by Siera London
“What do you mean you don’t know?” he barked. “What did she say?” he ground out. In the background, an actor on the television cried over some African prince who’d been thrown over a waterfall by his enemy, Killmonger. Owen was experiencing a similar drop. His stomach felt as if it were being trampled beneath a farm tractor.
“You went upstairs. A minute later, she grabbed her backpack from the corner and walked out. She didn’t say anything.”
Pain, unlike anything he’d experienced since learning of Caitlyn’s death cut through his chest. Oh God. He covered his mouth with his hand, afraid his roar would topple the house.
Think, Owen. Where would she go?
Would she walk out of Endurance? Yes, she would. He and Cai were her only reasons to stay, and he’d practically shoved her out the door.
“Thanks,” he said, not feeling the least bit grateful for having heard the news that Ivy may have left him.
Owen pulled his keys from his pocket. She couldn’t have gotten far. It was getting dark. A ball of unease coiled in his gut. Walking in the dark wasn’t safe. Caitlyn had been doing the same thing when she was struck by a hit and run driver.
Just then, the bar door scraped open into the kitchen signaling someone had entered to the private quarters.
“Ivy,” he called, feet already moving in that direction.
“Nope.”
It was Hank’s voice.
Owen’s face fell. “Can’t talk. Need to find Ivy.”
“She’s the reason I came looking for you. A fella came in earlier this morning asking about a Poison Ivy. He described our Ivy to a tee. Delaney heard him, too. Surprised she didn’t mention it.”
Owen frowned. When had Delaney been in the bar? She hadn’t been to work in days.
“Did he give a name?”
Hank scratched his chin. “Can’t say that he did.”
Owen turned to head out the back door.
“But,” Hank added as a side note. “His truck made one heck of a racket when he tore off down the road.”
Blood roared between his ears, and his brain numbed. Poe. Ivy said he’d come for her. And, Owen had left her unprotected.
He ran. “Call the sheriff. Tell him a man named Poe is after Ivy.”
Fury and every protective instinct he possessed roared to life. “I’m going to find her.”
He didn’t stop when Autumn called his name. He’d find Ivy. He had to.
THE moment Ivy heard Poe’s truck rumble down the street, she stripped off the apron she’d taken to wearing, grabbed her backpack, and exited the back door. She ignored Autumn reclining on the couch in the television room.
If she opened her mouth, emotion would overwhelm her, so she said nothing. She took to the woods behind the bar, careful to stay out of sight. She wanted to tell Owen, but there was no time. Would he think she’d cut out on him?
For the first time, Ivy understood that loving someone meant staying the course, even through the tough times. She’d seen the calendar on the refrigerator, next to Owen’s cell number that first day in the office. She hadn’t realized the significance of the red circle around today’s date. Too late, she’d deduced it was the anniversary of Caitlyn’s death. Owen had to be hurting something fierce. After she got some place safe, away from Owen and Cai, she’d call him, maybe. Owen had thoroughly refused her offer of comfort. Had he changed his mind about them being together? She sniffed, yet another man with his smooth talk and broken promises. For all her running, she’d been recast in her mother’s role over and over again.
When she arrived on the Abel Burney golf course forty minutes later, the front nine holes were clear. She slowed her pace from the jog she’d used to get on the other side of the woods to a steady trot. Hopefully, she could reach the clubhouse before being spotted.
Hiding at the course had been a burst of genius. Laying low at any of the shops in town would’ve had Poe in her face within minutes. She swore the town had a Harry Potter toilet bowl highway. No way, would an idiot like Poe think to look in the tranquil setting of a gentleman’s sport. Seeing that the service entrance was empty, Ivy hoisted her pack higher on her back and sprinted toward the dark corridor.
“Owen’s worried about you.”
At the sound of Abel’s voice, she froze. His voice echoed from somewhere above her head. She looked up to find him standing on the balcony overlooking the woods separating his property from the town of Endurance.
“Is he here?” Please, no. Blood rushed through her veins. Would she have to make a break for it? Owen would probably try to stop her. A part of her wanted him to beg her to stay, but Owen had his own demons to contend with. No need for Ivy to add her ingredients to his pot. Since her mom’s death, no one had cared about her welfare. Her survival depended on her alone.
