Jack ignored the question. “What do you have to do? I’m tired. I want to go home.” He knew he sounded petulant but seeing Sherry and Sheridan react to the passing of their daughter had left a hole in him ... and it was one only Ivy could fill.
“Well, you see, there’s this thing.”
Jack’s stomach sank. “Do I even want to know what the thing is?”
“Probably not, but you don’t have a choice in the matter. Aunt Felicity already agreed to it and she’s insisting that I go with her. If I don’t, my mother is going to melt down ... and that’s never fun.”
Jack was understandably confused. “What are you talking about?”
It was time, Ivy realized. “Aunt Felicity is doing a seance to talk to Éclair’s ghost and she forced my hand so I’m helping. Also, the camera crews are going to be there so ... it’s a whole big thing.”
Jack’s mouth dropped open as Brian dissolved into hysterical laughter.
“You can’t be serious,” Jack said finally. “You’re doing a seance on television? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?”
“I don’t have a choice.” Ivy was miserable. “I was caught off guard by everything as it was happening and now it’s too late. I’m stuck ... which means you’re stuck, too.”
“Oh, I’m not going to a seance.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
“You are, too.”
“Nope.” Jack grabbed a roll from the basket at the center of the table. “There’s nothing in this world you can do to make me go. I refuse. That’s all there is to it.”
Nine
“I can’t believe you talked me into this.”
Jack kept pace with Ivy as they headed toward the town square, the area agreed upon for the seance because it was one of the few places big enough to accommodate all the people who wanted to participate.
Ivy slid him a sidelong look. “I’m sorry.” She was speaking the truth. “If you think this is how I want to spend my evening, you’re wrong. I can’t abandon Aunt Felicity, though. It’s not right.”
Jack grabbed her hand and slowed. “Honey, this is dangerous. I’m not fighting you on it because I’m feeling petulant and want to escape to the cottage and hide for the evening. I don’t like the idea of you putting yourself out there. It could backfire on all of us.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about me,” she intoned. “I know better than practicing magic on camera. I’m not adding anything to the mix. This is all Aunt Felicity.”
Jack was confused. “Then why participate at all? Let’s go home. If your mother and aunt want to play wacky games for public consumption, that’s on them.”
“I can’t just abandon them.” Ivy was resigned. “They asked and ... I can’t simply walk away. I might be able to stand up to Aunt Felicity and tell her no because, well, I just could. My mother won’t let this go, though, and she’ll torture me for years if I don’t at least pretend to participate.”
He stared at her for a long beat and then sighed. “And that right there is the difference between how we’re going to live our lives and what I saw today. You love your mother. She drives you crazy, but you love her. We’re going to love our children that way, too.”
“Of course we are.” Ivy made a face. “Did you think we wouldn’t? We’re not like Sheridan, or that emotionally battered woman he left behind. We’re better than them.
“We might not have the money ... or a dock inside the house like the one you described,” she continued. “We’re going to have a far superior life, though.”
Touched, he gently reached over and slipped a strand of hair behind her ear. “We are definitely going to have a superior life.”
“We’re going to have fun kids, too,” she added. “They’re going to be wild ... and mouthy ... and open to having fun at all times. They’re going to be outdoorsy — no video games in our house — and big fans of Halloween.”
Jack grinned. “They’re going to be competitive with each other,” he said. “A boy and a girl. I have a sister and you have a brother, so I think it’s only natural we have the same configuration. The girl is going to be sweet and strong like her mother, and I’m going to spoil her rotten. The boy is going to want to fish with me ... and tell his Uncle Max that he’s full of it.
“We’re going to camp, and it’s going to be better than last time because no one is going to die,” he continued. “We’re going to take them on picnics to the fairy ring ... and we’re going to take them for ice cream in town every Friday.”
Ivy was amused. “I see you’ve given this some thought.”
“I can’t not think about it,” he replied truthfully. “Our life together is going to be fantastic, to the point where people everywhere are going to be jealous.”
“It is going to be fantastic,” she agreed, moving closer so he could wrap his arms around her. “I can’t wait to marry you.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Right back at you.”
They were silent for a long time, swaying back and forth as they absorbed each other’s warmth and strength. When he finally spoke again, it was with some trepidation.
“I’m afraid that something is going to happen on camera and change the dreams we have for our future,” he admitted. “You can’t do anything magical on camera, Ivy. I ... it’s too dangerous.”
She tightened her grip on him, burying her face in his chest as he rested his cheek on her forehead. “I promise I won’t do a single thing to draw attention to us. Well, actually that’s not true. I might act like a buffoon when I fail to help Aunt Felicity with the seance. That should kill most of the conversation, at least about us.”
“Do they know you’re going to be working against them?”
“Mom doesn’t. I think Aunt Felicity suspects.”
“And?”
Ivy shrugged. “And we all have a part to play. You need to be the cynical cop. I want to see a lot of eye rolling and heavy sighs.”
“I’m pretty sure I can help you there. What about you?”
