Page 13 of Daddy’s Fortitude

“Because Charlie doesn’t have any friends. I mean . . . didn’t . . . he didn’t have any friends.”

“No? Are you sure about that?”

Actually, she wasn’t. Charlie wasn’t well liked around here. Or he hadn’t been until he’d died. Now that he was gone, everyone had something nice to say about him. It was bizarre. However, that didn’t mean he didn’t have friends from his past.

“You were in the Navy together?” she asked. “I met Charlie when he was in the Navy.”

“I know. He told me about you. I got notification of his death in an email.”

“So you came for the funeral? It’s not for a few days.”

“Yeah, I came for the funeral. But also, I came here for you, Aimee. I’m here to look after you.”

5

Aimee was aware that she was staring again. She couldn’t seem to help herself. It was just that everything that came out of his mouth was so surprising.

Or annoying.

“You’re here to look after me,” she asked.

He nodded. “Yep.”

“But I don’t know you. I don’t even know your name.” Which was weird.

“It’s Ammo Grayson.”

She searched for any memory of Charlie mentioning someone called Ammo. Maybe back when they’d first met, but she felt sure she’d remember a name like his.

“Is that short for something?” she asked, trying to stall.

Charlie had never mentioned this guy, and yet here he was, claiming to be here for her.

She was fairly certain that Charlie had never done something to earn this sort of loyalty. Although Charlie used to be different. So maybe he had done something in the past to earn this guy’s loyalty.

“It’s a nickname I was given in the Navy.”

Right, maybe it would pay not to think too closely about why he’d been given a nickname like Ammo.

“It’s really kind that you came here to check on me,” she told him. “I guess you and Charlie used to be friends. I hope you won’t be offended, but I don’t remember him mentioning you.”

“Not offended,” he said.

No, he didn’t seem like the type to get offended easily.

“However, I’m fine. I don’t need any help.” She got up and headed toward the front door, hoping he’d take the hint.

He walked out behind her, but instead of moving to the front door, he headed into the living room and glanced down at all the letters on the coffee table.

Shit. Why had she left them out there like that?

Did he know they were all bills? Hopefully not.

“You don’t need any help, huh? Well, considering what I did for you this morning, I’d have to argue that you do.”

She put her hands on her hips, frustrated. She could feel Kevin move in her hair. Normally, he just sat there peacefully, but there was something about this guy that made him wriggle around.

Probably out of irritation over his voice. It was rather deep and manly.