Wicked Dreams

by Lily Harper Hart

  “He’s in Gaylord,” Ivy said. “He found your brother.”

  Kelly’s shoulders stiffened, and her eyes were full of trepidation when she shifted them to Ivy. “He did? He found Jordan?”

  “I don’t know a lot yet,” Ivy cautioned. “I do know Jordan has done well for himself. He works at the lumber yard out there, and he wants to see you.”

  “I don’t want to see him.”

  “He’s coming for dinner tonight,” Ivy said, Jack’s words about not backing down playing through the back of her mind. “You’re going to be civil.”

  “He abandoned me.”

  “He was sixteen years old,” Ivy argued. “He didn’t abandon you. Jack didn’t have a lot of time to talk on the phone, but he did tell me that Jordan tried to keep you, but the state wouldn’t let him.”

  “He could’ve kept me if he wanted to.” Kelly wasn’t giving up on the scenario she’d built in her mind over the past eight years.

  “The state wouldn’t allow that,” Ivy said.

  “What about after he was eighteen?”

  “Jordan thought you were adopted,” Ivy said, choosing her words carefully. “He thought the couple you first went to live with kept you this whole time. Now, I know that’s a sore subject, and I don’t want to make it worse, but he thought he was doing the right thing.”

  “How does forgetting I existed equate to ‘the best thing’?” Kelly challenged.

  “He thought he would be doing more harm than good by interrupting your life,” Ivy said. “Jack said he was really upset when he found out the truth.”

  “He was?” Despite her belligerence, Ivy couldn’t help but notice the touch of hope in Kelly’s voice.

  “He’s coming to see you tonight, isn’t he?”

  “Jack probably made him,” Kelly grumbled.

  “Jack wouldn’t do something like that,” Ivy said. “You need to give Jack a break.”

  “Because you’re kissing him?”

  “Because he’s trying to help you,” Ivy shot back. “Now … ride your horse. If you don’t stop talking about Jack and kissing, I’m going to tell that horse to bite you.”

  “You don’t have the power,” Kelly scoffed.

  “MAKE sure you brush him down,” Ivy instructed, glancing over Kelly’s shoulder as she watched the teenager work.

  “I don’t understand why we have to do this,” Kelly complained. “Isn’t that what the stable hands are for?”

  “You’re going to bond with that horse or spend the night here,” Ivy said.

  “Whatever,” Kelly said, rolling her eyes.

  Ivy shuffled across the barn, not stopping until she was next to Millie Nixon. “I forgot how obnoxious teenagers were.”

  Millie, who also happened to be Brian’s wife, snorted. “I remember some particularly obnoxious days with Sean and Simon when they were that age,” she said, referring to her sons. “Sometimes you and Max joined in and made it a free-for-all.”

  “How many days are you working here now?”

  “Just once a week,” Millie said. “I volunteer my time because I love the horses. Brian says we’re too busy to have any out at the farm, and I agree with him, but I miss having them around.”

  “I kind of wish you guys still had horses, too,” Ivy said. “I would’ve brought her out there instead of here if I had the chance.”

  Millie lowered her voice. “Are you worried about someone seeing her? Brian says someone broke into your house the other night.”

  Ivy shrugged. “Whoever wants her knows where she’s staying,” she said. “I’m more concerned with answering hard questions from well-meaning people. How do I explain who she is?”

  “Just leave that to me if it comes up,” Millie said.

  “Why you?”

  “I’m a better liar than you are.”

  Ivy snorted. “I’ll have you know, I’m a world-class liar when I want to be.”

  “Sweetie, you’re the worst liar ever,” Millie said. “Every time you tried to lie when you were a teenager the tops of your ears turned red. That’s how I always caught you and Max when you were up to no good.”

  “And then you called and told our parents,” Ivy reminded her.

  “That’s what friends do in a town this small,” Millie replied, nonplussed. “Speaking of Max, when do you think he’s going to settle down?”

  “Not any time soon,” Ivy said. “Aunt Felicity called him a hound dog yesterday, and I’m starting to think that should be his new nickname. Spread the word.”

