“You feel nervous,” Ivy surmised. “I don’t blame you. I think it rattled us all.”
“I saw you around where the body was found last night,” Jack noted. “You were one of the people questioned by the state troopers.”
“I was, although I only walked up on the tail end of things because I was fishing,” Jeff volunteered. “I couldn’t figure out what was going on at first. I thought it was some sort of fight ... or maybe a joke. Once the state police showed up, I figured out pretty quickly that something serious had gone down. I can’t believe that poor woman was murdered.”
“We technically don’t know that yet,” Jack cautioned. “The state police want to be sure. There was a hill. It’s possible she tripped in the exact wrong way thanks to the darkness and somehow broke her neck.”
“Do you believe that’s what happened?”
Jack searched his heart. “No, but I would like to be proven wrong on this one. It’s the better outcome for everyone.”
“I guess I’m something of a cynic. I’m sure it’s the husband. He was acting squirrelly before all this happened. I heard them arguing at their campsite — mine isn’t too far away — and he was calling her names and belittling her.”
Jack frowned. “That’s not what he told us. He said she was the bossy sort. I know from personal experience that bossy women don’t put up with being belittled.”
“You’ve got that right,” Ivy muttered, earning a smile from Jack. “I would kick you to the curb so fast if you talked down to me.”
“I guess it’s good I don’t do that, huh?” He slung his arm around Ivy’s neck.
“Jeff wants to know if we fancy a trip to the river to fish with him,” Max volunteered. “I was kind of keen on taking a nap, but we haven’t fished at all yet and I would prefer going during daylight hours rather than trying an excursion at night.”
Jack immediately balked. “I don’t think we should leave the women here and I have a feeling they’re not interested in fishing.”
“I definitely have no interest in fishing.” Ivy’s tone was no-nonsense. “There’s no reason you guys can’t go, though. We’ll just hang around here, probably nap and read. We’ll be perfectly fine.” She looked toward Amy, who was sitting in one of the chairs staring into nothing, for confirmation. The woman already looked as if she was asleep on her feet.
“I don’t know.” Jack wasn’t convinced. “There could be a murderer running around.”
“Not one that’s going to approach us with people spread out in nearby campsites in the middle of the day,” Ivy countered. “Trust me. We’ll be perfectly fine. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Well ... .” Jack licked his lips and focused on Max. “Are you gung-ho for this?”
“I am.” Max bobbed his head. “We’ll only be gone a few hours. We might even catch something worth cooking for dinner.”
“Well, Trooper Winters is going to be down by the main building,” Jack said finally. “Someone really would have to be an idiot to attack in the middle of the day.”
“And I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” Ivy reminded him. “Go. Have fun. I’ll take a long nap and have lots of energy when you get back.”
Jack smirked. “See. Now you’re talking.” He lowered his mouth to hers. “Be careful and aware of your surroundings while we’re gone. That’s all I ask.”
“Consider it done.”
Eight
After a two-hour nap, Ivy emerged from the tent to find Amy diligently cleaning the campsite. The woman seemed to be lost in her own head. Ivy didn’t expect Jack and Max to return for at least another hour.
“You don’t have to do that,” she said quickly, moving to Amy’s side. “It’s already pretty clean and this shouldn’t fall on you.”
“What? Oh.” Amy let loose a low chuckle. “I tend to clean when I’m thinking about something. It’s natural for me.”
“I wish it was natural for me.” Ivy grabbed the kettle and filled it full of water from the gallon jug Jack had retrieved that morning. “I’m the sort of person who is perfectly happy living in filth if it means I don’t have to scrub the toilet.”
Amy snorted. “My mother was the one who got me into it. There were times when I was a kid that we were running low on money and I didn’t know it. They didn’t tell me for obvious reasons. She used to clean the house from top to bottom those days. It was only when I got older that I realized what she was really worried about.”
“I think that parents believe it’s their job to protect children.” Ivy carried the kettle to the fire and positioned it to easily grab when the water began to boil. “My parents were the same way. I don’t particularly remember them worrying about money – we were relatively lucky on that front – but they would close in and whisper a lot when things were going badly with relatives and health stuff.”
“I haven’t met your parents yet. Max wants to introduce me but … I’m kind of nervous.”
“I can see that.” Ivy offered her a kind smile. “You’re the jittery sort, huh? I don’t mean that in a bad way or anything. You just seem as if you’re always worried, looking over your shoulder and stuff.”
“Do I?” Amy looked uncomfortable at the observation. “I don’t mean to be. I just … I’ve always been this way. Your brother asked me out four times before I accepted. It just takes me a bit of time to get to know people. I mean … I like people. Sometimes I’m afraid they won’t like me, though.”
Oddly enough, Ivy understood what she was saying. “When I was a kid, a lot of the other kids bullied me because they thought I was different. It’s easy to put up a wall when you think you’re constantly going to be attacked.”
“Max told me. I think he’s worried I’m an introvert or something. He keeps trying to get me to come out of my shell. That’s how he puts it anyway.”
Ivy snickered. “Max is … full of life. He’s always been that way. He stood up for me when I was a kid, though. He would fight with girls and boys if they came after me. He’s a good guy.”
