“You have no idea.” Jack’s smile widened as he slid an arm around her waist and tugged her to him. “Basically you’re saying that our chemistry is combustible and we’ll be sweating no matter how cold it is.”
“I didn’t say that. Not even remotely.”
“Funny, that’s what I heard.”
“That’s because you’re a pervert.” Even though she was faking annoyance with him, she couldn’t hold on to one iota of faux anger as she snuggled close and pressed her lips to his strong jaw. “I love you, Jack.” The words escaped long before she realized she was going to utter them. Before he came into her life, Ivy was the sort of person who flew off the handle when she was angry but thought long and hard about the things she was going to say when she was trapped in the moment. With Jack, she could say whatever she wanted and not live in fear. He never held it against her.
He tilted her head back so he could stare into the sea blue of her eyes. “I love you, too, honey.” He lowered his lips to hers and gave her a smoldering kiss. It was so hot, Ivy’s eyes rolled back in her head and she momentarily forgot where they were.
Then she heard whispering.
When they pulled apart, Ivy found herself staring at two women in their thirties. They were down the aisle looking at lanterns but didn’t bother to hide their interest in what was going on between Ivy and her intended.
“Sorry,” Ivy offered lamely, wiping the corners of her mouth. “We just got distracted.”
Neither woman smiled.
“This is a family store,” one of them pointed out. She was a brunette with a bob haircut and some rather unattractive blunt bangs that made her face look a little too square. “This is not a sex store.”
Ivy’s contrition disappeared. “We weren’t having sex. Get over yourselves.”
“It was close enough,” the second woman shot back. “I mean ... this is Michigan, not Vegas. It was almost pornographic.”
“Oh, geez.” Ivy made an exaggerated face. “I can’t even ... .”
Jack moved his hand to her back and slowly rubbed as he regarded the women. “We weren’t doing anything,” he said finally. “Stop staring and focus on doing ... whatever else it is that you’re doing. It would probably be best if you stay out of our business. We’ll gladly do the same for you.”
“Or perhaps we should call the police,” the first woman countered, her eyes flashing. “I’m sure they would be interested to know what you were doing just now.”
“I think that’s a fabulous idea,” Jack agreed without hesitation. “Since I myself am a police officer, I’m looking forward to that conversation.”
Ivy arched an eyebrow as she waited to see how the women would respond. After exchanging obvious eye rolls, they turned the corner and disappeared down the next aisle. Annoyance flashed through Jack’s eyes before he slid them to Ivy.
“I think you need to learn to keep your hands off me in public, honey,” he said after a beat. “You just offended those women.”
Ivy snorted, genuinely amused. “And somehow I can’t make myself care.”
“Me either.” He smacked a loud kiss against her lips and then propelled the cart down the aisle. “Okay, if we don’t need a tent or sleeping bags, what else do we need?”
“Our first camping trip was a trial run of sorts,” Ivy explained, her mind briefly traveling back to one of the first trips she took with Jack. “That was sort of camping light. This is going to be a more serious effort.”
“Does that mean we’ll be hunting and killing our own food?” He asked the question with a straight face ... but just barely.
“No, it doesn’t. We need some cooking utensils, though. We need a good cooler. The one I have is really old and it’s picked up a smell. Not a good smell either, mind you.”
“I think that sounds doable.” He linked his fingers with hers as they turned the corner. The women were back — they’d positioned themselves down two aisles and were pretending to stare at air mattresses — but Jack knew without a shadow of a doubt what they were really doing. “I think they’re jealous,” he whispered close to Ivy’s ear, sending a chill up her spine as his voice vibrated against the sensitive ridge of her ear. “Should we give them another show? I think they’re hot for me and that’s why they’re hanging around.”
“I think we should just ignore them. It will irritate them more than if we said something ... or started fornicating in one of the aisles. Trust me.”
“Let’s not be hasty.” Jack’s expression was flirty. “Tell me more about this idea you have for fornicating in the aisles.”
“Ha, ha, ha.” Ivy rolled her eyes as she moved down the next aisle. “Okay, here’s the stuff I’m talking about. We need cooking utensils, either one big cooler or two smaller ones, and a bunch of these ice packs.”
Jack immediately forgot about the judgmental women and widened his eyes when he saw the things Ivy gestured toward. “That’s a lot of stuff. I don’t even know what we should need. How about I leave it to you to decide and I’ll just pay the bill? I think that sounds like a plan.”
Ivy poked his side. “You said you wanted to learn.”
“I do want to learn. It’s just ... this is a lot of stuff.”
“We’re going to have kids one day,” she reminded him. “The whole reason you wanted to learn to camp was so we could go on family vacations with little ones one day.”
“That’s not the whole reason,” he argued, his hand absently moving to her back as she started looking at coolers. “I knew you liked camping. I wanted you to be happy.”
She stilled. “Is that the only reason we’re doing this? If so, we can pick another activity. I love camping, but I don’t want you to be miserable.”
He wanted to smack himself in the head for saying something so stupid. Ivy had a giving soul. She would gladly subvert her needs for his if she thought it was the best thing for him. He recognized that in her because he was willing to do the same when the roles were reversed.
