by Kimber Davis
"Who said life was fair, Ivy? What we have to do is make the best with what we have. And what you have is time with your father that you will always cherish now, and he will do the same." Beth leaned over and patted her hand. "And, you have Stuart. You and he need to make the most of things. Don't allow yourself to push him aside, or just let this be a short-term affair. The two of you are good for each other, and you need to realize that and don't let things go to pot."
Ivy smiled, and when Beth looked at the doorway Ivy turned to find Stuart standing there. He'd obviously been listening for quite some time, maybe the whole time they'd been talking. Beth stood and crossed the room, stopping next to where Stuart stood. "That goes for the both of you."
"You're home early," she said as Beth left and Stuart walked in. "Is something wrong?"
"I had a horrible feeling about tonight, not sure why. I've had it all day. Then, a few hours ago, Tyler came into the pub. I didn't notice him at first. Ian pointed him out. Then I saw him talking to Martin. You remember him, don't you?"
Ivy's blood ran cold. Oh yes, she remembered Martin, the man with the grabby hands.
"Why would they be talking to each other?"
"Not sure. If I'd seen Martin come in I would have kicked him out in nothing flat. I hate to say it but I think the two of them are up to something, something that will be detrimental to you, and to me and The Ivy itself."
"Well, that's just peachy. In fact, that just outright sucks." She moaned softly when he sat down next to her and lightly pressed his lips against hers. The sensation sent wonderful chills down her spine. Who would have thought she'd feel that way about Stuart? "What can we do?"
"Well, I've got a few lads making inquiries to see what the gossip is. If we find out what's going on then maybe we can head it off before it gets started."
Ivy nodded. "Why would the two of them come into the pub when you were there?"
"Because I had a flat tire today and the car was in the shop getting fixed. It wasn't parked in the lot so I'm sure they didn't think I was there. When they saw me coming toward them they both hightailed it out the door."
"Yes, they're definitely up to something. That sucks."
"Well, let's not worry about it now. There's nothing we can do until we figure out what they're up to. I thought you and your da were going to have a chess marathon tonight."
Ivy leaned into him, snuggling up when he wrapped his arms around her. "He's not feeling very well tonight. We played one game, and then he lost the winds out of sails. He's sleeping now, which is why Beth and I were sitting here talking."
He nodded. "I heard what she said about the new Ivy. It wasn't me, you know. It was you."
"You helped."
"With my spanking?"
She pushed on his chest. "Listen buster, don't get a big head. It wasn't the spankings, it was the love making."
"Right, that changed your attitude. Face it, little Ivy, it was the spankings that made you act better. And you know it."
"You wish." She pushed away from him. "When do you think we'll hear something about what our two jerks are up to?"
"Don't try and change the subject."
She glared at him. "I'm not changing anything. As far as I'm concerned the conversation is over. Totally over. We're never going to agree on spankings so it is best just to let it drop."
Stuart opened his mouth, then closed it when Beth's distressed voice came from the stairwell.
"Stuart! Come quickly." He was out the door before Ivy was even halfway up off the couch. By the time she reached the top of the stairs she heard him say, "No time! Go and get the Rover."
Beth shot past her and Ivy rushed into the room. Her father lay on the bed, his face deathly pale.
"Is he...?"
"No, he's not dead. But his breathing is ragged and Beth thinks he's in some sort of arrest. We can't afford the time it would take for an ambulance to get here."
She nodded. "What can I do?"
"Pray love. Just pray."
* * *
When they'd arrived at the local hospital the doctor had taken one look at Hamish, then ordered an ambulance to take him to Edinburgh. They had followed in the Rover, Stuart driving and Ivy sitting in the front. Beth was in her own car, following behind.
"It's too soon," she whispered as the car wound around the narrow roads. "Stuart, I don't want to lose him now."
"Neither do I, Ivy, but it's not our choice. We'll just have to wait and see how things work out. Let's not take the dark path first. He's been through things like this before."
Ivy could tell by the sound of his voice, though, that he was as worried as she was, despite his brave words. When they got to the hospital a sister pointed them to a waiting room and said a doctor would be with them as soon as possible.
Ivy sat down in the middle of the couch, grateful when Stuart sat down next to her and put his arms around her. Beth was talking to the doctors and Ivy wanted to go in with her, see what was being said. She was Hamish's daughter, after all. Shouldn't she be in there with them, making decisions about what would happen?"
"Beth can handle it." Stuart's voice was strong. We may want to be in there but we need to let her do her job. We can't second-guess her. She knew Ham better than the both of us because she's spent more time with him of late."
Ivy knew exactly what he was talking about. Beth would know whether or not Ham wanted extreme measures taken to keep him alive. That would mean she would make the decision about whether or not to put him on a respirator, if that became necessary. Part of Ivy was thrilled that she didn't have to make that decision. The other thought that, as Ham's daughter, she should be the one to decide whether or not to keep her father alive.
It struck her then, though, that she didn't know his wishes about it well enough. They'd never really discussed it, and it was best for Beth to do it, for the exact reasons that Stuart discussed.
"Should we call Ian?"
