“I want to come too,” Iris said.
“No, sweetie.”
“I want to come too,” the little girl repeated, stamping her foot.
Nicola gazed down into Iris's serious moss-green eyes and tried not to smile. Her expression was one of complete defiance. It was at times like these that the little one reminded her of Blake.
Father and daughter hated being told ‘no’.
“You can't come with us, Iris.”
“And why not?” Iris demanded to know.
Nicola held back a sigh.
“Your Daddy and I are going to buy your birthday present. And we can do it with you there. It will ruin the surprise. You have already learned too much about your ‘surprise’ birthday party.”
“But I can help,” she muttered.
It was impossible to resist her, but Nicola kept her composure. She knelt in front of the child.
“I'm sure you can, swee
