All That Sparkles: The Texan Quartet (16 page)

“Yep, that should be easy done.”

“Hey, Imogen, if you put up a wall here, you could make this room your study and have space for a laundry,” Piper said.

Hank nodded in agreement. “It backs on to the kitchen so it wouldn’t be hard to move the pipes a bit further.”

Imogen made a few adjustments to her floor plan while Hank took the measurements.

Her body vibrated with excitement. This was her house and she was going to bring it back to life.

She walked out the back and made notes of what she wanted to do with the sewing room and garden. When Hank had finished his measurements he said, “I’ll get this drawn up into proper plans. Then I’ll cost up all the work. I’ll give you rough estimates on the bathrooms and kitchen because it will depend on what quality you want to have. I should have something to you by early next week.”

Imogen gave him a hug. “Thank you, Hank.”

Hank blushed but hugged her back. “It’s a pleasure.”

Imogen thanked Nancy for showing them through and then she followed Piper back to her apartment for dinner.

*

“So what did you think of the house?” Imogen asked her when they sat down to eat.

“You’re right. It’s got good bones.”

It was a relief to hear someone else say it. Piper wouldn’t lie to her.

“I’ll help out where I can. I’ve painted a wall or two in my life.”

“Thanks.” She took a mouthful of the tomato soup Piper had retrieved from the freezer and heated up for them.

“So do you want to know what I found out?” Piper asked.

Her maternal family. The idea she might have extended family was so tenuous, so hopeful, it could break with whatever Piper said.

Either way she needed to know. “Yes.”

Piper opened the notebook she had next to her. “Your grandmother, Julie Ryder, is still alive.”

Hope sprung to life. Imogen smiled. A grandmother. She’d dreamed of having a grandmother for years, particularly when she was younger.

Piper’s expression sobered. “Your grandfather died ten years ago.”

Imogen’s smile faded. She’d never have the opportunity to meet her grandfather but she needed to focus on the positive. She’d gained a grandmother.

“Both your uncles, Allen and Peter, are alive – one is married and the other divorced. You have five cousins, ranging from twenty-five to thirty-one.” Piper watched her.

Cousins. She’d only ever dreamed of having cousins before and now she actually had
five
.

But why had they never come to visit her? She glanced at Piper. “There’s more.”

She nodded.

Imogen breathed in a deep breath and let it out, preparing herself. “Hit me with it.”

“Your grandparents weren’t happy when your mom married your father. He was closer to their age than your mother’s and they didn’t approve. She gave up her studies to move in with him and start a family.” Piper paused. “Your father was desperate for children and your mother had two miscarriages before she fell pregnant with you.”

Imogen bought a hand up to her chest. It must have been difficult for her parents.

“Frances did everything the doctors said to reduce the chance of a miscarriage with you. Two days after you were born, she died from a deep vein thrombosis. Apparently it’s a common risk in pregnancy, but it was sudden and unexpected.”

Imogen closed her eyes. It explained why her father was so protective of her, explained why he wanted to keep her at Tour de Force. Her mother had died bringing her to life.

Tears welled up in her eyes. “My grandparents blamed me for her death?” Imogen asked.

Piper shook her head. “Not so much. They lashed out at your father. From what I was told, they each said nasty, hurtful things and when they tried to make amends your father wouldn’t listen to them.”

Proud and stubborn Remy, who’d probably felt all of the guilt her grandparents had piled on top of him.

“How did you find this all out?”

“I spoke to your uncle, Peter.”

Piper had spoken to her family. It was too much. “He was willing to talk about it?”

“I explained who I was and we met for coffee.” Piper paused. “He’d really like to meet you.”

The tears spilled over her cheeks. “Really?” Her voice was a whisper.

“Of course, honey.” Piper got up and gave her a hug. “He said they’re all really sorry about what happened and want to make up for lost time.”

Imogen’s heart swelled so large she thought it might burst through her chest. She had family who wanted to meet her.

But her father would not be happy.

The thought gave her only a moment’s pause.

It didn’t matter. She needed to see them and she didn’t have to tell her father until afterward. “When can we meet?”

