Page 56 of Wingwoman
I swallowed against my drying throat and said, “Well, I’m surprised you didn’t name this one Olaf.”
“Why?” Viv looked at me blankly.
“Because… Elsa. And Anna?”
Nothing. Complete vacancy in that stare of hers.
“You know… fromFrozen?” I tried again and glanced back at a very bemused looking Josh.
“I don’t know what that is, dear.”
I cleared my throat. “It’s uh… a movie. A really famous movie. I figured that’s why you chose their names. You know what? Never mind. Forget I said anything.”
Wow.
She waved me off. “Anyway, when Rick brought Ollie home, that was the moment I knew he was the one. I knew then I was going to marry this man.” Hearts were practically coming out of her eyes as she told the story, looking up at my dad.
He could barely keepmealive for eighteen years. And he had abandoned four children from his first marriage… but saving one stupid dog’s life in his retirement years won her over.
Um, sure. Whatever, lady.
I cleared my throat and plastered on a fake smile. “Well, aren’t you just a regular Dr. Doolittle now, Dad?”
Viv leaned in and gave me a loud, dramatic whisper. “I’m trying to convince him to adopt a house goat next.”
“Are house goats even athing?”
Josh barked a laugh. “Oh yes. My neighbor has four goats. Helps keep the lawn nice and trim.”
Dad chuckled, even though up until now he’d been pretty quiet. “That’s exactly what Viv keeps saying. Almost has me convinced, too, if there's less mowing.”
“And you can get fresh goat’s milk from it!” Viv exclaimed, clapping excitedly. “We already have the fresh eggs from the chickens!”
“You have chickens?!” I screeched. If the two patrons at the cafe weren’t looking at us before, they certainly were now.
How the hell did I not know any of this? And who was this man standing in front of me? My dad was not a farmer. He was not outdoorsy. He was a selfish alcoholic.
Viv clicked her tongue. “Come to think of it, I can’t believe you’ve been here for almost two weeks and you still haven’t come by to see the house!”
It’d been almost three weeks, but who was counting?
Dad smiled warmly at me. “You really do need to come see it, Lovebug.”
“Besides,” Viv continued, “your dad already had his bachelor party a few weeks ago.”
I nodded. Nowthatsounded more likely.
“He and my brothers went on a camping trip,” Viv continued.
That… didnotsound more likely.
I snorted a laugh. “No, really, Dad. What did you do?”
He smirked in return. “Have you gone deaf? We went camping. The guys taught me how to fish.”
I was truly unsure what to do with that information. Rendered speechless. Which was not a state I was typically in. In the last year since Dad moved to Austin, it seemed like he’d had a complete personality overhaul. If not for his fiery red hair and brown eyes that matched mine, I wasn’t sure I’d even recognize him anymore.
“Okay. Welp. This has been a fun catch-up, but I really should get going before dinner.” I paused, spinning to face Josh. “Andyouhave a date to get ready for.”
