by Lea Hart
Ivy felt Ryan stiffen behind her as he wrapped his arm around her waist. His reaction suggested that he’d never seen a snake express sympathy. “Thank you.”
“Are you going to introduce me to the big handsome man wrapped around you? It’s hard to believe anyone as good-looking as him would be interested in little Ivy Bellows.”
Before Ivy could say anything, Ryan started talking.
“I’m Ivy’s boyfriend, Ryan Cordell. I can see that you forgot your manners at home, so I’m going to let your little speech go. I suggest you find them before you decide to talk to Ivy again.”
Wendy Ann blinked and sucked in a deep breath of air. Ivy knew no one ever called her out on her bad behavior. Most people just avoided her because it simply wasn’t worth the effort. “We’re going to finish our shopping,” Ivy said. “See you later, Wendy Ann.”
Ivy shoved a mascara into her basket, took Ryan’s hand, and dragged him away from the woman who was about to spit venom at them. “Come on, honey. We need to get some condoms.” Sometimes the best retaliation was being happy and showing someone that your life was damn good. Having sex with Ryan said that louder than anything else. It was also something Wendy Ann would understand. They walked away and Ivy murmured, “I hope they stock your size.”
Ryan leaned down and kissed her head. “I take it that’s not how people talk to each other here in Dripping Springs.”
“No, honey, it’s not. But I like your approach.” She pulled a box off the shelf and studied the label. “Is Magnum the biggest size?”
Ryan took the box out of her hand and pulled out the Magnum XL. “This is the one.”
Ivy looked up at him and smiled. “Really?”
“Honey, look at my hands and feet. The correlation isn’t a myth.”
“Here she comes,” Ivy whispered.
Ryan took three more boxes off the shelf, put them in the basket, and then took it out of Ivy’s hand. “Let the games begin.”
Wendy Ann stopped in front of them and gave them both an evil glare. “I have more manners than either one of you. To suggest that I don’t says more about you than it does me.”
Ryan nodded. “If that’s true, you’ll understand us not hanging around.” He swung the basket back and forth as the four condom boxes skidded from one side to the other. “We have plans this afternoon that we want to get started on right away.” Looping his arm around Ivy’s shoulder, he steered them toward the front.
“You have just made me the happiest woman in the world,” Ivy said.
“Honey, you have no idea how happy I’m about to make you.”
Laughing, she wrapped her arm around his waist. “You know that we’re not using those boxes today…right?”
“I know, but eventually we will.”
“I’m glad you came to Dripping Springs.”
He winked and placed the condoms and mascara on the counter. “Me too.”
As they walked out and headed home, Ivy laughed. “I don’t think smooching you in front of Weber’s Fabrics and buying a bunch of condoms is what Mama meant when she told me to behave.”
“Probably not, but I guess it lets the town know what your plans are during your visit home,” he replied with satisfaction.
Glancing up, she noticed how pleased he was with himself. If she hadn’t known better, she would have thought that Ryan had meant to let everyone know why he was here. Brushing her hair off her neck, she dismissed the thought…or should she?
CHAPTER EIGHT
Monday
Ryan sat at the kitchen table and read the information that Lucky from the Chicago office had gathered on Ivy’s father, Bill Bellows. The man had a colorful past and more highs and lows than a roller coaster. The last ten years had been good for his business, and depending on what was left to her, Ivy might never have to work again. The kind of money he was worth made whoever inherited it a target, and Ivy was damn lucky that the bullet only grazed her.
The clackity-clack of Ivy’s heels announced her arrival. He looked up and saw that she was dressed up. He’d liked the cutoff shorts and boots she wore yesterday, but the dress she wore was nice too. “You look great, honey.”
She collapsed into a chair and smiled. “Thanks. I figured jeans wouldn’t be considered appropriate to hear Daddy’s last words. That is, if he has any. Lord knows he couldn’t spare me many when he was alive.”