“How about on the weekend? That will give you time to get used to the idea and you won’t have to rush off anywhere.”

Imogen nodded. “Saturday. Can you set it up?”

“Sure. Do you want me to come with you?”

Imogen thought of Christian briefly, but pushed it away. He’d sent her a text message that day but it simply said,
Work’s a madhouse.
Call you soon.
Vague enough to have no meaning. Soon could be tomorrow or three months from now. He must have had second thoughts about the relationship. She couldn’t blame him especially with the way her father was acting. Or perhaps he’d lost interest now she’d slept with him. The idea stung more than she wanted to admit it but she had to admit the possibility.

She turned her attention back to Piper. The idea of facing her uncle on her own was too daunting. “Yes, please.”

“All right. I’ll give Peter a call tomorrow and set something up.”

“Thank you, Piper.” Imogen hugged her friend.

“It’s my pleasure.” Piper took the empty plates to the dishwasher and turned back to Imogen. “Now, I want to know more about your plans for that wreck of a house.”

Imogen laughed and they settled down on the couch to chat.

*

Christian had never been so relieved the week was done. His whole schedule had been so out of whack that he had barely been at his desk all week. His company had decided to put in a takeover bid for a smaller company. He’d been involved in discussions, reviewing legal documents of the new company and arguing about the best way to go forward. Plus he’d had to do it according to the United Kingdom’s time zone because that’s where the company was. He’d barely had any sleep and no time to himself. Listening to Imogen’s voicemail message when he’d received it had soothed him, but he hadn’t had a chance to call her back. It had been too late at night when he’d heard it and then there hadn’t been time during the day. He had managed a text message, but every time he went to pick up the phone, someone came in. It wasn’t until Friday afternoon when things quieted down that he noticed the email he’d written her was still sitting in his draft folder, unsent. He’d been interrupted halfway through writing it. He swore. What must she think of him? He debated calling her and realized he’d be seeing her at Adrian’s place in an hour. He could explain then.

He’d missed her.

Through the whole week of endless talks about money and power, she was his one ray of light.

He packed up and left work at six pm for the first time all week and turned off his cell phone. He was fairly sure work would call him about some minor point so he was determined not to be available. They’d sucked him dry. In the morning he’d check his messages and determine if any needed answering.

He ducked home to change and on his way out to Adrian’s he stopped to buy Libby some flowers. Taking a bottle of wine would be pointless since Adrian didn’t drink. Then as he examined the flowers he decided to buy Kate a small bunch as well; she’d get a real kick out of it.

As he went to pay for the two bunches he hesitated. He hadn’t bought Imogen flowers yet. Was it considered bad form to buy another woman flowers before he’d bought his girlfriend some?

But they were a ‘thanks for dinner’ gift rather than a gesture of feelings. And if he bought Imogen a bunch now, he’d have to buy Piper some too because otherwise she’d be left out.

He should have sent Imogen some flowers during the week, to show her he’d been thinking of her.

He shook his head. He was over-thinking things. Imogen would think the gesture of the flowers for Libby and Kate was sweet.

He hoped.

He paid for the flowers and drove the rest of the way to his friend’s house.

*

For once he was the first person there. Kate answered the door.

Chris flourished the flowers toward her. “These are for you.”

Kate stared at him, speechless for a moment, before she squeaked, “For me?”

He grinned, pleased he’d bought them for her. “For you.”

She took the bright yellow flowers and held them up to her nose and smelled them. “Thank you.”

She led him through to the kitchen where Adrian was preparing food. “Chris bought me flowers,” she said.

Adrian smiled. “They’re nice.”

Libby walked in and Chris handed her the other bouquet. “These are for you,” he said.

“Oh, you didn’t need to do that,” Libby said but took them and admired them. “They’re gorgeous.”

She turned to Kate. “Let’s find vases to put them in and you can put yours in your room if you like.”

While they did that Chris sat down on one of the stools.

“You trying to win over my girls?” Adrian asked with a grin.

“No need,” Chris said with a shrug. “They already love me.” He winked.

