Read Online The Firefighter Daddy by Margaret Daley - Free Book Online Page A

“Right?”
    â€œNope. Gabe might get jealous if we only play with the kittens.”
    â€œGood. Any of the days from Tuesday through Saturday that you all can come will be a bonus for Gabe and the kittens.” Sarah asked, gathering up the plates, “What’s for dessert?”
    â€œBanana pudding. Nothing fancy.” As she continued stacking the dishes, he captured her hand as it reached for his utensils. “What are you doing?”
    â€œCleaning up the table.” She scanned their faces then winced. “Sorry. A habit. At our house whoever cooks doesn’t clean up. The others do. So it falls to me and Nana. My mom always insists on cooking, and I gladly let her.”
    â€œHmm. An interesting policy. What do—” He started to ask the girls if they wanted to do that but stopped. He realized he was asking a question that would no doubt elicit a big no from both of them. “Tell you what. Girls, one of you clears the table while the other puts them in the dishwasher. I’ll rinse them off. And one day a week, you two will be the cook. With some help from me. You’ve been wanting to learn.” The memory of the concoction they’d recently made shivered through his thoughts.
    â€œAnd you’ll totally clean up that day?” Madison asked, doubt in her voice.
    He nodded. “I think it’s time I teach you both how to cook.”
    Katie clapped while Madison scrutinized him for a long moment before saying, “Yes.”
    â€œBut for tonight, we’ll all clear the dishes, and I’ll clean them up later. We don’t have a lot of time before you’ll need to get ready for bed. It’s a school day tomorrow.”
    Both girls hopped to their feet, took some of the dishes Sarah had stacked in front of her and set them on the counter by the sink.
    â€œCan we get the supplies out?” Madison asked.
    â€œSure. I’ll dish up the dessert and bring it into the den.” Liam checked the wall clock. “We only have an hour.”
    His nieces ran from the kitchen.
    He waited a minute, glancing toward the doorway. “I’ve had to fight them every meal so far. What do you think? Will this work?”
    â€œHopefully, but knowing kids, there will be some slipups. Be prepared for them.”
    â€œYeah, with Madison, I’d be surprised if she didn’t. She loves to test me.”
    â€œMost kids do.”
    â€œThat’s what the guys in my single dads’ group told me the first time I went.” He rose. “Do you want dessert?”
    â€œYes, I love banana pudding. Do you use vanilla wafers in it?”
    â€œThat’s the only kind. I used to eat half of it in one sitting. That frustrated Mom until she started doubling the recipe.” He opened the refrigerator and removed a bowl. “I’ll bring yours and the girls’ into the den.”
    â€œThen I’ll go see how they’re doing.”
    When she left, Liam scooped some pudding into four bowls and set them on a tray with spoons. As he made his way to the den, he thought back to what Sarah had told him before dinner about losing her husband. That had saddened him. Hopefully she would get the chance to be a wife and mother again in the future. He’d eventually learned to accept that he wouldn’t father a child, but it had taken time. From her expression when talking about it, he didn’t think she had accepted the loss of her husband yet. He’d accepted that Terri left him three years ago, but he still couldn’t forgive her for how she’d done it.
    As he neared the room, Madison said, “I can’t believe he’s gonna teach us to cook.”
    â€œWhy do you want to learn?” Sarah asked, stopping Liam a foot from the door.
    â€œBecause Daddy did. She wants to do anything he did. What do you think of this kitten?” Katie’s voice grew more excited as she spoke.
    â€œA pink cat? That’s