All That Sparkles: The Texan Quartet (4 page)

Imogen shook her head. “It’s not a good fit,” she said, only hesitating slightly. “I’ll be doing this on my own.”

With Daddy’s support, Chris was sure. “How are you funding it?”

Her cheeks flushed red and she lifted her chin. “I have money.”

Probably a trust fund.

“How can the plan be improved?” Piper asked him.

“Find a good lawyer to draw up the documents and if you’re serious about manufacturing overseas
and
you care about your workers, make sure you visit the factory before you make a decision.”

Imogen nodded. “Thank you.” She sounded like she meant it.

“Chris can probably recommend a few lawyers,” George said. “They’re his species.”

Chris smiled but he wasn’t happy. He wanted to have as little to do with Imogen as possible, not help her build a business that would enable her to do whatever she liked with people’s lives, like her father.

Luckily at dinner he sat next to Kate, who kept him entertained chatting about all manner of things, including the new book she was writing. She also complained bitterly that Libby wouldn’t let her read any of the next Jessop Chronicles book.

Libby heard her. “You know full well it’s in dirty draft stage. It’s not ready for human consumption yet.”

Kate laughed. “I know, but I so can’t wait.” She turned back to Chris. “What do you like to read?”

Chris couldn’t remember the last time he read for enjoyment. There were always reams of contracts, legalese documents and background papers he had to read and he often fell asleep with one on his lap. “I love adventure series.” At least he had as a kid.

“Have you read the Jessop Chronicles?” she asked.

He glanced at Libby, acknowledging the twinge of guilt. “No, I haven’t.”

“You must,” Kate declared. “I’ll lend you my copy.”

Before he could refuse, she left the table and ran down the hallway toward her room. She returned with a stack of books, which she placed next to Chris on the table.

“Here’s the first four. Once you start reading, you’re going to want to read the lot and then we can talk about them.”

Chris swallowed his grin as Adrian said, “Kiddo, he might not want to read them all.”

Kate gave her uncle a disbelieving look and then turned to Chris. “Trust me. They’re addictive.”

“Thanks, Kate.”

Libby looked mortified.

He grinned at her. “Can’t wait.”

Though kids’ books weren’t his thing, he’d make an effort to read at least the first one, so if Kate grilled him later, he’d have answers. He liked the young girl and was pleased to see her cheerful and happy. He remembered too well what she’d been like after the car accident that had killed both her parents. He and George had helped Adrian get through those first few months, one of them always being there as his sounding board when things got too much. It had been rough.

He got to his feet to help clear the table and stack the dishwasher.

“Any more wedding lists, Libby?” George asked.

Libby shook her head. “I think everything’s organized. My parents arrive next week and then we just need to pick up the cake on the day.”

The wedding was the following weekend and Chris was glad. There would be no more planning dinners and he wouldn’t need to see Imogen again. Her presence made him antsy.

He’d got over her a very long time ago. Right after her father had said she never wanted to see him again and threatened to take out a restraining order on him if he came anywhere near his daughter.

When Kate made noises about playing a board game, Chris knew it was time to leave. “I’ve got some briefs to read through,” he said by way of explanation.

“And the Jessop Chronicles too,” Kate said, handing him the pile from the table.

He took the books and smiled. “And those.”

Adrian walked him out. “Libby will give you the rundown on her stories if you don’t want to read them.”

Chris glanced at him. “I’ll read the first one. I promised Kate.”

“We both know she can be tenacious at times.”

Chris grinned. “But so loveable. It’s probably about time I gave myself some downtime. This will force me to do it.”

“Just as long as you don’t feel obligated.”

“Not a chance.” He hesitated, debating whether he should ask Adrian the question he’d been wondering all night. “Do you really think Imogen can get this label thing off the ground?” he asked as he reached his car.

Adrian turned to him in surprise. “Yeah. Don’t you?”

Chris shrugged. He didn’t know the person Imogen had become. “Setting up a business is difficult.”

Adrian shifted. “She’s dedicated. That’s one thing I’ve learned about her in the last six months. Dedicated to her friends and to her work. I think she’ll make it work.” He was quiet a second and then asked, “What’s your issue with her?”

Should he tell Adrian?

Today wasn’t the time to go into it. “It’s nothing. I’ll see you next week.”

He drove home to his apartment. Once inside he dumped the books on his kitchen bench and walked over to his office, which was stacked with neat piles of papers he needed to go through. He flicked open his calendar to check what he had on tomorrow, even though he had a fair idea.

