“Well, that would explain how the bills looked,” Crawford said. “I was theorizing a stripper, but your suggestion makes more sense because we have exactly one strip club in this area and the women there aren’t known to make a lot of money.”
“When do you think you’ll have the ballistics reports back?” Jack asked.
“We’re hoping to get them in quick because of how high profile this case is, but we’re not sure that will be an option,” Crawford answered. “If not, it will be after Christmas.”
“You can relax, Jack,” Brian prodded. “It’s pretty clear they have the guilty parties. The guy’s name is even Mitchell.”
“I know.” In his heart, Jack did know. He also remained mildly unsettled. “What if they weren’t working alone, though?”
“Trust me, they’re the type to turn on whoever they’re working with,” Crawford said. “Once they do that, I’ll give you a call so you’ll know if we’re looking for someone else. We’re going to have to share evidence on the two murders as it is.”
“We have no problem with that,” Brian said. “In fact, I’m kind of glad you’re handling it. That means my partner and I can enjoy our Christmas celebrations. Isn’t that good, Jack? Now you can focus on your first Christmas with Ivy.”
“It is good.” Jack smiled, realizing he was being a bit of a worrywart. “Now I just have to figure out how to make it the perfect Christmas for her.”
“I think you already know how to do that, son. Why don’t you start by saving her from her brother and taking her to the Christmas pageant tonight? It’s hokey fun, but Ivy loves the candy cane hot chocolate and they always have warm doughnuts.”
This time Jack’s grin swallowed his whole face. “Oh, well, you had me at doughnuts.”
“Don’t kid yourself, son. I had you the moment I mentioned the fact that Ivy loves the pageant. Let’s not play games.”
The last thing Jack wanted was more games. “Let’s get out of here. I want to pick up my girl. She’s bound to need decompression time after spending an afternoon with Max.”
“You’re finally singing my tune, Jack.” Brian grinned. “Keep us updated, Detective. Otherwise … have a very merry Christmas.”
Crawford returned the smile. “You, too.”
Eighteen
“So … it’s really over?”
Ivy couldn’t wrap her head around it as she climbed out of Jack’s truck later that night and met him in front of the vehicle.
“It’s over as far as we can tell,” Jack cautioned, tipping up her chin. She looked lighter, which made him happy. He didn’t want her to lower her guard until they had the full story from the Traverse City Police Department, though. “Corbin and Mitchell are refusing to speak to police and have lawyered up. Given what was found at their house, though, we believe it’s over.”
“So … it’s done.” Ivy flicked her eyes up to the clear sky and exhaled heavily. The night air was crisp and cool, but the fact that she could attend the annual Shadow Lake Christmas Pageant with Jack by her side was enough to warm Ivy to her soul. “I’m glad.”
“I’m glad, too.” Jack tugged Ivy to him, wrapping his arms around her slim back. Even in the padded coat she felt tiny and vulnerable against him. “How was your day with Max? You didn’t seem to be in a very good mood when I stopped by to tell you about the break in the case.”
“That’s because Max is a pain in the butt,” Ivy said. “I’m going to get him a lump of coal for Christmas and it’s going to be more than he deserves.”
Jack was familiar with how irritable Ivy got when spending too much time with her brother. He often found her reaction funny. Tonight was no exception. “What did he do to you?”
“He rubbed my head in his armpit.”
Jack arched an eyebrow. “He did what?”
Ivy giggled at his confusion. “Are you seriously telling me you never did that to your sister? Max has spent the better part of the past eighteen years doing it to me.”
“If I tried to rub my sister’s head in my armpit she would stab me in the heart. You know that. You’ve met her.”
“Hmm. I never considered that. I just always assumed all brothers and sisters were like Max and me.”
“Not even close,” Jack said, rubbing his hands up and down in an effort to keep Ivy warm. “Your brother is your best friend. That’s a very rare gift.”
“He’s not my best friend. He’s a menace.”
“He’s not your best friend?”
“No.”
