Wait for Me Read Online Free Page A

his face. “Where’d you learn about the effects of stress anyway?”
    “At school. You know, that private institution you spend a fortune to send me to? I learn a lot at school.”
    “Nice to know my money’s being put to good use.” He headed into the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.
    “I’m on the brink of womanhood,” she said after him. “Lots of girls my age are already getting their periods.”
    He choked on his water. “Please. It’s not even eight in the morning, I’m jet-lagged, and you’re only nine.”
    “So?” She looked right at Mitch, who seemed to be enjoying the banter. “It’s right around the corner. You’re going to have to deal with it, Dad. And while I’m thinking of it, I need a bra. We should probably go shopping for one sometime soon. Maybe today.” She reached for the dice, then flashed a devilish grin his way. “I was thinking of getting one of those red lacy ones like the girls wear in your Maxim magazines.”
    “God, help me,” he managed, heat creeping right up his face.
    Mitch laughed and walked into the kitchen. He poured himself another cup of coffee then patted Ryan on the back. “Damn it all to hell if she’s not just like her mother.”
    “Don’t I know it,” Ryan said as he eyed his daughter. She not only looked like Annie, she sounded just like her too. Same smart-ass attitude and dry sense of humor. His chest tightened as he remembered Annie’s quirky grin, the deep dimple in her cheek when she smiled. The way she could make him laugh no matter the situation.
    “Are you okay, Daddy?” Julia’s smile faded. She only ever called him Daddy when she was worried about him. The rest of the time it was Dad or more lately, just “hey, you”.
    “Yeah,” he said quietly. “I am now.”
    “Good. Me too. I’m gonna go up and get dressed.” She slipped off the chair again and crossed to him. When he eased down, she pulled him in for a tight hug and kissed his cheek. “I’m glad you’re home. I love you, Daddy.”
    “I love you, babe.” On a long breath, he watched her head out of the room and up the back stairs. He didn’t need to worry about her so much, but he did. Truth was, she was way more together most of the time than he was. She’d had to grow up much too fast over the past five years. No nine-year-old should have to worry about her father’s state of mind day in and day out, but Julia did.
    He raked a hand through his already disheveled hair. “Son of a bitch, she’s growing up way too fast.”
    Mitch grinned. “Yeah, I know. You’re gonna be in a world of hurt in a couple of years.”
    “I know.” Ryan rubbed a hand over his chest, trying to ease the knot growing there. “Maxim? Where the hell did that come from?” He shook his head. “It scares the crap out of me. Thank God you’re here to shelter some of the blow.”
    “Don’t look at me, buddy. I’m not a parent. I reserve the right to turn a blind eye to issues dealing with puberty and sex. I deflect all that crap back to you.”
    Ryan grimaced again. “Don’t mention the words puberty and sex in the same sentence with my baby girl.”
    Mitch rummaged through the kitchen cupboards, searching for God only knew what. “Where are Kathy and Roger?” Ryan asked, watching him.
    “We sent them off to get breakfast. Mom’s been a little…stressed…since the crash yesterday. Too hard for her to deal with. I don’t know that she’s ever gonna get on a plane again. She may just be stuck here for good.”
    “God help us,” Ryan muttered. He loved his in-laws, and he appreciated that they flew down from Seattle whenever he needed help with Julia, but a man had limits.
    Mitch found a box of Froot Loops in the pantry. “Hot damn!” He leaned back against the counter and fished out a handful of cereal. “I haven’t had this stuff since I was a kid.”
    Ryan glanced at the box. “That’s probably from when you were a kid. I don’t remember buying