Page 17 of Whiskey Wednesdays

“I know, and for good reason. I haven’t said yes yet,” he reminded me. “And if you’re really opposed to it, I’ll tell them no.”

I ground my teeth. I wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep over telling Connor where to shove it. But Elodie was another matter, and Dad knew it.

About fifteen minutes later, an unknown call came in. I picked up, thinking it was probably Connor.

“Hello,” I clipped out.

“Isa, this is Connor McCoy. Javier said you’d be expecting my call.” He had a deep, resonant voice.

“It’s Ms. Cruz to you. Hello, Mr. McCoy.”

He didn’t mince words. “Stop calling me Mr. McCoy just to get under my skin. I want your dad to help me with Elodie, but he said we needed to talk first.”

My back went up, but I stayed silent.

He waited for an answer. When I didn’t say anything, he kept going. “My daughter likes him and feels comfortable around him. He seems like a good man.”

“He is. He’s also trusting and forgiving, which is why I don’t want him around you or your family.”

“My daughter is–”

I interrupted. “I’m not talking about your daughter. She’s sweet and lovely, and I wonder how you can be her father. It’s you and Noah I’m worried about.”

He was silent for a moment, then sighed. “I understand you’re angry about what happened with Noah, but he won’t be coming around. There shouldn’t be any more problems.”

“Then what was Damien doing at your house on Christmas Day?”

He didn’t say anything.

“And what happened to the keypad on your front gate? It looks like someone took a hammer to it,” I continued.

“I’m taking care of it.”

“Uh-huh.”

He growled. “Will you talk to your dad or not?”

I laid my head back on the couch and looked up at my stained ceiling. “We need to reach an understanding first, face to face.”

“Fine. When can you come to the house?”

My eyebrows furrowed. “I haven’t had the best experience being summoned to your house, McCoy. I’ll meet you at the Rancho Mirage park by the fire engine playground. Either tomorrow or Wednesday. You can bring Elodie.”

He let out a long, irritated breath. “All right. The park tomorrow.”

We set up a time to meet the next day. Connor could be annoyed all he wanted, but my dad’s well-being came first.

When I got to the park the next day, Connor was already there waiting for me, and Elodie played on the fire engine jungle gym. She waved at me.

Connor had on sunglasses and a baseball cap. I walked up to the table and sat across from him.

“Hello, Mr. McCoy.”

His jaw clenched. “It’s Connor, especially since Javier is going to help with Elodie.”

I folded my arms. “He told me he hasn’t said yes yet.”

Connor glanced at me, then turned back to watch Elodie. “He wants your approval. If you’re going to cause problems or hold it over us, I’ll find someone else.”

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