Page 31 of Cold As Ice

Austin: I’ll call her soon.

I hit send, knowing he wouldn’t reply.

We both knew the truth.

I wouldn’t call.

CHAPTER6

MADISON

“Madison,”Jacqueline greeted me with a hesitant smile.

“Jacqui, Ken, come in,” I said, welcoming them into my parents’ house.

Mom and Dad preferred to do these meetings at their house instead of my apartment downtown.

I think she just liked the opportunity to size up the competition, which was ridiculous to me. They were both Imogen’s grandparents and the more people my baby had looking out for her, the better.

“Did you have a nice Christmas?” she asked, the two of them a little guarded as they followed me further into the house.

But I didn’t blame them.

The Hovens were the enemy as far as my mother was concerned. Dad and I had more of an understanding approach, but my mother could be a formidable woman when she set her mind to something.

“We did, thanks. Immy was a lucky girl.”

“Did you tell her Santa left her some gifts at our place?”

“I did. I—”

“Yay, Granny J is here.” Imogen barreled into the hall, almost losing her footing on the parquet flooring.

“Oh, sweetheart. Look at you. I think you’ve grown again.”

“Mommy said I hads. She said I grow wikes sunflowers.”

“You sure do, baby.” Jacqui scooped her up and smothered her in big, sloppy kisses that made Immy roar with laughter.

“Your turn, Grampy.” She held out her little arms for Ken, and he took her.

“Hasn’t she grown,” his wife said.

“Oh, she has. So big.”

“Hears that, Mommy.” Her proud little smile was everything.

“Why don’t we go get your things and say goodbye to Grammy and Pops?” I took her from Ken and motioned for them to follow me into the kitchen.

Mom stood the second we entered. “Jacqui, Ken,” she said stoically.

“Cara.”

“Okay then,” I said over the lump in my throat. “I’ve packed everything she should need. You’ve got my cell phone number. The number of her pediatrician. And—”

“Madi.” Ken gently squeezed my shoulder. “We’ve got this. We’ll send you plenty of updates, and I’m sure Immy will want to call you.”

“I will, Mommy. I’ll calls every day.”

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