Imagine That

by Kristin Wallace

  “I haven’t changed.”

  “Exactly my point.”

  Nate ignored her and turned away. From everyone. “Let’s go, Zach. We have a house full of guests waiting.”

  “Maybe we should hear him out,” Zach said.

  “We’re leaving. Get in the limo.”

  “But, Nate—”

  “Now!”

  Zach scowled, but, in the end, he obeyed. Not without another glance at their father, but he went.

  Nate stopped next to Emily. Tears pooled in her eyes, and he had to harden his heart. “You’ll understand if I ask you not to come back to the house with us.”

  “Nate, please,” she said, lips quivering.

  “Goodbye, Emily.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Emily discovered it was possible to go on living and breathing even when her heart had been obliterated. She thought she’d been hurt by Colin, but his betrayal felt like no more than a scratch compared to the demolition Nate had done. She’d known he would be furious but hadn’t expected such coldness. Now, she feared Rachel’s dying request might have caused the death of any possible relationship with Nate.

  Her consciousness registered someone knocking at her door. She rolled over in the bed and considered her options. If she stayed quiet, whoever it was would eventually go away. On the other hand, she couldn’t stay here forever. Much longer, and she’d turn into Heathcliff’s doomed Catherine for real.

  Pathetic. She was pathetic.

  A familiar voice called out. “Emily, if you don’t answer this door, I’ll get a key from Grace and barge right on in.”

  Julia. Should have known she’d show up.

  “I’ve brought reinforcements,” Julia said.

  “If you’re lying in bed feeling sorry for yourself I’ll be very disappointed.”

  Great. Addison too.

  “Come on, Em. Open up, honey.”

  Of course Meredith would have to be involved. Emily groaned and heaved herself out of bed.

  Julia made a visual tour, from Emily’s bare feet to her unwashed hair. “Just as I feared. You’re a mess.”

  “This won’t do,” Addison said.

  Emily leaned against the door frame, blocking their entrance. “Look, I appreciate you guys coming, but I’m all right. I’ve been writing, and this is what I look like when I get lost in a book.”

  Addison swept past the other two women, and took Emily by the arm. “You girls get dinner set up out here. I’ll handle the patient,” she said.

  In the bathroom, Emily watched in astonishment as one of the most famous women in America flipped on the shower.

  Addison folded her arms and flicked her head toward the stall. “Get in.”

  “What if I don’t want to?” Emily winced at the petulance in her own voice.

  Addison stepped forward, her face softening. “It’s for your own good. Come on now, get cleaned up.”

  “Are you going to leave?”

  “Nope. In you go.”

  The shower did make her feel better, though Emily wasn’t about to admit it. Addison then proceeded to comb out Emily’s hair.

  “Why are you being so nice?” Emily asked, as she enjoyed the gentle massage. “You barely know me.”

  Their eyes met in the mirror.

  “Because I’ve been there,” Addison said. “I know what it’s like to feel shattered. To remind yourself to breathe. And that’s on top of someone you love dying. It would be a miracle if you weren’t curled up in a fetal position under the covers.”

  “Score one for you, Madame Know-it-All,” Emily muttered.

  Addison offered a glimmer of a smile. “Good to see you haven’t lost your spunk. I was worried there for awhile.”

  “I don’t feel spunky. I feel chewed up and spit out.”

  “Sounds about right. When my husband left me, I thought I would die. Then I lost my career, too. The whole world came crashing down around me. I came here to see to my aunt and spent the first three days in her back yard, staring at the grass. I probably would have stayed there for weeks, if Ethan’s mother hadn’t found me and dragged me to her house for dinner.”

  “You’re here to drag me to dinner then?”

  “We’re here to get you moving again.” Addison handed her a pile of clothes. “Put these on. We’ll be waiting for you.”

  Emily emerged from the bathroom and discovered her three visitors had transformed the apartment. A linen cloth covered the small table. Silver candlesticks flickered in the dim light. Emily gaped at the spread Julia and Meredith had produced. A roasted chicken sat in the middle of the table, and the scent of rosemary and thyme filled the room. Side dishes of steamed asparagus and seasoned red potatoes rounded out the meal.

