“I didn’t look at it that way,” Ivy said, wrapping her fingers around the warm cup and forcing herself to relax. “I just reacted. She’s my mother. My first instinct was to protect her.”
“And risk yourself?”
“I didn’t look at it that way,” Ivy replied. “I just reacted.”
“And how did you feel after? You watched a man die right in front of you. He could’ve hurt you before he expired. His last words were to you. How do you feel?”
“I thought I would be more bothered so I overcompensated the next day,” Ivy admitted. “I got in a slight fight with Jack, I spent time with Dorian Jackson’s widow, and then I made Max take me out to the tree lot to get a tree.”
“You spent time with the man’s widow?”
“She came to my house. She wanted to know what his last words were. I mean … I understand. She didn’t realize things were that bad. She thought maybe he passed a message to me before dying.”
“How did she handle it when she found out he didn’t?”
“Surprisingly well. Better than I would’ve handled it if Jack did the same thing.”
“Jack would never do anything of the sort,” Felicity challenged. “It’s not in his nature.”
“That’s the thing, though. Mary Jackson didn’t think what happened was in her husband’s nature either. Either she didn’t know him at all – which doesn’t ring true for me – or he was better at hiding things than she realized.”
“Yes, well, life throws us curveballs,” Felicity said, resting her elbows on the counter. “Is something else wrong? You seem more flustered than normal. If you’re not upset about the dead man … ?”
“Jack is going to propose.”
Felicity’s eyebrows hopped to her hairline. “What? Jack proposed?”
“No, he hasn’t proposed yet. He’s going to propose.”
“Oh, well … .” Felicity wrinkled her nose, legitimately confused. “Why did he tell you he was going to propose rather than actually propose?”
“You’ll have to ask him that,” Ivy replied evasively.
“And yet I think you know the answer.”
Ivy heaved out a sigh. “I might have pushed him a bit too far. It honestly wasn’t my fault.” Ivy related the events that led to Jack’s non-proposal, and when she was done, Felicity bent over at the waist because she was laughing so hard.
“Oh, that is so you.”
“I wish people would stop telling me that,” Ivy groused.
Felicity wiped an errant tear from her face. “Jack is your match in every way, my girl. You know that, don’t you? He recognized the situation for what it was and turned it around. Only a truly strong man could do that.”
“Why does everyone find this funny?” Ivy was beside herself. “I don’t find it funny at all.”
“That’s because you’re the one being tortured,” Felicity said. “If you were the one doing the torturing, you would be ecstatic.”
“Yes, well, that would be funny.”
Felicity smiled. “Honey, it’s going to be okay. You always look at the dark side of life. Try embracing the light.”
“Oh, whatever.” Ivy debated continuing the argument, but the bell over the door jangled at that exact moment and made her lose her train of thought. When she glanced in that direction, she was surprised to find a familiar face staring back at her. “What are you doing here?” The words came out harsher than Ivy anticipated, but she offered no apology all the same.
If Felicity was surprised by Ivy’s reaction, she didn’t show it. She greeted the handsome man in the doorway with a bright smile and welcoming vibe. “Can I help you?”
“Oh, I’m just looking around.” The man flashed a winning smile before focusing on Ivy. “I recognize you. You came to the tree lot the other night with your boyfriend.”
“My brother,” Ivy automatically corrected.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Ricky Hughes didn’t allow his smile to slip. “I assumed you two were a couple because of the way you were arguing.”
Felicity snickered, genuinely amused. “That’s simply how they communicate.”
“Yes, well … .” Ricky kept a placid expression on his face as he scanned Felicity’s crowded display shelves. “So … this is a witch shop?”
“This is a shop that offers many things,” Felicity corrected, her eyes darting between Ivy’s concerned face and the friendly guest. “Do you need something specific?”
“I’m just looking.” Ricky picked up a porcelain cup used for reading tea leaves. “It is the Christmas season, after all.”
