Wicked Days

by Lily Harper Hart

  “THERE’S your new friend,” Max said, waving at Jack while waggling his eyebrows at Ivy. “I think it’s fate.”

  “Shut up,” Ivy said.

  “Ivy and Jack sitting in a tree … .”

  “I will beat the crap out of you,” Ivy warned, wagging a finger in her brother’s face. “You’re being incredibly obnoxious.”

  “I learned it from you,” Max said, focusing on the booth. “Come on.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “We’re going to sit with them.”

  “No, we’re not.”

  Max ignored her and strode toward the booth. “Hey. Do you guys have room for two more?”

  Before Jack could answer Brian immediately started sliding over in the booth. “Sure. That sounds good. We can do some brainstorming.”

  Max took the spot next to Brian, which meant Ivy had no choice but to slide in next to Jack. They looked at each other for a moment, uncertain, and then Jack edged over. “Have a seat,” he muttered.

  “Thank you,” Ivy said. She was stiff as she settled next to him, but even though they were going out of their way to keep from the touching one another, the warmth radiating between them was hard to ignore. “I … um … how are you this morning?”

  “I’m good,” Jack said. “How are you?”

  “I was great until a few minutes ago,” Ivy said, glowering at Max.

  Max ignored her and turned to Brian. “How’s the farm?”

  “It’s good,” Brian said. “We’re getting ready to start the spring run up. We need to get everything planted in two weeks, so we’re kind of behind.”

  “If you need help, I can come out,” Max offered. “I haven’t seen Sean and Simon in a couple months. It might be fun to hang out with them.”

  “I’ll tell them,” Brian said. “How is the lumber business?”

  “Busy,” Max said. “Spring is our busiest time of year, so we’ve had a lot of stuff delivered to the yard over the past week. It’s pretty bustling.”

  “You work at a lumber yard?” Jack asked, suddenly interested. He had a lot of renovations in front of him.

  “I own Morgan Lumber down on the highway,” Max said. “I heard you bought the Winstead house. You’re probably going to need supplies. If you need something, come out and ask for me. I’ll give you a good deal. I figure I owe you after tackling you last night.”

  Brian grinned. “I heard about that. Who won?”

  “It was a tie,” Jack said, reaching for the mug of coffee the waitress was pushing in his direction.

  “Jack won,” Ivy said, sticking her tongue out at Max.

  “I let him win,” Max countered.

  “Oh, whatever,” Ivy scoffed. “If I hadn’t run out to save you Jack would have beat you into a bloody pulp.”

  “Tell her that’s not true,” Max ordered, staring at Jack.

  “It was a draw,” Jack repeated.

  Brian couldn’t hide his snicker. “It sounds like you guys had some fun.”

  “Then I’m telling it wrong,” Max said. “He scared the crap out of me. I thought for sure whoever killed that girl was back and he was going after Ivy.”

  “I’m fine,” Ivy said. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

  “You’re still alone out there, Ivy,” Brian said. “You can’t blame your brother for being worried about you. If you would get a dog like I asked … .”

  “I have Nicodemus,” Ivy said. “He’s all the pet I need. He’s an excellent watch cat.”

  “Yes, I love it when he watches the same spot – usually a shadow – on the wall and thinks it’s a bug,” Max said. “He’s vicious.”

  “He attacks you all the time,” Ivy pointed out.

  “That’s because I forget to tie my shoes and he thinks the laces are snakes. He’s a real brainiac.”

  “Don’t you talk bad about my cat,” Ivy warned.

  “Fine,” Max said, leaning back in the booth. “Since you won’t get a dog, though, I’m thinking it might be smart for you to come and stay with me for a couple of days.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Brian said.

  “Absolutely not,” Ivy said. “That is my home. I love that place. I’m not staying with you. Besides, I need to stick close to the nursery. This is our busy season, too.”

  “How did I know you were going to say that?” Max grumbled.

  “Maybe you’re psychic.”

