Plus, she was way too young for him. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't handsome, but there were plenty more attractive men in the world — men her age.

Chasing his thoughts away, Joe headed inside and locked the door behind him. He found his daughter chilling in the living room as he prepared for bed.

"It's past 8:00, why are you still downstairs?" he teased. Usually his daughter would head straight to bed after dinner. He'd only see her again the next morning, if he hadn't gone off to work yet. Unresponsive, Tricia approached him without a word, her expression hidden behind her hair.

Joe's brows furrowed....