by Angela Blake
Zack walked in on Sam just standing there like a statue, holding Ivy’s limp hand. The sight of both of them wearing blood stained clothing made his heart leap to his throat.
A young grey haired man followed him into the room. He assessed the situation in a matter of seconds, “Take Sam out of the room.”
Sam resisted, howling with tears pouring down his cheeks. He struggled in Zack’s arms whose heart broke a little as it reminded him of Lily’s funeral.
“Hey! Hey!” He shook the child gently to get his attention. “Ivy’s going to be okay. She just needs to get a bandage.”
If Sam understood him, it wasn’t obvious, because he threw his arms around his uncle’s neck, sobbing.
He held onto to him and breathed a sigh of relief when Shawn exited the room a while later.
“Hey, Sam.” Shawn smiled at him, and the boy just sniffled, shaking the offered hand at Zack’s prompting. To Zack he said, “She’s awake. She lost some blood, but she’ll be fine. I’ve stitched her back up. She needs to restrict movement. Not complete bed rest, but no stretching or exercise.”
He paused, before saying, “I couldn’t give her anaesthesia or anything to numb the pain, but she didn’t flinch a muscle when I gave her the stitches. She’s a strong one.”
Sam wiggled in Zack’s grip till he was let down and then he opened the door and looked in.
Ivy looked at him and gave him a bright smile, “What an adventure, eh Sam?”
To his credit, he didn’t cry again and he ran to her bed and climbed into it with her.
“Careful,” Ivy told him.
She was wearing a sports bra over the bandage and when Zack came in, her cheeks turned red, and she pulled the sheets up to her neck, “Could you give me a shirt or something?”
Zack blinked, “Uh, yeah. Wait.”
He opened the closet opposite the bed and took out a black shirt of his, tossing it to her.
However, when her cheeks turned even more red, he raised a brow, “What is it?”
She gestured towards the shirt, a little mortified, “I can’t wear it myself. I can’t stretch at all. Would you – If you don’t mind-“
Zack chuckled, relief coursing through his system at seeing her act so normal, “Yeah. Sure. Sam, get out of the way.”
Sam scrambled to the edge of the bed.
“This should be fairly easy,” Zack said, trying not to be too pleased with the fact that even under such circumstances, Ivy was still aware of him as a man. “It’s a button-up shirt. Raise your arm.”
Ivy tried to raise at as much as her new stitches would possibly allow. She felt Zack’s rough hand, gently grip her wrist, as he slid on first one sleeve and leaned over to do the same with the other one. His clothed body brushed her bare one and she was unable to control the shiver that ran through her.
He didn’t say anything so she hoped that meant he didn’t notice.
Boy, could she have been any more wrong.
When he sat in front of her to do up the buttons, he made sure to maintain eye contact, giving her a delicious smirk that had her toes curling. Ivy frowned, trying to dispel the fluttering in her stomach.
She’d be damned if she let this man get to her.
“Thank you,” She said, a little stiffly, making him hide his grin.
She was simply too adorable. Lily’s description did her no justice. This woman was the most reckless person he had ever come across and she really needed someone to make sure she didn’t pose too much of a danger to herself.
His mood darkened at the thought, as something else came to mind.
“Sam, leave the room. Go to Billy. I need to have a word with Ivy.”
The boy gave her a silent look of pity, making her wonder just how much trouble she was in.
Not that this was surprising.
He must blame her for what happened. Not that she had any idea.
Zack got up and closed the door behind him, before leaning against it, arms crossed against his chest.
He studied her, a calm look on his face, “You mind telling me what you intended to do with that bat?”
Ivy tilted her head, confused by the line of questioning, “Defend myself?”
“So, you told Sam to hide, but you decided to take on possibly three men who were armed and weigh ten times more than you, with a bat?” Zack asked, his tone even.
Ivy was starting to feel annoyed.
“Well, I didn’t know they would have guns, did I?” She snapped at him.
