Jack let loose a long sigh. “Ivy, I don’t want to dress you down at all. Believe it or not, I’m not a fan of acting like an ogre. It’s just … this was supposed to be private time for the two of us. We’re getting married in two months. Do you know what that means?”
Ivy nodded without hesitation. “I do. It means I’m going to be able to introduce you as my husband and then watch the way the other women drool when they realize you’re all mine.”
He told himself that he wouldn’t laugh. It would only encourage her. He couldn’t stop himself from smiling, though. “You are impossible to stay angry at.”
“I believe that’s why we make up so often.”
“Probably.”
Instinctively, Ivy reached over the console and rested her hand on Jack’s thigh. “I’m sorry. I know I said I was going to get rid of him, but when I tried to explain our plans he just went on and on about how Amy has never been camping and he wants to show her a good time. I’ve never seen him this way about a girl before … or at least not since he was in high school and couldn’t control his hormones. He practically begged.”
“At which point you still should’ve told him no.”
“I get that but … he’s my brother. I love him. He’s done a lot for me over the years. Before you came along, he was the only one I spent any time with because I couldn’t make friends I wasn’t related to. He was my best friend.”
“He’s still your best friend,” Jack muttered darkly.
“No, you’re my best friend.”
He slid his eyes to her. “Oh, really?”
She nodded without hesitation. “You’re the one person I always want to spend time with no matter what. You listen to me … and want what’s best for me … and go out of your way to make sure I’m safe and taken care of. If that’s not a best friend, I don’t know what is.”
“Oh, geez.” Jack pinched the bridge of his nose, frustration practically rolling off him in waves. “You know exactly how to get what you want from me, don’t you? It’s unbelievable.”
“Just wait until we have a little girl. She’ll have you wrapped around her finger faster than you can say ‘daddy, will you buy me a pony’ and you’ll roll over and show her your belly.”
Despite himself, Jack laughed. “You’re probably right,” he acknowledged. “I just picture a little you pointing to every stuffed animal in the store and me walking out with my arms full.”
Ivy relaxed, although only marginally. Jack was finally starting to thaw and she wanted to keep the forward momentum going. “When do you want to have kids? I mean … we haven’t really talked about it much.”
“When do you want to have kids?”
“I would like to wait a year or two so we can have some time with just us, but I’m open to talking about it if you want to get a jump on things.”
“Actually, I like the idea of waiting a year or two as well. I’m perfectly happy with it being just the two of us for the foreseeable future.”
Ivy smiled. “That sounds nice.”
“Yes. Unfortunately, your brother will probably move in and we’ll become a trio until I’m old and gray.”
Ivy’s smile slipped. “Can’t you please let it go? There’s nothing you can do to change it. Max is right behind us. I already told him we have romantic plans and he has to put his tent as far away from ours as possible. He doesn’t want to be right on top of us any more than we want him to be. I promise you that.”
“Oh, I guarantee I want the distance more than he does.”
“Jack.” The one word carried a mountain of torment. “We’re still going to have a great time. I promise. It’s going to be all romance, all of the time. You’ll have to pry my lips off you.”
Even though he fought the effort, Jack’s eyes softened. “I’m going to beat him up the first time he interrupts us. I’m not kidding.”
“I think that’s more than fair.”
He moved his hand so it rested on top of hers. “We’re going to have a good time. I promise I won’t let my bad attitude ruin anything. It’s just … I had big plans for this trip. We’ve never been away on our own to just relax. The few trips we’ve taken have ended up with murder and mayhem following us. Now, granted, your brother isn’t a murderer. He is all about the mayhem, though.”
“It’s going to be fine. He wants to romance Amy as much as you want to romance me. We’ll probably never see him.”
“That would be a nice change of pace.” He hit the turn signal when the sign he was looking for popped into view. “Here it is. This is the right campground, right?”
