“You’re the only one who heard a scream,” Tyson replied. “Maybe you imagined it.”
Jack jabbed a finger at Vanessa. “She was the one screaming. I didn’t imagine it.”
“I did scream,” Vanessa admitted. “I was taken aback. I hate blood. I’m so glad to know it’s coffee.”
“It’s not coffee.” Jack pressed his index finger into the substance and held it up. The liquid on his finger pad was clearly tinged with red. “Does that look like coffee to you?”
Tyson cocked his head. “Not really, but it’s a little runny for blood, too.”
Jack was officially at the end of his rope. “I can’t even ... .”
Ivy put her hand on his shoulder to calm him. Under different circumstances, she might’ve enjoyed watching Jack blow a gasket. This was an incredibly frustrating conversation to listen to, let alone participate in. They had to deal with the circumstances they’d been given, though, and things were quickly spiraling out of hand.
“My husband is a police detective,” she reminded Tyson. “He knows what blood looks like. Much like him, I’m confused why nobody responded to Vanessa’s scream other than us.”
“Probably because everybody else is gone.”
“Gone?” Jack was convinced he must’ve heard the man wrong. “What do you mean by gone?”
“I mean gone. Cara took the Gordons and Coulsons down early because they wanted to get going before the temperatures got too hot.”
Ivy swiveled toward Jack. “I didn’t know they were going to break up the group.” She knew how he hated things like that. “I thought it was something we did together.”
“It’s not your fault,” he reassured her, squeezing her shoulder. He felt fairly defeated in the face of things because it was clear Tyson didn’t care about the discovery. “Damien and Carter are still here, right? Why didn’t they respond?”
“I believe they’re still sleeping.” Tyson gestured toward a tent across the way. The light-resistant drapes had been pulled down on every side. “They asked for a loud box fan to use as white noise last night. They probably didn’t hear anything.”
“Right.” Jack pressed the top of his tongue against the back of his teeth and looked at his wife. She appeared equally as perplexed as him. He had one more card to play, although he wasn’t looking forward to doing it. “Did you notice the tracks?”
“What tracks?” Tyson asked.
“There.” Jack pointed. “Those are the same tracks we saw in the field during lunch when we stopped yesterday.”
“Are you sure?” Tyson didn’t look convinced. “To me this looks as if someone was screwing around with a stick or something.”
For one horrifying moment, Ivy thought Jack might reach over, steal Tyson’s coffee, and dump it over the guide’s head. Instead, he linked his fingers with those of his wife and exhaled heavily.
“You know what? You’re right. It’s obviously nothing. There are no footprints and that’s not blood. Ivy and I are going back to our tent to shower and get ready. Sorry to have bothered you.” The words were delivered with simmering sarcasm, but Tyson was oblivious.
“Okay. Great.” Tyson took another sip of his coffee. “See you for breakfast in thirty.”
“We’re looking forward to it,” Ivy reassured him as she gave Jack a shove toward their tent. “We’re really hungry and can’t wait for a hearty breakfast.”
“Then you’re going to be thrilled by what we have in store for you.”
THEY SHOWERED TOGETHER, BUT ONLY BECAUSE Ivy knew Jack would never make it on time for breakfast if he couldn’t rant as they multitasked.
“That guy is a menace.”
“Totally,” Ivy agreed as she lathered her hands with shampoo and reached up to rub it into Jack’s hair. The shower was small, designed for one person, but they were making it work by being creative.
“He shouldn’t be allowed to be in charge.”
“Absolutely not.”
“That was clearly blood.”
Ivy believed that with her whole heart. “It was. However, we don’t know if it was human blood.”
“What other type of blood is there?”
Her lips twitched as she fought to contain her amusement. “Um ... animal blood? We are out in the wilderness.”
“Oh, right.” Jack looked properly chagrined. “How would an animal die over there and us not hear it?” he asked finally. “That was right outside Vanessa’s tent and she didn’t hear anything.”
Ivy opted for pragmatism. “There are a lot of scenarios that result in an animal dying over there and nobody hearing anything. It could’ve been a squirrel that was scooped up by an owl or hawk. It could’ve been a skunk or raccoon taken out by a coyote or wolf. Animals know how to kill quickly and not draw attention to themselves, especially at night.”
Jack opened his mouth to argue and then snapped it shut. She had a point. “So, it really could be an animal.” He almost seemed disappointed, something that tugged on Ivy’s heartstrings.
“In your defense, I find a lot of trouble. I stumble over dead bodies all the time. Even when I’m not the one to stumble over them, I almost always get dragged into dangerous situations that involve dead bodies. You’re predisposed to assume someone is going to die when I’m around.”
He angled his head so he could look into her eyes and offered her a rueful grin. “I think you’re making excuses for me, but I’ll take it.”
She moved her hand to the spot above his heart. “I assumed it was human blood, too. Tyson doesn’t seem worked up, though. There is no body. That’s a good thing.”
“No, but I am a little annoyed that they broke up the group.”
“Yeah, I didn’t know they were going to do that. Still, we have the least annoying people with us.”
“You’re just saying that because the other group includes Bart. I don’t think Vanessa and Nate are prizes.”