“Then who is?”
“I … .” Ivy pursed her lips as she considered the question. “Crap. How did that happen?”
Jack grinned, legitimately amused. “He loves you. Sure, he knows exactly how to irritate you, but that’s a brother’s prerogative. He would die for you without a second thought.
“Most men wouldn’t be happy to have another man spend so much time with the woman he loves,” he continued. “I am thrilled because I know that Max loves you as much as I do, just in a different way.”
“Oh, that’s cute.” Ivy pressed her finger to Jack’s chiseled cheek. “Max is still a butthead and I’m going to kick him in the butt for Christmas.”
Jack chuckled, pressing a warm kiss to Ivy’s lips before turning to the brightly lit town square. “So, tell me about the Shadow Lake Christmas Pageant. Is it actually held outside?”
Ivy nodded, slipping her mitten-covered hand inside Jack’s and grinning as they moved in the direction of the huge Christmas tree. “So, Shadow Lake has been doing this since I was a kid and it’s one of my favorite festivals. Halloween is still my favorite, but there’s something magical about this time of year here.”
“Oh, yeah?” Jack had only ever spent Christmas in the city. He didn’t have family traditions when it came to Christmas, other than attending Christmas Mass with his mother on Christmas Eve and opening gifts Christmas morning. Everything else was wide open. He was looking forward to starting new traditions with Ivy, and he had a feeling the Christmas pageant was going to be one. “So … what do we do?”
“Well, we start by going by Santa’s sleigh,” Ivy replied, her grin big enough to swallow her face. “The kids all line up and some of the residents dress up like elves. One of the local ranchers has reindeer. Actual reindeer, mind you, and the kids feed them carrots and pet them.”
“Actual reindeer?” Jack returned Ivy’s smile. “Do they crap candy canes or something?”
“No, they crap like horses so you need to watch where you step,” Ivy replied. “They’re still beautiful animals. I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as those animals when the snow starts to fall and the lighting hits them just right.”
“I bet I know something more beautiful.” Jack rubbed his nose against Ivy’s cheek, causing her to squeal as he released her hand and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. They walked like that, two beings joined as one. They probably looked awkward to anyone watching from afar, but Jack didn’t care in the least. “What do we do after you sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what you want for Christmas?”
“Oh, I’m not sitting on Santa’s lap,” Ivy said. “Doug Bender plays Santa and he’s kind of a pervert.”
Jack narrowed his eyes. “Shadow Lake’s Santa is a known pervert?”
“He’s fine with the kids. He’s only a pervert with the grown women.”
“That really doesn’t make me feel better,” Jack argued. “How many grown women go near this man?”
“No one who has ever met him.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Oh, don’t tell me you’re going to spend the entire pageant watching our sexed-up Santa. I want us to spend time together.”
The corners of Jack’s mouth tipped up. “I only plan on watching you. If Santa feels up some poor unsuspecting woman while we’re over there, though, I’m going to have to punch him.”
“Really? You’re going to punch Santa in front of a hundred kids?” Ivy gestured toward the squeali
ng and clapping masses as they waved at Santa and formed a line to sit on his lap. “You’ll bring down the entire town.”
Jack was dumbfounded. He could do nothing but shake his head. “We have nothing like this in the city. I mean … we have elves and Santas in malls but … this is really beautiful.” He tilted his head as they passed the tree. “That thing must be twenty feet tall.”
“Twenty-five.”
“You are a fountain of useless information tonight.” Jack squeezed her tighter against his chest. “What else do I have to look forward to besides Santa?”
“Well, once we see Santa and the reindeer – and be careful not to step in the reindeer droppings – we need to go inside for the candy cane hot chocolate because it’s the best thing ever made.”
“The best thing? I thought your snowflake marshmallows were the best thing.”
“They’re good, but not the best.”
“What about the morels you love so much?”
Ivy’s hesitation was enough for Jack to realize she was undoubtedly serious about the hot chocolate.
