by Lea Hart
Looking over at him, she smiled. “Don’t be silly. I never snort.”
“Yes, you do.” He pressed his mouth to hers and kissed her good morning. If he was lucky, it would be the first of many thousands to come.
Slipping out of his arms, she jumped off the bed. “I don’t snort.”
She ran out of the room, and all he saw was her T-shirt flapping and her very fine ass hugged by some bright pink boy shorts. As far as mornings went, this was making the top ten. “Do too!” he called after her. He pulled himself out of bed and walked into the bathroom. If he was real lucky, she would remember that she’d promised him pancakes. Whistling, he turned on the shower and came up with a plan to take her dancing.
***
Ivy looked up from the batter she was mixing and smiled. “It will be ready in about fifteen minutes. Coffee is made, so help yourself.”
“You really are making pancakes.” He kissed her head before he went to pour a cup of coffee.
“I never lie about breakfast food. I could eat it twice a day and be happy.”
He filled a mug and leaned against the counter. “I agree. Breakfast offers the best of all worlds. Sweet and salty in the same meal.”
“It’s all about the hash browns. Any meal that you can have hash browns is a good one,” Ivy said as she turned the heat up under the griddle. “And bacon or sausage.”
“What about biscuits and gravy?” Ryan asked.
“Biscuits and gravy are not something you can have every day. They’re basically a heart attack on a plate. They have to be reserved for special occasions.”
“It’s important to understand the hierarchy of breakfast foods,” Ryan commented as he sat down.
Pointing her spatula at him, she laughed. “Sugar…in Texas, breakfast is taken seriously.”
Colin walked in through the back door and grunted. He stalked to the coffeepot and filled a cup. “Morning,” he mumbled.
“Pancakes are ready in a bit,” Ivy said as she poured batter out.
“So, what’s on the agenda today?” Ryan asked.
“I spoke with Lucky last night,” Ivy said, “and we’re hiring SAI. She’s sending Phoebe down, and she’ll run the security analysis for us. We’ll stay here for a couple of days and then, based on what she comes up with, we’ll decide when we should go to Midland and introduce ourselves. I think Garret is right and we should know what kind of mess we’re facing.”
“Inheriting an energy company isn’t often considered a mess,” Ryan said, as he drank his coffee and then stole a piece of bacon off the plate.
Colin came around the island and plopped into a chair next to Ryan. “If Bill Bellows is involved, there’s pretty much guaranteed to be a mess.”
Ryan spared him a look and noticed that he appeared a little worse for wear. The margaritas they had last night had hit him hard.
“I don’t want anything to do with the company,” Colin said. “This is bullshit.”
A loud whack was heard as Ivy slapped the spatula against the counter. “You need to pull your head out, because I’m tired of the pissy attitude. We are fortunate to have this blessing. It doesn’t make up for what our daddy did, but we can make a real difference if we choose to.”
Ryan watched the two siblings face off. It would be interesting to see who gave in first. He had his money on Ivy. There was no way a twenty-one-year-old kid was going to be any match for the likes of her. Something about inheriting the company had Colin twisted up in a way that Ivy wasn’t. It must go back to the sins of the father. Whatever Bill Bellows did to his son wasn’t going to be made up for by a lot of cash.
“Fine,” Colin mumbled.
“Fine,” Ivy responded.
“It’s nice to see peace can be achieved before the pancakes are ready,” Ryan said, as he walked over to refill his mug.
“I’m due in Round Rock in two weeks. They want me to work out with my new team as soon as possible. So let’s get this over with,” Colin said.
“I don’t know how we’re going to get it over with. We have to decide what we want to do…together.”
“You’re the brains in the family with your photographic memory. Why don’t you figure it out and leave me out of it?” Colin replied.
Ryan leaned over and tried to snatch another piece of bacon, but he got his hand slapped. How could she flip pancakes, insult her brother, and see his hand move? “Do you really have a photographic memory?”
