Read The Art of Discipline: Dani’s Discovery (The Mockingbird Chronicles) for Free Online

that go? Him finding out?”
    Dani shrugged. “I think he was a little uncomfortable, but he told me it didn’t matter. Didn’t change how he loved me.”
    “Sounds like him,” Emma smiled.
    “Yeah. Didn’t stop him from blistering my backside for carving up his store though.”
    Emma threw back her head and laughed. “Oh, now that definitely sounds like him.”
     
    * * *
     
    Early the next morning, Dani slowly entered the bookstore. The nightmare had woken her up again, and she again had been unable to return to sleep. Managing to wait until dawn, she went for a long run before stopping by a bagel shop. She was balancing a giant diet soda in one hand, a large coffee in the other, and bag of bagels somewhere in between. Cursing as she dropped her keys, she repositioned everything so that she could bend and pick them up. Finally making it to the stairs, she managed the ascent without dropping anything else.
    Her hands full, she smirked as she used the toe of her shoe to knock on Emma’s door. Waiting a moment, she knocked again, this time harder. While she waited, her mind flowed back to night before. They had a good time at dinner. Maybe she hadn’t been giving Emma a fair chance. They were both stressed from the recent events, and maybe if she put a little more effort into being friendly she and Emma might find some common ground. If nothing else, the little redhead was certainly easy on the eyes. It might just be worth it to get to know her better.
    Still not getting an answer, she kicked the door a third time and was rewarded when Emma opened it. Dani opened her mouth to announce herself but was suddenly taken aback. Emma had a scowl on her face a mile wide, but seeing her in her pink and purple poodle pajamas, her tousled red hair, and fuzzy pink slippers, it was all Dani could do but gape. She was adorable.
    “What?” Emma’s curt question brought Dani from her musings.
    “I brought breakfast,” Dani answered quietly.
    Emma raised an interested eyebrow as she practically snatched the bag from Dani’s hand. “You’re lucky you brought food, or else I’d have to kill you for waking me up at this ungodly hour.”
    Dani took a step back, the harsh tone of Emma’s voice suddenly making her want to run for cover, but her thoughts were interrupted by a giggle. Confused, she met Emma’s green eyes, noticing the spark of mischief hidden within them. “Well, don’t just stand there. Get in here before you start catching flies,” Emma teased.
    Dani closed her mouth, not realizing that she still had it open. “I didn’t know what you liked,” she quickly explained, trying to recover as she followed Emma into her kitchen, “so I got a little of everything.”
    “So, to what do I owe this surprise?” Emma asked as she pulled out a plate for each of them and started rummaging through the bag. “Go ahead and sit down and make yourself comfortable.”
    Dani pulled out one of the kitchen chairs and did as requested before answering Emma’s question. “Well, you see…”
    “You got chocolate chip bagels? My hero!” Emma suddenly screeched, interrupting and making Dani jump at the same time.
    “Yeah, I like them too,” Dani replied. “I had a good time last night. I just wanted to thank you again for accepting my apology.”
    Emma stopped and turned to acknowledge Dani. The sincerity in her gentle blue eyes was clear, and Emma found herself distracted for a moment as she suddenly realized that Dani was something more than Uncle Sean’s spoiled niece. The woman was physically attractive, no doubt, but for the first time she saw that there was more to her.
    Emma quickly crossed the kitchen and sat down in the chair next to Dani’s. Reaching out, she took Dani’s hand in her own and smiled. “Thanks, Danielle. I know that wasn’t easy for you, but I already told you I accepted last night. I think it’s time we both move on and try to get along better in the future.”
    Dani returned a shy smile as