“It’s too soon to tell. We’ve only known each other a few weeks.” She didn’t really want her friends digging too deep, not when she wasn’t sure herself. “Anyway we’re not here to talk about me: we’re here to talk about weddings.”
Imogen grinned. “I’ve got a date,” she said. “The caterer Tai recommended was really great and had a cancellation in October.”
“That’s only six weeks away,” Piper pointed out.
“Seven, actually,” Imogen said. “I’ve already sketched out my wedding dress and one of the fashion photographers I know wants to branch out into weddings so she’s going to do mine.” She paused. “I’m getting the invitations printed next week and I’ll order the extra furniture we need as well.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it all under control,” Libby said.
“Well, I’ve been through yours so I knew what I needed to do and what I wanted.”
“Can we help you with anything?” Elle asked.
“Is there anything I’ve forgotten?”
Together they brainstormed and checked the internet, discarding things they didn’t like and adding to the list the things Imogen wanted.
“Are you going to have a theme?” Libby asked.
“How about a cowboy theme?” Elle said. “Toby would love that.”
Imogen laughed. “I’ll leave that for you. Speaking of which, we should plan your wedding too.”
“You’re right. I might as well write down some ideas,” Elle said as she answered the door to the delivery guy.
“What kind of wedding do you want?” Piper asked her.
Elle toyed with her wine glass. “I’ve always wanted the traditional wedding: white dress, pretty venue, great music. I gave up those dreams when I was with Dean.”
“He’s out of the picture now,” Libby told her. “I know George will go with whatever you want. He just wants to get married.”
Elle’s smile was full of love. “I know. I do too. Maybe we should pick a date as well.”
“Choose your venue first. Their availability will dictate when you can get married,” Imogen advised.
She and Elle leaned in, searching on the laptop for a suitable venue, while Libby tapped out a search on her tablet. Piper sat back and watched her three best friends planning the next stage of their lives and there was a twinge in her heart. She was perfectly happy as an independent woman, but part of her wanted what her friends had: a best friend, companion and lover who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.
Was Tai that man?
It was too early to tell. All she knew was she’d never felt this strongly about anyone else.
***
Within a couple of hours they had a list of places for Imogen to call on Monday and another of things Elle wanted for her wedding.
“You girls are great,” Imogen said. “Next time I need an event planned, I’m coming straight to you.”
“I’ll say. I had no idea where to start,” Elle added.
Piper sat up. “What do y’all know about fundraising?”
“I’ve taken part in fundraisers in the past,” Imogen said. “But I’ve not organized one.”
“What do you want to raise funds for?” Elle asked.
Piper explained what was happening on the reservation. “Tai wants to raise funds to build a youth center and I can’t help thinking if the kids had a bus to pick them up and drop them off each day, they might not miss so much school.”
“Some authors auction off characters in their novels for fundraisers, but it won’t raise the amount you want,” Libby said.
“Maybe we could do an auction with a lot of things. Papa would donate an outfit if I asked him, and so would Chantelle,” Imogen said, mentioning her current employer. “I’m sure a few more designers would donate as well.”
“What about a concert?” Elle asked. “George knows enough people to put one together.”
“And Adrian would sing. He can relate to those kids. I’m sure he would have loved a refuge when he was a child,” Libby added.
That’s exactly what the youth center would be – a refuge.
A rush of excitement flowed over Piper’s skin, making her shiver. Maybe they could pull this off. “We’d need a venue for both the concert and the auction,” she said.
“How about an online auction?” Libby said. “Get people to tweet their bids and you might find it sparks a frenzy.”
It was a great idea and would reduce costs as well.
“I’ll talk to George about the concert when he gets home,” Elle said. “I’m sure this is something he’ll support. He always wants to help and he can make anything happen.”
He really could. Piper couldn’t wait to talk to Tai about it. A concert headlining Kent Downer was sure to be a success, and she was certain Adahy would play as well. It could raise enough money for both the center and the bus.
“I’ll talk to Tai when he gets back.”
“Wouldn’t it be great to get something like this off the ground?” Imogen asked. “I’ve always wanted to be more hands-on helping people in the community.”
Piper smiled. So had she. This wasn’t just writing about something to drive change – it was actually doing something.
Tai needed to spend more time with her friends. Then he would see not everyone thought about Native Americans in such a negative light – that there were people out there who wanted to help.
She’d show him he had a right to be optimistic.
And they’d help the tribe.
***
The next day, Piper slept most of the morning away. She was woken by her phone ringing near midday. It was George.
“Elle told me about your fundraising idea,” he said. “Adrian’s on board and I’ve got the arena interested. They might not do it for free, but they’ll at least give us a discount. I’m going to chat to a couple of my contacts and see which other acts we can get on board.”
Piper’s mouth dropped open. “How the hell did you arrange that already? It’s Sunday!”
“I’ve got contacts,” he said.
She laughed. “Thanks, George. This is amazing.”
“It’s the least I can do. Adahy told me about the funeral and the circumstances surrounding it.”
