Читать книгу The World's Best Dad - Valerie Taylor - Страница 13

Ben straightened and gave Joe a reproachful look. “Joe. That is unacceptable. We do not kick.”

Joe slid to the floor, crying. “But I want to watch!”

“Then I’d say you’re going about it the wrong way, bub. No TV for you tonight. You can watch it again tomorrow.”

Joe shrieked. “You said I could watch tonight.”

“And then you tried to kick me.”

“No. I want to watch.”

“Then you better shape up, and quick, or no television tomorrow, either.”

Joe frowned at his father.

Julie quelled her desire to laugh at the child’s fierce glower. Marisa still hid her face in Julie’s skirt, and Julie felt her tremble, poor kid. She patted her shoulder. “It’s okay, honey,” she whispered.

Ben continued his reprimand. “Is that what you want? No television tomorrow?”

Joe shook his head.

“Then let’s get dressed, and you stop this screaming.”

Joe crossed his arms and glared at his father. “Okay, but I won’t like it.”

Julie could see Ben biting back a grin. She had to bite back one of her own at the expression of exasperated affection on his face.

“That’s okay, you don’t have to like it. You just have to behave in a civilized manner.”

Ben quickly dressed Joe in sweatshirt and sweatpants and worked the boy’s shoes on over his socks. “There you go, buddy.”

Joe gave a deep sigh. “Okay. I won’t do it anymore.”

Ben smiled and pulled him into a hug. “Good job. You have fun at preschool, okay? I’ll be there to get you and Marisa at five.”

Julie felt Marisa make note of that. Bless him.

“At playground time, right, Daddy?”

“Yep.”

“Okay. Bye, Daddy. Hug and kiss?”

Joe held up his arms, and when Ben leaned down, he grabbed him around the neck and pulled his cheek near enough to plant a wet kiss on it. “Love you.”

Julie smiled. It was so obvious how much they loved each other. She wondered if Marisa could see it, and she peeked at her daughter from the corner of her eye to see her reaction. Marisa was watching wide-eyed.

“I love you, too. See you soon.”

“See you soon.”

Julie kept her eyes on Marisa during the exchange. Was she getting it? “See?” Julie said. “See how it’s okay? Even if Ben gets mad at Joe, he still loves him.”

Marisa nodded, but she looked puzzled. At least she didn’t seem frightened anymore. Which was a relief. What a roller coaster Marisa was on.

Julie held out a hand each to Joe and Marisa, and the three of them walked across the yard to Julie’s car for the trip to Happy Learners.