“Hi, sweetie.”
Becca had her hands in the air so Alana picked her up. The hug she got warmed her heart.
“I was so excited when Daddy said you were coming for dinner. I can’t wait to show you my new dance.”
“One of you and your father?” She was looking past Becca’s head to see Brennan squinting at her. He looked much better than he had this morning when he came to work.
He wasn’t as pale as yesterday when she’d caught him barely covered leaving his bathroom. Well, the color filled his cheeks for a few moments, but you still saw the whiteness under it.
She hadn’t been able to get the image of him half naked with a towel wrapped around his waist out of her mind.
She was lucky that she’d been able to function in his kitchen to provide him with that small breakfast.
“No,” Becca said. “Just me. Daddy has been sick.”
“I know,” she said. “He missed work yesterday.”
“I forgot you work with Daddy.”
There was no reason to add that she’d been here for the night taking care of Brennan. Some things a kid didn’t need to know.
“I do. I’m glad to know you didn’t get sick.”
Becca was shaking her head, her hair flying around her face. “Nope. Not me. I’ve got strong genes. Grandma says so. But I missed Daddy.”
“Just a night at my mother’s,” he said. “But remember, Daddy might have to go to Boston or off the island for work in the future and you’ll have to do that again.”
“I know,” Becca said. “It will be fun.”
Brennan still had clients in Boston or out of the city. Mostly, a lot of the work could be done remotely.
“What did you bring?” he asked, looking at the bag in her hand.
She set Becca down and handed it over. “Chocolate chip cookies. I didn’t make them. Didn’t have time, but I picked them up.”
“I love chocolate chip cookies,” Becca said, racing down the hall and back. “They are my favorite.”
“I heard that,” she said, putting her hand on the little girl’s head and giving it a tender rub when she stopped. Dang, this kid had energy to spare.
“Will you braid my hair while Daddy cooks?”
“I can do that,” she said. Becca took off. “Where did she go?”
“To get a brush and a rubber band,” he said. He moved closer to her and gave her a kiss on the lips. “Wanted to sneak that in quickly.”
“I was hoping you would. I didn’t get one yesterday.”
“I didn’t know if I still had germs to pass on.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered at that point,” she said quietly. “I’d already been in your room while you were breathing.”
“Don’t remind me. I spent all day yesterday trying to disinfect the house. I’m more than embarrassed over the condition that you saw me in and my bedroom.”
“Everyone gets sick, Brennan. Think nothing of it.”
“I’m trying not to,” he said.
“Here, Alana,” Becca said, dashing back in.