“Wow, if the hot chocolate makes you consider throwing over the morels, it must be good.”
“The morels are still better,” Ivy said after a beat. “The hot chocolate is divine, though.”
“Then I shall stuff you full of hot chocolate until you’re all sugared up and I have no choice but to put you through a workout to burn off the sugar.”
“Funny.” Ivy wiggled her bottom against Jack’s groin, causing him to groan. “Be careful. I know how to make you as perverted as Santa.”
“You’re in a very good mood, but I can’t allow that.” Jack kissed her cheek before releasing her. “What else should I expect?”
“Isn’t that enough?”
“Is that all? If it is, spending the night with you when you’re in a mood like this is more than enough.”
“You’re definitely sweet.” Ivy took Jack by surprise when she threw her weight on him, wrapping her legs around his waist and causing him to lose his balance and fall into the snow. He did his best to keep her weight on top of him so she wouldn’t get hurt, but he couldn’t stop laughing when she started shoveling snow on him.
“You’re asking for it,” Jack warned, grabbing a handful of snow and tossing it in Ivy’s face. “Don’t make me get rough and turn you into the world’s prettiest snow angel.”
Ivy’s shoulders shook, she was laughing so hard, her hands working as fast as she could make them go as she shoveled snow on Jack’s exposed neck. When he finally caught her and managed to wrap his arms around her, he widened his eyes as she planted a warm and wet kiss on his neck.
“What was that for?” Jack asked, wheezing as he fought to catch his breath.
Ivy’s eyes gleamed under the twinkling tree lights. “I just love you.”
Jack captured her chin. “I love you, too.”
“No, I really love you,” Ivy countered.
“Are you suggesting I don’t really love you?”
“No. It’s just … something occurred to me a few minutes ago.”
“What’s that?” Jack was genuinely curious.
“I’ve never been this happy,” Ivy said, a shimmering tear slipping down her cheek. “If you never want to marry me, I’ll always be happy with this.”
Jack’s heart almost gave way in that exact moment. If he had a ring handy, it would be on her finger. Thankfully for him – and ultimately for her – he hid the ring in a place he thought she would never look. “Oh, honey, I want to marry you. I’m going to marry you. You have to wait until I can have my moment, though. And this, however lovely, is not my moment.”
Instead of pouting, Ivy smiled. “Does that mean we can get our hot chocolate? I’m cold.”
“Oh, yeah. I’m ready to sugar you up. Come on.”
“OKAY, YOU WERE definitely holding back.”
Jack unzipped his coat thirty minutes later, smiling as he glanced around the beautifully lit barn. He’d only ever been inside of the dated building for a town dance that he talked Ivy into attending. The change in the atmosphere between then and now was startling.
“Look at this place.”
Ivy smiled as Jack’s eyes widened, love coursing through her. “You know, I asked my mother when I was a kid if adults enjoyed Christmas as much as kids did. Do you know what she said?”
Jack tilted his head to the side, considering. “Knowing your mother, I have no idea.”
“She said that adults find joy in the holiday because the true meaning of love is watching someone you absolutely adore find wonder in the simple things,” Ivy said. “Just now you found wonder in this barn. Did you know that?”
Jack smiled. “I think we’re the schmaltz twins or something today, because I was thinking something very similar when I saw you with the reindeer. You found wonder feeding one of them a carrot … and I found happiness watching you.”
“We’re definitely the schmaltz twins.” Ivy turned her attention to the barn, grinning at the multitude of people milling about. “Did I forget to mention that this is a huge meal for the entire town, too?”
“You did forget to mention that,” Jack confirmed. “I’m glad for the meal, though. I’m officially starving.”
“What you need is hot chocolate,” Ivy said, stripping out of her coat and handing it to him. “Find us a table with room for Max. I’ll get us some hot chocolate. It’s still an hour before dinner, but there will be some dancing later, if you’re interested, of course.”
“I’m definitely interested.” Jack took the coat and kissed her cheek. “Go get the fancy hot chocolate. I’ll find us a table.”