“Yes.” She filled the plate with pancakes and put it in his hand. “Now eat before they get cold.” The island was set up with plates and cutlery, so he did as he was told. Sitting next to Colin, he pushed the pancakes in his direction. “You’re still a growing boy, so start eating.” Colin saluted, filled his plate, and started inhaling pancakes and bacon.
Ryan turned toward Ivy and noticed that she was looking at her phone. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, Garret confirmed that he’ll meet with us on Wednesday. He has paperwork and keys to Daddy’s house in Midland. He asked the security company to update the codes on the house in Austin, and they are going to have someone come up today and give us a rundown on how the security system operates.”
“That’ll work,” Ryan said, “because I plan on running to Austin after breakfast to pick up the supplies I need for your security system. I’m going to install one today and then see about your mama’s and Grams’ houses.”
“I’m not here very often. I don’t need a fancy system. Maybe just some new locks.” Pouring syrup over her pancake, she smiled. “I don’t want anything more.”
“Not a choice,” Ryan replied as he dove into his pancakes. “Security measures are not negotiable.”
Colin snorted and continued to inhale the food in front of him.
“I always have a choice,” Ivy replied with measured patience.
“Not when it comes to keeping you safe. You will follow my lead on this and not argue,” Ryan said between bites.
Cutlery clattered against the counter and Ivy whipped around in her chair. “What. Did. You. Say?”
Colin laughed and stood with his plate. “I’m going back to the guest house to finish my breakfast.” He took a couple more pancakes and some bacon and headed out the back door.
“Someone took a shot at you, and as of yesterday, you and your brother are worth a lot of money. I will not take any chances with your life, so I’m asking you to respect my many years of experience and follow my advice. The same way you do what your dentist says, or your plumber, or your hairdresser. This is my area of expertise, and I want you to trust that I know what I’m doing.” He lifted her fork off the counter, handed it back to her, and then started in on his breakfast again.
All that could be heard was her foot moving against the chair as she stared at him. Didn’t bother him in the least. He could outlast her on his worst day, and this was by far not his worst day. He had no give in this area. It wasn’t a negotiation.
“Fine,” Ivy muttered.
Leaning over, he kissed her quickly. “Thank you.”
Ivy turned back to her food and started talking to herself. Nothing she was saying was very complimentary, so he ignored it. “Honey, can you pass the bacon?”
The plate slid in his direction, and he swore she suggested a very odd place for him to put it. Laughing, he grabbed two pieces, sat back, and enjoyed the delicious pancakes she’d made. Ivy was strong-willed, but he was stronger. Always had been, always would be. It would be best if she learned that now. There were a few areas that he would never compromise on, and this was one of them.
***
Grams walked in the back door and called out a loud hello. “Ivy, I need you to fix my makeup. I have a lunch today with all those old biddies from the garden club.”
Her eyes bounced between Ivy and Ryan as she came into the kitchen. “Why are you two acting like it’s the O.K. Corral and this is a standoff?”
“Ryan was being a little heavy-handed earlier, and I’m trying not to be mad a
t him.”
“Doesn’t seem like it’s working,” Grams responded.
Ivy stood and picked up her plate. “It’s going to take a while.”
Laughing, Grams parked herself on the chair next to Ryan and studied him. “He doesn’t seem too worried about it.”
“I’m not,” he replied. “We’re working out our differences. I figure it should take us five years or so. Your granddaughter is stubborn and used to getting her way. That doesn’t always happen in a relationship. I figure we have about a hundred fights ahead of us before we get things worked out.”
“Well, that’s true,” Grams responded. “Ivy, make some fresh coffee.”
“How can you agree with him?” she wailed. “I’m your favorite person in the world. You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I am. But he’s right. You’re stubborn, just like me and your mama. The part about getting your way is also true because you’re smarter than most people. You just talk whoever you’re having an argument with to death. They give up because they can’t take it anymore. You’ve finally met a man who is your equal. Enjoy this, Ivy. Not everyone is so lucky.”
