by Iris Blobel
Jared cocked an eyebrow. "Where. Is. My. Sense. Of. Adventure?"
Mia almost jumped into the motorhome, and Josh was about to follow.
"Where is my sense of adventure?" Jared asked again when he stepped closer.
Ivy gulped, but stood her ground. She certainly had overstepped her mark this time and knew that Twin Falls was going to be her last stop on this trip.
"I've picked up a hitchhiker. Lost her and found her again, sans a mother. I picked up a teenager, hormonal and stubborn, and, whata ya know, she arrived in a double package. I'm driving through the American wilderness with three, yup, one, two, three, extra people who weren't supposed to be part of this trip." He stepped closer again and continued through gritted teeth. "And you ask me for my sense of adventure?"
"He's got a point," Josh said, but quickly disappeared when Jared glowered at him.
Jared returned his focus to Ivy and yes, she had to admit, her legs were about to falter beneath her. She hadn't seen this side of him and wasn't really sure whether she was happy for the experience.
He took a deep breath and then said, "You'd better get ya cute, little backside back behind this wheel and get us to Twin Falls before I think of something else to do with—"
Ivy quickly held up her hands. "Not in front of the kids."
When a frown appeared and his eyes narrowed, she turned and rushed to the other side of the RV and sat, and got it started in no time.
The remainder of the drive to Twin Falls was silent and uneventful. When they arrived at the Perrine Bridge, which spanned the Snake River Canyon north of the city, they stopped for a little walk around.
"Honey blossom, anything you can tell me about the bridge?"
Ivy's nerves tingled when he called her Honey blossom again, and somewhere deep inside she knew that the incident earlier in the day might not have been forgotten, but he'd moved on.
"Not much," she admitted.
"It's famous amongst base jumpers," Josh said and both, Jared and Ivy, turned to look at him.
He shrugged.
"There are supposed to be waterfalls around here somewhere," Mia said from the back.
"How do you know?" Jared asked.
She held up a travel guide.
"Worth checking out?"
Mia read out the details of the Shoshone and Twin Falls.
Jared nodded. "Let's head there and then find a place to camp for the night."
Ivy turned on the RV and merged into the traffic as they made their way to do some sightseeing.
****
A couple of hours later they'd found a nice place to stay the night. They'd done some shopping, and Jared started a barbeque, Ivy went off for some laundry, and Mia stayed to prepare a salad. With Josh's help.
Ivy hoped the two would sort out their problems, because even though she'd known them for less than two days, it seemed obvious to her that they were meant for each other. Josh adored Mia and during the moments she wasn't determined to dislike him and disagree with everything he said, the teenagers were a great couple. She envied them for what they had.
She got the laundry started, checked the time, and returned to the campsite. The slight breeze carried the smell of meat towards her. She was hungry, and dinner would taste even better knowing that she added some to the bill.
Jared looked up and their gazes met. Her heart pounded, and she took in a few deep, calming breaths before she stepped closer. Ivy realised then that she had done the dumbest thing yet—she was falling for Jared.
Chapter Fifteen
Mia's nerves were on edge. Cutting up the vegetables for the salad didn't help to calm her nerves, and having Josh hovering around her wasn't of benefit either.
"Muffin, we need to talk about this."
She turned to look at him. Josh placed his finger under her chin, and pushed her face up.
"I'm busy," she replied, but didn't move away from his touch.
Choking back a chuckle, he moved his hand so his thumb was caressing her cheek. "I want you to come with me."
"To Melbourne?"
He arched a brow.
"Okay, of course to Melbourne," she murmured. "But I can't."
"Why not?"
She shrugged. "I belong in Hobart."
"We'll come back. It's three years."
Mia put some distance between them and was no longer able to hold the tears at bay. She loved Josh, but he could not ask her to leave her family. Sophie. Mark and Hope. Not even for three years. Of course, she was aware that at some stage she would have to move out and live a life without them. But that life was not supposed to be across the Bass Strait in a city with millions of people living there. That life was in Hobart where she had moved when she was only small. She'd moved there from the big city and the few things she remembered about Sydney weren't all that worth remembering. Hobart was where she had her family, her little niece who was more a sister to her than a niece and her friends. How was she supposed to cope with a problem without having Olivia around? Or Zach and Jared? Although, scrap Zach, he was married and utterly busy with married life and his studies. They'd arranged for their time together every second Thursday, and she'd noticed how long it'd taken him to sit down and relax. Nevertheless, what would Zach do during those hours while she was in Melbourne?
"I can't," she whispered.
He nodded and leaned back against the bench. "I won't go then, either."
Stunned by his statement, she couldn't speak but simply stared at him. Her gaze wandered outside where she saw Jared and Ivy laughing. Her eyes stung, and her heart ached before she looked back at Josh.
"But I thought you'd been offered a scholarship?"
Another nod.
As she stepped a bit closer, she placed her hands on his chest. "You've got to go. It's what you’ve always wanted."
Shaking his head, he placed his hands over hers. "Not without you."
"But—"
"No buts. It's as simple as that."
