by Lea Hart
Laughing, she grabbed his hand and noticed it was twice the size of hers. Sometimes one kiss was all it took for a heart to lose its balance. Maybe that’s what she’d been waiting for. A chance to fall. “That’s quite a picture.”
“You have no idea. The pictures in my head would light your hair on fire.”
He laced their fingers together, and she felt the heat from his skin seep into hers. “Seriously, what are you doing here?”
“I found out what happened to you, so I came down here to take care of you. I can’t have someone threatening you. We’re supposed to have a date and some kissing. That can’t happen if you’re in danger.”
“My goodness, one kiss and you turn into Prince Charming.”
“Just be happy that you’re done with the frog-kissing business. You finally kissed the right man.”
“I see that you have it all worked out.” She sniffed. “Don’t mind me or anything that I may want.”
“By the time I’m done with you, I’m all you’re ever going to desire. I’ll guaran-damn-ty it.”
Pushing his chest, she laughed. “How did you get past my mama? She’s never let a boy upstairs before.”
“Bea and I had a talk, and I explained why I was here and what my intentions are. She sent me right up.”
“Traitor,” Ivy mumbled. She watched Ryan look around her childhood room with a smile on his face. “I picked out this green chinois wallpaper when I was twelve, because I was obsessed with the Auntie Mame movie. I had a vague notion that I wanted to live just like her, and figured this wallpaper was going to help me get there.”
“What’s this style called?”
“Over-the-top New Glamour as imagined by a preteen.” She followed his eyes up to the top of her four-poster bed and then over to the long silk drapes that covered the windows. “I wish I could say that my taste has improved, but I’d be lying. I like to mix over-the-top glam with Texas charm.”
“It fits you,” Ryan said as he turned back to her and grinned. “I like that pink poofy chair you’ve got in the corner. I imagine you spent a lot of time in it, dreaming up your perfect life. What did it look like back then?”
“Some girls dreamed of a prince coming in on a horse. I dreamed of running a big corporation.”
“Getting there,” he responded. “How are you feeling? A bullet graze hurts like hell. Almost worse that a flesh wound.” He gently rubbed the bandage that covered her arm. “How’s the burning sensation?”
“It stings like the dickens, and my arm feels like it’s on fire.”
“A lot of nerve endings get mangled when the bullet cuts across your skin. When did it happen?”
“On Friday. I went to Daddy’s house in Austin after the funeral reception, and as I was standing inside the gate, someone got a shot at me. There is a wooded area across from his place, so there was no way to tell who it was. I guess the reading of the will tomorrow will help me figure out who has it in for me.”
“Who’s got skin in the game?” Ryan asked. “Once we find that out, then it’s just a process of elimination.”
“I have no idea. I have a half-brother, and I’m not sure who else there is. Daddy lived a colorful life, and I’m sure his death is going to be no different. God knows what he’s been up to. I haven’t seen him in at least a year.”
Bea’s voice carried up the stairs, announcing lunch. “You go on down. I’m going to get cleaned up and change. I’ll be down in two shakes.”
Before she could stand up, he braced his arms on either side of her. Lifting her chin, he stared into her eyes. Testosterone and pheromones surrounded her like a cloud and made her hormones sing a song of welcome.
Ryan Cordell was exactly the sort of man who could take care of her. Her pulse raced as his body surrounded her and the only thing she could think about was how much she wanted him to kiss her.
“Thanks for coming, Ryan. I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m happy to see your handsome face.”
“Wild horses couldn’t have kept me away.” He kissed her gently and then stood up. “We’ll figure this out, Ivy.”
“I know.” She scooted out of bed and stood. “Go on. I’ll be down in a bit.”
***
Ivy walked into the kitchen and saw her beautiful mama giving Ryan the third degree. She checked the clock on the kitchen wall and noticed that they’d been alone for fifteen minutes. Mama was probably well into his college years by now. Bea Bellows was a woman who liked to have the full story, whether someone was interested in sharing it or not. She had a way of extracting information much the same way her daddy extracted oil out of the ground. With little mercy.