Ivy’s expression turned dreamy. “Yeah. I haven’t been here since I was a teenager. I can’t tell you how excited I am.”
“I’m glad.” He squeezed her hand before moving both his hands to the wheel. “Don’t bother to shine me on about ignoring your brother, though. I happen to know that you’re going to be all up in Amy’s business because you’re dying to learn more about her.”
“That’s not true. I plan on minding my own business.”
Jack snorted. “Whatever. I’ve got twenty bucks that says you’re peppering her with questions before the end of the night.”
“You’re on.”
AMY JOHNSON WAS BLOND, petite, and obviously nervous as she helped Max unload his truck. The way the campsite was arranged, there were large expanses on either side of the bonfire pit. That allowed the two couples to set up shop a decent distance from one another. Ivy was relieved when she saw the site, and despite Jack’s earlier teasing, she immediately tapped Amy to help her unload the kitchen stuff for the center table and fire area. Unfortunately for her, Amy was the nervous sort and opted to help Max instead. Ivy wasn’t the type to make rash judgments, but the woman’s insistence on brushing her off was agitating.
For his part, Max seemed to be having a good time. He laughed as Amy pulled out the instructions for the tent and sat cross-legged on the ground to read them. “You don’t need those. I know exactly what I’m doing when it comes to putting up tents. In fact, I’m the best in the business.”
Ivy rolled her eyes as she lifted one of the coolers to the top of the picnic table. There were two – one on either side – and she was glad to realize that not every meal would have to be a group affair. “Please. I was the one who put up both our tents when I was a kid.”
“That’s because I was lazy, not inefficient,” her brother shot back, causing Amy to giggle.
She did that a lot, Ivy noted. She giggled … and shuffled her feet back and forth … and constantly glanced over her shoulder to make sure nobody was coming up behind her. She was a pretty woman, slim hips and waist setting off slight shoulders. She had big brown eyes, the sort that reminded Ivy of what a puppy would point in her direction, and she seemed enamored with everything Max did.
“What do you think?” Jack asked, sidling up to Ivy and sliding his arm around her shoulders. He’d managed to remove everything from the truck and was now ready to set up their home away from home.
“I think I love you.” It was an automatic answer but that didn’t mean Ivy didn’t mean it.
Jack rolled his eyes. “So sweet.” He dropped his arm and lightly pinched her behind, causing her to squeal. “I was talking about your brother’s new girlfriend. Do you approve?”
That question wasn’t as easy to answer as Ivy would’ve liked. “I don’t know. She seems really … nervous.”
“Do you blame her?”
“Yeah. I’m a delight. She should want to spend all her time getting to know me.”
Jack barked out a laugh as he shook his head and turned toward their tent. “You are an absolute delight. I’ll fight whomever says otherwise to the death.”
Ivy heard something in his words that he didn’t say aloud. “But?” she prodded.
“But you have a big personality,” he replied without hesitation. “Your brother also has a big personality. She’s clearly attracted to that. I’m sure she has her own personality buried u
nder all those giggles. It’s not always easy to warm up to people at the drop of a hat, though. You need to give her some time.”
Instead of agreeing, Ivy jabbed her finger in his ribs. “I think you’re saying that I’m a loudmouth.”
“I’m saying that amongst the litany of wonderful traits you have, one of them might be the tendency to take over a room.” Jack’s smile didn’t budge as he grabbed the canvas bag carrying their tent from the ground. “That drew me to you. It was as if you were the only person in the world when we were close to one another. Amy might need a few hours or so to come to grips with that.”
Ivy was convinced that was a dig, but she couldn’t quite work out how she could pick a fight with him over it. Instead, she took the bag from him. “I’m putting up the tent. I remember what happened last time when you tried it.”
“I believe we ended up working together to put up the tent last time, and that’s what I want to do this time. I don’t want you doing all the work. We’re a team.”
Even though she wanted to remain petulant, she melted a bit. “We are a team. We’re the best team in the world. I think we’re always going to be this great of a team. How about you?”