  “Where did the food come from?” Emily asked in amazement.

  “Devon’s restaurant,” Julia said. “She’s a chef in town.”

  “If you think this looks good, wait till you see dessert,” Meredith said. “Chocolate cake to die for.”

  Emily’s eyes filled. “You guys are too much.”

  “Nope. No more crying now,” Julia said, shaking her finger. “We’re going to have a delicious meal, followed by a total decimation of one Nathan Cooper.”

  Emily giggled.

  Julia’s lips curved. “Ah, it’s still there.”

  “What?” Emily asked.

  “A smile. Now, sit. Eat.”

  Emily laughed more in the next two hours than she had in years. Addison regaled them with tales of on-set high jinks from her TV show, while Julia lamented over the latest escapades of her most challenging bridezillas. All of them took great pains to make pointed jabs at the entire clan of Cooper men, Zach excluded, of course.

  “I can’t blame Nate for being so angry about his father,” Meredith said. “Dale did abandon his children. Left them without a word, and poor Rachel had to raise them by herself.”

  “Yes, but Nate didn’t need to take out his wrath on Emily,” Julia said. “She was only trying to help him get past his anger at his father so he could finally have peace. Anger is a terrible burden to carry around with you. It eats at your soul. That was your aim, right, Emily?”

  “Yes.”

  “Of course it was,” Julia said. “And if Nate can’t see that, then it’s on him.”

  “Exactly,” Meredith said.

  Emily pushed her empty plate aside and leaned back in her chair. How lucky she was to have made such good friends. Strange to feel so enveloped in love, when she’d only met these women a few weeks ago.

  The visit did remind her she couldn’t stay in bed forever. So the next day Emily forced herself to leave the apartment. Gritted her teeth and showed up on Aurora’s doorstep for Polly’s afternoon nap in the grass.

  “Emily, is that you?” Aurora called out the minute Emily stepped inside.

  “You know anyone else who would voluntarily come into your house?” Emily asked as she entered the living room.

  She stopped when she got a good look at her employer. Aurora was dressed in a T-shirt, loose-fitting khaki pants, and tennis shoes. Emily hadn’t known the old lady even owned pants, let alone sneakers. Aurora was from an era when ladies wore dresses with nylons. Pants were for fast girls who wore makeup and… danced.

  “Whoa,” Emily said. “What’s up?”

  “I’m going to walk with you today.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m allowed to leave my own house, aren’t I?”

  Aurora’s tennis shoes had little red blinking lights on them. Emily stared in fascination. What on earth?

  “Of course you can leave the house,” Emily said. “I just didn’t think you liked the outdoors. The fresh air might cause you to cheer up. Exercise has been known to make people happy, you know.”

  “You are—”

  “Impertinent, I know,” Emily said, smiling for what seemed like the first time in weeks. “Well, come on, let’s get Polly.”

  Aurora’s presence seemed to have the magical effect
of keeping Polly awake. Emily watched the little dog waddle along with them down the street. Hmm… was the waddle a little less pronounced now?

  “Do you think Polly looks thinner?” Emily asked.

  “Who cares?” Aurora said. “I want to know what happened after I left yesterday.”

  Emily cast a sideways glance at her companion. “Oh, so you’re here for gossip.”

  “Not gossip. Information.”

  “What’s the difference?”

  “Gossip is used to hurt people. Information is so we can help.”

  “Help me—” She broke off as her attention zoomed in on the house across the street. Specifically, on the familiar figure perched on a ladder out front.

  Polly arroo-rhooed and lunged forward. Rather than have her arm torn off, Emily went along for the ride. Nate’s head swiveled around at the sound.

  “No, Polly, leave him alone.”

  Polly would have none of it. She jerked and pulled until Emily gave up and let the dog go. The silly mutt even tried to climb the ladder. Nate jumped to the ground and got down on his knee to rub the dog’s belly. Emily could hear Polly’s satisfied grunts as she approached.