“How about we stop trying to do what we think will make the other happy and instead focus on what’s good for both of us?” he challenged, choosing his words carefully. “You love camping. I love you. I want to give camping a shot. I don’t think our first trip counts because it was such a mess.”
Ivy thought back to the trip in question and smirked. “You mean because one of your old friends died and another was responsible? The whole week was spent investigating a murder.”
“That’s exactly what I mean.” Jack’s expression was grim. “I want an actual vacation. I want us to spend quiet time together, to hike ... and to do whatever people do under the stars.”
Her lips curved. “As I seem to recall, you liked the camping nookie just fine. It was the other stuff you didn’t like.”
He flicked his eyes to her, his heart filling with love as he thought back on the shared moments that had cemented their relationship. “The camping nookie was awesome,” he agreed. “I liked looking at the stars ... and your face under the stars.
“We’ve had a busy couple of months,” he reminded her. “Between old witches in the woods ... and reality shows ... and a teenage girl killing her own mother ... we haven’t had a lot of time just for ourselves. That’s what this trip is for.”
Ivy lifted her finger and ran it down Jack’s cheek. He had a strong face and it was serious now. “Okay. You have to help with the decisions, though. I can’t do this entirely by myself. This is something we’re supposed to be doing together.”
“Then we’ll do it together.” Jack was calm and collected as he turned back to the cooking utensils. “For starters, I recommend two smaller coolers rather than one big one. They’ll be easier to carry and arrange in the back of the truck.”
Ivy brightened considerably. “See. Right there.” She jabbed a playful finger into his chest. “Now you’re thinking. This is going to be a great camping trip.”
“It is,” Jack agreed. “Even if it rains every single day and it’s just you and me
alone in a tent, it’s going to be the best time of my life simply because we’re together.”
Ivy’s heart rolled at his earnest expression. It was no wonder that it had been him practically since the moment they met. They somehow fit together as if they were always meant to be a unit. “Let’s finish up our shopping and head home. We need to put together a packing list. We’re out of here in a day and a half.”
“I love that you’re so efficient.” He slipped his arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her temple before shuffling over to the coolers. “I think we should get two different colors in case there’s a reason we need to separate food items.”
“Good idea.” Ivy beamed at him. She was starting to enjoy herself. “I happen to like the blue and purple.”
“Blue and purple it is. What’s next?”
“Cooking utensils.”
“I live for shopping for cooking utensils.”
Ivy snickered. “That’s laying it on a bit thick.”
“I knew that the second I said it.”
JACK’S TRUCK WAS PACKED WITH new items when the couple landed at the cottage they shared in the woods outside Shadow Lake, a small town in Northern Lower Michigan. The hamlet had been a place for Jack to escape when he was running from his past. Ivy had always lived there, ultimately buying the cottage from her parents when they moved to another place in the same area, and the town was her solace. Together, they’d taken Ivy’s childhood home and turned it into their future. In two months, they would be married ... and then a whole new adventure would begin.
To Ivy’s utter surprise, her brother Max’s truck was in the driveway when they landed. “I wonder what he’s doing here.”
“I’m sure he’s looking for food,” Jack replied as he killed the engine and pocketed the keys. “I think he eats frozen dinners when you’re not cooking for him.”
“No, he has a new girlfriend,” Ivy reminded him. “I bet she’s cooking dinners for him these days ... even though he seems reticent to let us meet her.”
“I met her very briefly at that farmers’ market last weekend.”
“Yes, when I somehow managed to miss her.” Ivy’s expression darkened. “I still maintain Max slunk off when he realized we were there because he wanted to hide her from me. There’s no other explanation.”
“You don’t think they simply could’ve been done and left?” Jack was amused despite himself.
“No. He’s hiding her from me. He’s afraid I won’t like her ... which means there’s clearly something wrong with her.”
Max and Ivy were as tight as brother-and-sister duos were allowed to be without raising some eyebrows. Jack was aware of that before he got involved with his pink-haired siren. That didn’t mean the logistics of their sibling relationship didn’t occasionally grate on him. Ivy and Max had a unique way of interacting and it wasn’t always comfortable.
“Well, I happen to think she’s a perfectly nice woman,” Jack countered. “She was pleasant — maybe a little nervous — and she got along great with Max. I think you’re going to like her.”
“That is if I ever meet her.”
“There is that.” Jack was all smiles when he exited the truck and found Max descending the front walk. The elder Morgan sibling happily shook Jack’s hand in greeting before sliding his eyes to his sister.
“Do I even want to know where you guys have been?” he asked, wrinkling his forehead. “I mean ... Ivy looks all glow-y. That usually means you guys have been doing something dirty.”
“Unless you count shopping for camping supplies as dirty, we’ve been angels,” Jack countered, pointing himself toward the back of the truck. “I think your sister bought out the store.”
“She’s always been a big fan of camping supplies,” Max agreed, licking his lips. “It’s weird that you were just out shopping for your trip because that’s kind of why I’m here. I want to talk to you about it.”
