by Kimber Davis
"Don't walk away from me."
"Why not? I owe you nothing. If anything you're the one who owes me for the way you treated me last night."
He snorted out a laugh. "If you're seeking an apology you can forget it. But you will regret going to dinner with Jameson, I promise you that."
"Why, are you going to spank me for it?"
"No, I'll let you discover why on your own. But when you're asking yourself why you didn't listen to me, I'll be laughing."
* * *
Ten minute after Ivy got into Tyler's car she wanted to tell him to turn around and take her home. The only thing that stopped her was the thought of Stuart, standing on the porch and shaking his head in an "I told you so manner" while he laughed at her.
Tyler Jameson thought a lot of himself, and he let it show by talking about his favorite subject: him. Since the minute she'd sat down in his car he'd told her about growing up in England and moving to Scotland to follow the woman of his dreams, who turned out to be a huge disappointment.
"She didn't realize what she had, and she let me go."
I'm sure she knew. She probably couldn't run fast enough. As they sped toward town she tried to change the subject.
"How do you know my father?"
"I worked at the pub with him for years. I think I was his favorite employee, but sometimes things get turned around and people end up hearing things that aren't true."
Yeah, I'll bet. "That's always sad. May I ask what happened?"
"It was so long ago." He pulled up in front of the restaurant and put the car in park. "I don't really remember, if you want the truth. You know how those things happen, don't you? You think something bad of someone, and then after a while you can't even remember what went wrong."
Wish I'd worn my boots. Geeze, now I have to face a truthful I told you so from Tavish.
"Yes, I know." She smiled, and then reached for her door handle. They walked into the restaurant and took a booth against the back wall. "Very nice."
"The best in town," Tyler said. He ordered a bottle of wine, and then turned to Ivy. "It must be wonderful to meet your father after all these years apart. The whole town's buzzing about your visit."
Warning bells went off inside Ivy's head. It occurred to her that everyone who had been in The Ivy that afternoon had seen her with her cousin, the lawyer, and knew her father was close to death. Her coming in town would make people think she was the only heir, and was getting everything. Tyler's next words confirmed her thoughts.
"The Ivy's worth quite a bit of money. You'll be sitting pretty when Ham crosses to the other side. A wonderful thing for you, since he ignored you all those years. I'd always said he'd get his in the end."
The last words were spoken under his breath, and Ivy knew he hadn't meant her to hear them. She felt as if she'd been kicked in the stomach. It was one thing for her to say horrible things about her father, but for someone else to do it was another thing all together. Who did this man think he was? She was half tempted to get up and stalk out of the room. If she weren't in Scotland, without the benefit of her own car, she would do just that. Instead, she settled back in her seat, to see how things played out.
"Does everyone in town know the story?"
"Yes." Tyler smiled at the waitress as she poured a glass of wine. He twirled the liquid in his glass, sniffed it and then took a drink and nodded. Then he turned back to Ivy "Everyone knows he's just trying to assuage his guilt over abandoning you by leaving you The Ivy. I feel sorry for him, really."
Pompous ass, Ivy said to herself. There was no way she was going to sit here and eat dinner with him. But first she would make sure he didn't enjoy his dinner, either. Jackass.
He waved to the waitress and asked for specials of the day. The woman recited them but Ivy didn't really hear her. When she was done, Tyler turned back to Ivy and she sat forward, her elbows on the table, her chin resting on her fingers, which were laced together.
"So, my father's your friend?"
"Yes, for a long time now."
"And you can't remember what it was that caused your little tiff?"
"No, I can't." He closed the menu and put it on the table. "How about steak and potatoes. Nice, rich food for a cold night."
"I find that hard to believe."
"That's it cold?" He smirked at her.
"You know what I mean." She sat back and twirled the wine in her glass. "If you and my father are as close as you say you are, then you would remember things that caused problems between you, especially if it kept you from talking for a few years."
"It's over and done with." The sweet lilt of his voice was gone. In its place was something deep and foreboding. "Drop it."
"No. I mean I've come all this way to learn about my father, and here I'm presented with a wonderful opportunity to talk to one of his friends, and you won't let me in on his dirty little secrets."
"I think we should get some stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer." He opened the menu. "I absolutely love them, what about you?"
"I'm sure Stuart will tell me. He knows the story, doesn't he?"
"The mushrooms have this wonderful sauce with them."
"Of course it must have been something really bad, something you came out on the short end of, since you wanted him to 'get his in the end.'"
"I never said that."
"I have wonderful hearing, that's exactly what you said. You're a jackass." She threw her napkin on the table and stood up.
"You're going to stand up for a man who never wanted you, never wanted anything to do with you. I'd hoped you would talk to me about The Ivy, about you selling me your half. I'll give you a fair price."
"You'll get my half of The Ivy when hell freezes over."
"Really? Well, I hope you have a warm coat, because I will, especially since the rumor mill has it that you don't want it. You'll change you mind and sell to me. And when I have it, then I'll push out rotten little bastard Tavish."
She picked up her purse and put it over her shoulder.
"It's quite a long walk. Sit down and eat, and we'll talk business."
