Hennessey's Handler (Protect and Serve #4) - Pandora Pine Page 0,57

wiped the bar down with a white towel.

The men grumbled but didn’t seem offended.

“They’re regulars. Out of work and picking up per diem jobs whenever they can,” Hennessey whispered.

“I might know someone who needs a hand, so long as they don’t mind getting a little dog shit on their shoes.” I laughed. Poop patrol had been the worst part of working for my father. If that had been one of his conditions in exchange for Skeletor, I would have been out.

“Tell me more about that after they’ve gone. They’re really good guys. Hard workers too, but the state added additional fishery restrictions, which resulted in fewer boats and layoffs.” Hennessey shook his head sadly.

I wasn’t sure what my father would think of my suggestion for help at the kennel, but he could use help watering, feeding, and cleaning up after the dogs, especially with Westminster coming up.

When the Uber driver walked into the bar, Hennessey escorted the men out the door. They waved to me and thanked me for buying a round. It was the least I could do.

“Just another Wednesday night at Bait.” Hennessey grinned.

“I guess so.” I smiled at the girlfriends waving to us as they headed for the door.

“Can I get you another beer?” Hennessey asked when they were gone.

I shook my head. “How about that passion fruit iced tea?”

Hennessey nodded and poked his head in the kitchen before he made two drinks. “Seth’s gonna keep an eye on things for a bit. Once the regulars are gone for the night, things really slow down.” He escorted us to our booth and slid into the seat facing the door.

“The idea of the puppy went over well with your brothers.”

“Not just them, with the whole firehouse.” Hennessey laughed. “I want to hear all about this business with your father.”

I sighed. It wasn’t like I didn’t know this was coming. I just wasn’t used to spilling my guts so freely to someone else. “I like your father. He’s a good man.”

Hennessey narrowed his eyes on me but stayed quiet.

“He has this easy manner about him, but the thing I liked the most was how he made everyone feel welcome in their own way. He had jokes for Kennedy and hugs for Lola and Sophie. Hell, he had a hug for me too and asked after Ahab, telling me to bring him with me the next time I came over. He actually expected there would be a next time.”

“That’s my father. Doesn’t have a mean bone in his body and loves the people we bring home. We used to say he and my mom collected strays, but it’s more than that. They collected a family of their own making.”

I nodded along. “That’s exactly what I thought.” I took a sip of my tea before facing Hennessey again. “My father isn’t like that at all. He was never welcoming to anyone, least of all my mother and me. I know it’s going to sound ridiculous, but I haven’t given up hope that he can turn things around. Before I was just his snotty kid living off his coattails. Now, I’m established in a career that I built.”

Hennessey was silent. I could see the wheels turning in his mind as if he were trying to figure out a way to say what was on his mind without offending me. “Just say what you’re thinking.”

“I absolutely understand you wanting to make things right with your father. Quentin was the same way with his mother. He was the one foster brother who went back and forth from his bio-mom to us several times. Each time he’d settle back in with us and be excited to go back home. She wasn’t on drugs or booze, but she was a bit of a hoarder and had trouble keeping a job. Quentin finally got to a point in high school where he had himself emancipated and came to live with us forever. It was just too hard to keep trying to change someone who had no interest in changing.” He paused, looking up at me, I assumed to gauge my reaction.

I understood what Hennessey was getting at and loved him for it. He wasn’t telling me what I should do, just pointing out what he’d seen in the past with a brother he loved. “I knew he’d like the idea of me coming to him for help. It’s why I did it that way.”

“I’m sure he did, but,” Hennessey took a deep breath, “he turned the tables