  Max reached for her across the table, but she was too quick. In her haste to avoid her brother’s outstretched hand, Ivy bumped into Jack. The second their skin touched they were both on fire. They jolted away from one another, scattering to opposite ends of the booth.

  Max tilted his head to the side, wide-eyed as he watched them. He had no idea what happened, but it was definitely something. Jack and Ivy were desperate to keep from touching each other. Well, that was interesting.

  “If you don’t want to stay with me I’m probably going to have to move in with you,” Max said after a moment. “Are you prepared for that?”

  “I’ll change the locks before that happens,” Ivy said.

  “Ivy, you’re my sister,” Max said. “As much as I really want to rub your face in my armpit until you cry right now, the truth is that I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you. I’m not sure you’re safe out there alone.”

  “Your brother is right, Ivy,” Brian said. “You’re a pretty girl. If someone is after a woman who is isolated … you’d be right on top of their list.”

  Ivy frowned. “Listen, I appreciate all the … hovering. I’m not leaving my home, though, and no one is moving in. Don’t bother arguing, Max. You and I learned a long time ago that our personalities are too big to live under that roof together.”

  “That’s because you’re whiny,” Max said.

  “I am not whiny,” Ivy said. “You’re just a big … slobbering machine. You’re worse than a dog.”

  “I don’t slobber.”

  “Whatever,” Ivy said.

  Jack grinned at the banter. He couldn’t help himself. Despite the mean words, it was obvious brother and sister loved each other very much. It made him look at Ivy in a completely different way – which caused his heart to somersault when he risked a glance in her direction. She really was lovely.

  “Okay, if Ivy refuses any and all help – which is frankly her nature – that means we need to get a break on this case,” Brian said. “I heard you both were out at Felicity’s shop yesterday. Did you find anything?”

  “You two went to Aunt Felicity’s shop together?” This was news to Max.

  “We went separately,” Ivy said. “We just ran into each other.”

  “I heard you had a cozy lunch,” Brian said, teasing his partner.

  “Who told you that?” Jack asked, surprised.

  “Felicity is friends with Millie,” Brian replied, unfazed. “She called last night to gossip.”

  “W-w-what did they gossip about?” Jack was uncomfortable, but he couldn’t put his finger on exactly why.

  “Felicity just said you two were balls of energy who wouldn’t stop sniping at one another,” Brian replied, feigning innocence. “Should she have said something else?”

  “No,” Ivy replied, stepping in smoothly. “Everything is fine. We’ve all agreed to work together.”

  “I think that’s a good idea,” Brian said. “We’re stronger together than we are apart.”

  “I totally agree,” Max said, exchanging an amused look with Brian. “I want to help if I can, too.”

  “I think we’re good on the help front,” Jack said tersely. “We’ve got plenty of help.”

  “He’s right,” Brian said. “What we don’t have is leads. We really need to identify the victim. That’s going to be my main focus today.”

  “I’ll help you,” Jack said.

  “Actually, I need you and Ivy to focus on those symbols,” Brian replied, not missing a beat. “Don’t you have a bunch of reference books out at y
our cottage, Ivy?”

  Ivy was caught. She knew it. “Yes.”

  “I think you and Jack should go through those books today,” Brian said, refusing to make eye contact. “It’s probably going to be a long afternoon, but with both of you going at it, we have a better shot of identifying at least some of the symbols.”

  Jack cleared his throat, uncomfortable. “Don’t you want me with you?”

  “We only have two things to focus on,” Brian replied. “I think we should split up and tackle them both at the same time. You and Ivy can handle the symbols. I’ll see if I can identify the victim.”

  “But … .”

  “I think that’s a great idea,” Max said. “I’m positive I’ll feel a lot better about Ivy being secluded in that house knowing that Jack is there with her. She won’t be in danger that way.”

  Jack sighed, resigned, and then turned to Ivy. “Do you want to drive together or do you want me to follow you out there?”

  “Oh, I drove her here,” Max answered, exchanging a delighted look with Brian. “She’s going to need a ride. Thank you so much for taking her.”