“He’s a great guy,” Amy enthused, her eyes warming at the topic. “Did he tell you how we met?”
“Vaguely. You’re a bartender at the place out on the highway, right?”
Amy nodded. “You wouldn’t think someone like me could be a bartender because I’m not very outgoing, but I kind of like it. Drunk people are perfectly happy to hold up both ends of a conversation.”
“I can see that. Still, how did you end up in Shadow Lake? You came from Minnesota, right? Were you familiar with the area?”
Amy looked taken aback by the question, which made Ivy feel guilty, although she didn’t know why. “Oh, well … it’s kind of a weird thing. My parents had a lifelong friend who lived in this area. Her name is Caroline Atwood. We used to visit when I was a kid.”
Ivy furrowed her brow. “I think I recognize that name. She lives in a cottage out by the lake, right?”
Amy nodded. “Yes. I’ve been staying with her. I lost my job at an insurance agency due to cutbacks several months ago. I had no idea what I was going to do. Caroline and I talk regularly and I mentioned what happened and she suggested I move here and get a job. She offered me a room to stay with her and … well … it was really my only option.”
“Still, that’s great.” Ivy internally scolded herself for ever thinking Amy was unfriendly. She was simply a woman who had spent her entire adulthood on her own. She was leery of people – and rightfully so – because she understood the inherent dangers of trusting the wrong person. She’d been through a lot. The thing Ivy wanted most was to make her comfortable. “I’m glad you have someone. I’m also glad you found my brother. I think you’re going to be good for him.”
“Yeah? How so?”
“My brother is loyal … and fun … and gregarious … and the life of the party. He’s never been one to settle down before, though. I think my parents had different concerns for us when we were growing up. They worried I would withdraw into my
self and Max would spread himself too thin because he likes to share his grace far and wide.”
“I can’t imagine your parents being worried about you withdrawing. You’re very sociable.”
“I wasn’t always,” Ivy admitted. “Jack has been good for me. Actually, I think we’ve been good for each other. Since we got together I’ve been more open to social gatherings … and festivals … and just living life to the fullest. I think Max can do that for you, too.”
“That would be nice.” A whimsical, almost sad expression flitted across Amy’s face. “I’m just worried that he’ll eventually realize I’m boring or too much work and run away.”
Ivy didn’t want to make a promise she couldn’t keep, but she felt relatively certain that Max wasn’t going anywhere, especially right now. “Trust in Max. He seems to have legitimate feelings for you. I obviously can’t tell you how things are going to go, but I have a good feeling.”
“It would be nice if things went well. I could use a win.” Amy exhaled heavily and then went back to cleaning. “Do you think they’re going to make us eat their fish when they get back? I’m not exactly a fan of fish.”
“You don’t have to eat anything you don’t want to eat,” Ivy reassured her. “We have burgers, hot dogs, and even vegetarian fare if you like tofu and protein patties.”
“I think I’ll stick with the burgers. No offense.”
“None taken. It’s an acquired taste. Jack doesn’t like the protein patties either. He makes gagging noises when he tries to eat them.”
“Jack seems like a wonderful man. You guys are obviously happy together.”
“We are. I think you and Max are going to be happy together, too.”
“It’s a little early to make predictions, but I have my fingers crossed.”
“I do, too.”
THE SUN WAS STARTING TO DESCEND by the time Max and Jack returned. They carried a shared string full of fish and were triumphant when they climbed the hill. Smiles spread across the campground … until Ivy got a good whiff of her future husband.
“Oh, gross.” She pulled back from his embrace and waved her hand in front of her face. “You smell horrible.”
“Oh, I love you, too, honey,” he drawled, smacking a kiss against her mouth even though she was reticent. “How was your day?”
“I slept for most of the afternoon.”
“That’s good. That means you’ll have energy for the both of us tonight. You might need to do all the work.”
“Shut up.” Max made a face. “She’s still my sister.”
“You smell as bad as he does,” Amy complained, pinching her nose. “You need to shower … and burn those clothes … before coming near me again. I’m serious.”
“Do you believe this?” Max rolled his eyes. “We are great fishermen returning from the field of battle. You’re supposed to exalt us.”
Ivy was having none of that. “For what? You tossed a line in the water and coaxed fish to bite on it. It’s not as if you slayed a shark or something.”
Max puffed out his chest. “I could slay a shark.”
“You’re not doing anything until you shower,” Ivy shot back, accepting the fish from Jack. “Have these been cleaned? I can’t cook them unless they’ve been gutted and I’m not going to do it.”
“I know my woman.” His smile was Cheshire Cat-like. “We cleaned them down by the river, left the innards for the wildlife.”
“Ugh. Don’t say innards.”
“What would you prefer I say?”
“I don’t know. I guess I would just like to pretend that they magically cleaned themselves.” She laid the fish on the table and stared at them for a long beat. “I’ll cook them, but I’m not touching their heads.”
“That’s fine. We’ll take care of the heads when we get back.” Jack cocked his own head and stared at her for a moment. “Are you okay? Did something happen while I was gone?”
