“Do you want to pick a fight?”
“Absolutely not,” Jack replied. “I’m too tired for a fight. As for Maisie, she’s a real piece of work. With one breath she told us Jeff was going to leave his wife and marry her. With the next she made it sound as if they only met up in the afternoon a few times a week and it wasn’t much of a relationship. I don’t know what to believe.”
“It could be both.”
“How so?”
“Maisie doesn’t understand about a real relationship,” Ivy explained. “She’s never been in one. Spending a month having nooners with Jeff probably was the longest she’s ever been with a man. To her, he might’ve seemed like he was going to leave Karen.”
“And what do you think?”
Ivy shrugged. “My dad thinks that Maisie preyed on Jeff when he was feeling extremely vulnerable because he was terrified about becoming a father,” she said. “I think Jeff was a jackhole of the royal variety, but I have no doubt Maisie twisted his head. Maybe Jeff thought it was just a fling and he’d be able to somehow salvage his marriage.”
“That’s certainly what Karen thought,” Jack said. “She thought once she dropped the baby weight that Jeff would come running home.”
Ivy was horrified. “She knew?”
“She knew.”
“But … why didn’t she say something?”
“We asked her that very question, but she didn’t have a compelling answer,” Jack replied. “All she said was that she didn’t have any job prospects and couldn’t afford to let go of her marriage. She thought Jeff would see the error of his ways.”
“That’s terrible.” Ivy thoughtfully chewed on her pizza as she watched Jack out of the corner of her eye. “You wouldn’t do that, right?”
Jack, his hand in the box to snag another slice of pizza, stilled. “Are you asking me if I would ever cheat on you?” He couldn’t help being a little insulted.
“I believe you wouldn’t,” Ivy said. “I also believed Jeff wouldn’t, too. I’m starting to wonder if my head is screwed up.”
Jack chuckled, alleviating some of the tension in the room. “I would never cheat on you. I have no inclination to cheat on you. You’re more than enough. Sometimes I think you’re too much. You’re still the only person I want.”
Ivy smiled at the admission. “Me, too.”
“You’re the only person you want?”
“No, you’re the only person I want,” Ivy clarified. “I knew you wouldn’t cheat on me. I’m just not sure I can trust my head right now. It seems … messed up. I swear, when I went after Maisie today, it was as if someone else was controlling me.”
“Well, I don’t have a lot of sympathy for Maisie,” Jack said. “She earned whatever you threw at her. As for the rest, I happen to like your head the way it is. Sure, you can do some amazing things that other people can’t, but that doesn’t make me adore you any less.”
“That was absolutely charming.”
Jack winked. “I try.”
“So, what are we doing after dinner?” Ivy asked, staring at Jack through lowered lashes. “Do you want me to give you a tour of the greenhouse?”
Jack was intrigued by the suggestion. “Is this place heated? The second the sun goes down, things are going to get chilly.”
“I have a heater.”
“How about you give me a brief tour and then we head back to the house,” Jack suggested. “I’ll start a fire and rub your back before letting the night – and possibly our dreams – take us somewhere special.”
“Oh, do you want to dream walk?” Ever since discovering they could enter each other’s dreams, the couple made it a habit to book dates several times a week. They refrained from doing it every night, though, because sometimes normal rest held its own appeal.
“I do,” Jack confirmed. “I was thinking we could go to a sunny beach since we won’t see one in real life for months.”
“I was thinking we could go to a British castle and do it on a bear-skinned rug,” Ivy countered.
Jack barked out a laugh. “You’re an animal rights activist.”
“It’s not a real rug.”
“Sold,” Jack said, dusting off his hands before reaching for another slice of pizza. “I think I’m going to need to carb up if I want to keep up with you tonight.”
“I think you’re exactly right.”
“I CAN’T do it with the bear staring at me.” Ivy locked gazes with the imagined bear rug and frowned. “This is so not how I thought this would go.”