The last thing he felt like doing was reading through more dry documents.

But that was what he was paid to do.

He made a coffee and sat down to read.

An hour later he was confident he had all the information he needed for the next day. It was getting late and he should head to bed. An image of a smiling Imogen popped into his head but he shook it away. She was not what he needed to be thinking about.

Still, his fingers typed
Tour de Force
into his laptop’s search engine.

The website was bright but stylish. Chris clicked through buttons to check the latest range and snorted.

It was ridiculous. They weren’t the types of clothes people would actually wear in public, unless going to a fancy-dress party. No wonder Imogen’s father hadn’t liked her designs.

He paused, not sure why he’d assumed Remy Fontaine hadn’t liked Imogen’s work. Probably because he wasn’t willing to make it part of the Tour de Force brand. Still, from what he knew of the man’s love for his daughter, Chris was surprised. He would have expected Remy to give Imogen the moon if she’d asked him for it.

He sighed and shut off his computer. He didn’t want to think about Imogen. He’d spent far too many years obsessing over her when he was younger.

Standing up, he picked up the books Kate had loaned him and found the first in the series. He flicked over and read the blurb on the back. It sounded all right.

He’d read the first chapter and then go to sleep.

It would keep his thoughts away from the girl who’d taught him not to trust.

When Christian arrived at Adrian’s house the next weekend for the wedding he carried all four of Libby’s books with him. Kate answered the door wearing a blue kimono, her hair half up and the lightest hint of makeup on her face.

“All ready to go?” he asked as he handed back the books.

“We’re on schedule,” Kate answered. “Did you read them?”

Chris grimaced. “It is entirely your fault I’ve had little to no sleep this week,” he said. “Yours and Libby’s.”

“I knew you’d like them!” Kate crowed.

He followed her down the corridor. She was right. The books were well written and had reminded him why he’d loved to read action adventure as a kid. “So when’s the next one out?”

“Libby got her author copies this week,” Kate said, smiling slyly at him. “If you’re nice to me, I might be able to swing you a copy.”

He laughed. “I’ll be super nice then.”

Kate stopped him at the kitchen. “Guys are that way,” she said, pointing down a passageway. “Guests should arrive in about half an hour and then you need to take them through there.” She pointed again.

Chris smiled. It seemed Kate had taken on the role of wedding organizer. He glanced outside. The garden had been decorated in swathes of white and blue fabrics, lanterns and other pretty decorations. He had to admit it looked pretty good.

Leaving Kate, he wandered down to the groom’s end. He wasn’t sure what state he’d find Adrian in. His friend had had anxiety attacks when they were younger – even through his early twenties – but the attacks were less frequent now.

When he walked into the room he found both George and Adrian sitting in lounge chairs sipping mint juleps.

“You’ve got the alcoholic version and the non-alcoholic version,” George said by way of a greeting.

“Non-alcoholic,” he answered, not wanting to mess up his role as master of ceremonies and usher. There’d be time for drinking later. He took the drink George handed him and sat down. “No nerves?”

Adrian shook his head. “None at all.” He held out a steady hand. “Asking Libby to marry me was the best decision of my life.”

George laughed. “Even if it took a bit of prompting.”

Adrian shrugged. “I got there in the end.”

Chris sipped his drink, happy to have the chance to sit and chat to his mates.

“You looked wiped,” George said.

Chris opened the eyes he hadn’t realized he closed. “It’s his niece’s and fiancée’s fault,” Chris said. “I started Libby’s damn book and couldn’t put it down.”

Adrian beamed at him. “She’ll love to hear that.”

Chris grunted. “So anyone I need to keep an eye on today? Anyone likely to misbehave?”

George passed him a folder. “Photos of the guests,” he said. “For those you don’t know.”

Chris opened it and read through. He didn’t want to be responsible for letting paparazzi in. There was a face he recognized. He checked the name, Michael Atkinson – Piper’s father. He was a vice president at an oil and gas company that Chris occasionally had to do business with. It made sense that Remy let Imogen be friends with her. Piper was in the right social sphere.

Closing the folder, he was pleased. There weren’t too many guests he didn’t personally know.

“I’m not sure about Libby’s parents,” Adrian said. “They’re here, but I got the feeling when I met them that it’s more because it’s expected of them than from any real love for Libby. They don’t understand her.” He scowled.

“Her father walking her down the aisle?”