  Millie chuckled. “Your brother has a mile-long streak of charm, that’s for sure,” she said. “Still, I think someone is going to tame him one day, and when they do, he’s going to make a fine husband and father. Don’t worry about it. He still has plenty of time.”

  “I’m not worried about it,” Ivy said. “I think my mother would like a few grandkids, though.”

  “Maybe you and Jack will give her some.”

  Ivy turned swiftly, fixing Millie with a hard look as the woman pretended to study Kelly and the horse. “What did you just say?”

  “I said that your hair is very pretty,” Millie lied.

  “No, what did you say about Jack? Who told you that?”

  Millie sighed. “Sweetie, let it go. Everyone in this town knows about you and Jack. All the single female hearts are breaking, and all the male egos are taking a pounding.”

  “What has Brian told you?” Ivy asked, narrowing her eyes.

  “Brian told me to mind my own business,” Millie said. “I’ve had my eye on Jack for some random fix-ups ever since I heard he was coming to town. Brian said the minute you two laid eyes on each other fireworks started going off, though, so I decided to take a step back and hedge my bets.”

  “I don’t know what that means.”

  “I’ve always wanted you to find someone to tame that wild streak,” Millie said. “You weren’t ready, though. I didn’t even consider you for Jack when I heard he was coming to town because I didn’t think you would be ready for a long while. It looks like I was wrong on that front.”

  “Jack and I are … not together.”

  “Oh, please,” Millie said, waving off Ivy’s argument. “You and Jack can keep telling people you’re not together, but everyone knows it’s only a matter of time. People saw you playing basketball at the high school together.”

  “How does that equate to being a couple?”

  “People know he’s been staying out at your house the past two nights.”

  “On the couch,” Ivy said, refusing to own up to the fact that she’d been on the couch with him. “He’s staying to make sure Kelly is safe.”

  “Keep telling yourself that,” Millie said. “You’re going to have to find another excuse when Kelly is gone, though.”

  “I … .” Ivy broke off, frustrated. “Everyone in this town thinks this is so funny. It’s not going to be funny when Jack breaks my heart.”

  Millie shifted her eyes to Ivy. “What do you mean?”

  “He doesn’t want a relationship,” Ivy said. “Even if I did want one … which I don’t, mind you … he doesn’t want to be tied down.”

  Millie pursed her lips. “Everyone says that until they find the one they’re supposed to be with,” she said. “You’re tying yourself up in knots because you’re terrified he is the one for you. Don’t make yourself sick over this. Things will work out how they’re supposed to.”

  “And you think they’re going to work out in a way that lets Jack and I be together?”

  “I don’t think that,” Millie said, and despite herself, Ivy’s heart sank at the words. “I know you’re going to be together.”

  Ivy faltered. “How?”

  “Some things are destiny,” Millie said. “I have faith you and Jack are destiny.”

  “I wish I had your faith,” Ivy said.

  “Don’t worry. You will.”

  “I … .”

  “Who is that?” Millie asked, cutting Ivy off and p
ointing toward the far end of the barn. “That guy has been standing there for ten minutes, and he’s been staring at Kelly the whole time. I don’t recognize him.”

  Ivy swiveled, fixing her eyes on the dark figure in question. The barn wasn’t well lit, and even though the sun was still relatively high in the sky, she couldn’t make out his features. All she could see was that he looked to be of average height and weight, and Millie was right, he was focused on Kelly.

  “I don’t know,” Ivy said. “Watch Kelly.”

  “What are you going to do?” Millie asked.

  “Find out who he is,” Ivy said. “I’d like to do it without freaking Kelly out if I can.”

  “You be careful,” Millie warned. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

  “I never do stupid things,” Ivy said, striding off in the direction of the stranger. She kept her pace even, but purposeful, and after a few moments, the stranger shifted his eyes from Kelly to Ivy. Ivy still couldn’t make out his features, but whatever the man was hoping to accomplish was cut short when he turned on his heel and walked out of the barn.

  Ivy broke into a run. “Hey!”

