Page 13 of Find Me in California

“You did.” She sinks to her knees and blots the wine from Mama Rose’s favorite area rug.

“I also think I came across as a bit of an ass.”

“Is this an apology call?” she deadpans, but there’s a smile in her voice. She did ambush him with Liza’s boxes. Now that she’s had time to think on it, if the same thing happened to her, she probably would have been outraged too.

A dry laugh. “Yes. I’ve probably already earned the world’s-worst-grandson award, but I’m sorry. And I am an ass.”

She crumples the soiled paper and sits back on her heels. “Apology accepted, and I’m not judging.”

More chuckling. “Well, I am. And again, I’m sorry.”

“I appreciate the call, but couldn’t this have waited until tomorrow?”

“I’m calling about Elizabeth. You mentioned she’s broke.”

“Yes,” she says, curious where he’s going with this because there isn’t much she can do for him.

“I leave for France next week. I’ll wire money to cover her so she can at least stay there until I get back and have time to deal with this. I just need to know how much and where to send it.”

“You know I’m a volunteer, right? I don’t have those answers.” She takes the dirty paper towels to the trash.

He sighs. “Yeah, I know. I hate leaving messages, and you already know I’m not good at listening to them.”

“Your mailbox is full.”

“See? I rest my case.”

“You really need to speak with Lenore.” She returns to the living room and meanders to the bookcases, picks up the light-blue book that she dropped. It fell open to pages covered in her grandmother’s neat script. They don’t teach penmanship like that anymore.

“I know. I’m pressed for time and don’t want to miss her call or get stuck in a game of phone tag. Do you think you can ask her about it and have her text me the details? Better yet, you can text me. I’m sure she’s busy too.”

Right, because she’s Lenore’s girl Friday.

The nerve of this guy.

Julia bites the sharp retort that comes to mind, something about shoving his request up a dark crevice, and says, “I’m not privy to that information. I’ll inform Lenore we spoke, but you really must talk with her directly. Maybe make the effort to pick up the phone when she does call?”

He draws in a frustrated breath. “I know, I know. I will.”

“Sooner than later, Matt. Like tomorrow morning. Call her first thing.” As of the stroke of midnight, Liza will have four days left at Rosemont.

“Will do. Promise.”

“I’m serious.”

“I get it.”

“I—” She stares at the light-blue spine of the hardback in her hand.

“It’s late. I should let you go before we start arguing. Are we arguing?”

Julia frowns at the book. “Maybe.”

“You’re supposed to say we’re not. For what it’s worth, thanks for returning my call.”

“Sure,” Julia says, distracted.

“Whatever.” His tone goes flat. “Take care, Julia.”

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