“I’m on set for twelve hours at a time, sweetheart. Who would keep you company?”
Livvy’s eyes lit because she must have seen a window. “I can stay by myself. Then when you have a day off, we can go visit all those shops you talk about.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t have any time off. Remember, I explained how hard it is to be an actress?”
“It’s okay, Mom! I’m fourteen now. I can stay alone.” Her bottom lip trembled, but her stubborn pride kept the tears at bay.
“Liv, I’m sorry. It won’t work. Cooper’s Hawk is where you belong. I must concentrate on work and not be worried about your safety being here all alone. I promise that as soon as I can I’ll send you a plane ticket and you can come and stay for a bit. How about before school starts? We can plan on shopping till we drop and there are so many fun and exciting things to do out here. You’ll love it. Just be patient. Okay?”
Moisture filled Livvy’s eyes, but she bravely sniffed them away. Silence filled the line.
Then Mel said bitterly, “Put your father on the line.”
Without a word, Livvy handed over the phone, spun on her heels and took each step up the stairs like she was pounding a nail into the wood. Creed turned off the speaker. “I’m here.”
“Why did you let her call? Is this a ploy to make me look bad? You know I can’t take off work right now.”
“I didn’t let her do anything. She misses you and wanted to speak to you—or rather she hoped she could plead her case and you’d come get her.” He took the phone into the kitchen.
“Can’t you control her?” Mel bit off.
“Yes, thanks for asking,” he growled. “That’s what I’m doing. Giving her some accountability.” Why did speaking to his ex feel like a drill being inserted inside his temple? He believed two people couldn’t dislike each other more. He didn’t hate her, but truthfully, he’d rather stay as far away from her as possible.
“Explain to her that I’m working hard. This wouldn’t be a time or place for a teenager. That’s where she should be, with you, at least for now. Remember, that’s why you insisted we stay in Cooper’s Hawk when we got married.” She always threw that fact up in his face, as if that was why things crumbled between them.
“I’m not your cheering section, Mel. You need to explain those things to her yourself.”
“I did but she doesn’t seem to listen,” she moaned. “Why bother.”
“I need to ask you a question. I know it was a long time ago, but I’m curious. When Mindy Sage came back during the time you and I were first going to get married, did you speak to her?”
Her rude groan rattled the line. “How am I supposed to know?”
“Come on, Mel. Search your memory,” he pressured.
“If you insist. Maybe I did. I don’t know why it matters. After all, she did leave. Anyway, count your blessings. Why this question? Please don’t tell me you’re still brooding over the past with her. Didn’t you do that enough when we were married,” she crooned.
He wasn’t about to get into the good, the bad and the ugly of their marriage. “Just curious, like I said. Did you take a letter that she left for me in my truck?” He didn’t want to believe that Mel would have been so underhanded, but he believed Mindy.
“Is this an inquisition? Are you asking if I did something to some letter? Wow, this is ridiculous. I never call because of this reason.”
“You didn’t call. Livvy called you.” He gripped the phone tighter. He knew this conversation would only go in circles. “Forget it. Take care of yourself.” He clicked off.
He turned and looked up, seeing that Livvy was standing at the top of the stairs, giving him the stink eye. “Livvy, I—”
“This is all your fault! She hates you and that’s why she hates me!” There was enough heat off her words that she shot invisible venom into his bloodstream.
“I can’t deny that she hates me. That’s obvious, but she doesn’t hate you, Livvy. She wants to see you, but—”
“Why are you lying to me? I’m fourteen. Not four. You can’t keep me a kid forever!”
He tore a hand through his hair. “I’m not…” But he was. “Okay, I guess I am. Cut me some slack, kiddo. I have no idea what a teenage girl needs and I’m doing my best.”
“Am I supposed to thank you?” She turned and stomped away.
He dropped down on the chair and sunk his face in his palm. Lord help him. He couldn’t win for losing when it came to his daughter.
The phone rang again and he stabbed the ‘talk’ button, “What?”
“Whoa there, bro.” It was Boone.
“Sorry. I was just walking off the battlefield with Livvy.”
“Did you win?”
“No. She has bigger guns. What’s up?”
“Guess where I am?”
Creed wasn’t in the mood for guessing games. “On the other end of the phone.”
“Good one.”
“How the hell should I know?” he said grumpily, feeling a little guilty that his brother was getting the shockwave over the arguments with Mel and Livvy.
“I’m at Pelican Hawke.”
“Good for you. So?”
“And I think there’s someone here who you might want to see.”
Creed hadn’t been at his brother’s bar in months.
Hearing a woman’s laughter, Creed’s heart kicked up. That melodic sound was very familiar. “Who was that?”
“Mindy. Apparently, she’s drinking away some feelings.”
“Good for her.”
“Did you do something?”
“Why do I always get the blame?” Creed rubbed the tension out of his forehead.
“Don’t bite my head off. If you don’t care then I guess you don’t care.”
