A Courtesy Call (Green Division Series Book #2) by Ashley Monahan Read Free Book Online Page A

her.” 
     
    “I know you’ve been taking care of your gimp father for the past four months and all, but let’s not forget who is who.  I’m the parent here.”  Mike loaded his single bag and Cass’s last bag into the back seat. “Now that I’m back to par, I’m resuming my fatherly role.”
     
    “Getting better,” Cass corrected.  “Because your daughter won’t let you do all the things you aren’t supposed to do, but try valiantly nonetheless.”
     
    “Come on.”  He wrapped his arms around her and ruffled her hair like she was the little girl he sometimes forgot she no longer was.
     
    “Dad!  Stop it!”  Cass pushed him back.  “You messed up my hair.”
     
    Mike tossed her the keys.  “I’ll be right back.”  He locked up the house and returned to the idling car.
     
    “I can’t wait to meet her.”  Cass was genuinely excited.  “And I know you can’t either.”
     
    The seatbelt alarm beeped and Mike buckled.  “Of course I want to meet her.”
     
    “Did you remember your inhaler?” 
     
    “Stop worrying about me, I’m fine.”
     
    “Did you?”  She glared at him.
     
    “It’s in my carry on.  Are you going to be like this the entire week?”
     
    “If I have to be.” 
     
    Mike smiled at his daughter.  The average nineteen year old girl would not want to spend a week with their father on vacation.  But Cass was not the average girl.  There was no lingering teenage angst.  And since his accident their relationship had only grown closer, stronger.
    The only visible after a ffect from that fateful day was a scar that ran from his left temple to his cheekbone.  All of his other battle scars could be covered properly by clothing.  After he’d been released from the hospital, Cass moved home to help until he was able to take care of himself.  The first weeks were marginally manageable at best, but she made it all bearable, never lodging a single complaint. 
     
    Mike wished a better life for Cass.  A life without pain and loss.  Without rejection and fear.   She was a joyous girl, but he wondered sometimes if it was all a front.  
                 
    Mike dug out his cell phone and dialed.
     
    “You two must be leaving for North Carolina,” Chance answered on the other end.
     
    “Heading to the airport now.”
     
    “We’ll take good care off Sammy, I promise.”  Sammy was Mike’s black Labrador Retriever puppy, all of eight months old.  Cass brought her home as a present a month after his accident, a house buddy as she called her.  Mike wasn’t very receptive initially, but he warmed up quickly to the little pup. 
     
    “She’ll fit right into the madness here.”  Chance laughed.
     
    “How are you feeling?”
     
    “Mitch told you, huh.”
     
    “You know he can’t keep a secret.”
     
    “And they say women are gossips.”
     
    “Congratulations.” 
     
    “Yeah, we’ll have our hands full now.”
     
    “Don’t give him too hard a time for telling me.”
     
    “I won’t.  He’s excited.  I’m happy he’s excited.  He’s a great father.”
     
    “I know he is.”  Men didn’t come any better than Mitchell Meyers. “I called to let you know I left a bag of food in the garage if Mitch wants to swing by and pick it up on his way home.  She’s a hog.  Hopefully that will last, if not I’ll repay you when we get back.”
     
    “Mike, please!  You think we’re worried about a bag of dog food?  Enjoy your vacation and relax.  R-E-L-A-X.”
     
    “That’s all I’ve been doing for almost four months.”
     
    “This is your last week of relaxing, so enjoy it.”
     
    “I’ll try.  Thank you guys for taking her.”
     
    “Not a problem.  She’s a good girl.  You guys have a good trip.”
     
    “Thanks again.”
     
    “Bye, Mike.”
     
    *****
     
    “Tom, he’s a tool.”
     
    “We’ve been over this.  You say that about all of your co-drivers,” Tom responded.
     
    “But he really