“His loss,” he said firmly as he covered her hand. When she gave him a tight smile, he decided to leave the subject alone. Today was going to be difficult, and his job was to support her and try to figure out who the players were. His laptop beeped and he glanced at it. “I sent Lucky a request yesterday for information about your daddy’s affairs, and she’s been sending it to me as she gets it.”
“That was a good idea. How much dirt has she dug up? I’m guessing there will be truck full when all is said and done.” Smoothing her hair down, she sighed. “I should’ve called her after the incident…I guess I’m not operating at my best.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
“Could you also be the muscle of this operation and grab my bag from upstairs? I feel much better, and we can go back to my house tonight.”
“You have a house here?”
“Of course. I bought it right after I got my first job. It’s about a mile from here. It’s a cute little ranch house with a guest house and a pool. Mama got me a real good deal.”
He moved his hand to her leg and winked. “That means we’re going to be alone tonight behind locked doors.”
“Why do the doors have to be locked?”
“Because the way I’m going to make you feel might be considered illegal. I don’t want to get arrested for making you scream.” He let his fingers play over the top of her dress and winked. “I’ll run up, pack my bag and grab yours, and then we can head out.”
“I want to go dancing before I do anything illegal with you,” she said as he stood.
“I’ll do whatever you want me to do. Dancing, serenading…make a list, Ivy, and I’ll do every single thing on it.”
He walked out of the kitchen and heard her laugh. Women like Ivy Bellows didn’t come along in every man’s life, and he wasn’t going to screw it up. No matter how much work it took.
***
Ivy stood in front of the tall glass building and held his hand. Her breathing was a little shallow, and he worried that she was going to hyperventilate. He guessed that underneath her cool façade lay a river of doubt and hurt. The next couple of hours were going to be tough, no matter how much she pretended otherwise. “Breathe, honey.”
“I’m trying. It’s not that easy.”
“Whatever happens next doesn’t change anything about your life. When we’re done here, you’re still going to be smart and funny and have great taste in shoes.”
“You’re right.” Turning, she glanced at the entrance. “Nothing good has come out of my daddy’s actions, and I don’t expect this to be any different.” She sighed and then squeezed his hand. “Let’s go and get this over with.”
“We’ll face it head-on. That’s the only way to deal with anything,” Ryan said, as he led her into the building.
“Why are you being so nice to me? I hardly deserve all this attention and kindness you’re giving me.”
Ryan understood in that moment that Ivy had never been given much of anything from the men in her life. The self-sufficiency she wrapped herself in was a result of her circumstances. Another one of the many assumptions he’d made about her fell away as he realized that she was just a big marshmallow. Granted, it was covered in a hard case of steel, but it was there and she was showing him.
Whatever her daddy had done left her believing she had to earn attention and kindness. It wasn’t something that was given freely. Bill Bellows had done a good job of being about the worst example possible. “I’m here, Ivy, and I’m not going anywhere.” He would do almost anything for her, and that included standing between her and a bullet. He’d done t
hat for countless strangers. Why wouldn’t he do it for a woman who was stealing his heart?”
“Can we go and get margaritas after this?”
“Sure, honey.”
“I’ll take you to the bar where many of my bad decisions were made in college.”
“What kind of bad decisions?” He sure as hell hoped they didn’t involve men.
“I once decided that a short pixie cut was a good idea. I have an unusually large head and a short haircut was about the worst choice I could’ve made. I mean, you’d think that I would’ve known better, given how hard it was for me to find a hat.” She pulled his hand and walked toward the elevator. “Unfortunate haircuts are not something that a person gets over easily. I mean…it just about killed my social life sophomore year.”
They stepped onto the elevator, and Ivy continued to enlighten him on the options for bad hair decisions. He wasn’t paying real close attention, and he figured she didn’t much care. He now recognized this as something she did to distract herself when she was nervous. He nodded a couple of times and held her hand as she talked, because that’s what she seemed to need.