“I’m going to act enthusiastic but let Aunt Felicity do all the heavy lifting. She owns a magic shop so people will assume she’s mugging for the camera. I have a feeling the bulk of the men who are participating — the guys from the show — are so desperate to get face time on a network broadcast that they’ll fill in the blanks themselves. I’m not going to have to do a thing.”
“Here’s hoping.” He gave her a soft kiss and then smiled. “Do you want the boy or girl to be older?”
She snickered. “I don’t know. I don’t think it matters.”
“Probably not. Still, it’s fun to think about.”
“Yeah. Maybe we should dreamscape it sometime.”
Jack brightened considerably. “Do you think we can do that?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“It will be our reward for when we close this case.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“I would have it no other way.”
THE TOWN SQUARE WAS BUZZING with activity when they arrived. Jack was taken aback when he saw the scene — there were lit candles placed about almost everywhere and industrial lights pointed at a central location — and he made a strangled noise in the back of his throat.
“It’s not very authentic, is it?” Ivy noted.
“I definitely wouldn’t call it authentic,” he agreed, shaking his head. “This is ... unbelievable.”
“It’s actually good for us.”
Jack turned his incredulous dark eyes to her. “How?”
“It looks like a show. People will believe that’s exactly what we’re doing, putting on a show. No one is going to believe anything that happens here is real.”
She was right, Jack realized. That made him feel marginally better. He still wasn’t ready to relax. “Still, it’s important you either go over the top so people assume you’re putting on a show or fade into th
e background. That will be hard because you’re you but ... it’s important.”
She squeezed his hand reassuringly. “I’ve got it, Jack. You honestly don’t need to worry about me.”
“That’s good. I hate worrying about you.”
She pursed her lips as she watched her mother and Felicity arrive in the square, both their faces lit with excitement as they glanced around. “I expected more from Aunt Felicity. She usually doesn’t go for things like this. In fact, she says it gives witches a bad name.”
He cast her a sidelong look. “I thought you were shunning that word.”
“I was until ... .” She trailed off.
Jack knew exactly who she was referring to. Susan Bishop. The old witch she met in the woods who died years before, the spirit who said she’d been watching Ivy grow into her powers. The woman said she would be around to offer her help when Ivy needed direction, but they hadn’t seen her since. Of course, it had only been two weeks, and a quiet two weeks at that. They’d had no need of her. That didn’t mean her presence wasn’t hanging over both of them.
“I’m fine with whatever word you want to use,” Jack reassured her. “I mean it.” He smoothed the back of her hair. “I’m going to stick close to you, just so you’re aware. You might find it invasive, but I need to protect you as much as possible. It will drive me crazy if I don’t.”
Ivy’s smile was soft. “The guys from the show say that you’re territorial when it comes to me.”
“So?”
“I just never noticed it before.”
“I don’t particularly like that word,” he hedged. “I don’t think you’re my property or anything, if that’s what you’re worried about. I don’t like them hitting on you either. It drives me crazy.”
“Oh, that’s kind of cute. I don’t like it when people hit on you either.”
“When does that ever happen?”
Ivy rolled her eyes. “Please. You were the lone item on the menu when you came to town and every single female in the vicinity wanted you as their main course.”
“What about you?” Jack snagged her around the waist. “Did you want me for your main course?”
“I don’t know.” She turned thoughtful. “I was frightened when I first met you. Not that you would hurt me or anything, I don’t want you to think that. I was afraid of the emotions you stirred up inside, though. I wasn’t expecting them.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “That makes two of us. As for the women in this town, I really don’t care about any of them. You’re the only item on my menu for the rest of our lives.” He leaned down to give her a smoldering kiss but was interrupted by an amused chuckle. When he lifted his eyes, he found Blaine and Jordan watching him. “Oh, well, great. Here’s your fan club.”
Ivy straightened as she regarded the two men. “I didn’t know if you guys were going to participate in this,” she admitted. “I thought maybe you would take the high road and retreat to the hotel.”
“There’s no such thing as the high road when it comes to reality television,” Blaine replied, his gaze shifting to Jack. “You didn’t need to stop on our account. We’re fine watching the two of you have fun.”
Jack scowled. “This night already sucks.”
Ivy patted his arm to soothe him. “You’ll have to excuse him. This is not how he saw us spending our evening.”
“I’m guessing with the way you two look at each other that his plans would’ve been more fun,” Jordan supplied. “Still, what’s not to love about a seance?” He smiled as he watched the other participants arrive on the scene. “I expect this to be a great evening.”
“That makes one of us,” Jack muttered, slipping his arm around Ivy’s waist and anchoring her to his side. “I think this has all the makings of a ridiculous scene.”
“Of course it does,” Blaine agreed. “The whole thing is going to be ridiculous. It’s not as if people actually believe in ghosts. This is simply a way for people to pretend they’re mourning. Luckily we happen to have a witch who is local to lead us through the seance. I mean, how awesome is that?”
Ivy stiffened. “What do you mean?”
