"Woof!"

Ringing through the air, the single syllable sound broke apart the concentrated silence. It had the desired effect: the western novel was lowered, and a single, thick black brow was cocked.

"I thought . . .." Trailing off, Daddy carefully closed the book, placing it on the bedside table. The covers of the double bed rippled as he slid upwards, forcing his body into a sitting position.

But above all, his eyes settled on me, basking me in his complete and undivided attention.

"What did you thinks, Daddy?" I asked, purring softly as I patted the yarn ball between one mittened hand to the other. The bottom of the...