“I’m not feeling lucky,” she replied as she turned around and started making a fresh pot of coffee.
“You will as soon as you get started on those four boxes of condoms that you bought at Fabar’s the other day.” She ran her eyes up and down Ryan and patted his arm. “If I were you, I wouldn’t wait. It’ll make Ivy a lot more open to your ideas.”
The coffee he had in his mouth was spit across the counter when Grams offered her last piece of advice. “Uh-huh,” he said once he could breathe again. He glanced up and caught Ivy’s smile, and they laughed together. It wasn’t every day that you could end an argument with a suggestion from Grams that getting it on was the answer to your problems. He stood, collected his plate, and kissed Grams on the head. “I have never heard better advice in my life.” Before he grabbed a bunch of paper towels, he kissed Ivy on the neck. When she let out a small sigh, he did it again.
Grams clapped her hands and smiled at them. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
Ivy handed her grandmother a cup of coffee and laughed. “Why are you such a fan of Ryan?”
“He’s the first man you’ve brought around who is as smart as you, and as strong as you. In fact, he may be stronger. Which is what you need.” Putting her hand up, she stopped Ivy’s protest. “Honey, I know that goes against your idea of how things work. But trust me, a strong man is a pleasure and privilege. He’s going to do everything to make you happy, and there’s not much more you need to be happy in life.”
Ryan wiped the counter and prayed she listened to her grandmother. The part that Grams was leaving out was that Ivy had all the power, no matter how strong he was.
It seemed that she had never had a man show up for her and want to take care of her. So having him here must have been hard. Well, it was like anything new. It just took some time to get used to it.
Turning around, he started on the dishes while Ivy discussed the fish fry at church with her grandmother. It seemed that everyone brought a dessert, and she was trying to figure out what to make. As he did the dishes and looked out the window, he laughed to himself. The woman who had caught his attention was nothing like the woman sitting with her grandmother, deciding what to make for the church fundraiser. How in the hell did he get so lucky?
***
“Are you heading out?” Ivy asked as Ryan returned from the guest house.
“Yeah, I’m taking Colin back to get his car at the restaurant.”
“He’s a good boy,” Grams commented, as she remained still while Ivy applied her makeup. “He got the short end of the stick when it came to family. Ivy had her mama and me, so she was always going to be okay, no matter what her daddy did. But poor Colin’s mama wasn’t that strong. After Bill left, she just about fell apart. That boy practically raised himself.”
Ivy stood back and studied her grandmother. “It’s true. Frannie was a sweet woman, but gullible and soft. Colin was on his own from about junior high on. It’s a miracle that he’s turned out as well as he has. Everything he’s accomplished, he’s done on his own.” Pulling out the powder, she dusted a little across Grams’ skin. “My baby brother is going to turn into an amazing man. He just has to forgive Daddy so he can become his own person.”
The back door opened and Colin walked in. He looked at the group and waited. “What are you all talking about?”
“What dessert I should make for the fish fry tonight. I was thinking of making the coconut cake. What do you think?”
Colin shrugged and grabbed a bottle of water. “I like your brownies.”
“I’ll make both,” Ivy replied.
“We’re out,” Ryan said as he scooped up his keys. “We’ll see you ladies later.” He kissed Ivy and then grabbed his phone. “Have fun at lunch, Grams.”
“Thank you, dear.” Before she turned back to Ivy, she put her hand out to Colin. “You come over tomorrow and help me with the gutters and I’ll make you chicken fried steak.”
“Okay, Grams.” He kissed her cheek and followed Ryan out the door.
When they had closed the door, Ivy turned to her grandmother. “You had your gutters cleared last week.”
“Well, then I guess he won’t have much to do. He needs to feel useful, and I want to see how he’s doing. He graduated college two months ago, got signed with a major league baseball team, and had his daddy die. That’s a lot to take in, and I want to make sure that he’s on the right track.”
Ivy applied eye shadow and smiled. “Did you ever think that he would become part of our family?”
