Page 36 of Milk & Cookie

“I want to talk to this man alone,” she says, coming toward me. “If he can’t handle that, then he’s definitely up to something, so you’ll be wiser for it either way.”

Fred purses her lips and looks to me.

I give her a nod. “It’s okay,” I assure her. “I’ll be brave.”

She quirks her lips in an almost-smile before she sighs. “I’ll be back the second I hear something I don’t like,” she says and heads inside.

“What in the world do you want with my daughter?” Gail demands to know.

“Love. Acceptance. A family. To live happily ever after.” The words are automatic and true, but Gail snorts, and I frown.

“Why is that so funny?” I ask. “Is it so hard to believe that I adore your daughter? That I’d love to be with her and help her raise a bunch of kids? She’s amazing.”

“I know how amazing she is.” Gail sets her feet in a defensive stance. “I doubt you’ve had long enough to have any clue at all.”

“I would like to know her better,” I admit. “But I know how I feel about her. I knew within five minutes. Could feel it in my bones. We’re meant for each other.”

She rolls her eyes and scoffs. “Do you think I was born yesterday? I’m not falling for that fake-love, romantic bullshit, and if Fred’s so gullible she’s fallen for it, we’ll be having words. I taught her better than that.”

“It’s not fake or bullshit.” I’m offended she’d think I’m lying. “I’ve been looking for her all my life. I know what she is.”

“And what’s that?”

Mine.

I think it, but I don’t say it. A young woman’s mother may be about the worst person to make that claim to. It should be reserved for the bedroom and for making sure other men understand there’ll be repercussions for any inappropriate attention.

“The One,” I say instead, which is the same thing but less growly and possessive.

Gail snorts again. “Where in the world did she find you? You actually sound like you believe it.”

“Because I do,” I say as calmly as I can.

Is she trying to rile me? Hoping to prove a point? She thinks I’ll lose my cool and become dangerous? I sigh and lower my gaze, so she won’t feel threatened. “Gail, I understand why you may feel defensive, but I promise you, I have nothing but good intentions toward your daughter and her family — including you.”

“So what’s your plan?” she asks, ignoring my declaration. “You’re going to move in here with us? Raise some giant kids? Probably kill her in the process? Are you hoping to inherit the land when that happens? Because it’s in Morrissey’s name, and I’ll be making damned sure you never get your hands on any kind of adoption papers or whatever you’d need to steal it out from under her.”

I raise my palms in an attempt to stop her line of thought. “Whoa. Hang on a second there, Gail.” I step forward, and she moves back. “The last thing I want is for these girls to be without their mama or their livelihood. I’m not a monster, and this isn’t about money. I have a ton already. I’ve been saving for the life I want to live since I was a teen. I have a lucrative business, and when you’re childless and have basically been single for as long as I have, it builds up pretty fast. I’m not trying to do anything immoral; I just found a beautiful girl who’s not scared of my size — or of speaking her mind — and I want a chance to prove to her that I’m worth her time.”

Gail narrows her eyes. “What kind of work do you do?”

“I’m a private investigator.”

Her eyes fly wide. “Get out.”

Fred bursts onto the porch, her expression one of shock and concern. “Mom, what?—”

Gail points at me and addresses Fred in a harsh tone. “Where did he find you?”

Fred plunges her eyebrows downward and flinches. “It’s more like I found him. Why are you yelling?”

Gail shakes her head. “A private investigator just happened to fall in your path? Uh-uh. I forbid this, Frederica.”

Fred’s confused expression intensifies, and she looks at me. “He does research, Mom.”

I wince, and her eyes grow rounder than her mothers. “You’re a P.I.?” She ushers her mom toward the door. “Did he send you?”

“What?” I look around for answers, as I follow. “Who?”

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