The screen door creaked open and her grandmother walked in with a shotgun at her side. “Hey, Grams. What you got there?”
“What does it look like, child? It’s not an Easter ham. I don’t care for someone threatening my sweet baby girl, so I mean to protect you in whatever fashion I feel necessary. I just picked it up from Harly. He serviced it for me, and it’s working perfectly.” Her eyes scanned the room and locked onto Ryan. “Who are you?” she barked.
Ryan stood and offered what Ivy now recognized as his best Boy Scout smile. “Hello, ma’am. My name is Ryan Cordell, and I’ve come over to protect Ivy.”
Grams studied him from the top of his head down to his boots. “You seem too pretty to have any real skills. What are your qualifications, young man?”
Ryan held a smile, and Ivy considered that maybe he was smarter than she first gave him credit for. Grams wasn’t someone you wanted to mess with. “I’m a retired SEAL, and I’ve spent the last ten years protecting this country’s interests.”
Sniffing, Grams studied him further. “I suppose that would do. Are you a good shot?”
“Yes, ma’am. I was the lead sniper on all the platoons I was assigned to for the last five years.”
An approving smile crossed Grams’ face, and she patted Ivy’s hand and nodded. “It’s about time you found a man worth your time.” She set her shotgun against the wall and then sat down at the table. “If he proves to be as good as his resume suggests, then I’ll make him my pineapple upside-down cake.”
Ivy glanced at Ryan and shrugged. “That’s not an offer to be taken lightly.” He came over, wrapped his arm around her waist and squeezed.
“Honey, I understand the importance of a pineapple upside-down cake. Believe me.”
Bea started loading the table with sandwiches and then pulled out a bowl of potato salad as well as a relish tray. “Everyone sit down and let’s eat. I have a showing at three for the old Samuels house.”
Ivy poured everyone a glass of iced tea and then sat down. “Mama is the queen of realty in Dripping Springs as well as five surrounding towns. When Daddy left us, Mama got her real estate license, and the rest is pretty much history.”
Grams loaded her plate and nodded. “It’s true. My daughter is a real estate mogul. Had it not been for that sorry excuse for a human, we might never have found that out. God rest his soul.”
Ivy smiled at Ryan as she filled his plate with three sandwiches, potato salad and a handful of chips. “It’s true.”
“Are the local authorities providing any protection or patrols?” Ryan asked before he started on his sandwich.
Grams snorted. “If you call Tommy a local authority.”
Bea covered a laugh and wiped her mouth. “Tommy Harlan is the local sheriff, and this may very well test his current skill set.”
“What Mama is saying is that Tommy is better suited to giving traffic tickets, finding cows that wander, and breaking up any fights down at the VFW. Coming up with a protection plan might be difficult.” Ivy shook her head and then shrugged. “We’re kind of on our own.”
“Which is why I’m here,” Ryan responded, as he put his hand on her leg and winked.
“What would Dolly do?” Grams asked.
This question was posed more often than not in their house. Grams believed that Dolly Parton pretty much had the answer to ev
erything. Ivy couldn’t really argue, because she had tested it out several times, and channeling Dolly Parton had often given her the answer she’d been looking for. “I think Dolly would act like it didn’t bother her.”
Bea and Grams nodded simultaneously. “Hold your head up high and don’t let anyone know what you’re up to,” Bea said firmly.
Ivy lifted her glass in a toast. “Dolly never steers us wrong. There’s a reason for everything, and it is just a matter of figuring out what that reason was.” Eating a chip, she smiled. “I haven’t been home long enough to make anyone mad enough to shoot me, so it must have something to do with Daddy’s will. I guess we’ll find out more when we go to Austin tomorrow. Maybe Daddy had a floozy who thinks that Colin and I are going to steal everything from her.”
Grams nodded and tapped her nose. “You’ll be lucky if there is only one floozy out there.”
“That man is causing trouble even when he’s six feet under. Are we never going to be free from him?” Bea asked quietly. “I hope to God that he’s not the reason for someone shooting at you.”