“Nope,” Abel said truthfully.
She released a sigh of relief, ignoring the pang of disappointment swirling in her chest. She couldn’t have it both ways. Five days and their time together was over. Even if she could stay, Poe would keep coming for her.
“But, he’ll circle back here before long.”
Eyes narrowed in suspicion, Ivy took cautious steps, backtracking her trek through the forest. “Why? Why would he come back?” She knew. Knew that Abel, seeing her stumbling through the woods at sunset, would alert Owen.
“Come inside, Ivy.” He descended the stone staircase from the second floor and came to stand before her on the patio. “Don’t run from your family.”
Her temper, fueled by the pain of Owen’s rejection flared. “He’s not my family. I’m sure the news will reach you soon enough, but Owen made it very clear what my role was in his life. He doesn’t want me, Abel.” Ivy swallowed the ball of despair that swelled in the back of her throat, threatening to cut off her airway. She would always consider Cai, with all his questions family...Owen, too. But, Ivy had what she came to Endurance for, enough money to get home, her real home. “Besides, I have friends who’ll help me start over back home in Shell Cove.” At least she hoped that to be true. No one knew she planned to return.
Tears gathered in her eyes. She wanted to be his, damn it. Wanted to wake up to his kisses and Cai’s questions.
“He would disagree with you, as would I. You have friends here, too.”
Abel settled a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s get those scratches cleaned up,” he said pulling her forward.
The man missed nothing. Forgotten was the spill she’d taken trying to climb over a downed tree. The root system had been massive and the limbs still wide and spindly. Since he wanted to help, Ivy walked in front of him, lengthening her stride, like this whole encounter was her idea.
“I’m hungry, too.”
Abel chuckled. “Owen mentioned I needed to feed you if you showed up.”
Her stomach knotted. Even though he’d told her to go, Owen still thought to take care of her.
Once inside, Abel settled her at one of the tables with a view of the golf course.
“Sit tight.” He gave a comforting smile. “I’ll whip us up a couple of sandwiches.”
The moment he was behind the swinging doors, Ivy ran for the front of the building. If she kept up this pace, she could make it to the highway just after nightfall. She’d hitch a ride in the first big rig heading in either direction.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered after him. Abel would be hurt when he returned to find her gone, but this was the only way. She loved Owen, Cai, and this little town called Endurance. Owen wanted to protect her, but she wanted to protect him, too. Her mother’s words came to her. Ivy could take care of herself. Poe would bring trouble to No Limit, to Endurance, and to her new family. She couldn’t let that happen.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Once again Ivy found herself on Saratoga Springs Road. The street was fairly well-lit, but she stayed in the shadows. Less than a mile into her journey, it would be a while before she could flag down a trucker headed out of Endurance.
Lights hit her ba
ck, but it was too dark now for even her shadow to make an appearance. That’s when she heard it, the rumble of the big engine. Her heart leaped in her throat.
She took off at a dead run. Careful to keep to the shoulder, her foot slipped but she didn’t go down. No scared girl, trip and fall stupidity allowed. She had to get away from Poe.
The truck slowed. “Poison Ivy,” he called, menacing laughter in his tone. “I saw you, darling. Come on out.”
He was trying to trick her into revealing her location. Ivy kept moving.
“You know that bar and grille got robbed tonight.” Her steps faltered. Oh no, had anyone gotten hurt? “Not enough to cover what you owe me.”
Tempted to yell she didn’t owe him anything, she sank her teeth into her bottom lip. Keep quiet, Ivy. Car exhaust floated to her on the wind, polluting the air with a smoke-like stench.
“Thing is, an eyewitness saw you take the money. Probably got the sheriff looking for you right now, Poison Ivy.”
An eyewitness? Who would help Poe frame her for a crime she didn’t commit? The name came in an instant, the disappearing Delaney. Several of the customers had mentioned her stopping by the bar.
