Page 33 of Daddy’s Protecting

“You’re welcome,” he answered cheerfully and quickly nested all the bags together. “I’ll put this in the guestroom closet.”

She followed him back down the hall and waited for him to store the suitcases out of the way. When he joined her, Dirk took her hand to lead her to the kitchen.

“What sounds good to you for dinner?” he asked.

“I made chicken caesar salads. They’re in the refrigerator.”

“You didn’t need to do that, but yum! That sounds perfect after a long day.”

Dirk opened the refrigerator to find two beautiful salads, sliced chicken, and a jar of white dressing. He set those on the counter and closed the door.

“Don’t forget the parmesan cheese,” she requested. “Thanks for having the groceries delivered. That stuff in a jar…”

Dirk laughed at her grimace. “It’s good on spaghetti,” he defended himself.

“No, it isn’t,” she corrected him, vigorously shaking her head. “Can I finish the salads while you make drinks?”

“You want some more of Daddy’s special chocolate milk, huh?”

“Yes, please.”

“You got it.”

Dirk busied himself crafting a large glass of chocolate milk and poured himself a beer. Carrying them over to the table, he set them down before returning for the silverware and the completed salads that Cynthia had concocted. They settled in the same chairs they’d always sat in when eating at the table.

It feels good to have a place, Cynthia thought. Apprehensive that he wouldn’t like the food she’d prepared, she watched him take a bite and chew.

“Mmm! These are delicious. Thank you for making us dinner.”

“Yay! I’m glad. You’re welcome. It’s the least I could do. You’re being so nice to me.”

“Not nice, Little girl. I’m being your Daddy.”

Cynthia nodded and took a bite of her salad. It did taste good. Happy that everything had come together well, she relaxed a bit.

“I thought we’d eat healthy and then have a couple of those.” She pointed to the box of caramels sitting on the table. The grocery store had delivered them, along with the healthy itemsshe’d put on the list. She’d already eaten a couple. Cynthia knew he wouldn’t mind.

“How did your day go?” she asked.

“It went fine. I’m working on a case of a foreign company who is trying to welch out of producing some components Easton paid them for a couple months ago. He’s switched his purchase to those in this country only now, but we won’t let them weasel out of a signed contract.”

“Are they being unpleasant?” she asked, fascinated to hear what he normally did.

“Not really. They aren’t responding to phone calls, emails, or text messages to those in charge of that division.”

“So, what will you do?”

“Defaults on international contracts are tricky. I’m working with the embassy and state department there. Today, I reached out to a business that they are trying to merge with.”

“To warn them they’re jerks?” Cynthia asked before placing a slice of chicken in her mouth.

“Of course not. We don’t want to be sued for slander even though that’s true. I simply reached out to the other business asking if they have the resources to produce the product we need since this other corporation is finding the elements unlocatable.”

“Ooo! You’re good,” Cynthia said with a smirk.

“That’s why Easton keeps me around,” he stated.

Sadness wrapped around Cynthia. She’d screwed up so badly. No one would keep her around now.

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