“This is exactly how I thought this would grow,” Jack grumbled. He was shirtless in the dreamscape and he rolled over on the rug and stared at the ceiling. The fake bear didn’t bother him in the slightest. “Can’t you turn it into a mattress or something?”
Ivy shrugged. “I’m not magic.”
“You’re definitely magic,” Jack argued.
After finishing their picnic and a brief tour of the greenhouse, Ivy and Jack walked back to her house with their fingers linked and their hearts and stomachs full. They spent an hour in front of the fire watching television – Jeff Johnson’s murder was the top story on the local news – and then they retired early.
They didn’t go to sleep right away – they enjoyed joining in the physical world as much as the dreamscape – and when they finally did drift off, they agreed to meet in the English countryside. That was thirty minutes ago and Jack was about to lose his patience.
“Ivy, let’s go someplace else,” Jack suggested. “The countryside castle was a lovely idea. The bear rug was not. Even if you somehow manage to trade it out, you won’t be able to get it out of your head. Let’s go to the beach.”
“But … I wanted to hang out here,” Ivy whined. “This is much more weather appropriate.”
“Cold weather.”
“And we’re going to be living in cold weather ourselves in a few weeks,” Ivy pointed out. “I was just getting us in the mood.”
“Honey, I’m always in the mood,” Jack said, snagging her around the waist and rolling her so she could sit on his stomach. “Pick another spot. We’ll revisit the castle with fluffy synthetic rugs next time. I promised.”
“Okay.” Ivy didn’t look thrilled with Jack’s suggestion, but she knew he was right. She wouldn’t be able to put the poor bear’s expression out of her mind if they didn’t switch locales. “Do you want a white sand beach?”
“Surprise me.”
“How about you surprise me?” Ivy suggested. Jack could pick locations when he put effort into it. More often than not he let Ivy choose where she wanted to go – he was simply happy to be with her – but he was responsible for the occasional shared dream.
“Okay. I think I’m up for that.”
“You’d better be.” Ivy leaned over and kissed him before straightening. “Giddyap.”
“Oh, now there’s an idea,” Jack said. “We’re going to go to a beach where we can watch wild horses. Just you wait.”
“I’m so excited.” Ivy smiled as Jack disappeared from beneath her, sucking in a breath as she waited for his heart to call to hers. He was already in the new dreamscape. She just had to find him. Unfortunately for her, something else caught her attention in the castle hallway before that could happen.
“What the … ?”
Ivy slowly got to her feet when she saw the dark figure watching her from the darkened narrow expanse. She recognized the man right away, although his face was red and his neck bent at an odd angle.
“Jeff?”
“I don’t want to die.”
Ivy licked her lips as she glanced around, unsure what was happening. She instinctively pressed her hand to her forehead, but her temperature was normal. Of course, since she wasn’t really here, she rationalized that she could be making up the temperature reading in her head.
“Do you know who killed you, Jeff?”
The man stared at her, his eyes plaintive. “I don’t want to die.”
Ivy was filled with sympathy, but
the broken record was starting to grate. “You’re already dead.”
“I don’t want to die.”
“Say something else!” Ivy exploded, gripping her hands together as Jeff took an uncertain step toward her. “And stay over there.”
She had no idea what to expect from a dreamscape vision, but she didn’t want to risk the man touching her. If she could interact with Jack – really feel him – she couldn’t help but wonder what would happen should Jeff touch her. She honestly didn’t want to find out.
“I don’t want to die.”
“I don’t know what to say to you,” Ivy said, swallowing hard. “You’re already dead, Jeff. I don’t know if you’re caught in a loop … or if you’re trying to show me something … or if I’m seeing you from someone else’s memory. I don’t know how to help you.”
“I don’t want to die.” Jeff lurched forward, reaching out with his grayish hand as he attempted to hold on to something real. Ivy tried to evade him, but he was quicker than he should’ve been. He latched onto her wrist and held firm. “I don’t want to die!” He screamed the words, causing Ivy to wrench her arm away from him.
