In fact, her mother would like to live in denial that he worked for the police force at all, never mind her only daughter.
Eve bypassed the food table—piled with watermelon slices, chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and a bowl of kettle chips—and headed straight for the cooler. Pulled out a root beer, dripping and chilly.
“Hey Evie Bear.”
“Dad, please.”
He grinned at her, winked. Dressed in his jeans and a purple Minnesota Vikings t-shirt, Detective Mulligan didn’t quite inspire the fear he did when hunting down a murderer. She leaned into a one-armed hug from him.
“Are you okay?” She stepped back, looked him over.
“I’m fine.” He turned to the grill, opened it, testing the burgers. The smell of summer billowed into the air. “Why?”
She ran her thumb down the side of the can. Glanced out toward the dock where Sams was now bobbing in the water with one ski, waiting for Lucas to hit it.
Her father closed the grill. Stood looking out at the water as Sams shouted. Lucas revved the boat and Sams popped up on one ski.
“I heard about the shooting.” She didn’t know why she admitted it, but…well, Rem had been so…unraveled.
She sort of thought her father might be—
“From whom?”
She drew in a breath.
“Stone, right?”
“Dad. He was just—he’s worried about you. Says that maybe this Hassan guy will try and come after you.”
“He should worry about himself. I wasn’t the guy chasing Hassan.”
“But you killed his brother.”
Her father’s mouth tightened.
“Do you think you’re in danger?”
He looked at her now, his eyes losing the veneer of playfulness. “I’m always in danger, honey. But that’s the job, right?”
His words reached in and found her heart, squeezed.
“Eve!”
The voice, coming from the porch, turned her.
Her mother stood on the deck. “Did you bring the ice cream?”
The ice cream. “Sorry!” She turned to her father. “Whoops.”
“Caught up in a case?” He raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll run out after we eat and get some. Have a burger.” He scooped one onto a bun and handed her the plate.
She wandered down to the shore, watching Sams ski by, shredding the water. Asher sat on the end of the dock and she settled down next to him with her plate.
“Hey,” he said, glancing over. “I thought you were bringing your friend.”
She frowned. “Really?”
He shrugged. “Maybe not. It’s just…” He smiled. “I think he likes you. I saw you two kissing—”