Page 77 of Daddy By Design

I laughed. Firestarter had never been her favorite horror movie. My sister tended toward the classic stalker horror flicks with a few forays into slasher movies.

“Speaking of Gideon. I’m using Dahlia’s design studio to renovate my house.”

“So, that’s why she’s been trying to get ahold of me. Things have been crazy with the end of the year for the kids and work.” She arched her brow at me. “Let me get this straight, you are hiring her even after she vandalized your truck?”

“You should see the designs she has for the remodel. She might be a little unhinged?—”

“Dahlia? Are we speaking about the same woman? Yay high?” She held her hand at her shoulder. “Maybe yay high with those ankle breakers she likes?” She went up to her eye level.

“Yeah. Dahlia McKenna. I can’t imagine there’s two of them in this world. If there are, we’re definitely living in one of those Marvel movies.”

She snorted. “Dahlia is usually levelheaded. She’s got a killer sense of humor, but she’s not over the top about things.”

“Guess I’m just lucky.”

“Hmm.” She narrowed her eyes.

Hopefully, I didn’t have a neon light over my head that said I’d had sex with one of her friends. Not awesome. “If you’re good with it, I’d like to talk to Gideon about doing the work.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Really living in that guilt pit, huh?”

I leaned against the door. “TJ and Dahlia are inclined to work with him. He did the Haunt, didn’t he?”

“He did. I mean, I think he’s the best contractor around, but I might be a bit biased.” She winked at me. “He’s good with his hands.”

“Oh, hell. Don’t...no.”

She laughed. “Well, he did knock me up. Twice!”

“Gah. Okay, I’m going.” I straightened and opened the door. I glanced down at her middle. “You’re okay, though?” I made a little circle in the air. “Sick?”

I flashed back to the meeting with a very green and pale Shelby. Wonder if she had the same affliction.

“Not this time. Evidently, Michael was the one to give me all the trouble. Gideon’s demon seed.” She waggled her eyebrows.

“Okay.” I stepped up into the cab of my truck. “That’s enough for me.”

She held the door as I was about to close it. “Listen. I want to get to know you again. I want my kids to know you.”

I nodded. “I want that too. Why I came back.”

“I thought it was for the haunted house.”

“Not you, too.”

“Look, pal. We live in a town that knocks up women at a rate that could only be called supernatural. A ghost isn’t out of the realm as far as I’m concerned.”

I shook my head. “You all are crazy. But I do love that house. Just thought it was a sign.”

“You don’t believe in ghosts, but you’re good with signs?”

“Doesn’t make a lick of sense. I’m just going to shut my damn mouth.”

She shut the door and stood back. “Next Sunday. Family dinner.”

My gut jittered. “Am I just a friend?” I put my sunglasses back on.

“The invite is for Uncle No.” She sauntered off with a wave.

---