Ivy patted her mama’s hand and grinned. “This is the end of it. One way or another.”
“We’ll make sure of that,” Grams added. “Ryan, you look like you were thrown down the rabbit hole. All of this probably doesn’t make a lick of sense.”
“No, ma’am. It makes a lot of sense. Except for the Dolly part. I’m not sure how that works, but I expect before too long it’ll be made clear.”
Grams slapped the table and smiled. “I like you. I’m going to make you a cake tonight.”
Ivy stared at her mama and asked herself what the hell was going on. Grams hardly approved of anyone. Ryan had gotten a cake out of her in less than thirty minutes. There were people in town who were still waiting for one. And they’d been on the list for years. When Mama shrugged and then studied Ryan closely, Ivy knew that everything would be revealed sooner than any of them expected. She placed another sandwich on Ryan’s plate. “Have another sandwich.” The man was going to need his strength. That was for damn sure.
“Thanks, honey.”
Ivy threw him a wan smile and silently told him not to thank her yet. Lord knew what they were in for.
***
“I need to get out of the house. Let’s go for a walk over to the Tastee Freez. I could use an ice cream cone,” Ivy said as she sipped her tea. “I also need some mascara.”
Mama turned away from the sink and gave her the gimlet eye. “I don’t think you should be out and about. Why don’t you go lie down and rest?”
“Mama, I have ants in my pants. I’ve been in bed for a couple of days. Ryan’s here, so he can protect me and walk me into town.”
“Nothing has changed since you were ten,” Bea said, as she turned back to the sink.
Ryan laughed and looked down with a smile. “What was Ivy like when she was little?”
Grams sat up and straightened her blouse. “Ivy had more ideas than sense. Half the time she ran around with her hair on fire. She had so many things she wanted to try, see, and do. I often thought she was like Curious George. She had a lot in common with that crazy monkey.”
“It’s true,” Ivy said as she finished her tea. “Good thing that I grew out of most of it. Now I’m a responsible, hard-working adult, and I hardly ever run around like the hounds of hell are on my heels. I’m wrestling maturity down with both hands.”
Bea dried her hands and then kissed her daughter on the cheek. “Be careful and don’t overdue it.”
“Yes, Mama.”
Grams heaved herself out of her chair and collected her shotgun. “I’ll take this home since Ryan’s here.” She patted Ivy’s shoulder and walked to the door. “Have fun in town. Keep your eyes open.”
“Thanks, Grams.”
Bea checked her watch and then started gathering her things. “I’d best be on my way. My clients are going to meet me at the house, and if I’m lucky this will be their dream home. If I’m not back by five, pull a casserole out and I’ll do the rest when I get home.”
“Mama, you don’t have to feed us.”
Mama ignored her and fluffed her hair. “The guest room is clean, so when you get back, get Ryan settled.” Picking up her things, she walked out. “Behave,” she called as the door closed.
“She’s been telling me that every day since I can remember.”
Ryan enclosed her in his arms and gently embraced her. “Apparently, she thinks you need the reminder.”
Laying her head against his chest, she relaxed for a moment. “Why’d you really come out?”
“Because you need me to take care of you. Why didn’t you call me right after it happened?”
Pressing a kiss against his chest, she shrugged. “I don’t know how to ask for help. Well…I take that back. What I meant to say is, I know how to ask only my mama and my grandmother. I’ve never had anyone else.”
“Well, now you have me, so add me to the list.”
Leaning away, she looked into his eyes and wondered why he wanted to be on her list. “We went on one half date. Why in the world do you want to be my protector?”
“I just do. Can’t really explain it yet.”
“All right. Just clue me in when you have it figured out. In the meantime, let’s go and get an ice cream.”
“When I saw you in the bar at the hotel, I never would’ve guessed that we’d end up going for a walk on a Sunday afternoon to get an ice cream. I figured you for a fancy restaurant type of girl.”
“I do like fancy. My cone is going to be chocolate-dipped.”
Kissing her head, he took her hand. “Let’s go, then, and on the way, you can tell me about the fancy things you like.”
