* * *
The next day, Connie paced the length of the bedroom, trying to drum up enough courage to call her father. How crazy was that? This was a man who reached out to her a few times a week, just because. Yet she rarely talked to him, often allowing him to go to voice mail. Or she’d answer and end up cutting the conversation short, claiming to be busy. Sure, her days were usually swamped, but not too busy that she couldn’t take time to talk to him.
She was so disappointed in herself. If the past week had taught her anything, it was that life was short and often unpredictable. It could change in an instant, as was her experience lately. It was way past time for her to quit acting childish and rebuild a relationship with her parents, but especially her father. No one was promised tomorrow. It would break her heart if something happened to him before she had a chance to strengthen their bond.
It wasn’t just the fire and Richard’s murder that had her thinking about her dad. It was also her relationship with Trace. More than anything, Connie wanted it to last. There was a better chance at that if she repaired the relationship with her father. Otherwise, would she really be able to have a fulfilling future with Trace?
She dialed her father’s number, and the phone rang three times before he picked up.
“Hello.”
Hearing the cheery voice did something to her. The ache she’d been feeling in her heart since watching her home turn to rubble eased a bit.
“Hi, Dad,” she said and bit down on her lip to keep from sobbing. She’d cried more in the past week than she had cried in years. When had she gotten to be so emotional?
“Tiny?” he said, using her childhood nickname. “Is that you?”
“Hi, Dad. Yeah, it’s me.”
“Sweetheart, is everything okay? You don’t usually call, especially this time of day,” he said in a rush, worry in his tone.
How sad was it that he assumed something was wrong since she didn’t call often? Connie had sworn her sister to secrecy, so she knew her dad didn’t know anything about what was going on.
“Everything is okay. You were on my mind, and I figured I’d call you.”
After a slight hesitation, he said, “It’s so good to hear your voice. God, I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too, Dad,” she said honestly. She hadn’t wanted another day to go by without letting him know that she loved him. Her parents wouldn’t be around forever. It didn’t matter what had happened in the past. All that mattered was what they did from that day forward.
“What have you been up to?” he asked, and Connie almost laughed. Not because she had anything to laugh about, but sometimes you had to laugh to keep from crying.
She sat in the wide upholstered chair and curled her legs beneath her. Then she told him some of what had been going on during the past week. Not wanting him to worry, she kept the gang stuff, Mr. Gray Eyes, Daniel Atkinson and the arson out of the story. All he knew was that she was at a bank that got robbed and her home fire was being investigated.
“Are you sure you’re all right? Where are you staying? Are you with Erica or Trinity?”
“No, actually. I’m in temporary housing. At least until I figure out next steps.”
“Oh, all right. Well, if you ever want to get out of town for a while, you know you’re welcome here. We have room and would love to have you.”
“I’ll take you up on that in the near future. Right now, though, I need to get situated here. Did I ever tell you that I work at Trinity’s personal-security company?”
“I heard, but you don’t just work there. Erica said that you’re the VP of Operations and that you run the whole company.”
Connie laughed. She loved the pride she heard in his voice and could almost imagine him puffing out his chest and saying, “My daughter, the VP.”
He might not have been good husband material for her mom, but in all honesty, he’d been a good dad. Up until he moved out of the country, he’d been the one to help with homework, attend PTA meetings and had even gone on a few field trips with her class. Funny how Connie hadn’t thought of any of that in the last twenty years.
She told him about the job and how much she enjoyed it.
“Sounds like you’re keeping yourself busy. What about your social life? Are you dating?” he asked.
An involuntary smile spread across her mouth. “Yes, I am, and he’s a wonderful man. His name is Trace and he used to be in the navy. Now he works for LEPA. You’d like him, especially since he has your sense of humor.”
He laughed, probably thinking about all the jokes he used to tell her and Erica when they were growing up.
“I hope to meet him one day. Actually, I’ll be in California at the end of the year. Maybe, if you’re still dating him, I can meet him then.”
“Okay. Just make sure you let me know ahead of time, and we’ll meet you there. Or, if you can, maybe you can spend some time in Vegas while you’re in the country.”
“I’ll make time. You’re my baby girl. Just because we don’t talk often doesn’t mean that I don’t love you. That goes for your sister and Nakia, too. You girls are my heart.”
“I love you, Dad,” she blurted, aching to get those words out. Connie didn’t want another day to go by without him knowing that she really did love him. “I’m sorry I haven’t done a better job at keeping in touch.”
“Oh, sweetheart, it’s okay. There are a lot of things I’m sorry for and things I
