FATHER IN TRAINING Read Online Free PDF Page A

through the night. He fought back a yawn. It didn't used to bother him, but since hitting thirty, he hadn't been able to pull all-nighters with the same ease. The worst part about the double shift was relaxing enough to sleep when he got home. Usually his mind was cranking along at fifty miles an hour, while his body was so tired he could sleep standing up. He'd learned that performing an undemanding physical chore allowed him to unwind so that he could get to sleep.
    He tossed the soapy sponge back in the bucket, then reached for the hose. He turned the nozzle, adjusting the spray to a light mist, when he heard voices behind him. A quick glance told him Lindsay, Blake and Nichole were walking down the driveway. Kyle continued rinsing his car.
    He hadn't seen his neighbors since they'd first arrived. He'd been working a lot and generally trying to stay away. Sandy had made her feelings clear. If she didn't want his help, far be it from him to impose. But he'd thought about her a great deal. And when she'd left after that first day of cleaning, he'd gone by the house to make sure the doors and windows were locked.
    "Hi, Kyle," Lindsay said when the kids reached the split in the driveway that led to his garage. "That's a cool car."
    He glanced at the Camaro. "Thanks. How's the house-cleaning coming?"
    Lindsay wrinkled her nose. "Mom's driving us crazy."
    "Mommy's blowing her mission," Nichole said and smiled at him. "She said a bad word, too."
    "Her mission?"
    "Children," Lindsay said, then patted Nichole on the head. "You'll have to forgive her. She's very young."
    Kyle thought about pointing out that Lindsay wasn't that old herself , but he didn't want to hurt her feelings. "What does she mean?"
    "The moving company left a message that they would be late delivering the furniture. The truck blew its transmission." She moved closer to him and lowered her voice. "Mom called them and said she was going to blow more than a transmission if they didn't get our stuff up here." She glanced at him and swept her lashes up and down several times. "So we're stuck."
    "When do they think the truck's going to arrive?"
    "In another three or four days. I don't think it matters that much. The house is still a mess. We're not getting a lot done."
    "I am," Nichole said. "I've got three stars." She held up the right number of fingers. "When I get five stars, I get to buy a new book."
    "Stars?" he asked, confused.
    "One of Mom's attempts to keep us as organized as she is," Lindsay said. "She's got a chart up on the wall. Everyone has chores listed. When you complete a certain number of chores, you get a star. After so many stars, you get a reward."
    "What's your reward?" he asked Blake.
    The boy looked up, obviously startled that he'd been noticed. Light brown eyes peered at him through thick glasses. Except for the freckles across his nose and the shape of his mouth, Blake didn't look anything like his mother. His slight shoulders hunched forward. "I haven't picked one yet."
    "Oh, he'll get another game for his silly computer. He sits in front of it all the time."
    Blake glared at his older sister, but didn't defend himself.
    "What about you?" he asked Lindsay, then wished he hadn't. She moved even closer and stared up at him intently.
    "I want clothes. Something pretty."
    "Uh-huh. That sounds, uh, nice." He cleared his throat.
    If his brothers could see him now, they'd all roar with laughter. Any of them could handle a flirtatious woman with no problem. But a vamping preteen was out of his realm of expertise. He wished Sandy would show up.
    "So you guys are having trouble with the house?" he asked.
    Lindsay rolled her eyes. Nichole giggled, and even Blake nodded.
    "It's too big," Nichole said. "I washed the kitchen cupboards forever and they're still not done."
    "We haven't even started on the upstairs," Lindsay said. "Mom wants us to get the painting done, too. She's crazy. This isn't how I planned to spend my summer."
    "I know it's hard," Kyle