***
They stepped into the law offices of Garret Small, and Ivy whistled quietly. “I guess Daddy ended up having a couple of good years in the oil business.” The place reeked of success, with an original Maxfield Parrish painting on the wall. She turned toward the receptionist, gave her name, and then walked over to the sofa. “We have about fifteen minutes before our appointment.” Collapsing into the couch, she checked her phone.
Ryan sat next to her and looped his arm around her shoulder. “Do you want me to go in with you when the will is read?”
Tilting her head up, she gave him a small smile. “I was hoping you would offer. I’m embarrassed to admit this whole thing has me tied up in knots. We don’t know each other well, and I know it’s a lot to ask.”
“I’d be happy to go with you.”
She was about to respond, but stopped when the doors to the office opened and a tall man entered. “That’s my brother, Colin.” Standing, she stepped over and gave him a big hug.
They were definitely siblings. Ryan noticed they shared the same eyes and nose. He wondered how much time they spent together over the years and how well they knew one another. The way Ivy was fussing over him suggested that they had formed a bond despite the circumstances of the family.
“Ryan, this is my half-brother, Colin Bellows. He just graduated from college and was drafted by the Texas Rangers.” Looking up, she gave him a warm smile. “My baby brother is a baseball star.”
“Jeez, Ivy…quit saying that. I’m only playing with a Minor League team to start. Don’t embarrass me,” Colin huffed out.
“What you’ve accomplished is a lot to be proud of. Not many people get to play professional baseball.”
Ryan met Colin’s eyes over Ivy’s head and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ivy’s boyfriend.”
Her eyes flew up, and he wondered why she was giving him a stink eye.
“Boyfriend? We haven’t even had a regular date yet.”
“Ivy, quit being such a hard-ass,” Colin said with little patience. “I heard from Aunt Tilly that you were at Fabar’s yesterday, buying out the condoms. He must be your boyfriend. Quit busting his chops.”
“I did not buy out the condoms. There were plenty of boxes left.”
Colin rolled his eyes and laughed. “I also heard you gave Wendy Ann a piece of your mind and made out on Main Street in front of God and everyone. I listened to Aunt Tilly for twenty minutes as she gave me a blow-by-blow of your afternoon antics.”
“Tilly has way too much time on her hands. Ever since she stopped working at the post office, she’s become an out-of-control gossip,” Ivy said tartly.
Before the argument could continue, the receptionist told them Mr. Small was ready for them. “Let’s go…boyfriend. I hope to God you turn out to be a decent one. The last few have been duds,” Ivy said, as she picked up her purse and followed the receptionist.
“Good luck,” Colin said. “My sister is a pain in the…”
“Don’t say it, Colin. I’m only a pain in your ass because I have to keep an eye on you.”
Ryan followed the siblings and laughed to himself. Ivy clearly took her older sister duties seriously. Her ability to brag about Colin, infuriate him, and then get in the last poke was impressive.
A shrill voice stopped the group as Colin’s name was called. Everyone stopped and turned to see who was responsible for making such an awful racket.
“Shit. What the hell is she doing here?” Colin groused.
Ivy looked around her brother and sighed. “Is that Daddy’s latest?”
A short woman with brassy red hair trotted up to the group. “You all can’t start the meeting without me. I know Bill wouldn’t like that.”
“Are you sure you have an invitation?” Colin asked sarcastically.
“You shut up, Colin Bellows.”
Ivy stomped around both men, slid her hand up on her hip and skewered the woman with a glare. “Don’t ever speak to my brother that way. Spending a little time with our daddy doesn’t give you the right to behave that way. Use whatever manners your mama taught you and keep your insults to yourself.” Turning on her heel, she grabbed her brother’s arm and tugged him down the hall. “Lord save us from Daddy’s trash,” she said, none too quietly.
