Free Conklin's Corruption (#3) (Conklin's Trilogy) by Brooke Page Page B

sweetly. 
    A small smile escaped my mouth at her innocent voice.  She really was cute. 
    Becca looked at Josie adoringly as well and then moved her baby blues towards me.  God, that look.  She had the look of pure happiness and contentment on her face whenever those kids were around.  Especially when she held Emmett.
    I was in trouble.
    We strolled through the little zoo at the pace of molasses.  Josie had to get out at every exhibit and find each and every detail.  Becca was right by her side, helping to point out where the animals were hidden.  Every now and then Josie would tug on my hand, wanting me to look with her.  I’d lift her so she could see better in some exhibits. I found myself mesmerized at how Josie saw her surroundings.  She studied everything with wide eyes and a huge smile.  The aquarium was her favorite, especially the penguins.  I must have held her for 30 minutes straight.
    “I’m going to change Emmett’s diaper and get his bottle ready,” Becca said as she started to unstrap Emmett.  “Can you handle Josie?”
    I nodded my head and took a seat on the bench.  Josie was checking out a penguin statue.  “Don’t lose her.  Heather will kill both of us.”
    “I won’t lose her,” I said, offended.
    Becca gave me another sharp look as she took Emmett to the restroom.
    “Uncle Tyler, can we get ice cream?” Josie asked as she spun around the statue.
    “That is a wonderful idea Josie.  Let’s go.”  I stood from the bench as she skipped to me, reaching for my hand as we made our way to the concession. 
    Becca never ate sweets, even when that time of the month came around.  I didn’t bug her about it.  It was one of those sore spots she had that I learned to leave be.  She wasn’t hurting herself by being picky about what she ate, and as long as she was eating, I wouldn’t give her a hard time. I loved her for her.  Her obsession with food was a shield to protect herself from her family’s harsh comments about her appearance.  I just hope one day Becs realizes she doesn’t need to wear her armor around me.  Her body was perfect in my eyes and always would be.
    Just as Josie and I were sitting down with our ice cream cones, Becca came walking over with Emmett cradled in her arms drinking his bottle.  She scooted next to me on the bench.
    “Auntie B!  Look what Uncle Tyler got me!” Josie jumped from the bench and squealed holding her ice cream for Becca to see.
    Becca gave Josie a huge grin.  “You’re a lucky girl, Josie.”
    I slipped my arm around Becca’s shoulders on the back of the bench.  “We can share mine if you want,” I flirted.
    She shyly shook her head no.
    “Auntie B, it’s really good!” Josie garbled through a mouthful of ice cream.  She was down to the cone.  She had devoured it in the matter of minutes.  You’d think we didn’t feed the kid.
    “Josie, slow down sweetie.  You don’t want to get a stomach ache,” Becca said gently.  Josie just giggled and started to spin around the penguin statue, ice cream cone in one hand while the other rubbed against the penguin.
    “Yeah, come on Auntie B, have a little lick,” I said seductively, leaning closer so I was a mere inch from her ear.  “You know you want to,” I whispered.  Just as I was about to kiss her, I a warm liquid splattered all over the front of my shirt.
    I jumped from the bench throwing my hands to the side, dropping the ice cream cone on the cement.  Josie’s big brown eyes found mine as her lip started to pout.  She just threw up ice cream all over me.
    Becca leapt to the side with Emmett then ushered a teary eyed Josie to take her place on the bench.
    I leaned over, trying to get the fabric on my shirt to unstick from my stomach.  Looking down was a mistake as the stench of regurgitated ice cream filled my nostrils.  I gagged and almost lost my stomach as well.
    “My tummy hurts!” Josie wailed, hugging her stomach.  Before Becca or I could say