With more force than intended, she pulled away her hands. "That's not fair, Josh. You cannot put that on me. I will not carry the responsibility of you losing out on this opportunity."
He opened his mouth to say something, but she placed her finger against his lips. With a big sigh, she leaned her head against his chest and found comfort in the steady beat of his heart.
"I wish I could talk to Soph," she whispered.
Josh wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. For a moment or two they stood there, neither of them moving.
"Josh?"
He didn't answer, but placed a kiss on her head.
"I don't know what to do."
The door opened behind them, and they startled, but Josh didn't let go of Mia.
Ivy stared at them. "Oops. Sorry." With a smile, she came closer and grabbed a couple of drinks out of the fridge. "I'm supposed to let you know the meat's ready, but I'd say it's more important for you two to continue your conversation."
Mia felt the heat rising in her cheeks and moved away from Josh.
"Give me five minutes and the salad will be ready as well." Then she turned to Josh. "Could you please get the plates out?"
The way he smiled made her pulse stop momentarily.
****
Jared placed the meat on his plate and helped himself to some salad. When Ivy had come back from the laundry room there’d been something in her smile he couldn't quite put his finger on, but it was different. Initially, he'd wondered whether he'd gone too far with his small outburst earlier in the day, but the way she'd talked to him and thanked him for another beautiful day, he'd known it wasn't that.
Carefully he raised his eyes and watched her as she intently listened to Josh's explanation of Australian Football Rules. She was beautiful, with her brown eyes which were like and open book, and her blonde hair, which she styled in some different way every day. His gaze went to her mouth, and he watched as her tongue slid over her bottom lip. It hit him square in the face that he was about to fall for her.
"Do you play football, Jared?"
Ivy's question startled him. "Pardon?"
"I asked whether you play football."
He shook his head. "Nope."
"Oh."
"Jared is very good at squash and rock climbing," Mia explained.
Ivy's eyes widened. "Rock climbing? That must be dangerous."
Jared chuckled as he looked over to Josh, who'd had his fair share of football injuries. "Probably less dangerous than footy."
"But much harder," Josh admitted.
As Josh started telling the story about when he'd joined Jared and Mark for a rock climbing weekend, Jared's mind wandered off again. He thought of Ally. He hadn't thought of her that often in years, but something about Ivy reminded him of Ally, and a stab of guilt went through him like a knife. The guilt inside for leaving Ally behind, and his guilt for comparing the two women. Was he falling for Ivy, because she was like Ally? Was that it? Did he want someone like Ally in his life again?
Jared raked his hands through his hair. Having Ivy on this trip wasn't a good idea, and he was hoping she knew that there was an impending goodbye very soon.
Mia placed a hand on his arm. "Are you all right?" she whispered.
He nodded and tried to smile. "Of course I am."
She tilted her head and drew in her lips. Then she said, "I'm sorry we're ruining your holiday."
"Who said you're ruining my holiday?" he asked with genuine surprise.
Mia shrugged. "I don't know. It's kinda…" She sighed. “You feel a bit tense."
As he stood, Jared grabbed his plate and watched three pairs of eyes staring at him.
"I'm fine. Tired, but fine!"
With his plate and cutlery, he went into the motorhome and grabbed another can of lemonade. He chugged down the cold drink, took another can, and, with a heavy sigh, joined the group outside again.
Josh was still amusing the women with his rock climbing stories.
Later in the evening, when Ivy went off to get the laundry, and Josh to take his shower, Mia sat next to him in front of the motorhome.
"You like her, don't you?"
With a choked-back chuckle he replied, "Of course I like her."
She slapped him on his arm. "You know what I mean."
Turning towards her, he contemplated the conversation they were about to have and a way to distract her.
"I know what you mean," he replied casually. "This reminds me. Did you have a chance to talk to Josh yet?"
He knew he'd hit a nerve as she slouched a bit further into the camping chair. "Yes, we did."
Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "And?"
"I can't go to Melbourne," she answered quietly.
"Why not?"
"Because!"
"Mate, it's three years out of a lifetime. It's nothing. And within two or three hours you're back home. It's probably easier than travelling to Launceston."
When she turned to look at him, he saw the glistening tears in her eyes. Jared placed his arm around her shoulder and gently pulled her a bit closer.
"It's three years, and it'd be the chance of a lifetime for Josh."
"What if he wants to stay in Melbourne?"
"What if me little girl wants to stay?"
"I'd never like it in Melbourne."
Jared chuckled. "Yeah, right."
She moved back and looked at him. "Never!"
Placing a kiss on her forehead, he replied, "Then you cross that bridge when ya get to it."
"I just don't understand. If we come back to Hobart I'm sure a degree from Hobart University might get him the same jobs."
"It might give him the same jobs, but better money. Better opportunities." Jared placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head. "Mia. He deserves this chance and, out of all people, I know you're the one who will tackle the challenge with all ya might. After all, you're a Levesque!"
"I'm scared, Jared."
"Changes are scary. You need to find all your determination to open up to new ideas, but the step towards the unknown may make ya stronger and better."