“Your aunt,” he replied without hesitation. “I heard Roy Donahue talking and she actually owns a witch shop. They were there filming this afternoon. I have no idea what this show is going to turn into, but it’s looking to be so much better than what they originally had planned. I’m so excited.”
“Right. I’m excited, too,” Ivy lied. “I’m so excited I can barely stand it.”
JACK LEFT IVY TO JOIN Felicity and Luna in the center of the town square. He wandered about thirty feet away, making sure he was close enough to rush in if it should be necessary. He didn’t want to be on camera, though, so he was careful to keep himself on the outskirts of the action.
“This is the last place I would’ve expected to find you,” Moss announced, coming in from behind him.
Jack, who was sitting at a picnic table, didn’t jump. He’d been monitoring the man out of the corner of his eye for almost five minutes. He knew Moss was watching and opted to let the security guru approach him, mostly because he was curious, but also because he thought it gave him the position of power.
“I’m not much into seances, but my fiancée got roped into this one by her mother and aunt,” Jack replied dryly. If he was going to play a role this evening, he figured he should commit fully. “I don’t like the idea of her being here, surrounded by single guys who were willing to go on a dating show, so I agreed to hang out with her for a bit. I’m hoping she’ll be bored after an hour so we can go home.”
“It sounds like you have a plan.” Moss rounded the corner of the table and sat on the bench next to Jack. “You and your fiancée seem close.”
“Why would that be surprising? We’re getting married. Of course we’re close.”
“I didn’t mean it that way,” he said hurriedly. “It’s just ... I’ve rarely seen you apart all day.”
“We’ve been apart.” Jack frowned when Felicity suggested all the gathered men and women form a circle and join hands. Ava and Maisie had joined the melee at some point, and the looks they cast Ivy caused his stomach to twist. He didn’t like the group that they’d assembled, although Max’s unexpected presence made him feel marginally better. “My partner and I had to make notification to Éclair’s family. Ivy was in town while that happened.”
“Oh, I forgot all about that.” Moss clucked sympathetically. “How did her parents take it?”
“Surprisingly well.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning I don’t understand the sort of people who raised Éclair Sheridan,” Jack replied honestly. “I don’t get the money, or how it shapes them into jerks who care about material possessions more than people. That’s not how things are in my world.”
“No, in your world people are definitely important,” Moss agreed, making a face when the group in the center of the square began chanting. “Can you believe this?”
Jack shrugged. “Felicity is ... a unique soul.”
“And she’s your fiancée’s aunt, right?”
“She is.”
“And the tall guy who is with that second group, who is he?”
“That’s Max. He’s Ivy’s brother.”
“He seems to have bonded with the other contestants quite well,” Moss noted. “Then there’s the two ladies who joined the fray.”
“Ava and Maisie,” Jack automatically volunteered. “They’re locals ... and I’m sure they smelled the testosterone from miles away. Since some of them are rich, I’m sure Ava and Maisie are hoping to hit the jackpot.”
“Wow. Tell me how you really feel.”
“I really feel both those women are a drain on society,” Jack replied, lifting his eyes to the sky when Felicity started calling for nearby spirits to speak. He didn’t expect to hear a disembodied voice or anything, but he’d learned not to dismiss the potential of magic when around Ivy and her aunt.
“You seem
to have definite opinions about things,” Moss noted. “You must realize that what you have with your fiancée isn’t normal, though, right? Other people wish they had what you have.”
“I’m not blind. I recognize that it’s not normal. I feel lucky every single day of my life. I ... .” He trailed off when he realized Felicity was carrying on a discussion with someone only she could see. “Wait ... did they actually contact a ghost?”
Moss laughed at the question, his guffaw loud enough to draw a few dark glares from the cameramen capturing the action. “They’re pretending to have found a ghost,” he corrected. “They’re actually over there having a conversation with thin air.
“Look at how good all the reactions are, though,” he continued. “I mean ... look at your girlfriend, for example. She looks confused. I think that’s a better reaction than her brother. He keeps rolling his eyes when he thinks no one is looking ... although someone is always looking.
“The two women you can’t stand are playing like they believe, but it’s obvious they don’t,” he continued. “The men are better at pretending they believe. They’ve had more practice at playing a part, though.”
“Yeah, well ... .” Jack trailed off and met Ivy’s gaze. Her expression was conflicted, making him want to go to her. He knew better than drawing attention to either of them, though. “Too bad Felicity didn’t have the power to actually draw a ghost to her, huh? It would be fun to see them all react to a Scooby-Doo ghost, wouldn’t it?”
“I don’t believe in ghosts.”
“No?” Jack shrugged. “I’m torn. I would like to believe that there’s something more out there, that we go on beyond this life. I want to know that when I die, I’ll be with Ivy for an eternity on the other side.”
“That’s a nice sentiment.”
“Thank you.”
“I wouldn’t get your hopes up, though.” Moss absently swatted at a mosquito. “This life is all there is. There’s nothing beyond it. If you want to spend eternity with your fiancée, you’re going to be disappointed. You only have this life, so you’d better make it count.”
Wicked Delight Page 9