“I happen to agree. Now … give me a kiss.”
“Why?”
“Because I need it.”
She rolled her eyes, but it was only for form’s sake as she pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth. He returned the kiss with gusto, which earned a gagging noise from Max across the way. Jack jabbed a derogatory finger in his future brother-in-law’s direction.
“I wouldn’t push me if I were you,” he warned, his eyes never leaving Ivy’s face. “Just stay on your side of the campsite and everything will be fine.”
Max kicked his heels together and offered up a saucy salute. “Yes, sir.”
AS JACK AND IVY WENT TO WORK on their tent, Max turned his full attention to Amy. She was eager to help and intent on learning the ropes when it came to camping etiquette. It was obvious she was nervous, though, and he wanted more than anything to make her feel comfortable.
From the first moment he saw her several weeks before – she worked at a bar he frequented and he asked her out four times before she reluctantly agreed, something that caused them to laugh when they looked back on the event – he’d been drawn to her. He didn’t even know it was possible to feel an instant connection to a person … at least not like this.
Oh, he’d listen to his sister and Jack wax poetic on how the atmosphere practically crackled the first time they met. He knew while they didn’t exactly believe in love at first sight, they did believe something snapped together that first day. He thought they were full of it until he met Amy. Now he understood.
She wasn’t the type he normally went for. He typically liked a woman who commanded every eye in a particular establishment be on her. Amy was quiet and demure, though. She listened well and laughed a lot. She didn’t open up much, though, and that was wearing on him. That was one of the reasons he insisted on camping with Ivy and Jack. He thought if anything could draw Amy out, it was seeing him interact with his sister. Ivy had a way with people – even though she didn’t see it no matter how hard she looked – and she inspired trust. He hoped Ivy would be able to work her magic on Amy and help the woman to relax a bit.
If he had one complaint, that would be it. Max wanted Amy to trust him implicitly. It seemed that was something she was still working on.
“What are you thinking about?” Amy asked as she inserted metal beams into the canvas harnesses and helped Max pull the tent to a standing position. “Are you sorry we came?”
“Absolutely not.” Max was firm as he shook his head. “I want to be here … and there’s no one I would rather be with.” Amy was a full foot shorter than him so he had to lean over to kiss her. He didn’t mind. In fact, he found her diminutive size to be alluring. It allowed him to sweep her up in his arms on a regular basis. She was so small that he could place her on his lap, wrap himself around her, and she practically melted into him.
Amy’s smile was so wide it almost swallowed her entire face when they separated. “This was a good idea.”
“Yeah?” Max arched an eyebrow. “I’m glad you think so.”
“I’m not sure your sister thinks so.” Amy’s gaze was pointed when it landed on an arguing Jack and Ivy. They appeared to be having a disagreement over exactly where to put their tent. “I think she wishes we would’ve stayed behind.”
“That’s not true.” Max immediately started shaking his head. “Ivy is glad you’re here. She told me that herself. She wants to get to know you.”
“She’s kind of … intimidating,” Amy admitted, chewing on her bottom lip. “She’s one of those women whom everybody wants to look at … or be.”
Max furrowed his brow, confused. “What do you mean?”
“Look at her. She’s comfortable being who she is and doesn’t care what anyone thinks.” Amy helplessly gestured toward the other woman. “I’ve never been brave enough to be myself in front of a roomful of people.”
Max found the statement odd. “I don’t understand. I … what do you mean?”
“Just that … look at her hair. I absolutely love it. I would love to try something wild like that.”
“You mean the pink?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I believe she does it herself. If you want to try some streaks, I’m sure she’d be willing to help you. She’s good at stuff like that.”
“And her boyfriend? You said he’s a police officer, right?”
“Fiancé,” Max corrected. “They’re getting married in two months. They won’t let anyone forget it either. They’re all gooey and in love when they look at each other. It’s enough to give you a toothache.”