In her haste to get away from the ghost, she tripped over the bear’s head and tumbled to the ground. Jeff continued moving forward as Ivy’s heart rate sped up. She couldn’t think of what else to do, she called for the only man who could help her.
“Jack!”
IVY bolted awake in the bed, her body dripping with sweat as she sucked in huge mouthfuls of oxygen. Jack was instantly alert at her side.
“Where were you?”
“I didn’t leave the castle,” Ivy gritted out, running her hand over her forehead. “Do I feel hot to you?” She didn’t want to panic Jack, but she couldn’t seem to rein in her emotions.
Jack pressed his hand to her forehead … and then his lips. “You feel normal to me. Do you feel hot?”
“I don’t know,” Ivy said, her voice cracking. “I … .”
“It’s okay,” Jack soothed, wrapping his arms around her and pressing her head to his chest. “Tell me what happened.”
“You left and I was waiting for you to drag me into the dreamscape,” Ivy said. “Then Jeff was there … and he kept saying he didn’t want to die. Then he grabbed my arm and I tripped over the stupid bear head.”
Jack felt lost. “Do you think that was real?”
“I don’t know. I mean … it was a dream. It couldn’t have been real, right?”
Jack wasn’t sure, but he had no intention of frightening her. She was already at her limit. “I think it was a dream,” he said. “I think I took too long calling you to me and you fell into regular sleep. It’s okay.”
“I don’t want to go back to the castle.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” Jack said, reclining on the mattress and pulling Ivy on top of him so he could tuck the covers around her shaking body. “We’re going to stay right here. I won’t let anyone into your dreams for the rest of the night. I promise.”
“You can’t make that promise.”
“Watch me.”
Eleven
Ivy’s mind was muddled when she woke, and when she shifted her chin she found Jack watching her. His eyes didn’t look sleepy, which meant he’d been up – but silent and still so as not to wake her – for at least several minutes.
“Morning.”
“Morning, honey,” Jack said, smoothing her hair and kissing her forehead. “How do you feel?”
The previous evening’s nightmare came crashing back, and in the bright light of day Ivy felt silly for freaking out. “I’m sorry I acted like a baby last night.”
“You didn’t act like a baby,” Jack countered. “You had a nightmare. You’re allowed to be vulnerable occasionally. You know that, right?”
Ivy worked her mouth as she tried to decide how to respond. Jack filled the conversational gap before she could.
“My main function is to take care of you and ward off bad dreams,” he said. “That’s what I did last night.”
“You did do it,” Ivy said, realization washing over her as she lifted her head so it was easier to lock gazes with Jack. “You said you were going to keep the dreams away and you did it.”
“I … .” Jack had no idea what she was talking about.
“How did you do it?” Ivy was genuinely curious.
“How did I do what?” Jack asked, pushing her flyaway hair away from her face. If someone told him a year before he would be completely besotted with a Bohemian beauty who boasted pink streaks in her hair, he would’ve had the person locked up for lunacy. Now he couldn’t imagine being away from her for more than a few hours.
“You kept the dream away,” Ivy replied. “I was convinced I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep again because of that nightmare, but you said you were going to make sure I didn’t have a bad dream. I didn’t think that was possible … but I didn’t dream at all.”
“Oh, that,” Jack intoned, rolling his eyes. She was giving him more power than he could lay claim to. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t take the credit if it meant he got a little morning action as a reward. “I just used the incredible power of my mind and created a tapestry of strength so I could put it over your mind – kind of like a blanket – and we both slept heavy.”
Ivy’s face was unreadable as she stared at him. “Are you making that up?”
Jack shrugged. “I don’t know why you didn’t dream, honey,” he said. “I was determined to make sure you felt safe enough to sleep, but I think I might’ve dozed off before you did. I’m sorry about that.”
“I didn’t dream, though,” Ivy mused. “I always dream.”
“Well, maybe the dream from earlier was bad enough to cause your subconscious to shun dreaming,” Jack suggested. “I’m not sure the answer is as important as your health, though. You don’t feel sick, right? If you feel as if you’re going to relapse, we should get you to the clinic now.”
