Free The Surprise Holiday Dad by Jacqueline Diamond Page A

dysfunctional family.
    Their ties to Reggie might keep him and Adrienne in close contact for years. That prospect pleased him, despite the potential for conflict. She was, in her way, a kindred spirit. In her less prickly moods, he liked her. Perhaps even during her prickly moods.
    At his father’s apartment Wade was preparing to go out for his son’s birthday dinner when Daryl stomped in, smelling of motor oil even though he appeared to have washed. This morning when Wade had told him about taking the job at Fact Hunter, he’d merely nodded. Now, indicating a garment bag bearing the name of a men’s store, he said, “So what does the well-dressed detective wear these days?”
    “Something dignified and low-key.” Wade hadn’t meant to leave his purchases draped over the couch. “I’ll put that away.”
    “Whatever you bought, I’m sure it beats a blue jumpsuit.” Daryl must have left that at the garage, though, since he was wearing jeans and a loose shirt.
    “Protects your clothes.”
    “Yeah, that’s true.” While his father went into the kitchen, Wade hung his purchases in the front closet. Daryl returned carrying a beer. “Told the old man about your new position yet?”
    “I’ll let him find out via the grapevine.” Wade suspected the agency’s receptionist kept in touch with her longtime boss. “I’d rather avoid him till he’s had a chance to get used to the idea.”
    “Think you’ll live that long?” His father downed a swallow from the can before adding, “He should be glad you’re working in your field.”
    “More or less.”
    Daryl scowled at an oil stain on the back of his hand. “Look at me. A mechanic and a handyman.”
    “Honorable professions,” Wade said quietly. “And useful.”
    His father sank onto the couch. “Another year nearly gone. Glad my son’s back, but other than that...” The sentence trailed off.
    Wade decided against mentioning his grandson. It was too volatile a subject when his dad was in a mood like this. Instead, being familiar with his father’s emotional patterns, he searched for a way to cut short what might become a spiral into depression—and heavier drinking. “What do you and Grandpa usually do for Thanksgiving? Maybe we can plan something.”
    “Fight,” Daryl responded succinctly.
    Wade hoped that was an exaggeration. “Every year?”
    “We used to. Nowadays we just give it a miss.”
    Too bad they’d quit trying. “Where do you eat, then?”
    “They make pretty good frozen turkey dinners these days.”
    “You’re not eating a frozen dinner on Thanksgiving this year.” Too late, Wade reflected how lonely it was, dining in a restaurant on holidays, which was why he usually volunteered at a charity kitchen. “Tell you what—I’ll cook. We can watch football and stuff ourselves.” He’d volunteer another day.
    “I’d like that.” Daryl brightened. “And that means leftovers. They’re the best part. Well, almost.”
    “What’s better than leftovers?”
    “Pie,” his father said. “You hadn’t forgotten that, right?”
    “If you don’t mind store-bought.”
    “Fine with me.”
    “It’s a deal,” Wade said. “Got a dinner date with my boy. I’ll see you later.”
    “Later.” Daryl clicked on the TV.
    Wade was glad he’d raised his father’s spirits. While he wasn’t sure how one baked a turkey, he’d figure it out.
    Maybe he’d ask Adrienne. She ought to know.

Chapter Six
    Although he’d once sworn never to work at Fact Hunter Investigations, Wade had a sense of homecoming as he climbed the steps shortly before 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday. He knew this office well from his visits over the years with Grandpa Bruce. It felt like familiar territory.
    Not that he hadn’t enjoyed last night’s dinner with Adrienne and little Reggie, as well as the one-on-one toy-building session that had followed. Still, he’d been dogged by a recurring sense of being out of his depth.
    Busted back to a rookie. Man, he hated that