Amy was taken aback. “Is there something wrong with that?”
“Absolutely not. It’s just … she’s still my baby sister.” His expression darkened as he glanced over at Jack and Ivy, who had settled on a location and were steadfastly working on erecting their tent. “It kind of weirds me out to know the dirty stuff he does with her. I can’t help it.”
Instead of commiserating, Amy snorted and elbowed him in the stomach. “Your sister is a big girl. She’s obviously in love. Jack looks at her as if she’s the only woman in the world. He obviously adores her … and would never purposely hurt her. Most brothers would pray for a man like that to take on their sisters."
She had a point, Max internally mused. “He’s still a filthy pig sometimes.”
Amy giggled, the sound warming Max to his very core. “Let’s finish setting up. I want to help your sister with the food when we’re done. I think she was put off when I didn’t immediately help with the kitchen stuff. Like I said, though, she makes me a little nervous.”
“You’ll get used to her. In a few days, you’ll hardly remember that you were afraid of her.”
“I doubt that.”
Max doubted it, too, but he was hopeful that it would become a self-fulfilling prophecy. “Come on. Let’s finish this tent and move in. I have something I want to show you before dinner.”
Amy snickered. “Your lips?”
“Amongst other things.”
Three
Once the tent was put together, Jack made a big show of throwing the sleeping bags inside and then pulling Ivy in after him. The look he shot Max practically dared the man to question him regarding his intentions.
Once it was just the two of them, Max decided it was time to get to know Amy better … even though he had a few romantic plans of his own.
“So … you grew up in Minnesota and never went camping?” The notion baffled him. “How did that even come about?”
Amy shrugged, noncommittal. She was busy organizing their bags along the far wall of the tent. “I don’t know. My parents simply weren’t the camping type. I never got into it.”
“You don’t talk about your parents much.”
“That’s because they died a few years ago.” S
he took on a far-off expression as she stared at the cluster of trees on the other side of the site. “Car accident.”
“Together?” Max knit his eyebrows. “Are you serious?”
She nodded, rueful. “Yeah. It was horrible. I was living in an apartment on the other side of town. I was about twenty at the time. When the police officer showed up at my doorstep I thought it was a joke at first. A really bad joke, don’t get me wrong, but a joke all the same. I just couldn’t believe it was happening.”
Max’s heart went out to her. Instinctively, he moved his hand to her back and slowly rubbed at the slim lines under her shirt. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know that. I don’t think I ever asked about your parents.”
Amy forced a smile for his benefit. “It’s not your fault. I didn’t ever volunteer the information. It’s hard for me to talk about.”
“Yeah, but … I should’ve asked.” Max felt ridiculous for missing something so obvious. “When people start dating, you ask about their family. I never bothered to ask about yours. I’m … sorry.”
Amy took pity on him and squeezed his hand. “You don’t need to be sorry, Max. You’re the best guy I’ve ever met. You actually listen when I talk. You have no idea what that means to me.”
Max had some idea. He felt the same way when he was talking to her. “I want to be better than that.” He offered up the most charming smile in his repertoire. “Tell me about your parents. Were you close with them?”
“Um … I think it was a normal parent-child relationship. They were good people. I was an only child and they had me late in life. They were both almost forty when I was born and they called me their miracle baby. I thought that was a bit much but … well … they seemed to enjoy it so I played along. I used to tease them. When they told me no, I would always say ‘is that any way to treat your miracle’ and they would laugh. They thought it was funny.”
“It sounds funny.” Max was at a loss. He had a wide circle of friends. Even though his sister was his best friend, she was hardly his only lifeline in the world and he had a bevy of people to rely on. It sounded to him as if Amy had lost the biggest part of her support team and she’d never managed to replace them moving forward. “No brothers or sister, right? That’s what you said.”
Ivy Morgan Mystery Box Set 5 Page 22