  By the time she raced out of the barn, the area surrounding it was empty. She scanned the open expanse, hoping to see a glimpse of the man. When she heard a car engine fire up, she shifted her attention to the parking lot just in time to see a red Ford Explorer speed out. She was too far away to get the license plate.

  “Crap,” she muttered, reaching for her phone. “Jack is not going to like this.”

  Twenty-Two

  “So, let me get this straight … .” Jack pinched the bridge of his nose to keep from shaking Ivy, frustration bubbling up as he internally warned himself that picking a fight – especially now, when Jordan was on his way – would be a bad idea. “After your house was broken into and you were thrown into a wall, you took it upon yourself to chase a stranger. Is that what you’re telling me?”

  “Don’t you even think of yelling at me,” Ivy warned, her eyes narrowing. “I didn’t realize I was going to be chasing him. I just wanted to know why he was staring at Kelly. It was broad daylight, and there were people around.”

  “I’m going to have to … .” Jack broke off, miming strangling her.

  Ivy had to purse her lips to keep from smiling. He was cute when he was animated. “Is that some form of interpretive dance? I didn’t know you were into that.”

  “Don’t push me,” Jack said, extending a finger in Ivy’s direction. “I will spank your bottom blue.”

  Ivy scowled. “And yet you say that like it’s going to turn you on.”

  “Oh, you have no idea, honey,” Jack said. He placed his hands on his hips and looked over Ivy’s shoulder so he could watch Kelly on the swing in the front yard. While she’d displayed reticence to the announcement that her brother was on his way, she was keenly nervous while waiting for him.

  Ivy followed his gaze, nervous butterflies flitting through her own stomach. “You’re sure he wants to see her, right? She can’t take another disappointment.”

  “I’m sure,” Jack said. “He feels guilty. He honestly thought he was doing the right thing.”

  “It sounds like he’s done well for himself,” Ivy said. “Maybe they’ll be able to work something out so they can see each other on a regular basis. When Kelly is released from the system, she’ll have someone on the outside to help her.”

  “He’s done amazingly well for himself,” Jack said. “He’s soft-spoken, he’s kind, and he’s a hard worker.”

  “Good,” Ivy said. “I suppose I should get inside and make dinner.”

  “I brought steaks,” Jack said, reaching for the bag he’d dropped on the lawn chair when he approached Ivy upon his return to her house.

  Ivy made a face. “I don’t like steak.”

  “I didn’t buy one for you,” Jack said. “I figured you can eat your … asparagus burger … while the rest of us eat real food. I’m sure you can handle the sides.”

  “You’re really pushing your luck,” Ivy said, grabbing the bag from him and glancing inside. “I don’t even know how to cook these.”

  “I guess it’s good you have a world-class griller here to help you then,” Jack said, grabbing the bag back from her. “Don’t touch those. You’ll get … alfalfa sprouts cooties all over them.”

  “I’m going to give you cooties,” Ivy threatened.

  “That’s what I’m hoping for,” Jack said, swatting her rear to prod her into the house. “We have to get Kelly taken care of first, though.”

  “Stop saying things like that.”

  Jack waited until they were safely inside the house – and away from Kelly’s prying eyes – before grabbing the front of her shirt and pushing her against the wall. “No.” His eyes were soulful as he dropped a soft kiss on her mouth.

  Despite the warning in the back of her mind telling her to pull away, Ivy returned the hot kiss. When Jack finally pulled away, Ivy had to check herself briefly to make sure she was still dressed, and then she fixed him with an icy stare. “You’re really full of yourself.”

  Jack smiled, loving the pouty look on her face. “I can’t wait until we have some time alone together. I’m going to show you just how full of myself I am.”

  Secretly, Ivy was looking forward to that, too.

  JORDAN was nervous as he hopped out of his truck in Ivy’s driveway. Jack met him on the front porch, a welcoming smile in place as the younger man trudged up the steps.

  “Did you have trouble finding the place?” Jack asked.

  “Your directions were good,” Jordan said. “I didn’t see the house at first because of the trees, but I realized where it was once I passed by. I didn’t overshoot it by much.”

  “That’s good.”