“It is certainly that,” Felicity agreed, instinct taking over as she rounded the counter and put herself between Ricky and Ivy. “If you tell me the age of the person you’re shopping for, I might be able to point you in the right direction.”
“Oh, well, I’m honestly just looking.” Ricky kept his eyes on Felicity, a charming grin in place. “I thought you might have something for my girlfriend. She loves stuff like this … crystals and stuff. She’s addicted to Charmed reruns.”
“Charmed is make believe,” Ivy interjected. “This store is for true practitioners.”
“True practitioners?” Ricky looked genuinely amused, a fact that set Ivy’s teeth on edge. “Do you really believe in stuff like that? Magical powers and the like.”
“I believe in a number of different things,” Ivy replied, struggling to regain her poise. “What are you doing here? Did you follow me?”
“Follow you?” Ricky barked out a harsh laugh that sounded more diabolical than dubious. “Why would I possibly follow you?”
“I don’t know,” Ivy answered honestly. “I find it a little strange that you were at the tree lot two nights ago and now you’re here, though.”
“Why is that strange?”
Ivy shrugged. “Maybe because your boss was killed yesterday, shot in the head and then burned in an effort to hide that fact.” Ivy saw no reason to beat around the bush. “Perhaps because you worked side-by-side with Dorian Jackson, a man who took a gun into a mall and ended up dead with a bullet to the back. I’m just speaking off the cuff, though.”
Things slipped into place for Felicity, and not in a good way. Whoever this man was – whether friend or foe – Ivy was nervous enough to be outright rude. The girl was never known for being sweet and demure, but she was rarely hostile without a reason.
“Perhaps this isn’t the store for you,” Felicity suggested, drawing Ricky’s eyes to her. “It seems you know my niece enough to agitate her and have issues with what we do here. This probably isn’t the place for you.”
Ricky’s eyes flashed with something Ivy didn’t recognize. “Are you kicking me out?”
“I’m utilizing my right to refuse service, just like the sign on the door says.” Felicity pointed in that direction. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, my niece and I were in the middle of a very important conversation.”
“About what?” There was an edge to Ricky’s voice that Ivy didn’t like.
“Family stuff,” Felicity replied. “You should probably go now.”
“And what happens if I don’t want to go?” Ricky challenged.
“Then I’ll call the police.”
“They’re already aware of your presence,” Ivy added, raising her phone from the folds of her coat where she kept it hidden while tapping on the screen moments before. “I texted Jack with the news – and a photo of you in the store – when you were focused on Aunt Felicity. In case you’re wondering, the Jack I’m referring to is the same Jack Harker who is investigating your boss’s death with the Shadow Lake Police Department.”
Ricky’s demeanor never shifted, but Ivy could practically feel the anger coursing through him despite the friendly veneer he presented. “I think there’s been some sort of error here.”
“I don’t really care,” Ivy said. “I texted Jack and he’s calling the local police. Then he’s coming here with his partner. He knows who you are so … if you want to be her
e when he arrives, you can wait outside.”
“It’s cold outside.”
“It’s about to get a lot colder in here,” Felicity warned, her voice chilly. “Get out.”
“I swear that you’re misunderstanding my intentions,” Ricky protested.
“And I swear that you’re going to wish you’d listened to what I said if you don’t get out,” Felicity barked.
Ricky let his gaze bounce from face to face for a moment before holding up his hands in mock surrender. “I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable. I’ll just … be on my way.”
“That would be good.” Felicity waited until Ricky disappeared through the door before stalking forward and flicking the lock behind him, flipping the “closed” sign so no one else would try to enter. When she turned back to Ivy, she looked exasperated. “It seems you’ve been holding back.”
Ivy shrugged. “It’s a long story.”
“We have plenty of time,” Felicity pointed out. “It’s going to take Jack at least forty minutes to get here in this traffic.”
“I’ve got twenty bucks that says he’s here in twenty minutes.”
“I’ve got twenty bucks that says if you don’t start talking now I’m going to take you over my knee like I did when you were a kid.”
