The Art of Discipline: Dani’s Discovery (The Mockingbird Chronicles)

The Art of Discipline: Dani’s Discovery

Book One of The Mockingbird Chronicles

By

Stardawn Cabot and Alexandra James

Copyright © 2013 by Stormy Night Publications and Stardawn Cabot and Alexandra James

Copyright © 2013 by Stormy Night Publications and Stardawn Cabot and Alexandra James

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published by Stormy Night Publications and Design, LLC.

www.StormyNightPublications.com

Cabot, Stardawn and James, Alexandra

The Art of Discipline: Dani’s Discovery

Cover Design by Korey Mae Johnson

Images by Bigstock/Valua Vitaly, Bigstock/Eky Studio, and Bigstock/Jorisvo

This book is intended for
adults only
. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults.

Chapter One

Danielle Ryan sighed as she stood in front of Ryan’s Books. It had been over six years since her last visit, and now it was only her uncle’s funeral that forced her to return. Looking at the marque on the window, she shook her head. The place hadn’t changed a bit. The gold letters on the bay window still glittered in the sun, just as they had during her childhood.

Figuring she may as well get it over with, she pushed open the door, the familiar sound of the bell announcing her arrival. Putting her bag down, she surveyed the store in wonder. Although the outside remained the same, the inside had been altered dramatically. Gone were the straight-back chairs and musty shelves of her childhood. The shelves themselves had been replaced with lighter, more open racks, giving the store a sense of space and lending room for the plush, oversized chairs and ottomans which liberally littered the floor area.

Moving deeper into the store, she adjusted her silk scarf over her shoulder, before tucking a piece of jet-black hair behind her ear. Looking upward, she noticed the crow’s nest: the old store office. It had been transformed into a reading area, complete with a tan micro-suede loveseat, full sized leather couch, and assorted dark oak tables. With a bit of a shock, she realized that the furniture was not the only major change. In the front of the store and in the corners there were dark oak tables, matching chairs, and signs that proclaimed free Wi-Fi availability—something that her uncle swore would never catch on.

Turning toward the checkout counter, she noticed the one thing that had stayed the same. The old-fashioned cash register that Uncle Sean had loved so much was still proudly perched on the end, but just like the rest of the store even that had been affected. Although it still graced the antique, dark-oak island, a newer model complete with a credit card machine balanced out the other side.

Letting her ice-blue eyes scan down the length of the counter, she took note of a petite redhead who appeared to be only a few years older than herself behind the register. Brushing her hair from her eyes, she picked up her bag and made her way over, her heels clicking with each step. Her long legs made short work of the distance, but she was somewhat taken aback when she noticed the smaller woman studying her intently. There was something about the redhead that made Dani uneasy. It was like she’d seen her somewhere before. Perhaps it was in a dream, or maybe some past life, but there was something about the way the women’s nose was slightly upturned, or her slightly lopsided grin, or perhaps it was her emerald-green eyes that seemed to be able to see right through her, that seemed almost too familiar to Dani.

Clearing her throat, Dani finally spoke, “I’m Danielle Ryan and I’m looking for…”

“Me,” the redhead cut her off. “Emma Gray.” She held out her hand and took Dani’s into a firm handshake. “Nice to finally meet you, Dani.”

“It’s nice to meet you as well, Ms. Gray, and it’s Danielle,” she replied, her eyes narrowing at the forwardness of this woman calling her by her first name. Dani and Emma continued to grip each other’s hands for a few moments before jointly releasing.

“Please, call me Emma,” the woman insisted, smiling openly.

“Alright, Emma,” Dani nodded as she began to walk the length of the checkout counter, running her fingers along the smooth oak as she went. Stopping at the old register, she looked up, her blue eyes glistening. “I never thought he’d stop using this for transactions.”

Emma chuckled. “Well, it took some doing, but I finally dragged him, kicking and screaming, into this century.”

“I didn’t know anyone could make Uncle Sean do something he didn’t want to do,” Dani said as she turned and watched Emma’s reaction.

“It wasn’t easy. Let’s just say, he and I had a meeting of the minds.” Coming out from behind the counter, Emma picked up Dani’s bag. “Let me help you up to Uncle Sean’s apartment. I changed the sheets on his bed and tidied up for you a bit. I also took Atticus to my apartment for now, unless you want him.”

“Atticus?” Dani asked, hurrying to catch up with Emma.

“Uncle Sean’s cat. We found him in the alley behind the store about two years ago. He was a great companion for Uncle Sean.”

Dani balled her hand into a fist but said nothing. Emma had some gall, speaking of her uncle so casually. With a slight shake of her head, she realized the reading of the will couldn’t come soon enough. “No, you can keep him. I’m sure he’s more comfortable with someone he knows.”

Emma nodded, “Sure, just let me know if you change your mind.” Handing Dani her bag back, Emma pointed up the stairs. “The door is unlocked, and the key is on the kitchen table. I took the liberty of stocking the refrigerator as well as buying a few items for the pantry. I wasn’t sure how long you’d be here, but don’t worry, whatever you don’t use won’t go to waste.”

“Thank you,” Dani responded curtly. “I can manage now,” she added as she headed down the familiar path of the back stairs up to her uncle’s apartment. Reaching the landing, she walked down the short hallway to the last door on the left. Turning the knob, she found it open, just as Emma had said.

