Read Online Daddy's Home by A. K. Alexander - Free Book Online Page A

Holly, it’s been nearly eight years. Don’t you think he would want you to move on?”
    Holly shook her head slowly. “I don’t know. Yes, he probably would. But I can’t get over what happened that day.”
    “You were not to blame for his death.”
    “You know what? I can’t talk about this anymore. Yes, I like this new man, but I do have issues to resolve.”
    “You are not going to resolve them by doing nothing about it.”
    “Chad . . .” Holly’s cell phone rang loudly, and she was relieved it did. “Jennings here.”
    “Holly, it’s me, Brendan. I’m calling to check in and to see what time you might be by.”
    “Right. Sorry, I’m running a bit late.” She was chagrined that the Rolling Stones were playing loudly on the bar’s speaker system behind her, and it wouldn’t take much for Brendan to figure out that she was no longer at work.
    “Not at all. If you want, she can stay the night. But she’ll need her school clothes for the morning.”
    “No. Maybe she can stay over this weekend, but on a school night, she knows the rules. She’s a jabber mouth, that kid, and she’ll keep poor Maddie up all night.”
    “Sure, and don’t I know how they like to talk.” He laughed. Nice deep, gentle laughter. “I only asked because tomorrow is a half day and the day before the Thanksgiving holiday. But I understand. You still up for dinner?” he asked.
    She glanced over at Chad who was studying her, an amused smile on his face. Brooke had made her way to their booth and was scooting in next to him. Holly raised her eyebrows. Brooke did a hand wave. Holly waved back. She felt her own face grow hot as Chad started to laugh quietly and pointed at her mouthing, “Holly’s got a crush.”
    Holly frowned at them, as she replied to Brendan, “That would be nice. Thank you. Say around seven-thirty?” She was now locked in for dinner.
    “Good deal.”
    She clicked her phone off, faced Chad, and said, “Not one word. Not a single freaking word out of you.”
    Chad continued laughing while Brooke continued to look puzzled, a rare occurrence, because not much puzzled the doctor.
    “Beware. I know things about you that others don’t,” Holly remarked.
    “You wouldn’t.”
    Brooke’s jaw dropped. “What do you mean? What does she mean, Chad?”
    Holly looked at her watch. “Oh, look at that, I gotta run. Good seeing you, Doc.”
    “Holly . . .” Chad called after her.
    “See you later.” She looked over her shoulder, saw Brooke still looking puzzled, and had to laugh. Well, Chad deserved some razzing, and she was sure Brooke could give it to him.
    “Have fun tonight, you man eater,” he yelled.
    “Screw you.”
    Chad caught up to her before she made her way out. No easy task with the filled bar. “Jokes aside, partner, I think if you like this man that you should think clearly about it. Jack would not have wanted you and Chloe to be alone. I promise you that you can love again. You really can. The Holly Jennings I know can do pretty much anything she sets her mind to.”
    “Bye, Chad. Be careful with the doc.” She made it to the front of the bar and closed the door behind her, drowning out the chaos. She saw Chad watching her through the large paned windows as she walked towards her car. He waved one more time. She flipped him off, and although she couldn’t see him, she knew he was also laughing, just as she was.
    As she turned the corner and headed across the street to the parking lot, she couldn’t help but wonder if there was any truth to what Chad had said. Could she love again? How would Jack have felt about Chloe?
    Jack had never even known Chloe.
    He’d never even known that his daughter had been born.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    Holly took in a deep breath and let out a long sigh, actually relieved to be standing in front of Brendan’s front door and ringing the bell of his Spanish-style home, very similar to hers, in fact. They only lived a few blocks from each other in the older,