Ivy’s ankle rolled at an odd angle and twisted. She yelped in pain, too late, she slapped a palm over her mouth. A bright handheld like swung her way.
“Got ya’.”
Ivy saw Poe’s silhouette illuminated by the small light of the truck cab. Quick, she righted herself. Ankle be damned, she took off at a dead run. Her chest heaved as sweat streamed down her back. She prayed the glued heel stayed in place.
“Stay away from me, you wacko nut tart.”
The truck engine stopped. “You know I love your pillow talk.”
At the mention of the word pillow, Ivy wiggled out of her backpack and sprinted down the highway screaming.
“Fire, help. Somebody, please.”
The sound of boots pounding against the asphalt spurred her to push all her energy into moving her legs faster. She pumped her arms and breathed in through her nose just the way her track coach had taught her. It seemed as if sound came from every direction, but she was too scared to look behind her.
Caught off guard, strong arms tackled her, yanking her off her feet.
“Got you,” said a man’s voice.
Not yet Ivy thought. Allowing her body to go limp. She might only get one chance to free herself. Centering her courage, Ivy bent her knee and waited.
OWEN was just about to release Ivy when he felt her body go limp. He’d pulled his truck onto Saratoga Springs Road and cut the engine. Caitlyn had been killed on this road, and he wouldn’t allow the same fate to befall Ivy. If Ivy were on her way out of Endurance he could intercept her, and that’s when he’d heard the roar of a heavy-duty truck engine, spotted the flashlight, and knew Ivy was in trouble.
Owen started running. He tore down the grassy shoulder like his life depended on it. Ivy brought renewed life to his everything. He wouldn’t lose her and never would she be taken from him. She was running so fast she didn’t see him. When the beam passed the area she had been, Owen wrapped her in a bear hug and pulled them into the tree cover.
His breath, fast and deep, sawed through the cool air. He felt the cold wetness clinging to Ivy’s skin.
She’d fainted before he could catch a breath. He was just getting ready to lay her down when like mallet, she swung her leg backward, aiming for his knee. The little hellion had been playing possum.
At the last second, he angled his leg. The crumpling blow catching his thigh. “Dag nab it, Ivy.”
She tensed. “Owen?”
“Yes,” he hissed through the pain clouding his brain.
The flashlight beam pointed at them. Owen pushed Ivy behind him and dropped into a defensive stance.
Poe stood about five feet away. The guy looked like a military tank with a face. His baldhead loomed huge in the dark night, like a planet rotating on a too small axis. In that moment, he had to acknowledge Ivy’s bravery in defying this man. Poe made Blondie from the bar look like Steve Rogers before the Captain America makeover.
“Country boys got to learn not to bring fists to a knife fight.”
Owen heard the click of a blade, and then a wicked long silver vampire-slayer stake appeared in Poe’s right hand.
Real slow, Owen reached into his waistband and withdrew his gun, aiming it at Poe. “I didn’t.”
Poe lowered the knife. His eyes held a pretentious smirk.
“The woman behind your back is a thief. Robbed your bar.”
Ivy stiffened at his back.
“Don’t think so, Poe.”
“Oh yeah, so she told you about me. Then you know she ran off and left my brother. Before you go risking your life over an illiterate street walker the likes of Ivy Summers, there’s even an eyewitness to the robbery.”
“Owen,” Ivy whispered. “I didn’t—.”
“Quiet, I got this,” Owen said, keeping his eyes on the threat.
“That’s right, Poison Ivy. You’re on your way to jail. That’s where women like you belong.”
Before he could stop her, Ivy was from behind his back. “Oh yeah,” she taunted. “You belong bent over a bar of soap.”
Funny. His woman didn’t back down from a fight and he never wanted to change her, but he could handle this. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the metal glint of a gun barrel reflect in the moonlight. Lightning fast, Owen grabbed Ivy, covering her with his body.
“Hey,” Ivy screeched.
“Drop your weapon.”
Owen lifted his head to find Sheriff Fullerton and one deputy, both with their guns trained on Poe. The sheriff came to stand in front of him, facing off with Poe.
