“Something tells me he’ll find a way,” Brian said, chuckling. “The medical examiner cleared Lionel and Darren’s bodies. The state police are there and said the scene stacks up exactly how Ivy described it. Other than giving a statement, Gilly is in the clear.”
“I’m not sure that will make her feel any better,” Ivy said. “What about Wayne?”
“He’s in surgery but is expected to survive. He’ll be going to prison and I’m hopeful he does the right thing and turns over his shares of the farm to Gilly. If he doesn’t, well, I’m not sure what will happen. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
“So that’s it?” Ivy rested her head against Jack’s shoulder. “That’s everything?”
“For now,” Brian replied. “By the way, Jack, your mother is out in the waiting room. I tried to get her to leave but she insisted on staying. If you want to know the truth, I think she had a good time being in the thick of things this afternoon.”
“That sounds just like her,” Jack said, brushing his lips against Ivy’s temple. “I should probably talk to her.”
“We made up before it happened,” Ivy volunteered. “She understands you’re staying. She wants you to be happy.”
“Well, that makes me feel better. You’re what makes me happy.”
Ivy beamed. “Right back at you.”
“You’re still in trouble, though.” Jack pressed a firm kiss to her mouth before heading toward the lobby. “Be prepared to fight and make up later tonight. I’ll add you to my schedule.”
Ivy considered following and continuing to plead her case until she heard the unmistakable sounds of a squawking infant from the other room. Instead of knocking or waiting for clearance, she pushed in and immediately caught Gilly’s gaze.
The new mother was exhausted and sweaty, tears streaming down her cheeks as the nurse placed the swaddled baby in her arms. Ivy was convinced she’d never seen Gilly look more beautiful.
“He’s here, huh?”
Gilly smiled as she gestured for Ivy to join her, rubbing her fingers over the baby’s red skin. He continuously screamed, but he was a beautiful child. Ivy was happy to see he resembled Ron and Gilly rather than Darren.
“He’s beautiful.”
“Right?” Gilly looked so happy and hopeful that Ivy’s heart ached at the sight. “He’s finally here. I think I felt my daddy watching there at the end. I heard him whispering and telling me it was going to be okay.”
For some reason, Ivy didn’t doubt that. “Is his name still Ronald?”
“Yes, but the middle name has to go because I’m not naming my son after anyone in Darren’s family.”
“That’s probably wise. What’s his new middle name?”
“Well, I thought I should name him after you because you saved us, but as grateful as I am I don’t think Ronald Ivy McDonald is going to do my son any favors.”
Ivy giggled, amused. “Probably not. That’s okay, though. I appreciate the sentiment.”
“Oh, I’m still naming him after you,” Gilly said. “The labor seemed like it lasted forever so I had a lot of time to think. Meet Ronald Morgan McDonald.”
Ivy took a moment to swallow the lump in her throat. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I do. I want my son to have your strength. What you did today was … amazing.”
“Oh, Gilly, you did most of the work. I just ran my mouth.”
“Well, if my son has your mouth, I’ll be a proud mother,” Gilly said. “You’re part of our family now. I hope you realize it. I don’t have a lot of family left, but I’m so happy to add you to the mix.”
“I’m extremely proud.” Ivy extended her arms. “Can I hold him?”
“You’re the only one who could drag him out of my arms at this point.”
“I HEARD a baby cry,” Michael said, moving toward Jack as he entered the clinic. “Did Gilly give birth? I heard what happened when I was at the library and headed right over to see for myself. Luna is on her way.”
“That would be my guess.” Jack held up a finger to let his mother know he would join her shortly. She merely smiled and waved as Jack turned his full attention to Michael. “I’m glad you’re here, though. There’s something I need to talk to you about before you leave town.”
“That sounds important,” Michael said, his expression grave. “Is something wrong?”