“I don’t ever remember you actually spanking me,” Ivy challenged. “I just remember you threatening me with a flyswatter.”
“Are you willing to risk it?”
That was a good question and Ivy knew she was too tired to fight with her aunt. “I could use more tea.”
“I’ll get it.” Felicity moved toward the counter. “I could use some, too. I’m going to add bourbon to mine.”
“That sounds like a great idea.”
“Yes … talk.”
So Ivy did. She didn’t stop until she saw Jack’s vehicle pull to a stop in front of the store.
Fifteen
Jack hopped out of the passenger seat and waited for Felicity to unlock the door before offering her a kind smile and skirting around the central display case so he could tug Ivy in for an extended hug.
For her part, Felicity wasn’t offended by Jack’s desperate need to get to Ivy. In fact, she found it mildly adorable. She also found Brian’s reaction – the annoyed shake of the head and weary grimace – ridiculously funny.
“You look as if you’re about to say that you’re too old for this stuff, Brian,” Felicity noted, gesturing for him to move to the counter so she could pour him a mug of tea.
It took Brian a moment to realize what she was referencing. “Does that make me a lethal weapon?”
Felicity grinned as she flicked her eyes to Jack, her heart squeezing at the way he ran his hand down the back of Ivy’s head and rubbed his cheek against hers. She couldn’t hear what he whispered to her niece, but she was pretty sure it was soothing all the same.
“I don’t think we’re going to get answers out of the cooing duo anytime soon,” Brian said, rolling his eyes as he glanced around the store. “Hey, you don’t have any stained-glass items, do you? My wife has decided she wants a stained-glass thing for the barn window and I’m running out of time.”
Felicity smirked, genuinely amused. “Leave it to a cop to find Christmas gifts while interviewing witnesses,” she teased. “I have four left, although one is for Luna’s gift so that actually means three. I have an owl, wolf, and a fairy woman that reminds me a great deal of Ivy for some reason. Perhaps it’s the pink hair.”
“I’ll take the owl,” Brian said immediately. “The wife loves owls.”
“I’ll wrap it while we talk.” Felicity smiled indulgently before sliding her gaze to Jack. “Do you want some tea, Jack?”
“Yes, please,” Jack replied, not glancing in her direction. “I want the fairy that looks like Ivy, too.”
Felicity snickered as Ivy widened her eyes. “I would’ve thought your Christmas shopping was already done.”
“It was, but then my fairy ruined it.” Jack poked Ivy’s side and caused her to scowl. “I’m assuming that’s what she was over here talking to you about.”
“We talked about a number of things, but your aborted proposal might have made the list,” Felicity conceded, grabbing two stained-glass items from the window before returning to the counter with them. “I hear you’re moving in together.”
“He already moved in,” Ivy supplied. “I finished putting away all of his stuff this morning.”
Jack arched an eyebrow, legitimately surprised. “You did? How did you do that and still have time to visit your aunt? I figured that was a full-day job you simply got bored with.”
“I start what I finish,” Ivy replied, leaning her head against Jack’s shoulder. “Don’t you want to hear what happened?”
“I do,” Jack confirmed, grabbing her tea and taking a sip. “I want to calm down a bit first. I was a little antsy during the drive over.”
“A little antsy?” Brian snorted. “He wanted to toss me out of the car so he could drive. I put a stop to that by reminding him that you were safe. He didn’t seem to want the reminder.”
“Poor Jack.” Ivy patted his cheek. “Hey, do you know what would probably make you feel better?”
“You’re not getting that ring,” Jack immediately shot back, causing Brian and Felicity to break out in twin guffaws.
“You’re very mean.” Ivy furrowed her brow and let loose with a pronounced pout. “I think you want to make me sick or something.”
Jack refused to let Ivy draw him into an argument when they had an audience. “Why would I want to make you sick?”
Ivy shrugged, noncommittal. “Maybe you think it will keep me home or something. I don’t know. All I do know is that my stomach feels as if a herd of wild horses is stomping through it.”