Ryan watched Ivy tug her six-foot brother down the hall and tried to suppress a smile. He’d been right all along about Ivy. She was a ball of fire, and she would burn anyone or anything who tried to hurt someone she cared about. Couldn’t ask for anything better than that in a person. Loyalty wasn’t an easy thing to find.
The red-haired woman stopped him and gave him an appraising look. It took only ten seconds of having her eyes on him and he felt the need for a shower. This one was going to be trouble. He put out his hand. “I’m Ryan Cordell, Ivy’s boyfriend.”
“I’m Sherry Lane. Bill and I were together for a year. He was in bed with me when his heart gave out, and I like to think that his last moments were happy.”
So that’s how it was, Ryan thought. He knew from the information Lucky had gathered that Bill had spent the last ten years of his life with a string of exotic dancers. Sherry Lane must have been the latest. “That’s nice.” What else could he say? He slipped his arm out of her grasp and headed toward Ivy. The next couple of hours were going to be interesting, that was or damn sure.
The group entered the office, and Ryan noted that Mr. Garret Small was anything but. He stood as tall as Ryan and Colin and was built like a bull. He was probably in his late fifties and had a sharp set of eyes that missed nothing. Introductions were made and everyone found a seat.
Garret had a booming voice as he offered his condolences to the group. “It’s good to see you kids again. You two did a great job with the service and reception. I knew your daddy for a lot of years and I figured he was too mean to die so young.”
“Amen,” Ivy said quietly.
“Let’s get started, then. I’ll read the beginning of the will and then skip to the part that concerns Ms. Sherry Lane, and then we’ll get to the rest of it after she leaves.”
“I want to hear the whole thing. There is no reason for me to leave before the will is read completely,” Sherry stated shrilly.
“Well, Ms. Lane, that’s not how it’s going to happen. You will not be welcomed or allowed to remain after I read the part of the will that concerns you. Bill made that very clear in his instructions. Should you have objections, you are free to seek counsel and make those concerns known via the court.”
Ryan watched her settle back into her chair and glare at the lot of them. He figured they’d be lucky if that’s all she did. His best guess was that she was banking on a big payout from her relationship with Bill Bellows. An exotic dancer in her thirties would keep company with a man in his sixties for only one reason, and it wasn’t for the stimulating conversation.
“All right, let’s get started,” Garret said as he slid his glasses on. “The first part won’t take long.”
Ivy reached over, held Ryan’s hand, and let out a small breath. He covered it with his and gave her a little squeeze. No matter what kind of parent Bill Bellows was, he was her daddy, and marking the end was going to be tough. As the lawyer read the first part of the will, Ryan let his mind play over the information that Lucky had sent him this morning. They had a lot of people to look at, and he was going to add Sherry Lane to the list. She seemed desperate enough to make a lot of bad decisions, and he wanted to make sure that none of them involved Ivy.
Whoever had taken a shot at Ivy wasn’t done, and based on the next hour or so, whoever it was might become a lot more motivated. Bill Bellows’ company had land up in the Barnett Shale Field and in the Permian Oil Basin. The drilling was about done up in Denton, but Midland was just getting started.
The sharp sound of Sherry’s voice took him out of his musings. He looked over at her red face and knew she hadn’t gotten what she hoped for. The woman clearly wanted a bigger payday, and she seemed like someone who would do anything to get it.
“That can’t be right. Why would my Bill leave me only a lousy quarter of a million dollars? The man was richer than a sultan,” Sherry shrieked.
Garret sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers in front of his face. “Ms. Lane, these are the wishes of Bill Bellows. Had he wanted to give you more, he would’ve. I suggest you thank your lucky stars that you were given anything. He made the amendment to his will only two months ago, so I would encourage you to be grateful.”
“Grateful…my ass.”
Ivy leaned over to Colin and said, “When are they coming to take out the trash?”
“Not soon enough, sister. This one is worse than the last one, and that’s saying something.”