  “You’re welcome,” Jack said, staring at the empty spot in front of him. “Do you want to order breakfast first?”

  Ivy didn’t have much of an appetite, but she was desperate to delay being alone with Jack. “I’m starving.”

  “Me, too,” Jack muttered, glaring at Brian.

  “See, this is so much better than oatmeal, isn’t it?”

  Eleven

  “Where should we start?” Jack asked, glancing around Ivy’s small living room an hour later. “I don’t see all these books that Brian was talking about.”

  Ivy arched a challenging eyebrow and gestured toward the small stack of books on the end of her coffee table. “This is not my book collection.”

  She started moving down the hallway, leaving Jack with no option but to follow. The first doorway they passed was open, and Jack couldn’t stop himself from glancing inside. It was a large – especially for the size of the cottage – bathroom. The claw foot tub looked vintage, and the airy curtains gave the room a welcoming feeling.

  Farther down was Ivy’s bedroom, and Jack found himself openly staring at the queen-sized bed, Nicodemus stretched out on a patchwork comforter that was pulled tight at the corners of the four-poster. Don’t think about that, he warned himself, forcing his attention back to Ivy as she led him to the last room in the hallway.

  She smiled engagingly at him as she pushed the door open, and Jack couldn’t help but suck in a breath when he realized what he was looking at. Three of the walls in the room were covered – floor to ceiling – with wooden bookshelves. He’d never seen this many books in one place outside of a library or store. The shelves were so high they had those ladders that slide along railings on each wall so Ivy could get things off the top shelves.

  In the center of the room was a comfy looking couch and ottoman. That was the only other furniture present. Jack whistled, the sound low and impressed. “This is … .”

  “Nerdy. I know,” Ivy said, sighing. “I love books. I can’t explain it.”

  “I wasn’t going to say nerdy,” Jack said, chuckling. “It’s … beautiful.”

  Ivy was surprised. “Beautiful?”

  “I can tell you spend a lot of time in this room,” Jack said. “It’s comfortable.” He moved over to run his hands over the shelves. “These are handmade. Someone clearly went out of their way when they made these for you.”

  “Max made them,” Ivy said.

  “I kind of figured,” Jack said, loving the feeling of the wood as he touched it. “You can tell he wanted something that would fit your personality.”

  “As in loud and overbearing?”

  “As in … amazing.” Jack realized what he’d said, but it was too late to pull the words back into his mouth. Instead of acknowledging them, he pretended he hadn’t uttered them. “Where should we start?”

  Ivy pointed to the shelves on the far side of the room. “Those are the books that might be able to help us.”

  There had to be fifty leather-bound tomes there, all well taken care of and heavy looking. It was going to take them forever. Jack stepped up to the shelves, selecting one of the books and pulling it out to study. “So, this is a … witch book?”

  Ivy made a face, crossing her arms over her chest as she regarded him. “Do you want to talk about this before we start?”

  Jack balked. “Talk about what?”

  “Your attitude regarding witches.”

  “What makes you think I have an attitude about witches?”

  “You have a funny way of saying the word,” Ivy said. “For the record, I don’t consider myself a witch. I consider myself a naturalist who leans toward certain … practices … and I’m a great proponent of the tenets of Wicca.

  “I do not ride around on a broom, however,” she continued. “I don’t curse people. I don’t make potions, although I do make lotion and soap. I don’t cast spells. I don’t try to eat small children. Oh, and last time I checked, I don’t cackle when I laugh.”

  Jack couldn’t stop himself from smiling. She was just so … serious. “Okay,” he said. “I guess you’re saying you’re a nature lover. I think I can live with that.”

  “It’s a little more than that,” Ivy hedged, shifting from one foot to the other. “I am not a true Wiccan. I like a lot of their beliefs, and I happen to believe in karma. I’m more of a … mixture. I pick what I like and stick to it. In essence, I believe in being a good person and holding true to myself. I also believe in magic.”

  “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

  “It’s not,” Ivy said. “There are some people in town, though, who don’t understand that.”