Mouth wide open, she stared at him.
"Me mum talking," he said with a grin.
She nodded slowly. "Right." Then she followed his gaze and watched Ivy heading back. Playfully elbowing him in his side, she said, "Might be time for a change for you as well."
With one smooth motion, he stood, ignored her last sentence, and went to help Ivy carry the washing.
Chapter Sixteen
Over the next few days they made it to Boise, Idaho, where they introduced Ivy to Australian dining at a Steakhouse, and then into Oregon via Route 20. They loved their short stay in Sister, especially the green scenery after the more or less boring drive most of the previous day. Yet their stay wasn't long. The next day they headed south via Bend towards Crater Lake.
"I rang Dale and he's found me a small place to stay and a casual job in Salt Lake City," Ivy said as they headed south on the highway.
Jared rubbed his chest as if in pain. "That's a good thing, right?"
She agreed, but it didn't sound all that convincing to him.
"We're heading towards snow," she said suddenly, her voice strained.
"Are you going to take up on the offer?"
"Have you ever seen snow?"
Jared looked back and saw Josh asleep, and Mia humming along to the music she listened to on her headphones.
"Yes, we've got snow in Tassie." Crossing his arms, he tried again. "The job, Honey blossom."
"Really, you've got snow in Australia?"
Through gritted teeth he said, "Okay, let's cut the—"
"No swearing," she interrupted him.
He glared at her but, concentrating on the snowy road in front of them, she didn't see him.
"Ivy, focus. Tell me about the offer."
She briefly turned to look at him and shrugged half-heartedly. "I don't think I've got a choice. I haven't got anywhere else to go."
As much as the information should've assured him she'd be fine, it was again a painful reminder that he had to say goodbye to her in a few days.
"Just knuckle down for a few years to get ya feet back on the ground."
"Yes, that sounds like a plan," she whispered, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, which made him wonder whether she actually meant what she'd said.
Jared took a sip of his drink and was startled when Ivy suddenly took a packet of chewing gum and threw it towards Mia and Josh.
"Wakey, wakey children. We're currently experiencing some serious snowing out there."
Jared turned and grinned when he saw Mia and Josh's stunned faces. Obviously, their little chat was over.
"Would you mind driving, Jared?"
He furrowed his brows.
"I'm not feeling all that comfortable driving in these conditions."
"No worries. Pull over and we'll swap."
But he was a little worried. He'd actually been grateful for Ivy to drive. Within a few seconds, they changed seats, and he was conquering heavy snow, in a motorhome, the steering wheel on the wrong side and on the wrong side of the road. In a way, the scenery was great, and he enjoyed everybody else's excitement about the snow. Yes, they had snow in Tassie but, looking towards the forest, this was at least a meter to a meter and a half high.
As Jared focused on the road, thankful they seemed to be the only one around, he thought back to the conversation with Ivy. He didn't understand her hesitation about going back to Salt Lake City. It sounded a bit like a lottery win. He assumed that it also had to do with Ivy finally having to deal with the loss of her mother after putting it on hold for the moment. Of course, that would put a big damper on the whole situation. Yet, bottom line was, she had nothing and nowhere else to go, and the offer sounded great. Dale sounded like a decent man who she could trust. Was it the job?
Again, he had to leave a woman behind when she needed his help. After all, he'd left Ally, although her family cared for her in a much better way tha
n he ever could have done.
Did Ivy actually need his help?
Over the next half an hour, his mind was more or less blank, due to the concentration he needed to get them to the information centre. He'd never seen anything like it, and if it hadn't been difficult to drive in, he would've enjoyed the scenery. The white vastness in the forest. Oregon was one very beautiful place on this earth!
"I think you will need to turn further down," Mia said from the back.
"Got a map in your little guide book?" he asked.
"Nope, but I pinched your navigator."
Jared looked over to the dashboard where he saw an empty clip and then into the rear view mirror. Mia sat at the table with a massive grin on her face and the GPS in her hand. Josh shook his head.
"I'm not sure whether she's in the right country on this thing," Josh said, which earned him a glare from Mia.
Jared knew these two had more or less sorted their problem. It was only a matter of deciding where they wanted to live. Only! He could imagine it to be a massive decision at that young age.
His thoughts went back to Ivy, and he considered whether, in her future plans, Salt Lake City wasn't the place she had seen herself living. Perhaps it was as simple as that.
"There's a turnoff right there. It seems she was right," Jared said with a chuckle.
"Pure luck," Josh replied.
Mia shoved against his hard chest, but he wouldn't budge. Even at his still young age, he was already solid steel. His body was perfectly toned from years of training.
Jared shook his head in amusement.
****
Mia stepped out the motorhome and stared at the amount of snow all around her. She'd never seen anything like it. Trying to find the entrance to the information centre, she turned and—
A snowball hit her softly in the back of her head. She gasped and then screamed at the burst of coldness against her skin.
Jared and Josh laughed and pointed fingers at each other to lay blame.
"You wait!" she said as she picked up a handful of snow.