Ivy quickly shook her head. How could she explain to him that she was simply feeling heavy because of the story Amy told her about losing her job and being forced to move to a new environment? The woman had been through a lot. That didn’t give Ivy an invitation to wallow, though. “I’m fine. I’m just thinking about the poor fish.”
“They’re going to be delicious and happy in my stomach,” Jack countered. “Can I trust you to cook them without burning them while Max and I run down to the showers to clean up?”
Ivy made an exaggerated face. “Um … I don’t know. Can you?”
He poked her stomach, amused. “Have you cooked fish before?”
“Not since I was a kid and went camping with Max and Dad. I’m pretty sure I can figure it out, though. You guys definitely need to shower if you want to get close to either of us tonight.”
“I think of little else than getting close to you.” Jack clapped Max on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s leave the women to cook our haul and clean up for them. It’s the least we can do since they’re handling kitchen duty.”
“I think we smell manly,” Max lamented.
“I do, too. In fact … .” Jack forgot what he was going to say and focused on the flurry of activity down the hill. “Look at that.”
Ivy forgot she was disgusted by Jack’s smell and moved to his side so he could put his arm around her. They were away from the action, but it was very clear what was happening. Three state troopers had joined Winters and were making a beeline for Gordon’s campsite.
“They must’ve gotten confirmation from the medical examiner that it was murder,” Ivy said. “I guess that means Gordon is about to be arrested.”
Jack ran his hand up and down her back as he watched two officers pull open the tent and reach inside. “That would be my guess.”
Gordon looked confused when he was hauled out. He didn’t put up a fight – he was vastly outnumbered and it was a moot point – and instead started yelling about how he didn’t kill his wife. No one listened as they slapped cuffs on him. At one point, Winters stopped in front of the man and started talking.
“They’re reading him his Miranda rights,” Jack offered. “He’s definitely being arrested.”
“That’s good, right?” Amy asked, uncertainty wafting through her voice. “That means that he’ll be off the street and incapable of hurting anyone else.”
“If he’s guilty, it’s great,” Jack agreed.
“Do you not think he’s guilty?” Amy looked legitimately curious. “I mean … do you think it could’ve been someone else?”
“I don’t see how that would work,” Jack replied. “Everyone here came with someone. People are watching other people. I think, to get close to her, it had to be someone she knew. I mean … I guess someone could’ve blitzed her from behind, but that doesn’t feel right to me.”
Ivy let loose a sigh as Gordon was pulled to his feet. The man was obviously sobbing. “I kind of believed him. I guess that makes me a sap, huh?”
“I kind of believed him, too,” Jack admitted. “It’s okay.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “We’re going to get cleaned up. I think we should get up early tomorrow and just hit the road as soon as possible so we can get back home.”
Ivy was sad at the prospect, but she readily agreed. “This didn’t go how we planned, did it?”
“Nope. I still had fun.” His eyes were earnest when she met them. “I love spending any time with you that I can. Still … I’m not sure we should ever camp anywhere but our backyard again. Just something to think about.”
She laughed despite herself. “We’re going to perfect camping one day. You’ll see.”
“I’ll take your word for it. For now, I’m kind of ready to head home.”
That made two of them. Ivy never thought it would happen, but she was officially over camping.
“HOME SWEET HOME.”
The next afternoon, Jack dropped the two bags he carried on the living room floor, causing Ivy’s spoiled black cat Nicodemus to arch his back and hiss his distaste for the turn of e
vents.
“I missed you, too, grumpy puss,” he muttered.
Ivy chuckled as she swept past Jack and scooped the cat into her arms. “Did you miss me?”
As if to prove he was an angel in disguise, Nicodemus rubbed his nose against Ivy’s cheek and kissed her while purring maniacally. All the while he leveled his odd yellow eyes on Jack, refusing to blink.
“That thing hates me,” Jack muttered as he kicked the door shut and slipped off his shoes. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to be home in my entire life.”
“That makes two of us.” Ivy carried Nicodemus to the couch and flopped down next to Jack. “I’m sorry things didn’t go any better this time.” She couldn’t help but blame herself. “I don’t know why we’re so cursed when it comes to camping.”
Jack was instantly flooded with guilt. “We’re not cursed. I don’t like it when you say stuff like that.”
Ivy refused to back down. “Last time we went camping one of your friends died, killed by another one of your friends. This time it didn’t hit quite so close, but I’m not sure Max will ever get over the way he felt looking down at that body and assuming it was Amy.”
“Yeah. I think that jolted all of us. Technically, though, if it hadn’t been for a case of mistaken identity, we wouldn’t have been involved other than being questioned by the troopers.”
“It still counts as bad luck.”
“Whatever you say, Ms. Bossy.” Jack nuzzled his nose against her cheek and placed a series of smacking kisses along her jawline as she squirmed. “While camping might not be my favorite activity, I do happen to enjoy spending time with you … so I won there.”
“Oh, yeah?” Ivy released Nicodemus, who made a disgusted sound before hopping from the couch to the floor and racing away from them. “We’re home earlier than either one of us expected,” she noted as she reached for the hem of Jack’s T-shirt. “We thought we wouldn’t return until late tonight when we initially made our plans.”
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