Unfortunately, that was exactly where Dad spent most of his mornings. Peeking in through the window, I saw only his feet propped up on the chair beside his.
It’s going to be a close call today. But it was either this or the front door.
I’d showered with Lincoln, but I was still in last night’s party dress. It would be a dead giveaway if he caught me climbing into the house while wearing yesterday’s clothes.
When I heard the kettle starting to boil, I decided to take my shot. I only needed the minute it would take him to freshen up his coffee.
Practically diving onto the daybed as soon as I saw his feet move, I tucked my knees in and rolled to the edge. There was a pause of movement from the kitchen, and I froze, worried he’d heard me.
But then a spoon clinked against the side of his mug, and I relaxed. Without wasting any more time, I flung my legs over the edge. When my feet hit the floor, I took off across the living room and up the stairs.
I ran on my tiptoes, just getting to the top landing when I heard Dad’s chair scrape against the floor as he sat down again. I shook my ass in victory, allowing myself only a minute to celebrate before closing my bedroom door.
After I cleaned up a little, brushed my hair, and pulled it into a bun on top of my head, I threw on a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. Satisfied that I didn’t look like I’d just snuck in as I gave myself a critical onceover in the mirror, I nodded at my reflection and headed for my door.
Dad was reading the newspaper when I walked into the kitchen. He looked up, his eyes narrowing for a minute as he looked me over. Then he relaxed.
“Where have you been?” he asked gruffly. “There’s coffee.”
“Thanks.” I flitted over to the cabinet with our mugs and fixed myself a cup before going to join him at the table. “I hung out with Haley. We fell asleep, and I ended up staying over.”
Dad set the newspaper down, lifting his mug in one hand as he turned his full attention on me. “That’s nice. She must have missed you while you were gone. You two have always been so close.”
“It’s definitely hard being so far away from the two of you. I know it’s not technically that far, but it’s weird that I can’t just pop into the deli to say hi to her at lunchtime or have coffee with you in the mornings.”
He scratched his chin as he nodded. “It’s all part of growing up. I think it’s been an adjustment for us all, though.”
“I’m glad I got to be at your party,” I said before blowing steam across the surface of my mug. “It was nice. Did you have fun?”
“I enjoyed it,” he replied. I wasn’t surprised. Dad wasn’t really the type to call anything fun.
“That’s what it was all about, I guess. It must have been nice to get caught up with all your friends and colleagues. I know many of them have moved away.”
“It was good of them to come,” he said. A scowl formed on his rugged face and storm clouds formed in his eyes. “The night would have been a lot better if Dobbs and Phillips hadn’t shown up during the prayer.”
I nearly choked on the steam, clearing my throat to disguise it. “Dobbs and Phillips?”
“Lincoln Dobbs and his trusty sidekick, Eden Phillips.” His scowl deepened. “That boy has the most potential with the least desire to fulfill it I’ve ever seen.”
“Which boy?” I knew I was playing dumb, but I had to.
“Lincoln Dobbs.” My father said his name slowly, like a villain in a superhero movie might name his nemesis. “It’s a shame. He could have been great. He’s a natural leader, he’s smart, he’s strong in strategy, but he’s not putting any of his talents to good use.”
“Maybe he’ll grow into them.” There were a few talents he’d definitely put to good use last night, but I didn’t think his tongue or fingers would help much on the battlefield.
Plus, there was a very good chance that Dad would shoot him if he ever found out I knew about that particular skillset of Lincoln’s. I liked the guy. I’d rather not have his brains spattered against a wall.
It had become clear to me now why Lincoln had been so awkward after I’d told him who I was. Most recruits didn’t like my father, but I’d rarely heard such open animosity about them from him. Obviously, the two of them butted heads regularly.
“I had hopes that he’d grow into them, but he’s becoming more and more of a wildcard. It’s getting to the point where he’s putting his teammates in danger, and they don’t even see it.”
“He can’t be that bad,” I argued. “If his teammates are still following him, he’s got to be good at some level.”
“He dangerous,” Dad grunted, his eyes turning to slits. “There’s nothing good about him. He’s only fooled everyone into thinking that there is.”
I couldn’t agree with my dad’s assessment of him. Although he’d known him for much, much longer than I had and had spent more time with him, I had a feeling Dad’s judgment was clouded.
Lincoln had seemed like a good enough guy to me. “Luckily, you don’t have to worry about him much longer.”
“Damn right,” he muttered, but somehow, it didn’t sound like we were talking about the same thing. I’d been referring to Dad’s retirement. The malicious gleam in his eyes, though, made me wonder what he’d been talking about.
Before I could ask, his face finally relaxed, and he picked up his paper again. “You’re going to be with a good man one day, and it won’t be anyone like Lincoln. That’s the only man I’ll have to