“No, but we have Damien and Carter. We both like them.”
“I guess.” Jack wrapped his arms around her narrow waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. “I hate the woods, honey.” He hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but he felt better when he finally admitted it.
Despite herself — and the serious situation they found themselves in — Ivy belted out a laugh. “The tents aren’t so bad, right?”
“They’re not so bad.”
“The food is good.”
He had to give her that. “The food is great.”
“The kayaking is a little tougher than either of us anticipated, but it should get better today.”
“It had better.”
She put her hands on either side of his face. “I know this isn’t your thing. You’re only doing this because of me. I’m desperate for you to find something tolerable about camping, though, Jack. I want our kids to love camping as much as Max and I did growing up.”
He couldn’t tear himself away from the blue of her eyes. “No matter what, we’ll find a way to take our kids camping and I won’t ruin it for them.”
“That’s not enough. I want you to love it.”
“I love you. You might have to temper your expectations and accept that’s the best I can do.”
She nodded, even though the idea of another camping trip ending in disaster had her stomach clenching. “Don’t give up on this camping trip just yet. We’ve had a rough morning. It will get better.”
“I hope so.” He kissed her forehead and then returned to showering. “I hope breakfast is as good as dinner was because it’s going to be a long day.”
“You and me both.”
8
Eight
“I’ll take the back today.”
Jack delivered the line in a casual manner, but Ivy didn’t miss the way he’d already positioned himself so he had the clear path to the seat.
“Give me your bag, honey.” Jack extended his hand and gave her a bright smile as he patiently waited for her to hand over the backpack.
Ivy stared at him
for a long beat and then sighed before doing as he asked. “Okay.” She didn’t want to fight. Oh, sure, she enjoyed a good fight when they were at home ... and could roll around on the floor whenever they wanted to make up. Jack occasionally joked that fighting was their cardio. She didn’t want to deal with it today, though, and she knew he didn’t either.
Jack tucked her bag in the front storage compartment and then did the same with his in the back. He moved to hold the kayak for her so she could climb in, but she shook her head.
“You need to be in first,” she explained.
His eyebrows drew together. “Why?”
She had to laugh at his expression. “So trusting.” She poked his cheek and grinned. “You’re the anchor in the kayak, Jack. If I’m in first the back end will fan out that way and you’ll have to chase the boat into the river. Your pants will get wet and it will be harder to hoist yourself in.”
To Jack that sounded like a bunch of nonsense, but he nodded his head in understanding all the same. She knew a lot more about this than he did and he refused to look like an idiot in front of Tyson. “Okay. I’ll get in first.”
Ivy held the kayak steady as he got settled and then motioned toward his paddle. “Kind of dig it in right there and hold the kayak steady so I can get in.”
“I’ve got it.” He watched with a great deal of trepidation as she climbed into the slot. The kayak wobbled once, but he steadied it quickly, and within ten seconds she was seated and ready to go. “That wasn’t so bad, huh?” He beamed at her.
Ivy could do nothing but shake her head. “You’re turning this into a thing when it doesn’t have to be a thing.”
“I’m not turning it into a thing.” Jack flicked his curious eyes to the shore when Tyson showed up with two life jackets. “I thought we didn’t need those.”
“You likely don’t, but from here on out we prefer our guests wear them,” Tyson replied amiably. If he was put off by Jack’s dark gaze, he didn’t show it. “Like I explained yesterday, there are a few spots in the river that are deep enough where you would have to swim to the shore if you tip over in them ... and the current can run fast, although we haven’t had a lot of rain as of late.”
Jack eyed the life jackets for a beat and then inclined his head toward Ivy. “Give her one first. I’ll hold the kayak still while she puts it on and then she can do the same for me.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary.” Tyson sloshed into the water and tossed the jackets at both of them at the same time before grabbing the side of the kayak. “Now you can do it without having to take turns.” His smile was large but that didn’t stop Jack from wanting to punch it off his face.
“Great.”
Jack tugged on the jacket, which was actually a good fit, and fastened it. “You okay, honey?” he asked when he was certain his wouldn’t cause problems with his movement.
“I’m good,” Ivy promised, grinning as she turned back to him. “Try to keep me out of the trees. I don’t want a bear to appear out of nowhere and eat me.”
Jack scowled at her. “Do you think you’re funny?”
“Just a little.”
“I think she’s adorable,” Tyson offered.
Jack slid his eyes to the guide. His first instinct was to tell Tyson that she was also married, and happily so, but he held his tongue. “I think we’re ready to go.”
“You can start out,” Tyson said. “I’ll be right behind you. Damien and Carter already have their vests and are pushing out now.” He pointed. “Vanessa and Nate are putting their vests on now and they’ll be right behind you.”
“Great.” Jack flashed a smile that he didn’t feel and nudged Tyson with his paddle. “We’re ready to head out.”
“Have fun!” Tyson offered up a playful salute, which had Jack rolling his eyes.
They’d barely made it past the first bend before Jack started complaining.
“I don’t like him.”
Ivy was expecting another diatribe. She assumed it wouldn’t come for at least twenty minutes — and was looking forward to the peace — but Jack could not be contained.