Adrian laughed and pushed over a cutting board and a cucumber. “Make yourself useful and cut that up.”

Chris took a knife from the knife block and did as he was asked.

The others started trickling in shortly after; Imogen was the last to arrive.

She walked in and greeted everyone, smiling but it didn’t reach her eyes. It looked as though she’d had as rough a week as he had.

Damn it, he should have made more of an effort to speak to her. He didn’t like the idea she’d been struggling without anyone to talk to.

He got to his feet and walked to her. “Hi, how was your week?” He went to hug her and she hesitated before wrapping her arms around him.

It stung.

He kissed her cheek and she smiled at him but it was her fake smile, the one she did to make it appear as if she was happy when really she wasn’t.

Unease skittered down his spine.

She was upset with him.

She stepped past him. “Sorry I’m late.”

He was a little alarmed at how he wanted to take her into another room, find out what was wrong and make everything right again. He resisted the urge. Now wasn’t the time to go into it. Not in front of all of their friends.

He sat down at the dinner table and Piper shot him a dirty look. He’d definitely done something wrong.

They settled in to dinner and shared their news. Libby and Adrian had had a great time in Hawaii, Piper had got a scoop on her latest story and George was considering signing a new Native American artist.

“I hear you bought a house,” George said when he finished talking about the new talent.

Imogen nodded. “It’s needs a bit of fixing.”

“A bit?” Piper said. “It’s amazing it’s still standing.”

Chris felt a twinge of jealousy that Piper had visited the house as well.

“When you get the keys we can have a demolition party,” George said.

“Demolition party?” Imogen asked, her tone concerned.

“It’s when you get a whole group of people together and rip out what you don’t want,” George explained. “It’s one of my favorite parts of renovating because I get to bring my sledgehammer.”

Imogen laughed. “Sounds like fun. You’ll have to show me how to do it.”

“I reckon I can rustle up a few people to help,” George continued. “My sister Isla loves to demolish stuff; she’s just not keen on the rebuilding.”

“Thank you.” Imogen seemed amazed.

“Dad would take a look at your garden, if you want him to,” Chris told her.

Imogen smiled. “I was going to call him when I got the keys.”

Chris realized then that she hadn’t mentioned her father. He didn’t know whether she’d told him about her purchase yet. He’d been so busy with work that he’d forgotten about the things Imogen was going through.

It was inexcusable.

Piper’s cell rang and she excused herself. “Sorry, it’s work.” She got up and left the table and the others gathered up the dishes and took them to the kitchen. When Piper returned she made a beeline for Imogen. Chris wandered closer so he could listen to the conversation.

“Work wants me on a story tomorrow morning. One of the other reporters has called in sick.”

Imogen clasped her hands together, then touched Piper’s arm. “It’s all right. I’ll go on my own.” She didn’t sound thrilled about the idea.

“Go where on your own?” he asked stepping up to them.

Imogen widened her eyes and hesitated. Finally she said, “Piper found my uncles on my mother’s side. I’m going to meet one of them tomorrow.”

This was a big deal. Why hadn’t she told him?

He answered the question himself. Because he’d not called her all week. Not given her the opportunity. Work had been crazy busy.

Anger threaded its way into his thoughts.

What must she think of him?

“I can come if you like,” he offered.

“I … well …” she stuttered.

“I’m sorry for not calling this week. Work was a madhouse.”

“I’m not sure. Let me think about it.”

“Of course.” He took hold of her hand. “I’m here if you need me.”

Her eyes filled with confusion and she took her hand back. “I’d better help with the dishes.”

Chris absently rubbed at the pain in his chest as he pushed down a sliver of panic. Had he blown things with Imogen? He had to fix it. And when he did, he would be more attentive no matter what work was like.

*

At the end of the evening Chris walked Imogen to her car. Piper and George left with a wave and Libby and Adrian went inside to give them some privacy.

Chris wasn’t ready to say good night yet. He hadn’t had Imogen to himself all evening, but she was already unlocking her car.

“Imogen, wait.”

She turned slowly.