“I figured when his mama died, he was our responsibility. Everyone needs family, maybe him most of all.”
“That’s true,” Ivy replied. “We have a lot of decisions to make about Daddy’s company, and I want to get it done well before he has to start traveling with his team. This is his dream, and I don’t want anything to interfere with it.”
“I would offer the same advice to you, young lady. I think that boy Ryan wants a piece of your future. Don’t let this inheritance distract you from what’s important.”
“You’re right, Grams.”
“When am I not?”
Laughing, Ivy stepped back and wondered if Ryan really was a candidate for something long-term.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Tuesday Evening
Ivy walked out to the pool and looked around for Ryan. He’d been as busy as a bee since he got home from Austin. He’d been intent on getting the security system installed before they left for the fish fry. Glancing at her watch, she realized that he wasn’t going to have much time to get cleaned up before they had to leave. Just as she was about to call out for him, he sauntered around the corner of the house. “There you are,” she said.
“I’m done for today. I have the basics installed, and I can add more tomorrow.”
Her heart picked up an extra beat as he moved closer. Lord, he was sexy. His massive chest and tapered waist heated her in places she’d forgotten she had. Before she could get carried away with her lustful thoughts, she remembered that she had to alert him about what they might encounter tonight. “I…uh…have to warn you about something.”
“What’s wrong?” he barked out. “Have you received a threat?”
His body went on alert, and she felt the rigidity of his muscles as he slid his arm around her waist. “No! Nothing like that.” He let out a breath, and she felt his chest relax under her hand. “It seems that our little trip to the pharmacy has been the talk of the town.” Spreading her fingers wide, she felt his heart beating steadily. So far, so good. “Um…”
Lifting her chin, he grinned wickedly and waited. “What’s going on, Ivy?”
Fidgeting under his gaze, she decided to spit it out. “I’ve had five phone calls today from friends from high school. They pretended to catch up, but the real truth is they wanted to know if we’d gone through a
ll the boxes of condoms and if it’s true that extra-large really means extra pleasure.” Pulling away, she covered her face. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think it through when we were there the other day. I’ve put you in a terrible spot.”
“Ivy, that’s the best thing I’ve heard.”
He started laughing so hard, she figured that he was going to bust a gut. “It’s not funny.” Waving a hand, he tried to stop. “Everyone is going to be staring at your crotch all night.” That made him laugh harder. “Well, I guess you’re not mad.” Spinning around, she stomped into the house.
Following closely behind, he caught her hand in the kitchen. “What did you tell your friends?”
“I told them that a lady never brags and that it was none of their business. I might’ve also mentioned that it was true what they said about SEALs.”
He stifled a laugh before he responded. “And what do they say, honey?”
“They get the job done.” He lost it again. Honestly, seeing a grown man leak tears while he laughed was just downright wrong. It wasn’t a proud moment, and he didn’t have to be enjoying it so much. “Stop laughing.”
“I’m trying,” he sputtered out.
“Go get cleaned up, because we have to leave in twenty minutes. I promised to help with the dessert table.”
He kissed her head and wiped his eyes. “You want to come help me out in the shower?”
She narrowed her eyes and sniffed. “No. I do not.”
“I just want you to answer questions honestly tonight when people come ask.”
She pushed his chest and he held her hand against his heart. Leaning over, he moved his lips across her neck and she about melted. She deserved the torture. After all, she was the one who started this. “Go on.”
“Maybe tonight, I can show you what extra-large feels like. I have a lot of ideas for us, Ivy, and I want to get started on them as soon as you give me the go ahead. I figure once we do, we’ll be regulars at Fabar’s.” He released her hand and walked away whistling.
Her whole body felt like it was going to explode. Visions of Ryan and what she wanted to do to him danced in her head. A warm heat pooled in her panties as she visualized him naked in the shower. Shaking herself out of the fantasy, she walked into the kitchen, pulled out a bottle of water, and drank it down. How many condoms were in a box, anyway? The phone rang and she almost jumped. Lord, she was on edge.