Ivy sensed trouble. “Dad can still watch the nursery, right?” She owned her own plant nursery, which happened to bump up against the cottage property, and her father worked for her in the summers because he enjoyed talking to the customers and was thrilled with the business Ivy had built for herself.
“Please.” Max made a dismissive gesture. “Dad is so excited to be in charge for several days that he’s considering making all your employees refer to him as Boss Man Michael. No, seriously. I heard him telling Mom that.”
Ivy smirked at the notion. “They’ll probably think that’s funny. I don’t think it’s a big deal.”
“Definitely not.” Max licked his lips and shifted from one foot to the other, clearly uncomfortable. “The thing is ... um ... .”
Jack was familiar enough with Max’s attitude that he understood when the gregarious man was about to drop a bomb on them. “What did you do? If I have to cancel this trip to keep you out of jail, I’m not going to be a happy camper.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Max said hurriedly. “Er, well, almost nothing. In fact, the thing I did is so minor you guys are going to laugh about it ... eventually.”
Ivy knew her brother’s demeanor so well she couldn’t help assuming that he was dragging things out for a particular purpose. “What did you do? You didn’t kill someone, did you? I’m not in the mood to hide a body.”
Jack pinned her with an annoyed look. “There’s little more that I love as much as murder jokes,” he drawled.
Ivy ignored him. “Seriously, Max, what did you do? Just tell us.”
“I ... well ... you know Amy, right?”
Ivy’s lips curved down. “As a matter of fact, I don’t know Amy. You disappeared from the farmers’ market before I could meet her. That was convenient, by the way.”
Jack shot her a quelling look. He recognized that Max was struggling with something very real. “Just tell us what’s wrong. Is she pregnant?”
Ivy’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, my ... is she pregnant? Mom is going to rip your head off.”
Max made an exaggerated face. “She’s not pregnant. Stop looking at me that way. She’s not. It’s something else.”
“Then what is it?” Jack prodded. “You’ll feel better when you tell us ... and we’ll feel better when we know the truth and can figure out a way to help you.”
“Okay. Here it is.” Max exhaled heavily. “I was talking to Amy and I mentioned your camping trip. She said she’s never been camping and it’s something she’s always wanted to do. Before I realized what was happening — I mean, it was a total fluke — I told her we were invited to go with the two of you and she’s so excited she’s already home packing.”
Max, perhaps reading the way Jack’s expression shifted, increased the distance between himself and his future brother-in-law as he hurried toward his truck. “So ... we’re coming with you and we’re really looking forward to it. Make sure you buy enough food for four, Ivy. Um ... and thanks.”
“Come back here!” Ivy planted her hands on her hips as Max scurried toward his truck. “You are not coming with us. This is a private trip.”
“Private,” Jack echoed, annoyance rumbling through him. “I have plans for your sister that you’re not going to like and I’m not adjusting them. You guys are not invited. I’m sorry if it makes you look stupid.”
“We’ll be here at seven in the morning the day after tomorrow,” Max called out. “I thought we could take separate vehicles because it will allow us to break apart and go to dinner without the other couple whenever the opportunity arises … or run errands and stuff. Isn’t that a great idea? Thanks so much for understanding, guys. I’ll see you the day after tomorrow.”
“Max!” Ivy was a screechy mess as her brother threw himself into his truck to avoid her tone. “We’re not finished. You’re not going with us.”
He merely waved. “This is going to be the best trip ever. Just you wait.”
Two
Jack was still bitter two days later when he checked the rearview mirror to make sure Max was following them as
they trucked along the two-lane highway that led to a state park he’d never heard of. Ivy mentioned it was one of her favorites – apparently her parents took her and Max there on a regular basis when they were kids – and Jack was excited to visit thanks to her enthusiasm.
Some of that excitement had died when he realized Ivy had capitulated and allowed her brother to tag along on what was supposed to be their private getaway.
“If you want to yell, you can yell,” Ivy offered. Her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail and her face was devoid of makeup. She’d been watching Jack silently pout for the past two hours – ever since they pulled out of the driveway – and she was essentially at her limit. She would rather fight and get it over with than allow him to wallow.
“I’m not going to yell.” His tone was bland, flat.
“Why not?”
“You don’t like it when I yell.”
“That’s not true. I don’t like it when you order me around. Occasionally I like it when you yell because it means we’ll have a ton of fun making up.”
His lips quirked, but he managed to keep his stern expression in place. “I’m not going to yell.”
“Are you sure?”
“Actually, I’m not.”
Ivy felt triumphant. “Then go ahead and unload on me.”
“I’m not doing that if I can help it.” Jack kept his eyes on the highway. There was very little traffic and yet he seemed intent on reading every sign, something Ivy found fascinating. Jack was out of his element when it came to the wilderness. The fact that he wanted to do this at all was a testament to the sort of man he was … and Ivy absolutely adored that man. Er, well, most of the time.
“Jack, you’ll feel better if you yell,” she prodded. “You need to get it out of your system. I would prefer you yell now rather than erupt when we reach the campsite. I don’t want to be dressed down in front of Max and his new girlfriend.”
Ivy Morgan Mystery Box Set 5 Page 21