“Already am.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” And with that subject covered, it might be time for him to leave. Dennis stays right where he is.
I clear my throat, ignoring the discomfort in my gut. “Something else on your mind?”
A suspicious gleam flickers in his gaze. “Rumor has it that Ronnie is doing better lately.”
My eyes move to the framed picture of her on my desk. Warmth spreads through my veins at the sight. She’s buried in sand at the beach, smiling wide for the camera. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky or a worry in the world that day.
“You could say that,” I hedge.
“Does it have anything to do with that nanny you hired?”
I study my uncle for a brief pause. That sparkle in his eyes is even brighter now. It warns me to tread carefully.
“Frankie seems to be having a positive impact,” I admit.
“She’s Colton’s cousin, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Are you concerned that she was part of James Keller’s crew?”
“Are you?” I counter.
Dennis chuckles and reclines deeper in his chair. “I’m not the one who invited her into my home.”
“Ronnie was very insistent.”
“I have a daughter who thinks she knows what’s best too. Doesn’t mean she actually does.”
A casual shrug is my initial response. “Frankie is on somewhat of a probation period. I haven’t left her alone at thehouse with Ronnie. What she does on her own time isn’t as big of a concern. If she chooses to take my trust for granted and steals from me, I’ll gladly hand her over to the cops.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time, hmm?”
“That served its purpose.” And I smirk recalling Frankie’s reaction.
Dennis grins too. “Don’t blame ya for tryin’ to fence her in. She’s a beautiful woman.”
My humor sobers. “Is she? I hadn’t noticed.”
He wags a knobby finger at me. “I’m old, but not blind. It’ll be nice for you to have a feminine touch in the house again.”
I scowl. “The nanny is for Ronnie. It’s her job to make my daughter happy. Once Frankie no longer does that, she’s free to go.”
He leans forward and pats my fist. “I understand, son. My Marion just passed. I can’t imagine ever moving on, but I’m near the end of my time. You’ve got decades left to live. No reason to spend them alone.”
My heart clenches. Dennis shares the pain of grieving a spouse. It’s been almost six years since I lost Nina. I haven’t attempted to move on or fill the gaping hole she left behind. All of my effort went into being the best father I could be for our little girl.
Frankie put an end to my dry spell, but it was meaningless. Heat floods me and I curse her name. It’s just the lack of sex, or physical contact in general. I went too long without intimacy. That’s all. She’s nothing special.
“My daughter is my sole priority,” I state evenly.
“Sure, sure. Strictly professional with the nanny,” Dennis concedes. “Will we see you at Thanksgiving?”
I shake my head. “Bianca invited us, but we’re going to stay home this year. Hope that’s okay.”
He waves me off. “It’s good to stay put and start your own traditions. You’ve got your hands full over there.”