  “Ava Moffett?”

  Ivy smiled tightly. “She’s part of the small group who believe I’m a Devil worshipper and am sacrificing babies during full moons.”

  Jack smirked. “I don’t care what you believe, Ivy,” he said. “You seem pretty … normal … to me. Well, other than your hair.”

  “I happen to like my hair.”

  “I didn’t say I didn’t like it. It just stands out.”

  Ivy sighed. “Do you want to ask me anything?”

  “Yes.”

  Ivy was surprised. She’d expected him to insist on looking through the books instead of conversing. “Okay.”

  “Can someone pervert Wiccan beliefs to do evil?”

  “People can pervert anything to do evil,” Ivy said. “Wicca is very … peaceful, though. It’s not about hurting anyone. That’s what people don’t seem to understand. Wicca is not Satanism. That’s a common misconception.”

  “Do you get a lot of people trying to convert you? Brian told me this is a Christian town. I would guess they see you as something of a challenge.”

  “Most of the residents here are good people,” Ivy replied. “They accept me for who I am. There are a few, though, who are … dismissive … of my beliefs and me. I’ve been dealing with it since I was a child. I’m used to it. I let it roll off of me.”

  Jack wasn’t sure if he believed that, but he let it go. “You seem like a good person,” he said. “I don’t have a problem with your beliefs. You’re a little … touchy … but you have a right to your feelings. I’m guessing people judge you by how you look, not who you are. I know how that is.”

  Ivy cocked her head to the side, considering. “People look at you and see a tough guy, don’t they?”

  Jack shrugged, hating the way her gaze made him feel.

  “You’re a lot more than people give you credit for,” she said. “You’re a … deep thinker. I think you’re a deep feeler, too.”

  “You’re wrong there,” Jack said. “I’m someone who likes to focus on my job. I do think about that, so I am a deep thinker. I don’t really get close enough to people to feel anything, though. It’s just not who I am.”

  Now Ivy was the doubtful one. The words were bold, but she had trouble believin
g them. “Well, that’s too bad,” she said. “Feeling things is the way of the world. You are who you are, though. We should probably get to work.”

  “We should,” Jack agreed. “How about I start on one side and you start on the other?”

  Ivy nodded. “Sure. We can meet in the middle.”

  FOUR HOURS later Jack’s back hurt and his eyes were starting to cross. He’d flipped through so many books his fingers were starting to ache – and that was on top of the paper cuts.

  He jumped when Ivy dropped a heavy book on the floor. “We need a break,” she said.

  “We still have at least half of these books to go through,” Jack said.

  “I know. We’re starting to zone out, though. We need to refocus.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  Ivy smiled. “How about a walk?”

  Jack stilled. “A walk?”

  “I need some air,” Ivy said. “I need to stretch my legs. This house is starting to feel small. Usually when I feel like this I go for a walk. I don’t have to go if you’re not in the mood, but I think it would do you some good, too.”

  Jack shrugged. “I could use a walk,” he said. “A half hour away from this would probably let us recharge. Are we going to walk in the woods?”

  “Is that okay with you?”

  “That’s fine,” Jack said. “I like the woods. I didn’t get a chance to really look around last night because your brother tossed me around like I was on the high school football team and I was trying to get the winning touchdown.”

  Ivy snickered. “I don’t care what you say,” she said. “I saw what you did. You could have seriously hurt him.”

  “I … it was a draw.”

  “Thank you for not hurting him,” Ivy said, ignoring Jack’s attempt at modesty. “He’s a pain in the rear, but he’s very important to me.”

  “I think you’re important to him, too,” Jack said. “Let’s go for that walk. I’m kind of curious to look around. I love this parcel of land. It’s very … peaceful.”

  “It is,” Ivy said, getting to her feet. “Let’s go.”

  IVY led Jack out through the front door, setting an easy pace as they loped into the woods. The trees were tall, and their wide boughs allowed for a lot of shade as the sun broke through in small glints.