“No, but I want to do this right,” Jack replied, uncomfortably shifting from one foot to the other. “You’re going to be gone for months and … well, I’m not sure when it’s going to happen yet so you need to keep your mouth shut but … um … .”
Michael knew exactly what the man was getting at. He’d been expecting it for weeks. The fact that Jack remembered his manners despite everything that was going on only reinforced Michael’s belief that Ivy had picked a perfect mate.
“You want to ask my permission to propose to my daughter,” Michael finished, keeping his voice low.
Jack’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”
“Because it’s written all over your face when you look at her. Son, I would be thrilled to add you to the family. You have my permission.”
Jack let out a shaky breath. “Thank you.”
“When are you going to do it?”
“When I have everything together so I can do it right,” Jack replied. “I don’t have a timetable yet. I just wanted to make sure I asked before you left for the winter. I respect you a great deal and I would never move forward without getting your blessing.”
“You had my blessing the first time you made Ivy smile,” Michael offered. “You’re one of the few people who consistently do that. I know you’ll make it special. I know you’ll do it right.”
“And you’re okay with it?”
“I’m okay with it. You’re already my son – without the weird connotations you marrying my daughter will bring – and I love you.”
Jack swallowed the lump in his throat. “I love you, too.”
“Oh, aren’t we the pair.” Michael slung an arm around Jack’s shoulders to give the man a moment to collect himself. He smiled when he heard the baby crying in the other room. “This family just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I love it.”
Jack exhaled heavily as he forced himself to relax. “Do you know what? I love it, too. I love everything about this place.”
“Of course you do. This is home.”
“Forever,” Jack said, smiling. “Forever and always.”
Wicked Winter
An Ivy Morgan Mystery Book Eight
One
“What do you think?”
Jack Harker was a bundle of nerves as he stood in his girlfriend’s basement, hands on hips, and regarded her brother Max Morgan with a worried look.
For his part, Max seemed more at ease but confused all the same. “You’re saying you want to move into Ivy’s basement?”
Jack let loose with an exasperated sigh, tugging a restless hand through his dark hair as his brown eyes fired in Max’s direction. “Yes, I thought I would turn myself into the house troll and live in the basement. If Ivy has things she needs done around the house she can leave a note at the bottom of the stairs and I’ll toil through the dead of night to get them done. That’s exactly what I was thinking. You’re so smart. I can’t believe how smart you are.”
Max arched a challenging eyebrow. He was used to his sister’s boyfriend being something of a sarcastic wonder, but this particular outburst was a bit much for Max to stomach. “What is your deal?”
Jack balked, distressed. “Why do you think I have a deal? I don’t have a deal. It’s ridiculous to assume I have a deal. I mean … I don’t have a deal.” Jack sucked in a cleansing breath. “What has your father told you?”
Max ran his tongue over his teeth as he brushed his hand over the back of his neck and fixed the man he knew loved his sister beyond reason with a dubious look. “Yeah. I have no idea why I think you have a deal. You’re acting totally normal.”
Jack b
lew out a frustrated sigh. “I’m acting like a spaz, aren’t I?”
Max held his hands palms up. “You’re not acting like the calm, cool, and calculated customer I’ve grown to know and love when it comes to my sister,” he replied. “You’ve gone from romantic lothario to freaky whiner. It’s … disturbing.”
Now it was Jack’s turn to be dubious. “You love me?”
“Why doesn’t it surprise me that you only heard that part of the statement?” Max swished his lips, his expression mischievous as he debated how much torture he should inflict on Jack. In the end, the man’s obvious worry was enough to hold him off. “I love that you love my sister. I guess you could say I’m fond of you … when you’re not upsetting her, that is.”
Jack scowled, the meaning behind Max’s words taking a moment to sink in. “I would like to think that I’m beyond hurting her that way. What I did right after we got together … .” Jack broke off, anger at his actions months before resurfacing.
Max cleared his throat to get Jack’s attention. “I didn’t mean to bring that up again. I know you’re sorry.” That was the truth. Max couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty about making Jack remember something he clearly wanted to forget.
