The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The First Collection by Frost, J (great novels .txt) 📕

he’s brought all that on.” She gives me her huge grin and I laugh helplessly. “You’re very welcome, Emily, and if you decide he’s not a keeper, you pass him right on to me. I definitely need a man who makes me feel grateful to the whole world.”

I shake my head at her, still laughing. “I’ll let him know.”

“Have a great trip.”

When I rise, she hugs me, burying me in her ample bosom. It’s not quite my mother’s hugs. Nothing is. Not that she gave me many. Hugs were for Francis. But I miss them all the same.

My neighbor Tammy is waiting for me in the atrium with its cracked floor tiles, cheery plants and bright sunshine. Her eyes are red. Her last few visits with her father have been rough, and although I know Jenetta has given her the same pep-talk about not taking it personally and holding on to the good memories, I also know how hard it is.

Thinking about Logan, and about gratitude, I put my arm around Tammy as we walk to my car.

“He told me I was old and ugly and he wanted a pretty girl to come visit him,” she says.

I squeeze her shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

“Maybe I should dye my hair,” she says, fingering a grey lock.

“Don’t you dare. Don’t you know grey is in? Besides, he doesn’t mean it. He won’t remember it next week, and you shouldn’t give it a moment’s thought.”

She leans into me. “Thanks, Emily. You seem bright today. Good visit?”

“Mmm.” I let her go as we reach my car and climb into our respective seats. “It wasn’t bad. Listen, though, I’m going to have to miss the next two weeks. I’m going to Mexico.”

“Oh, have a great trip. Mexico in the summer?”

I put the car in gear and pull out of the space in front of the home. Less than a dozen cars in the lot today. Not a lot of visitors. “I know. I’m taking the factor fifty. Will you be okay getting here?”

“Of course I will. I got here for four years before you moved next door, didn’t I?”

“You did. But, hey, if you have a bad visit and want to talk, call me, okay? You’ve got my number.”

She’s silent for a moment and I risk taking my eyes off the empty road to glance at her. She’s staring at me. Have I said something wrong? “I, uh—”

“Thank you, Emily. That means a lot,” she says.

I smile at her and get my eyes back where they belong.

* * *

Logan doesn’t answer when I call, so I leave a message, grab a hoodie because the day’s gone cool and drizzly—summer in upstate New York—and head out to the mall. I have sexy jammies to buy.

He calls back while I’m taking a break between Macy’s and Victoria’s Secret. I’m leaning against one of the mall’s huge, potted, indoor trees, watching yummy mummies and hipsters stroll by, drinking their five thousand calorie soy mochachinos and munching Mrs. Field’s cookies, while I sip from a bottle of water. HIM silently wishes cellulite on all of them.

“Hi, sir,” I answer. “You’ve made another conquest.”

“A conquest?” He sounds amused. “Am I going to need a fresh blood test?”

“She’d like that. My mother’s care home administrator thinks you’re a hunka-hunka.”

He laughs, that deep, rich laugh that lights me up. “Is she kinky?”

“I haven’t asked. I’ve texted you the home’s number. You can give her a call and find out.”

“My slate’s full.” He pauses as a group of students go by, shouting to each other as though they’re at opposite ends of the mall instead of a foot away. “Where are you, baby doll? Sounds like a party.”

“The mall. I needed more pajamas.”

“That’s not a party, that’s purgatory. Have you gotten them now?”

“Yes, but I still want to look in Sola. They have cute stuff. And I know you said pink and white, but how do you feel about purple?”

“For the nights you don’t sleep with me, purple’s acceptable,” he says.

I pout even though I know he can’t see it. “No purple, then.”

He chuckles. “Baby doll, I’ve got to go. I was on with the cruise people when you called and I’ve got another call coming up. They’re on West Coast time, so these calls could go late, but I want to hear your voice again and we definitely need another bedtime story tonight. How about I call you at eleven?”

“I’d love that, sir.” I grin at a passing pair of women who are giving me very strange looks. “The straights are staring at me, sir.”

“Flash them your tits.”

“Sir!”

“Do it. Right now.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, then do as I’m told. Thank God I wore a sports bra today. Still, what I’m doing is bad enough. The women stare at me in open-mouthed shock before hurrying away.

“What happened?” Logan asks.

“They ran away. Probably to call mall security.”

He chuckles. “That’s a good girl for doing what you’re told. Go finish your shopping, and if mall security stops you, call me. Daddy will take care of it.”

“Yes, sir. You’re crazy, sir.”

“All the best people are, baby doll.”

I grin at the Alice in Wonderland reference before I say goodbye.

Mall security doesn’t stop me, and I find three super-cute sleep sets, in pink and white, at Sola, to top the two I found at Victoria’s Secret and the fairy tale nightie from Macy’s. I plan to do laundry once on the cruise, so that’s enough for ten days. Clutching my packages, I skip back to the car.

* * *

Logan calls a minute before eleven. I love how punctual he is. I’ll always be able to count on him being where he says he’s going to be, when he says he’ll be there. Nothing like Ash, or Matthew, who was a sweetheart, when he wasn’t beating me up, but chronically fifteen minutes late.

I’ve got the phone propped on my teddy again, and I’m already under the covers with the doors locked, and my teeth brushed.