“You liked him okay yesterday,” Ivy noted.
“Yes, but that was before he told me that blood was coffee.”
She bit back a sigh, although it took considerable effort. “He didn’t really say it wasn’t blood. He simply said it could be something else.”
“I know what blood is.”
“I know.”
“I’m a detective.”
“I know.”
“Just because he wants to be a moron, that doesn’t mean I have to be one.”
“Oh, geez, Jack.” The sun was barely up and Ivy was already at the end of her rope. “I love you more than anything, but you’re driving me crazy.”
He was taken aback by her vehemence. “I ... was just talking.” He knew that wasn’t true. As he pictured the way he probably sounded to her — and anybody else within hearing distance over the past hour — he got a glimpse of himself that he wasn’t exactly proud of. “I’ll stop.”
She licked her lips, debating, and then shook her head. “I don’t want you to give up being you. I just ... don’t want you to fixate on something that might not be real either.”
“Is this about the bear again?”
For some reason, the question made her laugh. “It might be about the bear a little,” she conceded. “You have been ridiculous about the bear. The thing is, I know you’re out of your element. The thing I want most in this world is to make you comfortable in the outdoors. I’m ... desperate for it.”
“Because you’re afraid that I’ll somehow take camping away from you when we have kids,” he surmised. “I won’t do that. I’ll go camping. I’ve already told you that. I just can’t promise to like camping.”
“All I wanted from this trip was to make you see that camping was fun,” Ivy said as she blew out a sigh and stared ahead. “I wanted you to love it as much as me.”
He felt a slight twinge of guilt as he stared at her ponytail ... and then brutally shoved it aside. “Honey, we can’t like all the same things. We like each other. Not all hobbies are created equal for us, though.
“You love making your oils and lotions, for example, and I think that sounds like a boring afternoon when we could be pawing each other over pizza and beer,” he continued. “I like fishing. You hate it.”
“I don’t mind fishing when we dream walk,” she countered quickly. “Then it’s kind of fun because it’s like a video game ... and no real animals are dying.”
“Yes, but I like both kinds of fishing,” he continued. “You love morel hunting. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’m going to lose you for two weeks every May because you’ll be traipsing around the woods with your brother to collect as many feet mushrooms as you can.”
“Hey!” Ivy was offended on behalf of morels the world over. “You ate the ones on your steak last night.”
“Because they were hidden beneath a pungent sauce and I couldn’t taste them. Besides, I didn’t want you to make a thing about it. I had images in my head of you carrying the mushrooms to the river to wash them and being attacked by a bear in the process and didn’t want to risk it.”
“Oh, give up on the bear.”
He laughed at her obvious annoyance, love bubbling up. It hit him at the oddest of times now that he’d managed to snag her, make her his forever. On paper they shouldn’t work. Jack was too anal and fussy and she liked running around crime scenes in bare feet. They fit together perfectly, though, and he was determined to never lose her ... neither to fights with each other nor outside forces.
“I’ll give up the bear if you acknowledge that it was blood,” Jack offered.
Ivy pursed her lips. “It did look like blood,” she said finally. “We both know what blood looks like because we’ve seen it a hundred times. That doesn’t mean it was human blood, though.”
“I guess.” Jack rolled his neck. “I just want you to be safe.”
; “As long as I’m with you, I’m safe.”
“History has proven that statement not to be true.”
“Um ... no.” She shook her head. “Most of the trouble I’ve found has occurred when we’ve been separated from one another. You usually race in at the end to try and save me — whether I need saving or not — but we’re rarely together when the trouble strikes.”
His first instinct was to argue the point, but she was right. “So, I guess that means we can’t be separated this trip, because when we’re together everything is fine.”
“I think that’s going to make going to the bathroom weird.”
He laughed, as she’d intended. “We’ll figure something out.” He was earnest when he spoke again. “I love you. I like being outside. I’m trying to wrap my head around the camping. I swear we’ll figure something out down the line to make it work for both of us.”
Ivy could only hope that was true.
JACK HANDLED HIS DUTIES AS NAVIGATOR better than Ivy was anticipating. He didn’t run them into a single tree — and only got close twice — so they were both in good moods when they landed for lunch.
“Oh, look at that.” Even though her back and legs hurt again, although nowhere near as much as the previous day, Ivy was taken aback by the breathtaking view from the clearing. “It’s like ... something out of a dream.”
Jack followed her gaze and then immediately turned his attention back to her. The flowers in the meadow were beautiful, but her reaction to them was what had his heart soaring. “You’re my favorite dream.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth, causing her to slowly turn toward him. “I love you, Ivy.”
The naked emotion on his face had her sliding closer to him. “I know you do. You’re just going to have to learn to love camping, too.”
He smirked. “What if I can’t learn to love it?”
“Oh, you will.” She wiggled her fingers in his face. “I have ways to make you agree to my every whim.”
“You do indeed.” He walked with her to the picnic table that had been set up on the shoreline. The other members of their group — minus the ones who had started down the river first thing in the morning — were already opening sandwiches.
Wicked Honeymoon (An Ivy Morgan Mystery Book 19) Page 8
