Page 27 of Embers of Love

Josephine woke up, still wrapped in Ember’s strong arms, to her phone ringing.

“Hey Dad,” she answered blearily. She and Ember were still entangled.

“Josephine? Still asleep? It’s almost two in the afternoon,” her father said.

“Uh huh,” she hummed. “Just taking a nap.”

“Yeah, okay.” She could almost envision the old man nodded his head.

“Well, I went to your workplace, and guess what they told me?”

Josephine’s eyes widened in realization. Her father was supposed to be halfway across the country. When did he get to New York. She hadn’t told him she’d quit working in New York and that she had moved.

“I can explain.”

“I’m hoping you would,” her father said. He didn’t sound particularly angry. That was the thing with Benjamin Mars—he hardly ever got angry, but Josephine feared disappointing him above everything else.

“Where are you then? ‘Cause I dropped by your apartment and they said you moved out as well.”

She winced. “I’m in…Phoenix Ridge?”

“Phoenix Ridge? Where the hell is that?”

Josephine laughed at her father’s antics. He was taking it well if he could make jokes.

“Alright,” her father sighed. “I’ll see if we can get the jet cleared to land at Phoenix Ridge airport. We should be there soon.”

“Oh no, Dad, you don’t have to?—”

“Don’t tell me I don’t have to see my own daughter. I want to see my daughter. I’ve missed you, my little princess.”

Josephine blushed, glancing at Ember to make sure she was asleep. Much to her dread, she found the young woman wide awake, and with the way her eyes crinkled in mirth, it was obvious she could overhear their conversation.

“Dad, I’m forty-nine years old.”

“I don’t care,” the man quipped. “Can you pick me up at the airport?”

“I don’t have a car,” she said.

“Well get one.” He hung up.

Josephine sighed, turning to Ember.

“My dad just called. I think he’s on his way to Phoenix Ridge.”

“To see his little princess?” Ember teased.

“Oh, can it, you mama’s girl.”

Ember laughed. It was a full belly laughter, one without restraint or fear of judgement. One of genuine humor. Josephine was taken by how beautiful and carefree she was.

“You’re giving me that look again,” Ember said.

“What look?”

“The type that makes me feel like I am more amazing than I actually am.”

“You are amazing, though. You’re a hero.”

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