Entering, she noticed that the store wasn’t the only thing that had a makeover. The apartment actually looked good. There were newer curtains, a flat screen TV, an overstuffed lounge chair, and matching couch in his living area. A round wooden coffee table sat in front of the chair, and a large bookcase framed the window to her left. Wondering when her uncle decided to update his apartment, she turned and carried her bag down the hall.

Despite Emma’s assurance that her uncle’s room had been made ready for her, she entered the apartment’s second, much smaller bedroom to investigate. Stopping short, she dropped her bag and took in the room. The bed that had always been there was gone, as was the child sized furniture. It had been replaced by a dark leather wingback, a low ottoman, and walls of books. A small secretary desk graced the only open corner, while recessed lights and a floor lamp completed the picture. Realizing that he had finally transformed this room into the personal library he was always talking about, she smiled before walking to the table near the chair. Dani picked up the book that had been left. She shook her head at the dog-eared pages and worn cover.
To Kill a Mockingbird
had always been his favorite book, and this copy had obviously been loved.

Deciding that she would scan his personal bookshelves later, she sat in the chair and leaned back. Now in the still and quiet of the apartment, her thoughts and memories begin to stir. Why had she stayed away so long? He’d been her only family, and though he’d been to visit her as she established her business, she never bothered to come back to the place where she’d spent so much time as a child. Feeling angry with herself, she stood and picked her bag up once again before placing it down in her uncle’s bedroom.

This room had been updated as well, and she couldn’t help wondering who had helped her uncle with the decorating. Sitting on the tan colored comforter, Dani smiled at the framed photo of them on her twelfth birthday. He’d kept that photo on his nightstand ever since it had been taken. Feeling safe but alone, she drew his pillow into her body and lay back, trying to remember happier times.

* * *

Dani was sitting at the kitchen table and drinking her second diet soda when she was interrupted by a knock on the front door. She was trying to finish the last minute details to a large event in Chicago and was less than pleased with the interruption. Looking up from the computer screen, she rubbed her eyes and was startled to see that the clock read 7:00 p.m. Stretching, she headed to the door as the knock sounded again.

Opening it, she was surprised to find Emma, bags of takeout in hand. “I took the liberty of bringing you dinner. I hope you like Chinese—I know Uncle Sean did,” she announced entering the apartment uninvited.

Heading to the kitchen, she gave Dani a pointed look. “You need to move the computer, dear. We have to have someplace to eat.”

Finally coming to her senses, Dani stiffened. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m working. Now, if you’ll just…”

“Nonsense, you need to eat, and we need to discuss the funeral and other things. Now, please move the computer and sit.”

Huffing, Dani moved her laptop and sat down as instructed. She silently watched as Emma began to remove plates and silverware from the cabinets and drawers. The fact that Emma seemed to know where everything was located was not lost on Dani. Opening the refrigerator, Emma poured two glasses of lemonade before sitting down and taking out the food cartons. “Well, help yourself, Dani,” she directed.

Feeling out of sorts and still a little annoyed at the interruption, Dani crossed her arms, refusing to move. Catching Emma’s gaze, Dani tried to hold it long as possible. Emma broke contact and began dividing the food among two plates. Putting one in front of Dani, she placed the fork down by her hand. “You need to eat, Dani. I know you had a long drive from Chicago, and from the looks of you, Uncle Sean was right about you not taking proper care of yourself.”

Dani’s back stiffened. “What do you mean by that?”

Emma relaxed into an easy smile. “Just that you work too hard. Uncle Sean told me how much your job meant to you and that sometimes you forgot to take care of you.” Her smile faltered a bit. “What would he think if I didn’t look out for you now, since he can’t?”

Relaxing slightly, Dani picked up her fork. “I guess, but please call me Danielle,” she said quietly. Uncle Sean was the only one she ever let call her Dani, and now that he was gone, she wasn’t about to let this impudent redhead change that.

Emma nodded, but said nothing. There was something about this dark-haired woman in front of her that intrigued her, and she decided that she was going to get to know her better.

“So tell me, why do you call Sean, uncle?” Dani asked.

Emma’s green eyes held Dani’s blue for a moment. “In order to answer that, I should probably tell you how I came to work for Sean.”

“Okay,” Dani replied, shifting a bit as she took another bite of sesame chicken.

Emma put her fork down and took a sip of lemonade before beginning. “I’ve lived in Fort Strymon most of my life. I went away for college, but after graduating, I returned home to help take care of my ailing grandmother. I was looking for a part time job when I saw a sign posted in the bay window downstairs. Sean gave me the job and worked around my schedule.” Emma stopped and fingered her fork for a moment before continuing. “My grandmother died six months later, and since my mother wasn’t close,” she pausing giving Dani a rueful smile, “suddenly I was without a family and a place to live. Sean had just had the apartment down the hall redone and offered it to me. I jumped at the chance and came to work for him full time.”

“What exactly do you do?”

“Using the MBA I worked my ass off to obtain, I manage Ryan’s books, and I helped Sean with everything that had to do with the store. About a year into me living here, Sean slipped, fell down the stairs, and tore up his ankle pretty badly. They weren’t going to let me see him at the hospital, so I told them I was his niece.” Emma smirked at the memory. “He’s been ‘Uncle Sean’ ever since.”

Dani looked at her half-eaten plate and twisted her napkin in her hands. “I remember that. It was about four years ago, but he told me he was fine.”

“He didn’t want to bother you. He knew how important your career was, and I was here to take care of him.” There was a slight edge in Emma’s voice that Dani picked up on immediately.