Page 72 of My Not So Wicked Boss (My Not So Wicked 3)

Ugh. I sank farther into my pillows. I couldn’t think like that. I needed to read. Do my job and read his book. Right. Job. This was my job. I needed this job.

I opened the folder to read his glorious words only to have my phone ring. It was a Texas number. One I didn’t recognize, but it was the same area code as Leland’s number, so I decided to answer even though it was late.

“Hello?”

It was quiet on the other end, so I was about to hang up, but then I heard a quiet voice with a hint of a drawl. Not Shelby Southern drawl, but definitely a bit of twang to her tone. “Is this Aspen?”

“Who’s asking?” I kind of already knew and my defenses were up.

“This is Faith. I’m . . . well . . . I suppose I’m Leland’s wife.”

Once upon a time I supposed myself the same thing. I wasn’t sure what to say.

“You are probably wondering why I’m calling.”

Yes. Yes, I was.

“I feel like I owe you an apology.”

I wasn’t expecting that. “Why?”

She was sniffling on the other end. “When I met Leland at the beginning of last year, I thought he was everything I’d ever wished for. Handsome, charming, loyal.”

I coughed. Loyal was a laughable word in relation to him.

“I know,” she commented on my less than tactful interruption. “I used to think you were an awful person, keeping his daughter away from him and kicking him out just because he talked to an ex-girlfriend.”

I held back my derisive laugh. “Is that what he told you?”

“Yes, and I believed him for a while. Then I got pregnant and we got married.”

I knew how this story went.

“Things were good until Ruby, that’s my baby,” she sniffled, “was a few months old. He couldn’t keep a job, which meant I had to go back to work even though he promised me he would take care of us. I left a really good job as an account manager for a tech firm here in Austin. Thankfully, they let me come back. But when I would come home at night, I’d find that Ruby had practically spent all day in her swing. He wasn’t feeding her and changing her like he should. Then . . .” she choked, “I found some messages on his phone from—”

“Kylie,” I interrupted.

“Do you know her?” Her voice hitched.

“We all went to high school together. I hate to tell you this, but . . . I saw them together.” She needed to know the truth for her sake and her daughter’s. My daughter’s sister. What a weird thought that was.

“I figured,” she cried. “I’m so sorry I ever belittled you and forced Leland to get back in contact with you. I thought I was doing a good thing for your daughter. I wanted my baby to know her.”

I could hardly blame her. I knew the kind of lies Leland was capable of telling. “Please don’t apologize, you had no idea.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think I did, deep down. My daddy warned me about smooth talking men, but I didn’t listen.”

“I’ve been there. I still beat myself up over him. I’m sorry for the pain you are going through.”

“He talks a good talk for a while, doesn’t he?”

I pulled my blanket up and snuggled under it. “That’s all he is.”

“Well, I’m done talking to him,” her tears seemed to cease. “Unless it’s through my lawyer. Unfortunately, my lawyer can’t seem to get ahold of him; he’s disconnected his phone.”

That was news to me.

“I hate to ask, but do you know how I can find him?” she asked.

“Have you tried Mike’s Auto Body shop in Edenvale, Colorado? He said he was working there, but I haven’t seen him in over a week when I told him he had to be all in our all out. Sounds like he made his choice.” How was I going to tell my daughter? I hated him even more. Coward.

“We are all better off without him,” she had some fire to her. I liked it.

“I agree.”

“I’m sorry for calling so late. I just needed to clear my conscience. I’m sorry I judged you without knowing your side of the story. My own story now.”

“I hope your story has a happy ending.”

“It will because it ends with Ruby.”

“You know, my daughter would love to meet her sister.”

She thought for a second. “I’d like that. I’ll text you a few pictures you can show her in the meantime.”

“Chloe will be tickled. I wish you all the best. If you ever want to talk, I’d be happy to listen.”

“Thank you, Aspen. I might take you up on that. I’ll be in touch.”

I stared down at my phone. My life was full of twists and turns lately. While I was contemplating all the unexpected events in my life, a little ginger baby popped up on my phone. Ruby looked all of six months old and was as cute as a button. She and Chloe had the same mouth and chin. I hoped with all my heart the sweet smiley girl would never feel the hurt my own little girl had felt and would continue to feel once I told her that her dad had once again disappeared. At least I assumed he had. I should probably call that sleaze ball Mike myself to find out.

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