Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
In the back of my mind, though, a sliver of fear erupts.
Ava is somehow connected to Wendy Madigan, and I’m not just talking about her genetics.
She’s right. There’s a reason why Wendy chose her, and it frightens me—not why Wendy chose Ava, but how it’s affecting her.
My phone buzzes.
My insurance company. Now what the hell do they want?
“Yeah, this is Brendan Murphy,” I say into the phone.
“Hey, Mr. Murphy. This is Nigel Wilson from Silverthorne Insurance. How are you today?”
I hate when businesspeople start the call with small talk. I don’t care how he is, and he doesn’t care how I am. We both have things to do, so isn’t it better to get right to the point?
Yeah, I’m in a mood.
“Fine. Could you tell me what this call is regarding, please?”
“Sure. I just want to apologize for the delay in processing your claim.”
“Delay?”
“Yeah, there were some clerical problems. It just got onto my desk this morning.”
“But…the claim is already processed. You made a payment already.”
A slight pause. “Are we talking about two different claims here?”
“No. I’ve had only one claim. For the vandalism of my apartment over my bar.”
“Yes, that’s what I’m looking at right here. You have a deductible of two grand, correct?”
“Which you guys waived,” I say.
A longer pause. “Sir, we never waive deductibles. I don’t have the authority to do that.”
“Then there must be some mistake. Check with your supervisor or something. You must’ve received a duplicate claim. I’ve already been paid.”
I hear tapping on the computer from the other end of the line.
“I’m showing that this claim is still outstanding. Let me do some checking, Mr. Murphy. I’m sorry I bothered you.”
“Not a problem.” I end the call and throw my phone down on the table.
I need to go down and get the bar ready for opening. But damn, I could use a drink myself right now.
If only Ava had said yes to my proposal. Talk about shitty timing. What was I thinking?
I believe she loves me. I believe she loves me as much as I love her.
But…I’m worried for her.
Worried enough that—
I pick up my phone. My first instinct is to call Ryan, but I can’t.
So I decide to call Donny.
“City of Snow Creek,” says a bright feminine voice that I don’t recognize. Did they get a new receptionist?
“Hi. Brendan Murphy for Donny Steel, please.”
“I’m sorry. Mr. Steel is out of the office. Would you like to leave a message?”
“Yes, please let him know I called.” I end the call.
Maybe I’ll call Ryan after all.
Except my phone buzzes again—Silverthorne Insurance.
“Yeah?” I say, not nicely.
“Mr. Murphy, Nigel from Silverthorne again. How are you?”
“The same as I was ten minutes ago.”
“Seems we’ve got some weird things going on with this claim,” he says. “I checked with the higher-ups, and they say there’s only one claim and it hasn’t been processed yet. Plus, we have not waived the deductible. We only do that in extenuating circumstances.”
“Well, you did it for me. If you want to pay me again, I won’t complain.”
“The point is that we haven’t paid you yet. And I found out why. We were waiting for the results of the investigation.”
“What investigation?”
“There seemed to be some question about whether”—he clears his throat—“you caused the damage yourself.”
“Are you kidding me? You think I trashed my own place?”
“No, we don’t think that, which is why your claim is on my desk now. Our investigation indicates that your claim is valid and your damages are covered.”
“Which you guys already paid, very handsomely.”
“I’m not sure how you think we could’ve paid it yet, sir, since we haven’t sent out an adjuster yet to look at the damages.”
“Yeah, you did. I talked to him myself.”
Another pause. “Do you happen to remember his name?”
“No.”
“Did he give you a card?”
“Not that I recall.”
“Mr. Murphy, our adjusters always give an insured a card. That way you know how to get in touch with them.”
“I don’t have time for this. You guys already paid me. I appreciate it. Now goodbye.” I end the call.
More and more red tape. Just because someone screwed up, and now they’re harassing me.
I suppose I should be grateful. My insurance company thinks I haven’t been paid, and they want to take care of it. That’s great. But they’ll eventually realize their error and they’ll want the money back.
Red tape, red tape, red tape.
I don’t have time for this.
I head down to the bar to make sure things are ready for opening.
I was half hoping to find Ava waiting for me. Then she’d jump into my arms and tell me she doesn’t need space, that she wants to be with me forever.
But that’s not Ava’s way.
I’m checking the stock when someone knocks at the front door.
I go to it.
Donny Steel stands there with Callie.
I open the door. “I was just trying to get ahold of you.”