful.

  “Good,” Emma replied, before looking at Stevie.

  “That’s good to know, Danielle, because next time I just might check to see if that sorority paddle is still under your bed.”

  Gulping, Dani looked down at the carpet. “I understand,” she whispered.

  “Thanks, Stevie, I’ll take it from here,” Emma quipped. “Do you mind running with her again tomorrow?”

  Stevie chuckled. “Mind it? Nah, I’m enjoying it. I’ll see you at 6:00 tomorrow, Dani.”

  Waiting until their friend left the apartment, Emma paced in front of Dani. “Okay, go shower, then you can wait for me in the corner of the bedroom.”

  Eyes already tearing, Dani turned and flew down the hallway.

  A few minutes later, Emma was sitting on the bed watching Dani fidget in the corner. She had discovered Dani had a low tolerance for corner time, and anything more than ten minutes was very unpleasant for her. By the time she called to Dani, she knew that, although she’d only been there about fifteen minutes, she’d had enough.

  “Danielle, come sit by me,” Emma invited, waiting until Dani not only sat but also laid her head on Emma’s shoulder. “Want to tell me why you decided to try to ditch Stevie today?”

  Dani shook her head.

  “Use words, Danielle,” Emma encouraged.

  “No, I don’t want to tell you.”

  Emma smirked. “Then let me put it another way; you will tell me why you tried to ditch Stevie this morning.”

  “But I don’t want to,” Dani whined.

  “Danielle,” Emma warned. Her patience was beginning to wear thin after such an abrupt wake-up call.

  Dani began tracing a pattern on Emma’s knee with her finger. “I wanted to see the kittens.”

  Emma pushed Dani back and looked into her face. “You what?”

  “I wanted to see the kittens and Stevie said no,” Dani whined again.

  “What kittens, Danielle?”

  “The kittens in the shelter, they had a sign that said they had too many kittens and not enough homes.” Dani put her head back on Emma’s shoulder. “I just wanted to stop our run to go look at them, but Stevie said we were out for a run, not to buy a pet.”

  “So you tried to lose Stevie to do that?”

  Dani sniffed. “Yes.”

  “Tell me why that was wrong, Danielle,” Emma encouraged.

  “Because I’m still grounded.”

  “You are, so what do you think should happen, Danielle?”

  Dani shrugged.

  “Use words, Danielle.”

  “I guess I should be punished,” Dani gr
umbled loudly.

  Emma smirked, and kissed the top of her lover’s head. “Well, it just so happens that I agree with you. So, tonight before an early bedtime, I plan on giving you a spanking. You will also apologize to Stevie today and you will not try to ditch her again.” She tapped Dani’s nose. “Because if you ditch her again, I will let her deal with you. Do you understand?”

  “I understand.” Dani slowly nodded her head. “But what about the kittens?”

  Emma chuckled. “Get dressed, brat, and we’ll go look at the kittens. I think Atticus would enjoy a friend.”

  * * *

  Dani was practically humming as she entered the apartment. Sitting on the couch, she released the young gray cat in her grasp and stared into her blue eyes. “You are too cute,” she announced, before looking up as Emma entered.

  Emma glared at Dani as she dumped the bags from the pet store in the middle of the living room. “Thanks for all the help, Dani,” she quipped.

  Dani giggled. “You’re welcome.” Turning, she grinned, noticing that Atticus had appeared. “There you are, boy. I’d like you to meet Matilda.”

  “Matilda? You are going to name her Matilda? Don’t I get a say in her name?”

  “Nope. Besides, I loved that book as a kid, and I’m sure you did too.”

  Emma moaned in defeat. “Yeah, I did.” She sat down on the couch next to Dani and opened her lap as Atticus jumped up to investigate the new arrival. “I hope they get along.”

  Atticus sniffed at the new kitten, before turning his nose up at it and promptly jumping back down off Emma’s lap.

  “Well, I suppose it could be worse,” Emma commented.

  “They will be the best of friends, you’ll see.”

  “Yeah, we’ll lock her in the bedroom today, just to be on the safe side,” Emma agreed.

  “Why?”

  “We have to go to work, silly,” Emma said, watching the pout form on Dani’s lips. “And no, you can’t bring her down with us. She’ll be fine until our shifts are over.” Emma then reached over and took the kitten from Dani’s hands, giving it a playful scratch before putting it down on the floor. “Let her get acquainted with her new home for a bit while you help me set all this stuff up. We only have about twenty minutes before we need to be downstairs.”