"Should I stop?" Dakota asked, deliberately slowing her fingers. "Are you going to tell me the truth?"
"Yes!"
Dakota stopped.
Takoda took a quick breath, her cheeks flushed from laughing. "I promise!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Mother!"
Dakota narrowed her eyes playfully. "Because I seem to remember you making that same promise yesterday."
Takoda's eyes widened in mock horror. "Mother!"
Dakota tickled her again.
Takoda burst into fresh laughter, kicking her little feet against the mattress as she tried to push her mother's hands away. "No! No! I'm sorry!"
Dakota laughed with her, bending forward to kiss her daughter's cheek before allowing her to escape. Takoda immediately scrambled toward the other side of the bed, clutching a pillow against her chest as though it could protect her from further attacks.
"You can't catch me now!" she announced triumphantly.
Dakota rested her hands on her hips. "Oh, really?"
Takoda nodded, her smile growing wider.
