“Hello,” she said breathlessly.
“Yeah, put me on with Clay.”
Lila frowned. The voice wasn’t one she recognized. Obviously not someone who lived around Haven if they didn’t know Clay had died. Pain stabbed her stomach.
“I’m sorry, Clay has passed away. Can I help you?” she asked politely.
“Fuck!” the other woman swore. Lila held the phone away from her ear as expletives continued to fly.
“Who is this?” Lila asked sharply. She wouldn’t normally be so rude, but she couldn’t imagine Clay being friends with someone who spoke like this.
“I’m an old friend of Clay’s. Who’s this?”
“I’m his daughter. I’m sorry to give you the news this way.” Lila was determined to be polite. A door squeaked open and she looked over her shoulder to see her three men enter.
“His daughter? So did you inherit that big spread of his?”
“I’m sorry?” Lila said stiffly. Immediately, Gavin, Trace and Colin walked towards her, looks of concern on their face.
“Who is it?” Gavin asked.
Lila shook her head, shrugging.
“He owed me some money, that’s why. I’ll be coming to collect.”
A dial tone greeted her. “How rude!” she said, hanging up the phone.
“Who was that?” Trace asked. All three men were staring at her, arms over their chests, looking so alike it made her smile, despite the uneasy feeling in her stomach from that phone call.
“I don’t know, but she was really rude. She asked for Clay, said he owed her money and that she would be coming to collect.”
Gavin scowled. “Why would Clay owe anyone any money?”
“No idea,” she replied.
“Well, when she arrives, you let us take care of it, hear me, Lila?” Gavin said.
“Come here, baby,” Colin cajoled, sitting at the table.
She moved towards him.
“Come sit on my knee.” Colin patted his lap. Gavin put together some food while Trace got them all a drink. Then the three men sat at the table. Lunch was laid out, salad, buns and cold chicken.
Colin fed her small bites of food. She felt cherished and taken care of. She didn’t know where he’d gone when he’d stormed out earlier, but she was glad he’d come back a lot happier.
After lunch, Lila started yawning, her eyelids drooping as she listened to the men talk around her.
“Lila, Lila, are you listening?” Gavin asked.
“Yes, Gavin,” she replied, slumping back against Colin’s chest. His arms came around her, holding her tight.
“You’re exhausted aren’t you, honey? You need a nap,” Colin murmured.
A nap? Was he crazy? She hated napping, detested the idea of missing out on anything, especially when she was around them.
“I’m fine,” she said, sitting up hastily and rubbing her eyes.
Colin chuckled and stood, placing her on her feet and holding out his hand. “Come on, Lila, I’ll put you to bed. You’re tuckered out.”