“No. No one is,” Adrian said. “She agonized over it for weeks. I think she would have asked Piper’s father if her own parents weren’t coming but she didn’t want to snub her father. And he would have made it seem like a chore so she went without.”

Families could be hard work at times. He was lucky he and his dad always got along.

“Does she want someone to walk her down the aisle?” George asked.

Adrian hesitated. “I think she would, but really there’s no one she could ask without causing offense to her parents.”

“What about me?” The offer was out before Chris considered it.

Both George and Adrian looked at him.

He shrugged. “We’re about the same age so you can’t call me a father figure.” He liked Libby. They’d got along really well since they first met. “We could say the usher doing it is a Texas tradition. Her parents aren’t likely to check.”

“I’ll ask her.” Adrian reached for his cell and dialed. When he hung up he said, “Imogen’s cross with you for making Libby cry and ruining the makeup. She’d love you to.”

Chris’s chest tightened, but he smiled. “I’d better go check my amended schedule then.” He placed his glass on the table. “I’ll see you guys out there.”

Down the other end of the house he caught a glimpse of Piper running between rooms.

“Male entering,” he called as he entered the female zone.

Kate raced out. “You’re the best, Chris.” She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

Chris hugged her back. The kid could always make him feel good about himself. He walked with her into the room where Libby, Piper and Imogen were getting ready. His step faltered as the first person he saw was Imogen, or rather her firm, rounded bottom pointing toward him, covered in nothing but a nearly see-through slip, as she bent toward Libby to fix her makeup.

His body stiffened and he glanced away, clearing his throat.

“Come in, Chris. We’re all decent,” Piper said.

Chris wasn’t sure he agreed with her. There was nothing decent about the sheerness of Imogen’s slip. He avoided looking at her and instead focused on Libby. “Reporting for duty,” he said.

She laughed and stood up. Like Kate and Piper, she was wearing a kimono, hers white and silver. “I hear you haven’t had much sleep lately. I could say I’m sorry, but I’m glad you enjoyed the books.”

“They were great,” he said honestly. “Kate tells me the next in the series arrived this week.”

“And you definitely deserve an early copy,” Libby said. She took his hands. “Thank you for offering to walk me down the aisle.” Her eyes watered.

“Oh, no. Don’t you cry. Any crying and I walk – not to mention Imogen will kill me.” He smiled as he said it and it had the desired effect of making her laugh. Over Libby’s shoulder Imogen gave him a smile like a supernova. His heart thudded painfully in his chest.

The doorbell rang.

“That would be my cue to leave,” Chris said, giving Libby a hug. “I’ll see you later.”

He disappeared before his body could have any other inappropriate responses to the woman he was determined not to like.

*

Doorman duty was a piece of cake. By the time everyone had arrived, there was no hint of a photographer – aside from the one Libby had hired to shoot the wedding.

Chris locked the front door and went to check on Libby. “Everyone’s arrived,” he said as he walked through the door, but any other words he could have said, died in his throat. Imogen had turned around and Chris saw what was now covering the decent slip. It was a dress of the palest pink, and it floated around her as though there was a constant gentle breeze in the room. Her matching pink heels gave her an extra two inches in height and she’d done something to her face to accentuate those dark brown eyes.

It was the pixie brought to life again.

She was beautiful.

Her lips moved but Chris had no idea what she said. Mentally shaking himself he said, “What?”

“We need another five minutes. Are the guys ready?”

“I’ll check.” Eager to be out of there, he fled the room.

Adrian and George were still sitting where he’d left them but there was some evidence they’d moved because George was hoeing into a packet of chips.

“They’ll be ready in five,” Chris said as he walked in.

Adrian shot to his feet. “Great. Let’s go.”

George put down the bag of food. “Hang on, let me clean up.”

Adrian tapped his hand on his thigh. “How does she look?” he asked.

Chris had no idea. He’d not noticed Libby or Piper when he’d been in the room, only Imogen.

“No, don’t tell me. I’ll see for myself in a minute.”

George came out of the bathroom. “Let’s play ball.”

*

Imogen took her seat next to Piper’s family. She wasn’t sure what to make of Christian’s offer to walk Libby down the aisle. It was a beautiful gesture and it made it difficult for her to stay indifferent to him. She knew Libby equated walking down the aisle by herself with no one loving her. Piper had told Imogen about Libby’s parents and their lack of affection for their youngest child as well as the issues with Libby’s previous boyfriend. Imogen could understand her friend’s feelings even though she’d been lucky. Her father might frustrate her at times, but Imogen never felt as if she were unloved.