“Okay.” Ivy happily skipped in the direction of the drink table, Jack smiling as he watched her go. He didn’t register the fact that Max had joined him until he turned and jolted at the sight of the man. “Make a noise next time.”
Max smirked. “Were you enjoying naughty visions of sugar plums and my sister dancing through your head?”
“She loves Christmas. I knew she loved Halloween, but she gets almost as excited for Christmas.”
“She definitely loves Christmas,” Max agreed.
“She says she’s getting you a lump of coal. You must’ve really irritated her today.”
“I did my best,” Max said. “I wanted her distracted. I didn’t think dwelling on the bad was good given the time of year.”
“You always know the right way to handle her.”
“I’m the gift that keeps on giving.”
Jack chortled, delighted. “You are something.”
“So are you,” Max said. “In case I don’t get a chance before you pop the question – and I know it’s not normal to ask my permission before proposing, for the record – I still want you to know that I think you’re just about the best thing that has ever happened to my sister.”
“Thank you. I didn’t know I had to ask your permission, though. I’m sorry if you feel slighted.”
“I don’t feel slighted,” Max said. “I feel … happy. I know you’re going to take care of Ivy. I also know you’re going to do it in a way that doesn’t force her away from her family.”
“Taking care of her is a big job,” Jack said. “I need backup.”
Now it was Max’s turn to laugh. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“How long are you going to make my sister suffer?”
“If I answer that, are you going to tell her?” Jack was fairly certain he already knew the answer but he wanted to make sure.
“No.”
“Christmas. I’m still doing it on Christmas.”
Max snickered. “I figured. You don’t have it in you to keep torturing her.”
“That’s not it precisely,” Jack corrected. “I don’t have it in me to torture both of us. I want her to be my wife.”
“She will be.”
“I know.” Jack clapped Max on the shoulder. “Don’t you dare tell her. I want to keep misdirecting her so she�
��s actually surprised when it happens.”
“I won’t tell her. You underestimate me. I would never ruin her happiness.”
“Driving her crazy, though, is another story, isn’t it?”
“Oh, definitely.” Max pointed toward a table. “Let’s sit there. This is one of Ivy’s favorite nights of the year. I want to enjoy it with her and you.”
“Okay, but I’m taking her home early so we can … eat gingerbread cookies.”
Max barked out a laugh. “That’s fine. I’ll hook up with one of the elves before it’s all said and done. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Yeah, I noticed all of the elves are young and sexy. What’s up with that?”
“Why do you think Doug Bender keeps agreeing to be Santa even though he’s not a people person?”
“This is the oddest town.”
“And now you’re a member of it forever. Congratulations. Don’t you feel lucky?”
Jack considered making a joke but, in truth, he felt incredibly lucky. “I don’t think any man has ever been luckier.”
Nineteen
“Good morning.”
Ivy tugged her feet beneath the covers the next morning and ran them up Jack’s leg as she kissed his chin.
“Good morning, honey. How … holy crap! I’m buying you slippers and I’m forcing you to sleep in them during the winter months.” Jack jerked beneath the covers, keeping his arm around Ivy’s back as he shifted his legs away from her icy feet. “I feel as if I’m cuddling a snowman.”
“That might say a little something about you,” Ivy said dryly. “Put your legs back. I’m cold.”
“You’re cold because you insist on sleeping with your feet poking out from underneath the covers,” Jack argued. “Why?”
“Why what?” Ivy was distracted by Jack’s bare chest. Since she couldn’t twine her legs with his she busied herself rubbing her fingers over his supple muscles.
“Why do you insist on sleeping with your feet uncovered?” Jack cast a glance at Ivy’s hand but didn’t admonish her to stop rubbing him. It felt kind of nice and he was mildly curious where she intended on going with her wandering digits. “I don’t get up every night to go to the bathroom, but when I do, I always cover your feet. When I wake up the next morning, they’re uncovered. Why is that?”
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