“Really?” Felicity adopted a concerned expression as she leaned forward and pressed her hand to Ivy’s forehead. She expected to find cool skin waiting but, to her surprise, warmth greeted her. “You actually are a bit warm.”
Ivy looked triumphant. “See! Jack is trying to make me sick.”
“The last thing I want is to make you sick,” Jack corrected, his eyes momentarily filling with worry as he studied her profile. “Are you really sick?” He mimicked Felicity’s earlier movement and touched the back of his hand to Ivy’s forehead. “Maybe I should take you home and put you to bed.”
“Yeah, because that sounds restful for her,” Brian muttered, staring at the wall over Felicity’s shoulder. “You’re supposed to let sick people sleep … not whatever you plan on doing with her.”
Jack ignored the dig. “Does your throat feel scratchy?”
“No. My stomach is upset. That’s all.”
“Maybe you have the flu. I will just bet it’s because you insist on sleeping with your bare feet poking out of the covers in the dead of winter even though we live in a drafty house.”
“Or maybe she’s simply making herself sick because she doesn’t know what else to do,” Felicity suggested, snagging Ivy’s mug and adding more tea to it. This time she picked a mint blend to boost Ivy’s immune system. “My guess is that she’s worried she’s ruined everything forever and it’s taking a toll. Of course, that’s merely supposition because I know that my girl has a martyr complex.” Her eyes twinkled as she handed the fresh mug to Ivy.
“Our girl,” Jack automatically corrected, cupping the back of Ivy’s head as he stared into her sea-blue eyes. “You haven’t ruined everything. You’re going to get what you want. You’re simply not going to get it when you should’ve gotten it.”
“I’m not making myself sick because I’m a martyr,” Ivy argued. “I’m just … things are weird. I don’t know how to explain it. I’m honestly not making myself sick over that.”
Jack wasn’t easily convinced, but he decided to let it go for the time being. “Okay, tell me what happened with Ricky Hughes.”
“I have no idea what happened with Ricky Hughes and I’m really not sure what to think on that front,” I
vy admitted. “He had to follow me, right?”
Jack was thinking the same thing, but the last thing he wanted was a terrified girlfriend so close to Christmas. “I don’t know. This is a busy shopping corridor. It could’ve been a coincidence.”
Felicity snorted in response. “No, there’s no way. He had attitude about witches and witch stuff. He made that perfectly clear. Plus, well, he seemed to get off on unnerving Ivy.”
Jack tilted his head to the side. “What do you mean by that?”
“I knew something was wrong the minute I saw him due to Ivy’s reaction,” Felicity explained. “She’s got attitude but isn’t often openly rude for no reason.”
“She was to me when we first met,” Jack argued.
Brian and Felicity snickered.
“She was feisty that day, but she was only rude when you tossed a bunch of attitude in her direction first,” Brian argued. “You forget, I was there and saw everything.”
“See! I told you I wasn’t rude.” Ivy puffed out her chest. “I think you’re remembering that day wrong.”
“I think that day is seared into my memory forever,” Jack corrected. “Now, drink your tea. You’re going to bed early tonight so don’t even bother to argue. I don’t want you sick for Christmas.”
“Why?” Ivy didn’t bother to hide her morose nature. “It’s not as if I’m going to have a merry Christmas now.”
Jack struggled to keep from laughing, taking a moment to collect himself before continuing. “You’re going to have other gifts. Stop being a pain.”
“Whatever.”
Jack turned his attention to Felicity. “What did you think of Ricky Hughes?”
“At first I was struggling to understand why he was here, but it didn’t take long to sort things out,” Felicity replied. “I can’t say I definitively know why he was here. I can say that he took perverse pleasure in upsetting Ivy, though. That much was obvious. He only backed down when she told him she took his photograph and texted it to you.”
“That was really smart, by the way, Ivy,” Brian noted. “You kept your head under pressure. Good for you.”
Wicked Winter (An Ivy Morgan Mystery Book 8) Page 12