“Did he say when he’d be back?” she asked. She hadn’t wanted to ask Tai in case it sounded like she wanted him to hurry home.
Which she did because she missed him, but he didn’t need to know.
“Probably tonight. We’ve got a meeting tomorrow. Adahy mentioned Tai had something he had to do on Sunday.”
That would be the cooking class. She wasn’t sure whether they would skip it or want things to go back to normal as soon as possible. “Thanks. I’ll call Tai tonight and tell him what we’re planning.” She hung up and jumped out of bed. It was already an amazing day and she was keen to get planning.
Making herself some toast, she sat down to brainstorm what else they needed to arrange for the fundraiser.
***
Tai woke on Sunday morning with his head throbbing and his body aching. He’d done a lot of dancing the night before and was paying for it now. Quietly he got out of the bunk he’d been sleeping on for the past few days, careful not to wake Adahy or Bradley in the other bed, and went into the kitchen to make coffee. As he waited for the machine to heat up, he glanced out the window and saw his grandmother sitting cross-legged under a tree, her head bowed.
He walked outside to talk to her. There hadn’t been any chance to do so alone during the week: there had always been someone else around.
“Ka’ sa’,” he said as he got closer, so as not to startle her.
She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face.
Shock speared through Tai. He dropped to his knees, gathering her close. He’d never seen her cry. Not once, with all the things that had happened, not when her son had died, or her brother.
She hugged him fiercely, her hands shaking. “We’re losing, aren’t we, Tai? We’re
losing this fight to save our people.” The pain in her voice was all too real. “I thought we had a chance with Jerry. I thought Bradley would be enough to keep him here, but it wasn’t. It never is. How can we save each other if people don’t want to be saved?”
Tai had no answers. It was terrifying to see the woman he considered a rock brought down by this. He’d thought her faith was all encompassing, all empowering – he’d always got his determination from her.
He’d thought she was invincible.
“We’re trying, Ka’ sa’. That’s got to count for something.”
“What about poor Bradley? His mother wants nothing to do with him. She doesn’t even want to admit she’s Queche. Luckily Bradley has his roll number and tribal citizenship.” She sighed. “I’ve told him he can stay with me, but I’m getting too old for this. He should be with someone young, someone who will run around with him, who has other children he can play with.”
The problem was many such families were already struggling. Another mouth to feed and body to clothe could push them over the edge. “I’ll come down as often as I can.” Maybe he could even foster the boy – though he’d have to have a stable routine for that to happen. He couldn’t have Bradley hanging out in the restaurant every evening.
But perhaps he could step back from the restaurant. His heart panged. He truly loved cooking, but he could do that on the reservation. Kath was capable of running the Spoon on her own, as she’d proven over the last week. He could divide his time between here and Houston. He could even run cooking retreats on the rez.
It would also mean less time with Piper.
The thought was equally painful, which worried him. He hadn’t wanted to leave her on Thursday night, but he’d needed to get an early start. He’d stolen enough of her sleep over the past week, and she needed it.
Suddenly what Eyota said about Bradley’s mother reverberated in his mind. She wasn’t acknowledging her heritage. If Bradley hadn’t already been part of the Queche tribe it would have affected him because tribal membership was passed down through the mother.
Piper wasn’t one of the tribe. If they stayed together and had children, their kids wouldn’t be Queche. He wasn’t willing to deny his children that, which meant what he and Piper had couldn’t go too far.
He rubbed at the pain in his chest. Maybe he needed to cool things with Piper. Or explain why it couldn’t go any further than it had. She’d caught him when he’d been most vulnerable and that was surely the only reason they’d become so close so quickly.
“You can’t do everything my boy,” Eyota said, patting his knee. “You already do beyond what you need to.”
He put his thoughts of Piper aside. “I can’t help it, I was taught by the best,” he said.
She gave him a small smile. “You should have been too busy playing to notice,” she said. “But you always did want to learn everything I could teach you.”
“Someone will have to take over from you one day,” he said. “It’s my heritage too.”
“It is. That is why we keep trying.” She wiped her eyes and sighed. “Sometimes it all gets too much.” She groaned as she got to her feet. “I should prepare breakfast for the others.”
Tai stood up. “You’d better let me: I’m the better cook.”
She rewarded him with a chuckle, as he’d hoped she would. “I taught you everything you know.”
“That’s why I’m so good.” Pleased she had brightened somewhat, Tai put his arm around her and headed inside.
He couldn’t let his grandmother down. When he got back to Houston he would focus his energies on other ways he could help his people.
He would never give up.
***
It was later than he’d hoped when they arrived home.
“It’s good to be home,” Rayen said as she got out of the car. “I need a little bit of quiet.”
“Tell me about it,” Adahy agreed. “I’m not going to pick up my guitar at all tomorrow.”
Tai smiled. His brother had been playing music almost non-stop over the week and had enjoyed himself. In fact he’d even arranged to give lessons on the reservation regularly. As much as he complained, Tai knew his brother loved it.