“Not once did it occur to you to call me, or hide with Sam?” He raised a brow.
Ivy scowled now, “If I hid with Sam, and they found me they would have dragged Sam along as well. I’m not stupid, Zack. There was a very good chance they would have found me anyways, and better I make a commotion and be dragged away than them looking through the entire house till they found Sam as well.”
Her breathing was ragged by the end of the tirade, and her cheeks flushed.
Zack stared at her, not knowing whether to kiss her or smack her upside the head.
He chose the former.
Striding forward, he grabbed her by her chin and slanted his lips on hers, in a way that made her eyes widen and then flutter shut. It was a punishing kiss that gentled when she kissed him back. His tongue entered her mouth, a curious probing before sucking in hers.
Her sharp intake of breath told him that she liked that.
Too bad, she wasn’t allowed to exert herself.
He pulled back with a heavy heart, and then unable to help himself, he kissed her again, a soft gesture that had her sighing.
Finally, both hands by her sides, an effective cage, he pulled away, regretfully.
Ivy’s eyes were dazed, softened with pleasure and Zack warned her, “Don’t look at me like that. I’m barely holding on by a thread.”
“W-What?” She stuttered, trying to regain control of the situation.
She had very dark eyelashes that framed those crystal blue eyes. It was a beautiful effect, the way they hooded over them.
“Can you please move back?” Ivy bit out.
He acquiesced, moving back a bit, and raised a brow, “Problem?”
She wanted to glare at him but that kiss had stirred things up in her that she had no hopes of being able to resolve tonight, and it was a mixture of pleasure and anger inside of her, “You can’t just kiss people like that!”
“You kissed me back,” Zack pointed out, not the least bit ruffled. “And I kissed you.”
“A, that was like a fluke, and B, what?”
She was not making any sense, and Ivy knew it. She had enjoyed the kiss. Never had she ever been kissed like that. She could still feel the way his tongue had-
No!
“So, if I were to kiss you again, and you kissed me back, it would still be a fluke?” Zack asked, grinning. God, it was easy to rile her up.
“Yes. No! I mean, what – why did you kiss me?” Ivy was trying to regain composure and failing miserably.
Zack gave her a smug smile, “I’ve been wanting to do that ever since I saw you at Lily’s wedding.”
“Lily’s –“ Ivy blinked, trying to comprehend what he had just admitted. “You barely knew me!”
Zack shrugged, “You ran away before I had a chance to try to get to know you. Besides, when I retired I had planned to track you down and ask you out. But then, life got in the way.”
Ivy opened her mouth but nothing came out.
She was not prepared for this.
Her eyes followed him as he left the room to get Sam.
However, Billy also followed the two of them into the room. Taking off his hat, he looked down at her, “How are you feeling, Miss Ivy?”
“It’s not that bad,” Ivy told him, attempting to smile. “I just need some rest and quiet.”
The last part was aimed at Zack who just gave her that charming smile which fried her brain cells.
Billy leaned down, a newfound respect in his tone, “You tried to protect Sam. Thank you.”
There was a wealth of emotion in his tone, and it took Ivy aback. She just gave him a small smile.
When he left, Sam had crawled under her covers and Fabian had made himself at home at her feet on the bed.
Ivy glanced helplessly at Zack who just shrugged, “If I tell them to leave, they’ll just sneak back in later.”
Sam was playing with his red toy truck, moving it in the air, not paying either adult any attention. He was content with his new bed mate and he wasn’t planning on letting her out of his site.
“I don’t mind him sleeping here,” Ivy glanced at Zack, and then when her stomach gurgled, Zack glanced at his wrist watch, “It’s around nine. No wonder you’re hungry. What do you want to eat?”
“There were some leftover sandwiches,” Ivy reminded him. “I wouldn’t mind two or three pieces.”
And that was how they ended up having the most bizarre dinner, with all of them huddled in Zack’s room, eating sandwiches and drinking juice.
But for Zack, it was a memorable day.
