Free Daddy's Home by A. K. Alexander Page A

were just checking on you,” Chloe said.
    “Really now? Do we need to be checked up on?” Brendan asked.
    Madeline interrupted, “Are you going to be my dad’s girlfriend?”
    Holly nearly spit her wine across the table and tried hard not to giggle. The wine was going to her head.
    “Oh, Maddie.” Brendan brought his hand up to his forehead.
    “What, Daddy?”
    “Would you two like to watch a movie?” he asked.
    Madeline nodded.
    “All of your homework done?” Holly asked.
    “Yes,” they answered.
    Holly looked at her watch; it was almost nine. “Okay, go watch a movie, but only for a few minutes, because we’ve got to get you in bed.”
    Chloe and Madeline whined in unison.
    “They’ve got that down pat, hey?” Brendan said.
    Holly laughed. “Don’t they, though.”
    “But, Mom, it’s a Fun Day tomorrow because it’s the day before Thanksgiving. So we won’t do anything but have fun,” Chloe said.
    “She’s good, that one. Ever thought about how much it might take for you to put her through law school?”
    “Often. Now, go watch your movie for a few minutes while I help Mr. O’Neil clean up.”
    “You can call him Brendan,” Chloe said. “He lets me.”
    “Oh. Okay, then.”
    The girls went into the family room while Holly helped Brendan clear their plates. As she turned on the water at the sink to rinse, Megan entered the kitchen. “Do we have any ice cream?”
    “Why don’t you check?” Brendan said.
    She opened up the freezer and while facing it said, “So, my dad says that you’re a cop.”
    “I am. Actually I do a bit more, I’m a criminalist. I work with a forensics team to help solve violent crimes.”
    Megan shut the freezer door, a pint of Häagen-Dazs now in hand. “Really?”
    Was that interest? Holly wondered. She glanced at Brendan who shrugged his shoulders. “Really.”
    “So, you, like, catch killers and stuff?”
    “I do. I’m on a murder case right now. It’s why your dad had to take Chloe for me. My boss runs me ragged.” She laughed and hoped that she’d get a smile out of the teenager.
    Megan actually did smile. “That is so cool. I watch CSI, like, all the time, and now CSI Miami. I love it. I totally want to be an FBI agent. And I’ve seen every episode of Alias. Are you like the chick on that show? I mean, do you dress up and everything, you know, to go undercover?”
    Holly thought about the afternoon, but wasn’t quite ready to relay the details. “Sometimes, but I don’t go all karate style. It’s not always as fun and interesting as the TV shows make it seem. But I have been known to kick a little butt in my time.”
    “Wow!”
    “I didn’t know you wanted to be an FBI agent, Meg,” Brendan said.
    “You never asked.”
    Funny how her voice could change from interested to surly in a second flat.
    “Well, Meg, I’m your dad, I would think maybe sometimes you’d tell me these things, instead of me always having to drag them out of you.”
    “Whatever. Ms. Jennings?”
    “Call me Holly.”
    “Do you think I could go on a call with you some time?”
    Holly finished scraping off her plate. “Sure, Meg. I could probably do that, if it’s okay with your dad.”
    Brendan nodded.
    “Cool, thanks.” Megan finished scooping out her ice cream, kissed her dad on the cheek, and said, “See you tomorrow. I’ve got to study for a history test.”
    “Don’t be calling that boy, now.”
    “Who? Derek? Oh, I broke up with him.” She turned and sauntered out of the room.
    Brendan sighed and appeared as if a heavy weight had been lifted from him. He looked up. “Oh, Jesus, Mary, St. Peter, and the rest of you, thanks be to you for getting rid of that boy!”
    Holly couldn’t help but laugh.
    “You think that’s funny do you? Just wait until that little lass of yours starts dragging home them scoundrels. You’ll be asking for all sorts of help from the Heavens.”
    “I’m sorry. I’m sure it’s rough.”
    “Rough? You have no idea!