Jack Harker moved to Shadow Lake the previous spring, memories of almost dying at the hands of his former Detroit Police Department partner practically choking the life out of him. He met Ivy Morgan his first week in town, fought his attraction to her for the next week, and then ultimately gave in pretty quickly when it came time to admitting he wanted to pursue a relationship with her.
Jack’s stalwart nature had a steadying effect on the fiery Ivy, but when she was injured – shot by an enemy coming for Jack – the police officer briefly fell apart and abandoned Ivy to recuperate on her own. That meant Max had to pick up the pieces of his sister’s shattered heart while Jack wallowed in a bottle. The resulting argument almost caused the two men to come to blows.
They’d recovered quite well since then, though, and Max had no desire to torture Jack unless it resulted in fun for the entire family.
“I shouldn’t have brought that up,” Max supplied. “It was unfair. I’m simply … confused.” He glanced around the dark basement, rubbing his cheek as he tried to ascertain exactly what Jack was trying to tell him. “You want to renovate the basement. That’s what you’re basically saying, right?”
When Jack insisted on meeting Max at Ivy’s small cottage, the gregarious Morgan sibling was understandably confused. Jack waited until Ivy was out of the house and made Max promise not to tell her what they were about to do. That was very unlike Jack, a man who almost always believed in brutal honesty.
Jack picked at the front of his shirt as he internally debated how much information to share with Max. He should’ve thought out this afternoon excursion better, he realized. It was understandable that Max would be suspicious given the circumstances. Jack couldn’t hope to get the advice he was looking for without owning up to the truth … which was a daunting thought.
“Well … .”
Max waited for Jack to continue. He had a feeling he knew exactly what Jack was about to tell him, but he wanted to hear the truth from the other man’s mouth before commenting.
“I’m going to ask your sister to marry me.” Jack was a tall and strong man, but the voice he used to admit his deepest secret was tiny.
Max pursed his lips. “I see.”
“I already told your father, in case you’re wondering. I asked for his permission.”
Max’s eyebrow winged up. “Is that why Mom and Dad haven’t left for Florida yet?” Luna and Michael Morgan spent the winter months away from their northern Lower Michigan home, opting for Florida where they could bask in the heat and humidity of the Sunshine State. They were due to leave right after Thanksgiving but delayed their departure until after Christmas at the last moment. Max was suspicious of their decision, but now things were beginning to slip into place. “You asked Dad for permission to propose to Ivy and he told my mother … and now they’re staying to watch you do the deed.”
Jack scowled. Both Morgan siblings were quick on their feet. He found it cute when Ivy out thought him. Max was another story. “I’m not proposing in front of an audience.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Max’s grin was so wide it threatened to swallow his entire face. “Mom wants to be here when Ivy tells her she’s engaged. She wants to see Ivy’s happiness in person.”
For some reason, Max’s simple but heartfelt words eased some of the tension building in Jack’s chest.
“Do you really think she’ll be happy?”
Max snorted. “I’ve never known you to be insecure.”
“That’s because I’ve never really been insecure when it comes to a woman,” Jack admitted, scratching the side of his nose. “I’ve never loved anyone like I love Ivy either, though. I’m a bit … nervous.”
Max clapped his future brother-in-law on the back and smirked. “I get it. For what it’s worth, I’m happy for you.”
“Which means you aren’t going to say anything to her, right?” Jack challenged.
“I would never do that.” Max opted for honesty. “This is going to be a big deal for her. I don’t want to ruin it.” He flicked his eyes to the dark basement. “That doesn’t explain what you’re trying to do down here.”
“Oh, right, that.” Jack was happy to turn his attention to a more mundane topic. “Ivy loves this house. I do, too. She’s not going to want to leave it but … .”
