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

Emma pulled away, but then Dani realized with a shock that she suddenly felt sad and was desperately missing the touch of the smaller woman. She wasn’t sure what it was, but she felt a warmness when Emma touched her. It was entirely too pleasant, and she couldn’t help but to find herself yearning for the touch once again.
    The next few minutes were a blur, and before Dani knew it, she found herself picking at her bagel and sipping orange juice. Tasting the tangy flavor, she wrinkled her nose and wondered what had happened to her soda. Emma was sipping the coffee she’d brought, but Dani’s giant Styrofoam cup was nowhere to be seen.
    Seeing the odd expression on Dani’s face, Emma asked, “What? Do I have cream cheese on my face?”
    “No, I’m just glad you’re enjoying breakfast,” Dani replied, not wanting to mention the real reason for her distraction.
    “I am, and you should too. Eat, young lady, before I inhale another one,” Emma laughed as Dani took a real bite of her food.
    Dani returned Emma’s smile and managed to consume the rest of her bagel with the same eagerness. She even managed to finish almost half of the glass of orange juice.
    “Well, I think I need to get dressed so we can get this day started.” Emma rose from her seat and patted Dani’s hand. “Thanks again. Feel free to wait for me. Maybe Atticus will poke his head out and say hello.”
    Dani watched Emma as she walked toward her bedroom. She couldn’t seem to take her eyes off Emma or the way she walked. Sighing, Dani shook her head, stood up, and began to clean up the breakfast mess.
    A few minutes later, she’d put the bagels away and the dishes in the sink. She still hadn’t found her diet soda, however, and was contemplating running back to her apartment for another one when she felt something rub against her ankle just before hearing a loud “meow”.
    Looking down, Dani smiled. “You must be Atticus,” she cooed bending over to pick the gray cat up. He was adorable: green eyes, short hair, and little white boots on all four feet with a matching white stripe running from his forehead to his nose. “My, you are a big boy, aren’t you?” she questioned, carrying the cat to the couch. Sitting down, she allowed him to get comfortable on her lap before scratching him behind the ears.
    “So Uncle Sean and Emma found you in the alley, huh?” she continued to scratch the cat as he purred loudly. She hadn’t petted a cat in ages. She had one when she was younger, but after it scratched her grandmother’s favorite sofa, the animal had suspiciously disappeared. She had been heartbroken. Uncle Sean told her she could have a cat at his place, but she had turned him down. No need to get attached to something that could just be taken away.
    “I see you’ve met Atticus,” Emma’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
    “Yes, he’s very friendly.”
    Sitting down next to Dani, Emma reached over to scratch the cat’s chin. “I still remember the day we found this furball.”
    “Oh, tell me about it?”
    “Uncle Sean and I had just come back from a book convention in Indianapolis,” Emma explained with a smile. “It was a long drive, and we were ready to order in and head to bed. In the alley, next to the dumpster, I noticed this small white and gray ball of fur.” Emma stopped as her fingers brushed Dani’s for a moment before continuing. “Anyway, I investigated and discovered Atticus. He was cold and half starved, so we brought him upstairs with us, and he and Uncle Sean bonded immediately. The rest is history.”
    “I take it Uncle Sean named him for his favorite book?”
    Emma laughed. “Actually, I named him, thought it was a fitting tribute for your uncle.”
    “Yeah, I love reading, and Uncle Sean introduced me to so many books, but To Kill a Mockingbird was different for him somehow.” Dani chuckled as the object of her scratching suddenly stretched before leaping onto the floor and disappearing toward the