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“Well, if I want to find out anything, it looks like I’m going to have to go into the city center tomorrow. These attorneys aren’t in the suburbs.”
Alanna peered over at the address. “Shoot.” She glanced out the window. “Weather isn’t supposed to be good tomorrow. Maybe you should rearrange?”
But Piper was lost in her own thoughts, wracking her brain trying to think who the mysterious Margaret Smith might be. “Do you think it’s possible that either Mom or Dad had a long-lost relative that no one knew about?”
Alanna’s hand went to her mouth as a wave of recognition crossed her face. “Margaret Smith,” she murmured, before turning and disappearing into Leila’s room. She came out seconds later carrying a pile of books—all editions ofThe Mistletoe Crown. She lifted one at a time. “Margaret Smith, Margaret Smith, Margaret Smith.”
An uncomfortable feeling spooled in Piper’s stomach as the variations of the covers of the children’s book flashed before her eyes.
“No way,” was all that came out.
“Why not?” asked Alanna, the idea clearly starting to take root. “She’s Chicago’s most famous author. She stayed in our suburb for a few years. You interviewed her as a child—theonlyinterview she has ever given.”
Piper threw up her hands. “I was nine. And that was before the book became crazy popular—before that movie star started to rave about it. Margaret Smith hasn’t stayed in our area for years. Didn’t she move to Lincoln Park?”
They both stared at the letter again. It couldn’t bethatMargaret Smith, surely?
Alanna was clearly building up to something. “She became a recluse when her book was so popular. Her book has been reprinted every single year since then—does that happen to every author?” She thumbed through the pile of books in front of her, stopping at the oldest, and most well-worn. “And, yes, they might update the illustrations and cover every year, but none are as good as the original.”
Piper reached over and touched the original book—the one that had belonged to her and Alanna as children. “Did she do them herself? Or was it her late husband that did the original illustrations?”
Alanna’s voice quieted. “It was her husband. I’m sure he died before the book was finished.” She squeezed Piper’s arm. “You are still the only person she ever gave an interview to.”
Piper groaned. “I was nine. And it was a ridiculous interview. I only asked a few questions and couldn’t write down her answers quickly enough. It was for the school newsletter.” She gave a little shudder. “And the house, it had vines growing on it. Kind of creepy.”
“Or magical. Depending on your point of view.” Alanna was teasing her.
“The gardens though, the colors were magnificent, even in winter time,” said Piper, “And the greenhouses. They were something else. She never showed me inside. I always wondered what she grew in them.” Her mind started to drift back to her visit.
“Wasn’t there another kid supposed to be interviewing too?”
Piper rolled her eyes. “Yes, the boy from St. Phineas Elementary. He was late. Or I was early. Whatever it was, I was finished by the time he got there, and Margaret Smith wouldn’t answer any more questions. He was mad.” She gave a half-smile. “It would be crazy if this was fromtheMargaret Smith. But I can’t imagine a single reason why it would be. Who am I to her? A nine-year-old that asked some questions nearly twenty-five years ago?”
Alanna’s face fell. “You’re right. It could be a mistake. But I don’t imagine there are many Piper Davises in the world. Maybe we should stick with the hidden and unknown relatives theory?”
Piper smiled. “Agreed. Let’s just hope I’m not about to be presented with a huge set of unpaid bills for the same relative. If I don’t get the new contract for next year, I’ll be in trouble.”
Alanna leaned over and put a hand on her heart. “Tragedy, you might have to sell that gorgeous little house of yours and move back in with me.” She waved her hand. “I’ll get you bunk beds with Leila.”
Piper squeezed her sister’s hand. “As long as I get the top bunk, that’s fine. Thanks, sis. I’ll call you tomorrow when I find out what’s happening.” She paused and looked around her sister’s home. “And you must know that Mom and Dad would have loved what you’ve done to this place. It’s gorgeous.”
They looked at each other for a second. Losing their parents had been hard. When Alanna had decided to buy Piper’s half of the family home and live there herself, Piper had been fully supportive—of everything except the money. She’d sorted keepsakes, stripped walls, helped with tiling, all while refusing to touch her half of the money. It was still sitting in the bank.
She gave a wave of her hand. “Speak to you tomorrow.”
Piper stepped out into the snowy night, pulling her scarf closer around her neck and shivered. The whole street was lit up with Christmas trees glowing at each window. It reminded her she hadn’t even started to pull out her own decorations. There were a few that she’d brought from her parents’ home, and every year they sparked a whole host of memories all over again.
She let out a sigh and started walking, her head instantly going back to her latest work. Tomorrow was another day, and she had absolutely no idea what it might bring.
Chapter Two
The morning wasa complete disaster. Piper’s car had a flat tire. It was relatively new and she was signed up to a roadside assistance service, but it was two hours before they would reach her. Apparently, today was the day that everyone else had car trouble too.
She’d had to make a run for the train—and the station wasn’t nearby. By the time she reached the Green Line, and then hit the city center, she was panicking. The app giving her directions to the attorneys’ office, kept losing signal via her phone, meaning she was looking around frantically. Piper hated to be late for anything.
The snow had come down even harder. Most people had their hoods pulled over their heads and were barely looking where they were going. Despite the weather, Piper had tried to dress appropriately for a visit to an attorneys’ office. Her long navy, wool coat and bright pink scarf were smart. But her new black boots could have done with a trial run, and the slippery sidewalk wasn’t helping.
Piper glanced at her watch. It was already five after two. She banged her other hand on her phone in frustration. How could she be in the middle of the city and have an intermittent signal?