  “Polly seems to love you,” Emily said.

  Nate stood and handed over the leash. “You need to keep better control of her. Crazy dog’s gonna get you killed one of these days.”

  His eyes were flinty, like forged steel. Emily stared at him, wondering when he’d become a virtual stranger. “Would you care?”

  “I need to get back to work,” he said, turning to go up the ladder again.

  Emily caught his sleeve. “Wait. Can’t you let me try and explain?”

  He shrugged her off. “I don’t care why.”

  “We had something special. You have to know I wouldn’t do anything to deliberately hurt you.”

  “As you said once, I’d hate to see what you’d do if you were trying.”

  “So, we’re done?” she asked, despair lancing through her. “I’m pronounced guilty without a chance to defend myself?”

  “You are guilty,” he said, placing a foot on the bottom rung. “I didn’t need a trial to know that.”

  Polly whimpered as Nate climbed higher and higher. Emily contemplated joining in. Cold. Uncaring. Removed. She wished he’d at least fight with her or raise his voice. Show some emotion. But he’d cut her off completely.

  Emily dragged Polly back to the sidewalk where Aurora stood waiting, and they started off without a word.

  “I take it the family reunion didn’t go well,” Aurora said, falling into step on the other side of the dog.

  Emily’s vision blurred. “Please, not now.”

  “That bad, then.”

  “He hates me.” Her stomach clenched at the thought.

  “I doubt that.”

  “You didn’t see Nate at the funeral… or right now. He won’t even look at me.”

  “I could see enough,” Aurora said. “I can’t say I’m surprised at his reaction. You betrayed him.”

  “What?” Emily stumbled over a doggy limb as she gaped at Aurora. “You were the one who told me I needed to reunite them. For Nate’s sake, you said.”

  “Yes, and I believe Nate forgiving his father would be a good thing. Doesn’t mean he won’t have to be dragged to the realization kicking and screaming. Of course he’s going to see your actions as a breach of trust.”

  Emily resumed walking, her pace brisk to match her flaring temper. “I can’t believe I talked to you about my problems. I’m so glad I took your advice so I could stand in a cemetery over Rachel Cooper’s grave while Nate acted like I’d killed her.”

  Aurora kept up well for an old broad. “You disappoint me, Emily.”

  “Join the club.”

  “Honestly, did you think your task was going to be easy? Years of hurt aren’t going to magically disappear just because Dale Cooper announced he’s back to make things better. We’re not in one of your fairy tales.”

  “Trust me, I know. I would have written a better ending.”

  “Oh, grow up,” Aurora said.

  Emily stopped dead. “I am quite grownup, thank you very much.”

  “You’re acting like a little girl. Oh, poor me, I had to do something hard, and now people are mad at me. Where’s your spine? Where’s your fight? You’ve put more effort into recovering your lost imagination than you put into convincing Nate you’re right.”

  “I have tried,” Emily cried, jamming her hand on her hips and glaring at the interfering bitty.

  Aurora posed and glared right back. “How hard? Is it the first time you’ve seen Nate since the funeral?”

  “Yes. He wouldn’t return my calls.”

  “Does he matter to you?”

  “Of course.”

  Aurora stepped closer. “Do you love him?”

  “Yes—” Emily gasped and covered her mouth.

  The truth Emily had been denying rose up, stealing the oxygen from her brain. She was a prize idiot. Of course she loved Nate. He’d probably owned her the heart the moment he stepped out of his rattletrap truck. Emily loved Nate’s strength. His decency. Not to mention the way he looked in paint-splattered jeans. The realization brought with it fresh panic. Had she finally found love, only to have it stamped out before the spark had a chance to grow?

  “Snap out of it, child,” Aurora said, rapping Emily on the back. “Breathe.”

  Emily flinched. “Why don’t you hit me harder? I don’t think you left a big enough bruise.”

  “Well, I can’t let you pass out, can I?” Aurora asked with asperity. “Good grief, who knew you’d have this kind of reaction?”