“I don’t feel sick,” Ivy said. “I do remember touching my face to see if I was hot in the dream, though. Then I realized that was stupid because it wasn’t real and I couldn’t actually touch myself.”
“You need to stop talking about touching yourself, because it’s giving me ideas,” Jack said, cupping the back of her head and resting his lips against her forehead. “You feel normal. Not hot at all.”
Ivy feigned outrage. “Thanks.”
“You know what I mean,” Jack chided, shaking his head. “You’re so much work sometimes.”
“Yes, but I’m worth it.”
“You’re definitely worth it,” Jack said, snuggling closer as he glanced at the clock on the nightstand. He would have to hop in the shower relatively soon if he wanted to make it to work on time. “What are your plans for the day?”
“I’m working in the greenhouse.”
“Is your father going to be at the nursery?”
Ivy cocked a challenging eyebrow. “Are you insinuating that I need my father to babysit me?”
“I’m insinuating that I don’t want you to be alone after you were so sick,” Jack replied. “I’m allowed to worry about you so don’t even think of picking a fight.”
“I would never pick a fight,” Ivy intoned, purposely widening her eyes to feign innocence. “I’m a good girl.”
Jack didn’t want to smile, but he couldn’t help himself. “You’re my good girl,” he said, tickling her ribs and delighting in the way she gasped and giggled. “Promise me you’ll stay close to the greenhouse today.”
“I can’t,” Ivy sputtered.
“Promise me,” Jack prodded.
“I can’t,” Ivy repeated, trying to skirt away from his hands but failing. His arms were too long and he was much stronger than her. They both knew it. “What if I have to run to town because I need lights … or decorations … or apples for my pies?”
Jack ceased his finger ministrations and regarded Ivy with a curious look. “What pies?”
“I should’ve known you would latch onto
that part of the conversation.”
“Yes, well, you know how I feel about pie,” Jack said, rubbing his nose against her cheek. “Why are you making pie?”
“Because I always make apple and pumpkin pies for the festival.”
“Pies … plural?” Jack was intrigued.
“Oh, I see where this is going,” Ivy said. “You want to make a deal. Okay. I promise to make you an apple pie all your own if you promise to stop hovering.”
“No deal.”
Jack’s succinct response caught Ivy off guard. “No deal?”
“Nothing will ever make me stop worrying about you,” Jack said. “I am not physically capable of picking pie over you.”
“But … you love my apple pie.”
“And yet somehow you’re more important,” Jack said, his eyes twinkling. “I’m literally incapable of ceasing the hovering.”
Ivy scowled. “You know I hate it when you use that word.”
“That’s why I used it.”
Ivy blew out a sigh. “Fine. If I promise to take my dad or Max into town with me if I need to go, then will you stop hovering?”
“Probably not,” Jack replied. “I will feel better about you working all day if you do that, though.”
“Well … I guess you have your deal.”
“Not quite,” Jack said, grabbing Ivy’s waist when she tried to wiggle away. “I want a little … added enticement … on my end if we’re going to agree to this deal.”
Ivy pressed her lips together. “Oh, really? I thought you were going to be late for work.”
Jack smacked his lips to Ivy’s and drew her in for an extended kiss, a surge of heat washing over both of them before he pulled back his head. “You’re also more important than work.”
“That was a good answer.”
“I do my best.”
“YOU LOOK … all shiny and happy this morning.”
Brian met Jack in the funeral home parking lot shortly before ten, a dark look on his face. Instead of coming straight to the station, Jack texted and said he had to help Ivy with something – because she was still getting over being ill – and would be twenty minutes late. That twenty minutes turned into an hour – and then the meeting place changed locales when Brian got a call that Jeff and Karen’s families were going to war at the funeral home. Jack’s chipper countenance wasn’t doing anything to alleviate Brian’s bad mood.
Wicked Fog (An Ivy Morgan Mystery Book 6) Page 9
