Read Online Someone Like You by Susan Mallery - Free Book Online Page B

to commit any criminal acts or even be charged with any criminal acts.”
    â€œNone of that is a problem.”
    â€œI’m glad we’re clear.” Hollis closed the folder and leaned forward. “Mac, I’ll be blunt with you. I don’t think men in law enforcement make good fathers.”
    This was one of the few times Mac hated being right. “What is that opinion based on?” he asked, even as he had to grind his teeth to keep from reacting.
    â€œPersonal observation. Men on the edge have trouble relating to their families, especially their daughters. Too much tension, too much violence, has a way of changing a person. Look at your own situation. Based on what I read about the testimony, it was your time in the gangunit that caused your divorce and your separation from Emily.”
    Mac hated that the kid had a point.
    â€œSo how are things going with her?” the social worker asked, his voice low and gentle.
    Mac thought about Emily not speaking to him, about her monochromatic food issues and her emotional distance.
    â€œJust peachy,” he said easily. “Couldn’t be better.”
    Hollis sighed. “Whatever you may think of me personally, I do want to help.”
    â€œI’ll keep that in mind.”
    â€œAll right. I’ll see you in two weeks.”
    Â 
    M AC SAT ON THE EDGE of his daughter’s bed. They’d survived the first twenty-four hours. He wouldn’t count that as a victory, but at least it hadn’t been a total disaster. Em didn’t talk that much when he was around, but at least she hadn’t mentioned leaving. He didn’t think he could stand that.
    â€œHow was your day?” he asked, knowing he probably shouldn’t.
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œWhat did Elvis think of Beverly?”
    Her mouth curved up slightly. “He liked her.”
    â€œElvis always had great taste in women. I think she’s pretty fun.”
    â€œI like Jill.”
    He thought of the slender beauty next door. “I know.”
    â€œWhen we played dress-up tonight before dinner, she let me be the princess and she was my lady-in-waiting.”
    â€œThat was nice of her.” He shifted so he could stroke his daughter’s hair. “I’m glad you’re here, Em. I’ve missed you so much.”
    Her eyes widened, but she didn’t speak. He waited, hoping she would say something. After a few seconds, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
    â€œSleep well, kiddo.”
    â€œNight.”
    He turned off the lamp and walked out of the room. A night-light glowed, illuminating his way. When he was in the hall, he stopped and rubbed the back of his neck. She still hadn’t called him Dad or Daddy. She’d avoided addressing him as anything. Was she punishing him, or had he simply lost the right to be called that?
    Not sure of the answer, he walked downstairs. The silence filled the space like a living creature. He stood in the center of the living room and wondered what happened next. How did he fix things with his daughter? How did he work his job, satisfy Hollis, heal the emotional breach and figure out what to do next?
    Footsteps on the porch gave him a more immediate task. He crossed to the front door and pulled it open. Jill smiled at him.
    â€œI know you didn’t eat. I tried not to care, but I couldn’t stand it, so I brought lasagna.”
    She stood with the single bulb adding a warm caramel cast to her dark hair, a foil-covered plate thrust out like an offering.
    â€œI never could resist a woman with food,” he said, pushing the door open wide. “Want to keep me company?”
    â€œSure. Is Emily in bed?”
    â€œYeah.”
    She gave him the plate and followed him to the kitchen. This house was similar to her aunt’s, with a couple hundred more square feet and a bigger lot.
    â€œCan I offer you anything?” he asked. “Beer, wine, Pop-Tarts?”
    She laughed. “How