"He'll know. He'll have either heard from the doc at the local hospital, who would have called Jock the minute we were out the door. Or, he would have heard from the ambulance drivers when they get back and go into The Ivy." He took a deep breath. "I do suppose I need to call James, though. He can inform the rest of the family. I just can't decide if we need to do it now, or wait until we know something to actually tell them besides the fact we brought him to the hospital."
"I'm so glad you were at home, Stuart. I didn't know you were psychic."
His laughter was soft. "I'm not psychic, Ivy. I had a bad feeling from seeing Tyler and Martin. I had no idea something would happen with Ham." He gently rubbed his hand up and down her arm. "Do you want me to call James, fill him in?"
"Yes." She nodded absentmindedly. "I think it would be best to tell him we're here and that something might happen. Best for them to be prepared instead of blindsided by the news if he does..." Her voice trailed off and she swallowed hard.
"I understand." He put his fingers under her chin, lifted her lips to his. "Think positive thoughts. You've strengthened Ham's will to live since you've been here, and that could help him overcome what is happening right now."
She melted into his kiss, then licked her lips. "You're right, it could. Thank you."
He nodded, then stood and left, pulling his cell phone from his pocket as he walked. Ivy thought about calling her mother, telling her that her father had taken a turn for the worse. Just as quickly as the thought passed through her mind she dismissed it. She would call her mother if her father passed away, and not before.
She sat by herself for a little while, looking out the window, her mind numb about what might happen tonight. There was a part of her that wished she wasn't here; that she was still at home, without any knowledge of her father or his life. But that wasn't right, she knew. The conversation she'd had with Beth earlier in the evening had told her that.
She leaned her head against the back of the couch, wishing Stuart would come back. She felt better when he was there. She closed he
r eyes, wishing him to appear. Instead it was Beth's voice she heard.
"Ivy."
Her eyes popped open and she stared up at the other woman. "Yes?" Her heart beat widely as she studied Beth's face. She didn't seem to be overly sad, as one would be when someone had died. But then again she didn't seem very happy, either.
"He's stable."
"What does that mean? Is he on a respirator?"
"No, that wasn't necessary. But he had a heart attack and the doctor said the next few hours will be crucial. If he makes it through the next twenty-four hours things will look good for him to pull through this one."
"Is he awake?"
"No, he's sleeping right now. The doctor gave permission for you to sit with him, though, if you want."
Ivy stood quickly, almost losing her balance. She put her hand on the couch end to steady herself, then nodded. "Yes, I want to. And I want you and Stuart to stay with me, please. I think all of us being there with him will help my father when he wakes up."
She could see indecision spread over Beth's face. "It's not good to have too many people in there," she said softly. "It would be best, probably, for us to stay out here."
"No, please. It will help him to see us all, to know we don't want him to leave us."
Beth nodded, a small smile on her face. "I'll see what the doctor says. Where's Stuart?"
Ivy explained where he was.
"Then I'll go and find him so he can tell James the latest and spread the word." Beth pointed down the hallway. "He's in the main unit, second door down. Tell the sister you're Ivy."
Ivy nodded, then headed down the hallway. A little bit of guilt gnawed at her, wondering if she hadn't been playing chess with her father that evening if he wouldn't have suffered the attack. She knew that wasn't true, but she supposed it was human nature to feel a little bit of guilt, to play the "what if" game. What if he had been sleeping instead of playing chess? What if he hadn't had the stress in the last few weeks of meeting his adult daughter for the first time? What if she hadn't been such a bitch to him in those few days? Had all of that led up to today?
She stopped at a desk, identified herself to a young woman working behind it. The woman pointed across the hall and Ivy went to the door. Her father lay in the bed, his face deathly pale, his chest barely moving.
She walked over and sat down on the edge, putting her hand on his and squeezing gently. "Listen, you can't leave me yet. You can't call me over here, then decide to check out, understand? I demand that you stay here with me, and if you don't I'll find some way to piss you off in the afterlife."
She laughed softly, then leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I know you can hear me, but what I need you to do is hear me, in other words to understand me. I'm very serious about you sticking around, got that?"
He wouldn't answer, and she knew it. But in her heart she knew he was listening, and that her plea would help him stick around. Or at least she prayed that it would.
* * *
"Ivy." She lifted her head from the cot and glanced around, confused with her surroundings. Where was she? It took a few seconds for it all to rush back to her, her father's illness and the trip to the hospital. She sat up straighter and looked around, wondering where Stuart and Beth were.
A glance at her watch showed she'd been there fourteen hours now. She vaguely remember the nurse, not the sister, bringing in a cot for her to rest on while Stuart and Beth went into the waiting room to talk with various family members who had gathered to wait things out.
"Ivy." She stood quickly. That's what had waked her up. Someone whispering her name.
"Father?"
"Come here." His voice was very weak and she crossed to the bed, taking his hand in hers. She looked down at him, smiling. "Take me home."
"Father, you need..."
"No, take me home, please." Tears stung her eyes.
"Don't fash yourself over this, Ivy. We all knew it was coming, and I don't want to die here."
"You obviously missed my earlier command." She laughed. "Please stay here, for me. I don't want you to leave for a while."