“I’ll pump your good-for-nothing carcass full of hot metal, scumbag. Now, drop...the...knife.”
The sheriff enunciated each word.
“She’s not worth the trouble,” Poe growled, spitting at their feet.
“Says the man who came looking for her,” Owen smirked. “Get him out of here, sheriff.”
“Will do,” Keith said giving them both the once over. “You got, Ivy?” the sheriff asked tipping his hat, in Ivy’s direction.
Keith kicked the knife away, while the deputy had Poe raise his hands above his head, nice and slow.
Owen looked down at Ivy. Brown eyes wide with relief, fear, and love. “Do I have you?”
“Answer your own question, Owen. You told me to go.”
Right.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“You should be,” she responded.
He pulled her into his arms. When she didn’t immediately react to his touch, Owen placed a kiss to the top of her head.
“Forgive me, sweetheart...please,” he breathed.
He pressed Ivy into his body, sharing his heat, his heart. In that moment, Owen realized that he would always love Caitlyn, be grateful for the life they’d created in his son, but he was truly lost in love for the woman in his arms.
“I can’t ask you to take me on, Owen. You have Cai to think about.”
“I love you, Ivy Summers,” he said cupping her face, “I’ll give anything you ask except your freedom.” Bending, he took her mouth in a bruising kiss. When she didn’t immediately respond, he threaded his fingers into her thick tresses. “Kiss me back, sweetheart. Let me taste you.”
“Owen,” she whispered, a note of anguish in her voice.
The uncertainty crushed his heart.
“I lost Caitlyn on this very road to a hit and run driver,” he stated.
“Oh, Owen-“
He held up a hand. “Let me finish.” Gathering his courage, he pressed on. “I didn’t have any say in how I lost her, but...with you, Ivy Summers, I do. I can’t let you go, sweetheart.”
Her eyes widened and even in the dim light of the moon Owen saw the doubt in their depths.
“Maybe one day our timing will be better, but until-“
Owen thought their timing perfect. She’d
walked into his life when his only reason for taking another breath loved Ironman pajamas and bar-b-q breakfast toast, extra crispy. With Ivy by his side, Owen wanted to live again. He saw her round with their child, him teaching his sons and daughters to play golf, and Ivy teaching them how to love and laugh. They’d add the patio dining behind No Limit at the mouth of the forest. If she agreed to stay, he’d build her a house with a kitchen big enough to bake a thousand sweet potato muffins.
“Do you love me, Ivy? Enough for a lifetime together, a few brothers and sisters for Cai to bombard with questions?” His actions had opened the door for doubt to creep in. If it took his lifetime, he’d make it up to her.
“Now and forever,” she said, arms sliding around his waist.
“Good, then you’ll have no problem moving back in with me tonight and being my wife.”
“Yes,” she grinned. “That sounds doable.”
“He chuckled. “Not doable, sweetheart. Done.”
She nodded in agreement. Owen’s pulse leaped in his veins at the knowledge that Ivy would be forever his.
“I love you, Owen Tate. With all my heart.”
“I promise, Ivy. I won’t hurt you again.” Owen had never spoken truer words.
EPILOGUE
Upon Ivy’s return to No Limit last night, Cai had refused to sleep in his bed. Though Owen had promised to love her all night long, he settled for holding her as Cai snuggled against her chest, thumb in his mouth, fast asleep. She had to admit the reality of having a family of her own was heady. So, this was what happiness felt like.
Saturday started with more activity than usual. Endurance buzzed with the news of Delaney being in cahoots with Poe. Ivy chose to focus on her family and their day on Abel’s course. Balloons hung from the clubhouse balcony. The staff had strung the banner she made with the words, Happy Birthday Cai, spelled out in tie-dye. Her sweet baby boy had jumped about three feet off the ground because the colors matched his and Owen’s t-shirts.
“You’re incredible,” Owen had whispered in her ear.
Ivy purchased that floral print dress from Trina’s especially for Cai’s birthday party. She wanted to look pretty for her two men. The Sierra Nevada mountains looked majestic in the background, the warm summer air held the faint scent of ripening vineyards, and the man she loved felt solid around her.