Dr. Nelson did a thorough exam. He had expressed that he didn’t think the orbital bone was fractured. He would feel better if we did an x-ray. At first I was anxious about an x-ray, thinking I would have to go out of the safety of the Hawthorne Hotel. But he had brought a portable x-ray machine with him.
Things are so different for the wealthy.
He took an x-ray of my ribs as well. Luckily the orbital bone was not fractured, but two ribs were. I could have told him that just based on past fractures Brice gave me. He gave a sad look when he was looking at the x-ray of my ribs. Obviously he was seeing the multiple healed fractures.
“Imogen, have you reported the person that has been hurting you like this?” Dr. Nelson asked. “It’s my duty to report these kinds of injuries. I won’t, because it’s the Hawthornes and their privacy is important, but I wish this person could be stopped from doing this to someone else.”
“Dr. Nelson, I appreciate you being discreet. I can assure you that the only reason this has gone on for so long is because this person is in law enforcement and has been impossible to escape.” I swiped angrily at tears rolling down my face. “I promise you, when I get safely out of his reach, I will find a way to have him stopped. But it will have to be higher up than the sheriff’s office.”
“That’s good enough for me. When that time comes, you contact me and I will help.” Dr. Nelson put his arm across my shoulder. “You’re one of the lucky ones that got away. Try to relax, the Hawthornes won’t let him get you.”
He left me with pain medicines and instruction for injuries. Once he was gone, Poppy pulled me to the kitchen to eat and to look online at dresses. Victoria had said Asher liked redheads, so I would be wearing the wig for now. She also said he liked short, tight dresses that were not trashy.
I’ll bet anything this Asher is more than just a playboy. He’s probably a major player too.
“Do you see anything you like here?” Poppy scrolled over the page. “Before you say anything, I’ll tell you that Victoria approved of anything on these pages.”
“It doesn’t matter to me, honestly. I’ll wear whatever you guys feel will make him choose me.” I said, barely looking at the page. “I’m your puppet for the time being, so play away.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, just look at the page while I get us a drink. If you can’t or won’t decide, then close your eyes and point.” Poppy slid a glass of water towards me. “Keep in mind you will need several outfits, so look at it as a necessity. You can’t keep trying to fit into my clothes. We are not the same size.”
“Poppy, I feel weird picking these outfits. Can you please just pick for me?” I leaned back in my chair. “You have done so much already, it feels wrong.”
Poppy sat on the bar stool next to mine and turned the laptop to face her. I watched as she clicked away then closed it.
“You’re all set. The outfits will be here in about thirty minutes,” Poppy said. “Kellan told me Asher will be arriving Tuesday morning, which will give those wounds an extra day to heal and turn a different shade of purple.”
“It’ll be more like purple and green, which is even prettier.” I had to hold my ribs to laugh at my own joke. “Do you mind if I take a nap?”
“Not only do I not mind, but I will be taking one as well. I have been extra tired lately and I don’t know why.” Poppy yawned. “Remind me to tell you how I became a mail order bride one day.”
“You were a mail order bride too? No way!” I said.
“Way!” Poppy turned me toward the hall to my suite. “I’ll tell you all the crazy, sordid details in about two hours.”
Chapter 10
AUGUST
Asher questioning me had put me in a hard place between him and my mother. He had also really made me angry this time by not caring about how affected the business was by his actions. He was taking advantage of the side of me that always protected him, but I was done with it.
“Ash, it’s eleven thirty, my pilot has been given clearance for takeoff at noon.” I said in a voice message. “Don’t put me in a position to be the bad guy here. Just get to the airport before take off.”
My cell chimed in with a text. It wasn’t going to be one I wanted to read so I tried to ignore it. It didn’t matter if it was Asher texting to tell me he was running late. I wasn’t waiting for him. I had meetings set and the Hawthorne name wasn’t taking a beating anymore because of him. If on the other hand it was my mother, I didn’t want to have to deal with explaining that Asher hadn’t shown up. It was now eleven-forty and I was getting the wave from my pilot to board.
Jonathan had already loaded my belongings. There was nothing left to do but board. I pulled my insistent cell from my pocket. My mother had indeed texted to see if Asher had arrived.
Nope, not answering that text. What a mess.
I shot a text to Parker and Trey that Asher hadn’t shown up. Then I boarded the flight that would be a turning point in my relationship with my twin. Ralph, my pilot, gave the signal for the doors to close. The sound of the door closing wasn’t one that I normally paid attention to but today it was deafening.
I can’t believe he let me down like this.
I spent the better part of the afternoon, in flight, finishing up drawings and making final decisions on things I had waited for Asher’s input on. He never wanted to design commercial sites, much less hotels. He always had it in his mind to design elaborate mansions with one of a kind, unique features tailored to the customer. He had a good eye for detail, I just wished he would use it.
“Mr. Hawthorne, we should be arriving on time approximately ten am. I’m switching off with my copilot for a few hours but let me know if you need anything.” My pilot Ralph said over the intercom.
I hit the intercom button at my chair. “Get some rest. I’m heading off to bed myself shortly. Please make sure you buzz me a few hours before landing.” I signed off
So many flights in and out of time zones could be exhausting. I had no idea how people did it on a commercial flight. I was logging off for the next eight hours when an email came through from Asher.
Do I bother reading it? I need some sleep and he is bound to just aggravate me. He has really disappointed me this time.
I sat starring at my laptop for a few minutes trying to decide what to do. I was fed up with being the one to fix his problems. Finally, I simply closed the laptop, tucked it back into my briefcase and went to my bed to sleep.
Maybe I should just read the email.
Chapter 11
IMOGEN
I heard an alarm going off. I poked my head out from under the covers, looking for my cell phone to shut it off. I didn’t want to get up for work yet. Somewhere in my mind I had hit the snooze button because the sound had stopped. I snuggled deep into the comforter, so happy to have a few more minutes in this peace. When the alarm sounded again, I rolled to my side with a stretch for my phone, only to find no phone, no alarm clock, just a glass of water.
Where did I leave my cellphone that I can hear it but can’t reach it? Crickey, I don’t wanna go find it.