“I will. Bye now.”
“Bye, Reggie.”
She stared down at Uncle Doug’s phone, thrilled to be seeing her new hero again. And Frank! They’d need to get some toys and a doggie bed. She raced out of the closet to her bedroom to make plans…
***
Reggie turned to his sisters and dad, cringing inside at the interest he saw.
“So, Emily, huh? She sounds a little young for you, bro.” Nadia smirked.
Reggie groaned. “Save it. I’ve heard it all from the guys. Trust me.”
Lisa laughed. “She’s a cutie. But I can’t tell if she’s more excited about seeing you or the dog.” Frank sighed into Lisa’s arms, tucked against her chest, in heaven.
“The dog, no question,” Reggie said. “And before you say what’s worrying you, Dad, no, I’m not interested in getting to know this little girl and her mom any better. I did a nice thing taking the dog, but that was a Pets Fur Life decision. We can help home him if they can’t take him.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.” His dad frowned.
“I’m sure.”
Crap. Even Nadia looked suspicious.
Lisa frowned. “I said I liked Frank. Why do you need to take him to Pets Fur Life?”
At that, Nadia turned to her with a scowl. “Hold on. You’re at work all day. I could take Frank. Porkchop needs a friend.”
“Porkchop, the cat you named that you’re still trying to give away?” Lisa snorted. “Yeah, right.”
“I am not.”
“Oh, please. You mention that anytime we come over. As if we believe you’re heartless enough to give up your cat.”
“Heartless?”
Reggie shared an eye roll with his father. “So, Dad, about that peach cobbler you’ve been bragging about?”
“Great minds think alike, son.” Harry removed a tray from the oven, and the entire kitchen smelled like home-baked goodness. “Since you’re being goodby not arguing,” he said in a raised voice, “you get the first piece.”
Nadia and Lisa snapped their mouths closed.
Reggie motioned for his father to give him a huge helping and ate it with a side of ice cream. He sighed with pleasure. “Ah, now this made coming to breakfast worth it.”
“Nice to know it’s not for my stellar company,” his dad complained. “But then, maybe you’ve been avoiding me because you’re having woman problems.” He talked over Reggie’s groan. “Reggie, I don’t think you understand. I can help you.”
His sisters exchanged an amused glance.
Their dad ignored them. “You’re apparently unaware of how dashing I can be. Last night, when I was out with Layla, we ran into Chrissy. And it was obvious that she misses me.”
“Jeez, Dad. Try dating women from different nursing homes,” Nadia said under her breath.
Their father heard her and glared. “Girl, you are not too old to spank.”
Nadia coughed. “Um, er, yes, sir.”
He continued, “First of all, Chrissy never lived in a nursing home. It was anassisted livingspace. And Layla lives in her own home, thank you very much.”
Reggie sighed.
