Man Drought by Rachael Johns Page B

good with his hands, and Charlie seemed to think he’d be more than willing to help out.
    Imogen didn’t want to think about Gibson’s hands and she didn’t like to burst the old man’s bubble either, but she’d bet The Majestic on the fact his beloved grandson would rather pick lice off sheep with a pair of tweezers than lend her a hand.
    That night, Gibson hit the bar at his usual time.
    Imogen noticed him the moment he walked in the door. His eyes sought hers, then quickly looked away. She wanted to kick something. While her hormones had a happy party without her every time he came within twenty metres, Gibson appeared to find even being in the same space as her suffocating.
    Aside from his irritating good looks, dedication to his grandfather was the only good Imogen could see in Gibson Black. She’d spent more time than she cared to admit trying to work out what the hell his story was. And whether he had a girlfriend stashed away somewhere. She could ask Charlie, but she didn’t want him to think she was interested. Which she wasn’t. Curiosity just happened to be her middle name, and Gibson was a mystery begging to be solved.
    As Charlie made a beeline for his grandson, the breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding eased out. He clearly looked forward tothese daily visits, and she knew Charlie was the only reason Gibson ever came in. The times he talked with Charlie were also the only times he bothered with a smile.
    To take her mind off
him
, Imogen took the chance to ring her friends while Gibson sat at the bar and Cal and Charlie held the fort.
    Tonight, Jenna was even more excitable than normal because she’d been doing serious research. ‘Hey babe,’ Jenna answered. ‘Did you get my email?’
    Imogen glanced towards her computer screen from where she was, leaning back in her swivel chair. ‘When’d you send it?’
    ‘Oh, only about half an hour ago. I’ve been looking into our little problem and I think we can get you a real good deal, delivered to your door. I sent you a selection.’
    After a few days of deep consideration, and those irritating urges whenever Gibson Black ventured into the pub, Imogen had finally solicited Jenna’s help with The Vibrator Acquisition.
    Barely able to believe what she was contemplating, and with Jenna still on the line, Imogen opened her email and her eyes boggled – not only at the prices but also the colours, shapes and sizes.
    ‘Well?’ Jenna asked after a few moments’ silence. ‘See anything you like?’
    ‘Um …’ Jenna would be disappointed if Imogen backed out now. ‘I’ll have to give it some thought.’ Quite frankly, it was hard to imagine sharing her bedroom – never mind her bed – with any of those things. ‘Anyway,’ she said, changing the subject before Jenna could nag her to make a hasty decision, ‘you know how you and Amy have been talking about coming up for a weekend before the baby arrives?’
    ‘Uh-huh.’
    ‘Are you free the first weekend in March? Amy says she’s in if you’ll drive.’
    ‘Hell yeah,’ Jenna replied, adding a whoop. ‘I’ll make sure I’m free. But I hope you’ve ordered in some better champagne since we were last there.’
    ‘Of course,’ Imogen said, feigning indignation. ‘Just don’t get a manicure the day before; this is going to be a working weekend.’
    ‘What do you mean?’ Jenna asked.
    ‘I’m throwing a slab party.’
    ‘A what?’
    Imogen laughed. ‘That was my reaction too when Charlie first mentioned it. Apparently it’s a party where everyone brings a slab of beer to celebrate a new house or something, but his idea is a little different. We’re going to ask the locals to help with some of the pub renovations, and in return I’ll provide the beer for a party at night. Sound like fun?’
    ‘That depends on your definition of fun,’ Jenna replied.
    Imogen laughed again. ‘Hopefully, by the end of the weekend, most of the minor tasks will be done and I’ll be able