Still it was quieter in Houston, which was a rare thing. On the reservation there had been gatherings and people dropping in non-stop over the six days. The only time he’d had to himself was that night with Piper.
The thought of her made him want to back the car out and drive over to her place but it was late. It wouldn’t be fair to disturb her.
“You coming?” Adahy asked. “Or are you going to let us carry everything inside?”
Tai got out of the car, grabbing his bag from the trunk.
“Are you going to the restaurant?” Rayen asked.
“I’ll head in early tomorrow,” he told her. “Kath will have everything under control.”
“I’ll grab a lift if I can,” she said. “I need to check my roster before I head over to the college to sort out enrollments.”
“Sure.”
His younger cousin was so determined to finish her degree. He was proud of her and pleased he could help. Her parents both lived on the rez and between them earned a reasonable income now that her father had finally got his addiction under control, but it wasn’t enough to support Rayen living in Houston. She lived with him rent free and had a secure job that would pay for her day-to-day college needs.
He had another spare room in his house but the two girls from the reservation who were going to college this year both had scholarships that included board.
He’d have to find out whether others were looking for an apprenticeship or training to improve their job prospects.
Heading for the kitchen, he found Rayen and Adahy at the table eating the fast food they’d picked up on their way home. Tai shook his head. The food was crap. It was so full of grease and fat with no flavor at all
Taking a couple of eggs and a few other ingredients from the fridge, he whipped up an omelet. The simple process soothed him as he took his time to beat the eggs until they were light, adding a dash of milk and a few of his favorite spices, before pouring the mixture into the warm pan. Working quickly now, he added the filling – a little bit of smoked salmon and some dill – before flipping the top over and sliding the omelet onto a plate. He joined them at the table.
“Did Piper ever do that interview of you?” Adahy asked.
Surprised to hear her name, Tai said, “Yes. She showed me the profile on Thursday.”
“Any good?”
“Very. She highlighted the issues at the rez with sensitivity and accuracy.”
“Wow, that’s a change,” Rayen said. “She must be half decent.”
“She’s very decent,” Tai retorted, annoyed on Piper’s behalf.
Adahy and Rayen looked at each other and raised their eyebrows.
“Somebody’s got a crush,” Adahy sang.
He refused to comment. What he did in his own time was his own business and he wasn’t ready to talk about it yet. He focused on his dinner.
Rayen scrutinized him. “I think it’s more than that.”
Adahy blinked. “Really? Are you dating Piper?”
He didn’t know what to say. They’d not discussed the details of their relationship. He shrugged.
“What’s that meant to mean? Are you seeing her again?” Adahy pushed.
“Yes.” As soon as he could, though tomorrow night he had to be at the restaurant. He’d taken too much time off as it was.
“Way to go, bro. She’s so hot.”
Tai glared at his younger brother who held up his hands palm outward. “I’m just saying.”
There was so much more to Piper than her appearance.
“She seemed nice when she was at the restaurant,” Rayen said.
“She is.”
“You should invite her around for dinner some time. Then we can get to know her properly.”
It was always difficult finding a time w
hen the three of them were at home together and it was a big step. “Maybe.” He stood up and put his dishes in the dishwasher. “I’m going to bed.”
He left without waiting for a response.
***
Monday morning Piper positively danced into work. She’d had a wonderful, restful day yesterday, brainstorming ideas for auction items and the concert, and planning the auction website. She’d also updated her blog, writing a couple of posts about the upcoming election and the tactics that both parties were using to fool voters into supporting them. Having finally written something of substance she was now ready to face the week. With the profile interviews completed, it would have to be a less stressful week and she was looking forward to the change in pace. She’d even put together a comprehensive pitch for the investigation she wanted to do into the state of the reservations in Texas and what could be done to help the indigenous people of America. She hoped Geraldine would change her mind when she saw Piper’s notes. She’d have to.
Piper called good morning to a couple of colleagues, turned on her laptop and sat down to start the day. Her phone rang.
“I need you in my office,” Geraldine said.
“Be right there,” Piper told her and picked up her take-out coffee cup and the pitch she’d printed out.
Walking into Geraldine’s office she was surprised Leslie from human resources was in there.
“Close the door behind you,” Geraldine said.
Confused and a little nervous, Piper closed the door and sat at the small meeting table in the room next to Geraldine and Leslie.
“The newspaper has recently been reassessing its structure and the requirement for staff reporters,” Geraldine began.
Surprise hit Piper first. She’d not heard any rumors about changes.
“Our readership has decreased and the paper is struggling to make ends meet.”
Nausea began to swirl in her stomach.
Geraldine was very matter-of-fact. “We’ve had to carefully review each role. Unfortunately yours has been identified as surplus to our needs and you are therefore being laid off.”
Chapter 10
Piper’s mouth dropped open. What? She was losing her job? This could not be happening.
It had to be a joke.
The Texan Quartet (Books 1-4) Omnibus Page 91