It was the first day after Lily’s death that Sam had acted like himself.
CHAPTER 7
“This is ridiculous! I can do this myself!” Ivy protested as he slowly unwound the wrappings around her stomach.
“Keep still, woman, or I swear by all that’s holy-“ Zack growled at her.
“-you’ll what?” Ivy demanded, torn between embarrassment and anger. “Why can’t a woman do this? Why does it have to be you?”
“Careful.” Zack gave her a look that subdued many a man, “I might start to think you don’t like me.”
And of course, Ivy wasn’t the least bit affected by it.
It was the tenth day since The Incident – as Ivy termed it – and he had assigned himself to changing her bandages twice a day as instructed by Shawn.
“You’re just putting- Sam get down from the banister, you’ll hurt yourself – words in my mouth,” Ivy wanted to wriggle from his touch which made her tremble when those thick fingers ghosted over her skin, but he was removing the huge bandage on her lower stomach and the sight of the stitches made her nauseas so she glanced away.
From the corner of her eyes, she saw movement as Sam tumbled on the ground, “Sam!”
“He’s okay,” Zack told her. “Don’t move.”
And sure he was. The child rolled over, blinked, and then gave her a toothed grin before jumping to his feet and climbing back up the stairs, Fabian following him faithfully.
Zack picked up the new gauze and nudged her so that she would put her arm on the chair.
They were sitting in the kitchen, and it occurred to Zack that having Ivy here felt so normal. There was activity in the house, one that had been lacking for a year. Ever since word had got out of the way Ivy had somehow brought Sam back, his men were dropping by to check on the young boy, and introduce themselves to the pretty little miss, or Zack’s girl, as some of them had started calling her.
“The cut on your forehead is starting to look much better,” Zack commented. “It’s going to leave a scar though.”
He waited for the disappointment to fill her eyes, but she just shrugged, “At least I’m still alive.”
“Attagirl,” Zack said, cheerfully, knowing that it would piss her off.
And sure enough, the colour rushed into her cheeks and he was disappointed when she just bit her lower lip, forcing her retort in.
Zack enjoyed riling her up.
In the few days that Ivy had spent with them, he had gotten a profound understanding of her personality.
Ivy loved kids. The way she interacted with Sam was proof enough. When Sam had dug up a few worms and brought them to her yesterday, she had thanked him and pressed a kiss against his soft cheek, making the boy beam with pride.
Zack hadn’t had the heart to tell her that that was just encouragement for the boy to bring in any and every insect he could get his hands on.
Although, she put on a prickly exterior around him, and she stated that she wasn’t good with people, his men were half in love with her already. Every time they dropped by, she would have something to eat prepared for them, whether it was a sliced fruit, or some other snack that he had no idea when she had made.
She had refused to stay in bed past the next afternoon and had been in the lower house, moving about, and fiddling with Lily’s laptop.
Zack hid his smile as he sealed the bandage. She made a fuss every time he flirted with her, but he could see the attraction she so desperately tried to hide.
And not once had she said no.
“That’s not too tight, is it?” He asked, when she winced.
Ivy shook her head.
When he was about to get up, she grabbed his shirt, making him pause, “Yeah?”
Staring at her hand as if it had suddenly developed a will of its own, Ivy blinked and then asked, “Any word from your lawyer friend?”
Zack leaned against the table, “He’s going to be here tomorrow. Don’t worry, you won’t be alone when he comes. I’ll be right with you.”
When Ivy said nothing, he raised a brow, “What is it?”
She made a pained face and then glanced behind her to make sure than Sam was not within hearing range, before speaking nervously, “Do you really think me being here is the best idea? Sam is alone with me for hours. If anybody –“
Zack gave her a grim smile, “I have men posted all around this house. They have a clear visual of you at all times. You have nothing to worry about.”
