Page 41 of No Bed Of Roses

CHAPTER 14

Family Business

After a long bubble bath with Levi and his magical hands, Isla felt more like herself. Her body was sore, and she knew she’d feel even worse tomorrow. Lia had suggested hot baths and showers to help ease the pains, but Isla figured Levi himself had her feeling better.

He opened the fridge. “Hungry? What do you feel like eating?”

Her stomach was fluttering. “I think I’d rather call my father first.” She didn’t want anything in her stomach in case the call was awful.

Levi closed the fridge and turned on the kettle before coming to hug her. “You want some privacy for the call? I can go into another room.”

She hugged him tightly. “No. I’d like you here. I’m not sure I’m strong enough to do this without you.” She felt more than heard his chuckle.

He stroked his hands up her back. “You’re strong enough to do anything, but I’ll be here. If it gets weird with me there, wave me away.”

That helped. She decided to sit at the kitchen table. She wasn’t comfortable enough with the call to relax on the couch.

Levi brought over two mugs of tea and pulled a chair close to her. He didn’t pressure her to do anything, just sat beside her and waited.

Finally, Isla opened her contacts list and scrolled down to her father’s number. “He might not even have the same number.” When her father hadn’t reached out after a few years, she’d changed her own number. That way, she could pretend he’d tried to reach her, even though she’d known he wouldn’t.

Levi nodded but didn’t speak. She looked at the time. San Antonio was an hour earlier. Her father would likely be at work, but most people kept their personal phones on them, too.

Quit stalling, Isla.

She almost told her inner voice to shut up, but it was right. The call wouldn’t be any easier if she waited ten minutes. Or a day. Or a year.

Finally, she clicked the button to make the call, and another to put it on speaker. It rang only once before going to voice mail. She clicked off, not anywhere ready enough to leave a message.

“Well, that was anti-climactic.” She clicked on his work phone number without giving herself a chance to chicken out. She’d worked herself up to this conversation, and if she didn’t do it right away, she might never do it.

“You’ve reached RD Oil. How may I help you?”

The female voice obviously wasn’t her father. “I’d like to speak with Reginald Duggan, please.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No.”

“May I ask who is calling?”

Deep breath. “It’s Isla. Isla Duggan.”

The soft gasp was audible. “Please hold, Ms. Duggan. I’ll put you through.”

Isla reached out and snagged Levi’s hand. Her eyes prickled with tears, and she swallowed hard.

There was a click on the line. “Isla? Is that you? Isla?”

She had to swallow hard. “It’s me, Dad.”

“I’m so glad to hear your voice. Did Glen find you? He didn’t tell me.”

“Glen? No. I haven’t spoken to him. I was just thinking about you and thought I’d call.”

She heard her father swallow hard. “I’m so glad. I’ve been trying to find you. I want to tell you how sorry I am about that day. About all of it.”

Tears started to flow down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, too.”

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