“Prepare yourself. The list is long.”
***
“I have never seen someone eat a double-dipped chocolate-covered ice cream cone so fast.” Ryan said, as they walked along the main road.
“I like ice cream. What can I say? So, what do you think of our little town?”
“It’s smaller than I thought it would be. I like it, though.”
“We have a new dance hall in town. I haven’t made it over yet. Maybe while you’re here you can take me dancing.”
“I’ll take you dancing, and then maybe you can show me where the best place to park is. I’ve been trying to make out with you for a while.”
Throwing her elbow into his side, she laughed. “You didn’t even like me when we first met.”
“That lasted for about five minutes. When you told me the story about the piglet, it was all I could do to keep myself under control. I was a goner after that.”
“Revisionist history. I like the way you gloss over the true facts.”
He stopped in front of a fabric store that was closed and pressed her against the storefront. “I want you, Ivy. Make no mistake about it.”
Leaning against the warm glass with Ryan’s arms thrown up on either side of her head had her light-headed. He caged her in as he lowered his head slowly and took her mouth without hesitation. Right there in the middle of Main Street, he was smooching her and, if she wasn’t mistaken, claiming her.
Ryan was a man who knew what he wanted and took it. Hell, there was no taking. She was offering it up on a platter. Lifting her hand, she held onto his shirt and pulled him closer as he pressed his lips to hers. Light exploded behind her eyes as his tongue dipped in and met hers. Was it a minute or an hour that passed? She couldn’t be sure, because all she wanted to do was have it go on and on.
The sound of a car horn caught her attention, and Ryan pulled away. Dazed, she looked up into his eyes and saw that he was as gone as she was. “That was a hell of a kiss. We’re going to have to do that some more when we’re not out in public.”
“Yeah, public should probably be avoided in the future,” he said as he straightened up. “It’s hot out here.”
She lifted her hair off her shoulders and twisted it up into a knot. “Sure is.” Standing up, she pushed awa
y from the storefront and fanned her face. Looking around, she tried to remember what they’d come into town for. It took a minute, but her mind started working again. Ryan’s kisses were dangerous, that was for damn sure. “Let’s go over to the pharmacy and I’ll grab some mascara and then we can go home.”
As discreetly as he could, Ryan adjusted himself. “Let’s walk real slow.”
Ivy glanced down and noticed the bulge in his jeans. “We just had the one kiss.”
“Imagine if we had two.” He laughed.
As they turned into the direction of Fabar’s, Ivy noticed her arch nemesis, Wendy Ann, walk into the store ahead of them. “Damn.”
Ryan stopped and looked around. “What is it?”
“My least favorite person just went into the drugstore. Maybe we won’t cross paths, but if we do, prepare yourself. You’re about to see two women insult one another while smiling.”
“Is this something that happens often?”
She patted his chest. “No. But Wendy Ann and I have never cared for one another, and we’re too polite to just say it and move on. So we pretend as best we can. It never works, but we keep trying.” Squaring her shoulders, she let out a breath and strode toward Fabar’s. If they were lucky, they wouldn’t run into her and the whole thing could be avoided.
Inside, Ivy swung the basket in her hand as she studied the makeup. “I can’t decide which kind I want.”
A loud, whiny voice filled the air, and Ivy knew they’d been spotted. As she turned, Wendy Ann approached in all of her faded Texas beauty queen glory. Time had not been kind, and Ivy pretended not to be shocked.
“Is that little Ivy Bellows? As I live and breathe, I can hardly believe my eyes.”
Straightening her back, she plastered a big fake smile on her face. “Hey, Wendy Ann.” As the woman got closer, Ivy noticed Wendy Ann’s high-school beauty had taken on a hard edge. Her makeup was too bright and there was a bit too much of it. The hard, hungry look she wore spoke of desperation and made her think that the boy from Waco hadn’t worked out.
“I heard you were back in town,” Wendy Ann said. “Sorry to hear about your daddy passing. I know he was never around, but I imagine it’s still hard. The way he left you and your mama was shameful, and the way he moved on without a second glance was just awful.”