“The house is small,” Max finished. He’d already worried about this exact scenario when Ivy and Jack started dating. The cottage was miniscule and the Morgan family – all four of them – lived under the roof together for almost two decades, although it wasn’t always a pleasant experience. Looking back, he had no idea how that was possible.
“Ivy has a library in the second bedroom and she has her lotions and stuff all over the kitchen and dining room,” Jack supplied. “We need more room. I know you had a bedroom down here when you were a teenager so I figured this would be the place to start renovations.”
“Yeah, I don’t know what my parents were thinking shoving me down here,” Max admitted, turning so he could study the small bedroom he used to occupy. “It’s dark, dank, and there’s no escape in the event of a fire.”
“Yeah, that’s occurred to me, too,” Jack admitted. “If we have kids … .”
“Oh, kids,” Max cooed, grabbing Jack’s cheek and giving it a good jiggle. “I can’t wait to see miniature versions of you and Ivy running around this place. I’m going to bet they fight just as much as their adult counterparts.”
Jack snorted, legitimately amused. “That’s probably a safe bet.” He returned his focus to the basement. “So, here’s the thing, I want to make this our home, but it’s going to take a lot of work.”
“What do you have planned?”
“Well, we’re going to need to dig down on one side and get a door down here,” Jack replied. “Even if we only have one kid, that means Ivy is going to have to give up her library and we’re going to have to move all of that stuff down here. I don’t like the idea of something terrible happening and Ivy being trapped down here with no way out.”
“Oh, I get what you’re saying.” Realization dawned as Max bobbed his head and glanced around the basement. “So, you want to have a renovation plan ready for Ivy when you propose … in case she freaks out and thinks you want her to move.”
“Moving is not an option,” Jack said. “Ivy’s nursery is right through the woods. She can walk there most days and she happens to love this property. Her fairy ring is out in the forest – and I get it’s going to be months before she can see it because of the snow – but I would never ask her to leave this place.”
“I think you like this place, too,” Max noted.
Jack nodded without hesitation. “It’s where we fell in love. I have wonderful memories of this place. I like that it’s private enough for us to have fun … and rai
se kids away from traffic … and spend entire days doing nothing but walking in the woods and looking for those stupid mushrooms that Ivy loves, which taste like feet, by the way.”
Max snickered. “Those are morels … and they’re amazing. When May rolls around, she’s going to spend three weeks hunting them in the woods and if you want to spend time with her, you’re going to have to develop a taste for them.”
“I’ve developed a taste for her,” Jack countered. “That’s more than enough. As for this place, I was thinking we could put carpet in, drywall, break that area over there into two different rooms for her library and my office so we each have our own space. I thought we could eventually put a pool table down here and turn it into a den sort of thing.”
“You’re talking about a lot of work.”
“I know.”
“You’re also talking about a lot of money,” Max added. “Ivy does okay at the nursery – and I can help with the price of the wood through the lumberyard – but what you’re talking about is probably a good hundred grand of renovations.”
“I know that, too,” Jack said. “I don’t own that house over by the river. I rent it. Once I let it go, I will save seven hundred bucks a month. That’s on top of my savings.”
“You have a hundred grand in savings?”
Jack shrugged. “I have that house in Detroit that I just sold.”
“Oh, I forgot about that.” Max nodded, his eyes brimming with possibility as he studied the basement. “Was that paid for?”
“Yeah, I made a good profit because I bought when house prices were low and sold when they were on the upswing. I also got a payout from the Detroit Police Department when I was shot. It wasn’t a huge amount of money but – between the house sale and the fact that I don’t spend a lot of money – I have a decent nest egg.”
“So you’re saying you have the money to do the renovations,” Max said, impressed. “That’s nice.”
“I do have the money,” Jack confirmed. “I have enough money to renovate this place, purchase Ivy’s ring, pay for a really nice honeymoon, and put education accounts together for any future kids.”
Wicked Fun: An Ivy Morgan Mystery Books 7-9 Page 20