  “Excuse me if I don’t take falling in love lightly,” Emily burst out. “It’s kind of a big deal. It doesn’t help when the man I love can’t stand the sight of me. I’d say that calls for a bit of a panic.”

  Aurora rolled her eyes. “You’re so melodramatic. Didn’t I say you’d have to drag the silly boy to the truth? You can’t give up now, and if you do, you’re not the woman I thought you were.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  I have become a stalker.

  As she sat in her car outside Nate’s house, Emily reflected on the latest sad twist in her life. Tools of surveillance lay scattered in the passenger seat. A half-eaten chicken salad sandwich, a notepad and pencil, and binoculars, though her quarry was only fifty feet away, so they were hardly necessary. In theory, the paper and pencil were so she could record people’s comings and goings, but she’d brought them just in case the absurd notion of spying on Nate sparked an idea.

  She also had an empty glass bottle.

  Emily didn’t like to think about why she’d brought the bottle. Relieving herself in such as fashion seemed physically impossible. Besides, she’d sooner knock on a neighbor’s door and beg to use their facilities than attempt to pee into a jar.

  Of course, if Nate would stop being stubborn and talk to her, stalking wouldn’t be necessary.

  Distracted by thoughts of how she was going to get Nate to forgive her, Emily completely missed the figure heading toward the car. Didn’t even notice until Zach rapped on the windshield.

  Emily yelped, hand flying to her chest. Cursing her own ineptness at spy games, she lowered the window. “Afternoon, Zach.”

  “You’ve been out here for hours,” he said, leaning down to rest his arms on the door frame. “What are you doing?”

  “Hanging out?” she said, trying to brazen her way through.

  The blasted kid grinned. “You’re casing our house. Waiting for Nate. What are you gonna do? Tackle him in the driveway?”

  “Maybe.”

  He chuckled.

  “What?” she demanded. “You don’t think I could take him? I’m a lot stronger than I look.”

  “He’s still pretty mad,” Zach said.

  “No kidding, Sherlock.”

  “He won’t even let anyone talk about you. I said your name the other day, and he about took my head off.”
r />   “Great, I’m an unmentionable,” Emily muttered.

  “A what?”

  “It means I have a long road ahead.” She studied Zach for a moment. “How are you doing?”

  The boy’s thin shoulders lifted.

  “And Nate?”

  Another shrug.

  The Cooper brothers were hopeless. “Do you two even talk to each other?” she asked, amazement warring with frustration. “Your dinner table conversation must be scintillating.”

  “We don’t actually sit down to a real dinner. Mostly we stand at the kitchen sink. If he’s even home.”

  “Nate doesn’t come home?” Emily asked in alarm. “Where does he go?”

  “Dunno.”

  Zach lifted his head, and Emily sucked in a breath at the naked anguish she saw in his gray eyes.

  “It’s like he doesn’t want to be in the house,” Zach said. “And I think he’s torn up over you, even if he won’t admit it. Anna tries to talk to him, but he’s been brushing her off, too.”

  Misery surrounded the kid like a heavy fog, and Emily’s heart broke for him. “Get in the car.”

  He shifted, confusion replacing sorrow. “Why?”

  “We’re going for a drive.”

  Emily bit her lip as Zach walked around the car. Nate would be furious if he knew she’d absconded with his brother, but for once she didn’t care about Nate’s feelings. Zach needed some serious TLC.

  The teenager opened the door and took in the mess. He balled up the sandwich in the wrapper and threw it in the back, along with the notepad. Then he held up the binoculars. “See anything interesting?”

  “Nope,” Emily said on a wry note. “You live in what is quite possibly the most boring neighborhood in America.”

  The bottle made an appearance. Zach eyed the container and then slanted a glance in her direction. “You watch too much TV.”

  “It’s all research.”

  The jar disappeared over his shoulder. “Where are we going?”

  “You feel like ruining your dinner?”

  He chuckled, which Emily interpreted as a yes.

  Zach laughed again when she pulled up in front of Jessie’s Treats. “You think she’ll let you in the door?”