As the music began, everyone turned to watch Kate walk down the aisle. She positively beamed as she demurely sprinkled red rose petals along the path. Following her came Piper, absolutely stunning in the blue dress Imogen had designed for her. Then finally Libby entered with Christian by her side.

Imogen had never seen a bride so lovely. Libby glowed with happiness as she walked down the aisle.

Christian smiled as he walked and whispered something to Libby to make her grin. At that moment he captured Imogen’s attention. His smile reminded her of their time together as teens, the way she’d felt so special to have his focus on her and how she was sure this boy was going to be the one.

He looked stylish in a charcoal suit with a crisp white shirt underneath and a matching charcoal tie. A small fluttering started in the bottom of her stomach and she squashed it down. She couldn’t have nice feelings about Christian: he’d proven he wasn’t the least bit interested in her.

Christian and Libby had reached the front, where Adrian was waiting. Adrian’s gaze was fixed on Libby and he had the biggest smile across his face.

Imogen’s heart squeezed, and as they swapped their vows she reached for a tissue, but realized she’d left them inside.

“Here,” Piper’s mother whispered and handed her one.

“Thank you,” Imogen mouthed back and dabbed at her eyes.

This was the type of love she secretly longed for. The type that made you smile, and feel secure, and made you realize you were never truly alone. The type where the person you married was also your best friend.

She imagined her parents had had that kind of love, because after her mother had died, her father had never found anyone else. It was as if he could never love another woman as much as he had her mother.

The celebrant announced Libby and Adrian as husband and wife and they kissed while the crowd cheered. Imogen got to her feet as Adrian and Libby walked past, both of them grinning from ear to ear. While the others joined the receiving line to congratulate the happy couple, Imogen whisked around to make sure the caterers had everything organized. There were going to be canapés and finger food while the bridal party had some photos and then a sit-down meal at tables set up around the garden.

As she reached the catering section her footsteps slowed. It appeared Christian had had the same idea. He was already talking to the head chef.

Imogen hesitated a moment too long and the caterer noticed her and smiled, which caused Christian to turn around.

He scowled. “Checking I’m doing my job?”

“What? No, I was going to check the caterers had everything they needed.”

“Which is what Libby asked me to do.” The look he gave her was pure contempt.

It hit her in the chest like an arrow. Did he have to be so different from the boy she remembered? “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. I’ll leave you to it.” She turned and hurried away, joining the line to congratulate her friends. She needed to remember he was not the boy she’d met; he was a man who had had experiences in the time since that had changed him.

When Libby and Adrian had gone to have photos, Imogen glanced around for a place to sit. There was an older man standing apart from everyone, as if he didn’t know anyone. Something about him was familiar and Imogen tried to think where she’d seen him before. He wandered over to admire a flower in the garden and that’s when it hit her. Mr. Barker.

Christian’s father.

Delight filled her and she rushed across the grass, slowing as she got nearer to him, wondering whether she would get the same reaction from him as she had from his son.

There was only one way to find out.

“Mr. Barker?” she asked.

The man turned and frowned and then recognition lit his face. “Little Imogen!” He stepped back to have a better look. “You’ve grown up.”

There was something about his manner, something about the way he said her name that brought memories flooding back, of all those days as a child when she’d snuck out to the garden to follow him around and learn about plants. She threw her arms around him and gave him a hug. “It’s so good to see you.”

He seemed shocked at first and then hugged her back. “Well now,” he said when she let go. “It’s mighty fine to see you too.”

Imogen wanted to pepper him with questions, ask him where he’d been, why they’d left in a hurry, why her father’s private investigator hadn’t been able to find them, but now was not the time.

“Do you know many people here? I can introduce you to Piper’s family.”

“That’d be swell. Chris is busy helping out.”

At that moment Christian appeared next to her.

“Chris, you remember Imogen Fontaine?”

He nodded curtly. “We met the other day.”

His father frowned and Imogen didn’t want him to make things worse so she said lightly, “I had to remind him who I was. It’s been a long time. When you left so suddenly I thought you must have been abducted by aliens.” She laughed to keep the mood friendly.

Christian grunted. “Calling your father an alien now?”

Mr. Barker shot Christian a warning look that told him to shut up and Imogen frowned. “What do you mean?”

Christian shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

Her brain tried to make the connection. Her eyes widened. “Are you saying Papa had something to do with your disappearance?”

“It’s not important, Imogen,” Mr. Barker said. “It’s water under the bridge.”