She watched indecision spread over his features, and then he nodded. "For a while, I will. But only for you. And only for a few days. Two at the most. Staying here won't keep me alive, Ivy."
"But it could help."
"In December I would have told you no. But now, seeing you sitting next to me, it makes things different. I've resigned myself to the fact I'm going to die, but leaving you will make it harder."
"Then don't leave. Not for a while, at least." She squeezed his hand gently. "I know in the end it won't be your decision, but I don't want to lose you, not yet."
"I'll stay here, then if you promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"Send young Stuart back to the house to get the chess board. We can use this sturdy table here to set up the board and play."
She nodded, a smile breaking across her face. "That sounds like a perfect plan to me."
* * *
Stuart placed the box with the chessboard on the table in the waiting room, then motioned to Beth. "Go and get Ivy, please. Tell her to come and talk with me for a moment."
"What's wrong?" He shook his head, trying to keep his anger under control. "I'll tell you at the same time I tell her. Just do it, please."
For a moment he thought Beth would argue. And then she nodded and went down the hall. There was a huge part of him that wished he hadn't gone to The Ivy on his trip home. But he wanted to reassure Ian and everyone else that Ham was fine, for now. He'd even agreed to stay in the hospital which, as far as Stuart was concerned, was a huge miracle. How Ivy had gotten him to agree to that was beyond Stuart's imagination.
She'd been in a very good mood when he'd left to get the chessboard. And now he had to ruin it. In a huge way.
Damn Tyler Jameson and his underhanded ways. And damn Martin, too. If Stuart got the chance he would wring both of their necks. No, Stuart, calm yourself. That would only make matters worse. And he didn't want to do that. Things were bad enough as it was with Ham's health, and now this.
He ran his fingers through his hair, wondering if he should keep this information from Ivy, and then knowing there was no way he could do it.
He watched her come down the hall, her face happy. "Did you bring it?"
"Yes, but we need to talk for a moment."
Her laugh was soft. "Did you break a piece?"
"No, but we have something we need to discuss. I stopped by The Ivy. Martin is suing us."
"What?" Her mouth fell open. "For what?"
"For the incident that took place a few weeks ago. He's claiming you came on to him, then slapped him and kicked him out when he refused to have sex with you. He's claiming you berated him, called him names and told everyone that he wasn't a man."
"Exactly what is he suing for?"
"Defamation of character. Plus he claims that you broke bones when you kicked him to the ground, in front of everyone."
"I didn't touch him. I threw beer in his face after he pinched my ass." Stuart put his arm around her.
"Calm down. This isn't the place for a scene." He kissed her forehead. "I have no doubt Tyler's behind all this."
"Just making trouble. Asshole."
Stuart laughed softly, then shook his head. "It's a little more than trouble, Ivy. He'll have bribed witnesses, I'm sure. But if he wins, and we'll make damn sure he doesn't. But if he does, he could take The Ivy as payment."
He watched the color drain from her face. "Darling, I'm sorry."
"Don't be. If it's one thing I've never done is back away from a fight. If he wants one, he's got it. By the time this is over everyone will know what a low-down snake Martin is, and Tyler, too. I'll kick them both to the curb. Where's James? I need a lawyer."
She stalked off and Stuart smiled as he watched her. "Well, Beth, she's definitely her father's daughter, full of spirit. I think Martin and Tyler may have picked the wrong fight. This could prove to b
e great fun to watch."
Chapter Eight
"Are you comfortable?" Ivy patted the blankets around her father and tried to keep from fluffing the pillows, again. She'd already done it three times, and she was pretty sure a fourth would set him off.
"Ivy, darlin', I'm fine. Don't you need to be at work or something?"
She smiled shyly. "I get the hint, stop hovering, right?"
His eyes soften and he laughed, the sound low and sweet. His strength was not quite what it should have been, but it was much better than it had been in the past few weeks. "I've been home for three days now and I'm feeling fine. It's time for you to get back to your life, get back to Stuart."
Ivy knew he was right. His color was good, and his mood was much improved. He was laughing and acting like himself again, and she needed to get back to life, back to work, and back to worrying about Martin's lawsuit.
She still had to snort when she thought of it as Martin's lawsuit. It wasn't his lawsuit, really. It was Tyler's suit. He was the person who was pushing the buttons, who was controlling the whole situation. If she could figure out a way to bring that out it would put a major dent in things for Martin.
But she still hadn't figured out a plan to bring that situation about; figured out a way to get out from under the lawsuit. She and Stuart had talked about it a few times now, and neither of them had figured out a plan they thought would work. They'd hired James, who had told them to do nothing but lay low until he had sorted things through.
Her cousin had hired an investigator, she knew that. He was talking to people who had witnessed the "incident" in which Martin had pinched her ass and she'd doused him with beer. She didn't break any bones, she knew that. She wished she had, though. And she couldn't defame his character, because he really didn't have one to tarnish. She wondered exactly what people were saying. Those who told the truth would say that Martin walked out of the bar on his own free will, that he wasn't damaged in any way. Of course if he offered the right amount of money to people they would say anything. And she knew that was what was happening.