  “This is a cool place,” Jordan said, scanning the property. “Do you live here?”

  “I live over on the river,” Jack said. “The land is great. The house is a dump.”

  “And this house belongs to … what did you say her name was?”

  “Ivy Morgan,” Jack said. “If she runs hot and cold on you, don’t worry about it. I’m the one irritating her right now.”

  “How did you do that?”

  Jack tilted his head to the side, considering. “I won’t stop kissing her.”

  Jordan snorted. “I see.”

  “It’s a long story,” Jack said.

  “I’m guessing it’s one of those stories that’s going to have a happy ending,” Jordan said.

  “I’m starting to think that myself,” Jack said. “Don’t worry, she’s a wonderful woman. She just has attitude.”

  “All the best ones do,” Jordan said, sucking in a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

  “It’s going to be okay,” Jack said, patting him on the shoulder. “Kelly has been looking forward to seeing you all day, even if she won’t admit it. Just … be prepared for her to be hostile for the first few minutes. She’s got a lot of resentment pent up about what’s happened to her throughout the years.”

  “I don’t blame her,” Jordan said. “When do you want me to start questioning her about what happened?”

  “Don’t force it,” Jack said. “Get to know her first. We’ve survived this long. Another couple of hours isn’t going to kill us.” At least Jack hoped that was the truth. He led Jordan into the small cottage and pointed toward the patio through the back sliding glass door. “She’s out there.”

  Jordan stared for a moment, his heart clenching when he saw Kelly. He would’ve recognized her anywhere. Even though eight years had passed – eight important ones for Kelly – it was almost as if he was staring at a younger version of their mother when he saw her animatedly talking to the woman next to the grill.

  “Ivy has pink hair,” Jordan said.

  “Some of it is pink,” Jack replied. “I thought it was weird at first, too. It fits her personality, though.”

  “Her personality is pink?” Jordan arched an eyebrow.

  “Her per
sonality is fiery,” Jack said. “Come on. I’ll introduce you. Besides, I don’t trust her with those steaks alone.”

  Jack pushed open the door, ushering Jordan out in front of him. Kelly’s gaze locked with her brother’s the second she saw him, and Ivy couldn’t help but notice Jordan clasped his hands together – the same way Kelly did when she was nervous – when he saw his sister for the first time in eight years.

  “Hey, trouble.”

  Kelly opened her mouth to respond, years of anger and bitterness ready to pour out like a waterfall. Instead, she burst into tears and rushed to him, letting him hug her as he shed a few tears of his own.

  Jack moved away, offering them some privacy, and edged Ivy away from the grill with his hips as he took the pronged fork from her and flipped the steaks wordlessly. Ivy watched the brother and sister cry, her heart flopping, and then lifted her glassy eyes to Jack’s. He bent over and kissed her on the nose quickly before shifting his attention back to the grill. “I see you didn’t burn them.”

  “I … .” Ivy wrinkled her nose. “I’m perfectly capable of cooking cow flesh.”

  “I love it when you refer to it that way,” Jack said. “It gives me this low-down tickle in my stomach.”

  “I’m going to tickle you.” Ivy realized what she’d said and made a face. “Wait. That came out wrong.”

  “Oh, no,” Jack teased. “I think it came out exactly right.”

  “You’re a pig,” Ivy said.

  “Oink.”

  “THIS looks great,” Jordan said, smiling appreciatively as Ivy slipped a heaping plate of steak, potatoes, mushrooms and vegetables in front of him. “I can’t remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal like this.”

  “Me either,” Kelly said, her eyes widening at her own plate. “Wow. This is even better than Jack’s breakfasts.”

  “Jack cooks you breakfast?” Jordan asked, intrigued.

  “He’s been sleeping on the couch,” Kelly said. “Ivy has been sleeping with him, but I’m not supposed to talk about it. She told me today that she was going to gag me if I didn’t stop talking about Jack kissing her.”

  Ivy scorched Kelly with a look while Jack smirked. “Don’t worry. I won’t let her gag you. Keep bugging her about the kisses. I like it when she gets flustered.”