When uncertainty still shone in Ivy’s eyes, Zack crouched down so that their eyes were level, “I would never endanger Sam, Ivy. If I had thought he was in danger, for even a heartbeat, I would have whisked him away to my aunt in Norway. The incident from the other night was a scare tactic. Somebody had turned off the electricity from the main grid which is miles from the main house. You two were never in danger.”
He covered her trembling hands with his own, “Look, Damon’s going to have a look at this hard drive, and then we’ll see who we involve. I already have a line out to the man I served under before I left. His brother-in-law is the District Attorney. I just want Damon to give a clear idea of how bad this can go, and then we take this to the DA.”
Ivy nodded, but the lingering doubt remained in her eyes.
In an effort to distract her, he asked, “How are you doing on getting into Lily’s laptop?”
Ivy looked over to see the laptop being charged on the table, “I got in yesterday, but she has too many files. You need to tell me what to look for.”
Zack straightened, “Any and all documents with the name Black. I really appreciate this.”
“It’s the least I can do for you putting up with me,” Ivy muttered, making Zack grin when he caught her words.
However, he just exited the kitchen, humming.
***
Ivy mixed the cake batter and then put half of it in the pan. The huge steel bowl that contained the rest lay on the kitchen table, unattended.
The sound of a polite rap on the screen door had her looking up when a familiar voice called out, “Miss Ivy?”
At the same time, there was a loud clatter and Ivy jumped and then saw Sam standing next to the table, a guilty look on his face and Fabian licking up the remaining batter off the floor. The bowl lay upside down on the floor.
At the sound of the loud noise, the door flung open and Andy, one of the farm hands who managed the horses rushed in, “Is everything all right?”
He saw the scenario and blinked.
“What did I tell you about leaving the bowl alone, Sam?” Ivy frowned at him, making the boy look at the cautious Andy for help. Andy raised his hands in surrender, “Sorry, kiddo. I can’t help you here. You’re on your own.”
Ivy tapped the child on the back of the head, a gentle reprimand, “Go upstairs and change. You have batter all
over your shirt.”
When Sam rushed off, Fabian tried to follow, making Ivy grab at him with her hands, “Not you, Fabian!”
Unfortunately, she wasn’t so mobile and Fabian escaped her weak attempt and ran towards the kitchen door. But compared to an unruly calf, Fabian was smaller and easier to trap. So, Andy vaulted over the table and grasped Fabian by his collar, “You’re going outside, buddy. Come on, I’ll give you a bath. Do you think that cake will be ready by the time we’re done?”
The last part was a hopeful question aimed at Ivy.
She gave him a grateful smile, “Yes. I’ll cut a slice for you.”
Finally alone in the kitchen, Ivy sank into a chair and wondered when she had taken on such a domestic role. She may have liked cooking, but she had never been a homebody. She hated being stuck in the house all day. Even when working as a freelancer, she had often visited cafes or parks to work.
She liked the hustle and bustle of people around her, even if she didn’t like to mingle with them. Her eyes looked out the screen door at the open ground. Her eyes flew over the dusty jeep that belonged to Zack, and at the pickup wagon which was a mottled green.
The ground was dry and dusty, probably due to the ongoing drought this season, but she had seen a few ranch hands passing by yesterday on horses.
She had never seen a horse before and was completely fascinated by the idea of seeing one in real life.
Biting her lower lip, Ivy wondered how much trouble it would cause if she stepped outside and took a walk. She couldn’t move that much, but the wound was healing and she wouldn’t mind a bit of exercise.
She wasn’t a prisoner in the house, she told herself.
But outside, she would be an open target.
A shuffle of feet and a mournful looking Sam entered the room, dragging his feet, his eyes wide as if hoping to be pardoned for his crime.
“You buttoned your shirt wrong,” Ivy tried not to laugh at his defeated posture. “You know that batter was for you. You and I were going to eat it with a spoon while the cake was baking.”
The pain was suddenly too real for Sam and Ivy worked hard to maintain her composure.
“You’ll have to help me make more batter tomorrow. That’s your punishment. And you can’t have any till we are done.”