"Screw you." She walked slowly through the restaurant, collected her coat at the front door and stepped outside into the cold Scottish night.
Geeze, Ivy, great move. It's too far to walk. What do you plan on doing now? She stuffed her hands in her pockets and looked around. Hoping she had the right direction, she set off for The Ivy. Hopefully she could hire someone there to give her ride out to her father's house.
She'd hate to admit to Stuart that he was right, but he was. And she needed to warn him that Tyler Jameson was after his ass.
Chapter Five
It started to rain about two minutes into her walk, and by the time Ivy reached the pub, she was soaking wet and freezing cold.
She stepped into the warmth of the pub, hurrying across the room to stand in front of the fireplace. When a mug with warm steam flowing from the top appeared in front of her she took it eagerly, then signed heavily when she saw who offered it.
"What are you doing here?"
She wanted to smack the smile off Stuart's face. "You made it longer than I thought you would," he said with a smile.
Ivy took a drink from the mug, groaning in pleasure as the toddy warmed her insides. "Delicious."
"It's a specialty here," Stuart replied with a wink. "Great for a cold January night, especially when you're soaking wet. I have some clothes in the car you can change into, although they'll be way too big. Big and dry is better than form fitting and wet."
Ivy nodded, then watched as he went outside. Part of her was thrilled he was here. The other part was angry because he'd obviously projected the outcome of her date, and was waiting to pick up the pieces. That idea sucked big time, since she had no choice now but to hitch a ride with him back to her father's house.
She didn't want him to be the good guy. She wanted to think of him as the asshole that'd spanked her. Damn him.
When he came back inside she grabbed the clothes without
saying a word, then headed for the restroom. She changed quickly, using a belt to cinch up the much-too-large pants. When she came back out, she put her clothing near the fireplace to dry. The minute she sat down a waitress put a warm Scotch pie in front of her. She dug in quickly, loving the warm meat and broth, but hating the fact, once again, that Stuart had come to the rescue and ordered for her while she was changing.
"So did you have fun?" She growled at him, despising the humor in his voice. "I tried to warn ya. Tyler Jameson thinks of no one but himself."
"Well, he's got you on the brain. He wants to push you away from The Ivy. Do you mind telling me why? He wouldn't elaborate."
When Stuart swallowed hard and a look of dismay crossed his face, she felt almost sorry for him. For a moment she thought he wouldn't answer her. But then he sighed.
"Fifteen years ago, both Stuart and I worked for your da. Someone was stealing from the till, and Tyler tried to convince him it was me. Of course it was Tyler, but the only reason he was doing it was to set me up. He was angry, you see, because I was seeing the woman that dumped him."
"Ah, I see said the blind man. He's never forgiven you for that."
"Exactly." Stuart took a drink from his own steaming mug. "He came to Scotland to be with Nancy, but the relationship didn't last. He blamed it on me. The truth is Tyler's just a weasel, and can't keep a woman. Instead of going back to England, where I'm sure nothing awaited him, he set up shop here, wormed his way into working at The Ivy, and then started stealing to set me up."
"But my father saw through it and fired him. What does he do now?"
"He's a manager at The Brickman."
Ivy laughed. "That's where he took me for dinner. Funny, he never once mentioned that's where he works, and no one acknowledged him as a boss."
"I'm sure," Stuart said with a wink. "He probably threatened to fire anyone who let you know it. He would want you to think he owned the place if you found out he had a connection there. Plus, he wouldn't have had to pay for your food, and he has the perfect opportunity to pump you for information."
Ivy cleared her throat and put down her spoon, looking Stuart straight in the eye. "He wants The Ivy. He wanted me to sell him my part, and then he's going to force you out."
She thought Stuart would be angrier than he was. Instead he looked down into his mug, and then fixed her with a gaze she couldn't read.
"And?"
Ivy threw up her hands, wondering if he'd heard what she said. "And what? Did you hear what I said? He's trying to find a way to get control of The Ivy."
"Did you offer to help him?"
She sat back, sighing heavily. "Right, that's exactly what I did, right before I walked half a mile in the rain to get here. No you moron, that's not what I did. I may not like you because of the--" she leaned forward, "--well, because you spanked me, but I don't want to see that loser who thinks of no one but himself taking control of The Ivy."
"I'm glad to hear that," Stuart said. "You know what that means, don't you? You have to sign the papers and take control of your part. Now."
"Oh no." She leaned further toward him, putting her elbows on the table and pressing down. "What that means is you have to take it all, every last bit of it. We'll just get my father to change his will."
"You think it will be that easy?"
"Yeah, for some odd reason he likes you. I can't see why, but he does."
When he grinned again she was tempted to throw the last of her toddy in his face. "What?"
"This isn't about me, you know. This is about you. Your father wants to leave you something, and if he can't leave you half of the bar then I'm sure he'll put it up for sale, and make sure you get the proceeds somehow. And that will..."
"Put it in Tyler's hands, right? He'll find a way to buy it."
"Exactly."
