Free Always Watching by Lynette Eason Page A

spent a lot of time with her, but he knew it wasn’t the same as having a mother. Someone her dad was married to.
    Amy opened her eyes and shrugged. “Nothing much, Dad. I’m only twelve, almost thirteen. I just know I’m going to marry someone who doesn’t mind holding my hand when I have a panic attack.”
    â€œMaybe you won’t have them by then.”
    â€œMaybe.”
    He heard more footsteps and drew in a slow breath of relief at the distraction. Stacy entered the room and paused, her gaze jumping between him and Amy. He could read her easily. She desperately wanted to join them, but didn’t want to intrude.
    Wade patted the sofa beside him and she grinned and raced across the room to settle herself next to him. She leaned her head against his arm. “I wish you were my dad, Mr. Wade.”
    His heart constricted. “I wish I was too, Stacy. You’re a great kid. Any man would be lucky to be your dad.”
    â€œHa. Too bad my real dad didn’t think so.” Stacy’s father had left her and her mother three years ago and had dropped out of sight. Wade knew Stacy wanted a father but figured she was better off without that particular man around.
    â€œYeah, that’s tough and it stinks. Your mother is a great lady,” he said. “Maybe she’ll find someone you wouldn’t mind calling ‘Dad.’”
    Stacy shrugged her thin shoulder. “I don’t know.” She cut her eyes at him. “She says she’ll only get married again if she can find someone like you.”
    Wade felt his ears start to burn but gave a low chuckle. “Well, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
    â€œYou should. She listens to your show every weekend and she said every woman should listen and take your advice.”
    â€œThat’s very kind of her.”
    â€œI guess. You should call her and ask her out.”
    Amy shot into a sitting position. “Yeah, Dad, you should, then me and Stacy would be sisters if you married her mom.”
    â€œStacy and I,” he corrected. “And you two quit trying to marry me off. I’m perfectly capable of finding a wife should I decide I want one.” He gave each girl a rib tickle and delighted in their screeches of laughter. “Get out of here. I’ll come up and tell you good night in a few minutes.”
    Stacy giggled and stood. “I’m going upstairs to watch TV. You ready, Amy?”
    Amy nodded. “I’m ready. Forget TV. Let’s go figure out how to get our parents together.”
    Wade rolled his eyes and decided he’d better prepare himself for some adolescent matchmaking attempts. The thought made him shudder. And saddened him. He’d hoped having Martha around would dull the ache that an absent mother had caused his daughter.
    Six years ago, he’d mentioned to Amy he was going to start interviewing women for a nanny position. An hour later, Martha had come to him and stated no strange woman was going to raise her niece as long as there was breath in her body. He’d agreed and they’d worked up a nice arrangement that benefited them both. She’d been miserable in her job as head of public relations for the local hospital and had wanted a way out. He gave it to her.
    The fatigue hit him again and he closed his eyes, his mind spinning. He had the radio show, then tomorrow—
    A hand on his shoulder jerked him awake. He opened his eyes and stared into his sister-in-law’s frowning face. “Are you all right, Wade?”
    He sniffed and scrubbed a hand down his cheek. “Yeah. I guess I dozed off. What time is it?”
    â€œAbout eleven fifteen.”
    He jumped to his feet and headed in the direction of his bedroom. “I’ve got to get going. I need to be on the air in forty-five minutes.”
    â€œYou think it’s safe?”
    He stopped at the door and turned. “I don’t know, Martha. I have a bodyguard so