Ivy wanted to scream and cry, to holler that it wasn't fair at all. She didn't want half of a bar in Scotland. She wanted to go home. But as that thought raced through her mind, other thoughts she'd had earlier raced along side it. What did she have to go home to? Nothing, really. Her mother was happily married, and Ivy didn't see that much of her.
She didn't even have a real job, per se, just a temporary one where she flittered from office to office.
"Fine. Call James and tell him I'll sign the papers next week at the family dinner."
"No need to wait that long," Stuart replied with a smile. "I was sure I could get you to change your mind, so I kept them. They're at the house. We can sign them and mail them back to him tomorrow."
"You jerk. Did you set this whole thing up?"
He put his hand on his chest and took a deep breath as if he were feeling pain. "I did not, although I have to admit for the first time since I've met him Jameson came in handy. I'm sure he has quite a bit of money and could use it to get his hands on The Ivy, if the occasion arose. I'm happy that it won't."
Ivy looked around the pub. The tables were full and people were laughing and enjoying each other's company, having a few drinks and unwinding at the end of the day. There were four areas of dart players, all of them full of laughing people. And there were two pool tables, both of them being used. Of all the things she'd done in her life, she'd never worked at a pub, or at a bar, as it would be termed back home. She'd worked in restaurants, but never something like this. The space was full of energy, and it made her smile to think she'd be part of it, even if she did feel as if she were being pushed into it.
"I want to work here, to see what it's like. When can I start?"
"How about tomorrow? I'll train you."
"No thanks. I'm sure the girls can do it."
"I know the ins and outs of this place, and we're partners now. There's no reason for you to turn down my help. Besides, you'll need a lift to and from, and what better person than me."
It was her turn to grin. "You don't trust me driving on the wrong side of the road?"
"Not one wit. We'll come in tomorrow at three, and stay until closing. That will give you time in the morning to spend with your da. How's that sound?"
"Just peachy."
* * *
A week later, Ivy had a whole new respect for waitresses everywhere. The little bit she'd done in restaurants previously hadn't produced the sore feet and aching back her work at The Ivy had done. The place was constantly packed, and trying to keep up with food and drink orders was tough.
Her father had been thrilled when she'd sat by his bedside and signed the papers accepting her part of the pub. She wasn't sure but she thought she'd seen tears glistening in his eyes. Later that day she'd tried to put herself in his place.
He'd married, even though he knew he was a skirt chaser. Then, when things had broken apart, he'd cut all contact with his daughter to keep from hurting her. Now he was dying, and he wanted to make amends. Giving her half of his business was his way of letting her know that he cared.
She hated to think Stuart was right, but he was. If she'd refused it totally it would have been a slap in the face to her father. Despite her misgivings about him, that wasn't something she wanted to do. When she'd been back home, yes, she would have done it with no problem. But that was before she'd met the man. It was amazing to her how her thoughts had changed.
Her life here was very different than what she had at home. She woke up late, and generally had lunch with her father. They'd play a game of chess before he'd take his nap, and then she'd come to The Ivy with Stuart. After getting home from work she'd go in to see her father.
If he was up to it they'd play a game of chess, again. If not she'd go to her room and read. She'd been toying with the idea of going into a larger town and buying a laptop so she would have a computer in her room, and a way to e-mail her mother.
Ivy hadn't contacted her mother since her arrival in Scotland. She was still hurt that her mother had contact with her father through the years, and not told Ivy about it. She needed to work through her feelings about that before she called her, and they ended up getting int
o a huge fight.
Still, the laptop would be fun for other things, including games and surfing the net. She had to remember to ask Stuart where the nearest place to buy electronics was.
A deep breath escaped as she thought about the tall Scotsman, standing across the room right now talking with a table of men and women who were enjoying their evening. Her feelings about him were much more complicated now. She found herself starting to like him.
She wasn't sure why. Maybe it was the amount of time they spent together. Of course, traveling in the car every day meant they were in close proximity with each other, with no one else around to take the edge off. They had to talk, or it would be a long ride to and from.
He'd told her a few stories about her father, which left her feeling happy because he had good memories of him, but sad that she didn't have the same. Still, it reinforced her idea that she needed to stay, to get to know her father better and to spend as much time as possible with him when he was able.
And Stuart's training had been good, if not slight.
"These are the tap pulls. And of course the bottles behind the bar are clearly labeled. If someone orders a drink you don't recognize, ask me. You won't have to worry about it most of the time because we have a full time bartender. But, if he's gone, you'll need to know. Write food orders on pads and give them to the cooks. Any other questions, ask me."
He'd made it sound so easy, but of course she knew it wasn't. You ran your feet off. You had to keep a smile on your face. Some customers were rude, and you had to smile and not be rude back, something she was having trouble with, especially with one customer, who now sat at a table with two of his friends.
He'd tried to play grab-ass with her several times, and it was hard not to punch him in the mouth. When he'd come in tonight she'd told Stuart he could take care of him, that the man was a jerk and if she had her way she'd ban him from the pub.
Stuart had reminded her that the pub was a public house, and that without good cause, they couldn't go around banning customers. That would have a disastrous effect on their business.