“Wow,” Brian said, appearing in the archway between the kitchen and living room. “You didn’t even give me a chance to get into position.”
“I waited as long as I could,” Jack said, gasping for breath. He handed the gun wordlessly to Brian. “Cuff this piece of … filth.” He kicked the prone man in the ribs for good measure, an act Brian conveniently opted to ignore.
Jack pushed his way around the couch, his gaze falling on Kelly as she cowered in the corner. He dropped to his knees, surprised to find tears running down his face. He’d survived. He wasn’t sure when he jumped through the window if that was possible. All he cared about was Ivy and Kelly making it.
Ivy lifted her hand, her fingertips moving through his tears as she cupped his cheek. “How did you know?”
“I heard you call for me,” Jack said.
“I called for you in my mind.”
“No,” Jack said, shaking his head. “You called to me with your heart.”
Jack reached for Ivy and hugged her tightly, only releasing her so she could pull Kelly close. He settled on the ground with both of them, wrapping his arms around a fragile teenage girl – and the woman who was willing to die for her – and letting them cry until they couldn’t wring out another tear.
It was over. Finally.
Twenty-Seven
Ivy opened the door the next night to find Jack standing on her porch, a simple purple rose in his hand as he extended it in her direction.
Ivy took the bloom wordlessly, pressing it to her nose and inhaling deeply.
Jack watched her, using every ounce of energy he had not to focus on the dark bruise that marred her perfect cheek. “How are you today, honey?”
“I haven’t seen you since this morning,” Ivy said, lifting her eyes to his. “I thought you … forgot about me.”
“That’s not possible,” Jack said. He extended his hand. “Let’s take a walk.”
“Another walk?”
“It’s time to talk,” Jack said. “In fact, we have a few things to talk about.”
Ivy took his hand without argument, closing her front door and letting him lead her toward the familiar trees. “Are you going to tell me what happened with Thorpe?”
After taking the guidance counselor into custody the previous afternoon, Brian and Jack transported him down to the station for booking. Max and Michael arrived not long after, and because Max was a guy who knew people in the construction business, they had the window fixed before nightfall.
Kelly was a mess, and she spent hours opening up to Ivy about her ordeal with Gil Thorpe. Ivy had figured out most of the details on her own, but she’d let the girl talk until she couldn’t manage to find more words. Then she’d plied her with soup and tucked her into bed.
Jack returned to Ivy’s house shortly before ten, too tired to chat for a long period of time. Instead, he’d pulled her down on the couch, tucked her in at his side, and fell into a dreamless sleep. Ivy and Jack didn’t visit each other that night, but they also didn’t stray far from one another. Jack’s arms were tight around her small frame for eight hours straight. Neither of them moved, and when morning beckoned, Jack kissed her and said he had a few things to deal with before they could talk.
That was twelve hours ago.
In that time, Brian arrived at her house with a court order relinquishing Kelly to her brother’s care. He’d pulled a few strings – and even though Kelly was happy for Ivy’s support, she was ready to move to a permanent spot with her brother. She wanted a family of her own, and she was finally going to get it. Jordan thanked Ivy profusely and promised once Kelly was settled, they would figure out a regular visitation schedule for Ivy – one that included a summer job at the nursery.
With tears in her eyes, Ivy said goodbye to Kelly and wished her a wonderful life. She was just happy she was going to be around to see it.
After that, Ivy waited for Jack to return. And waited. And waited. She’d almost given up when the knock came.
“Thorpe has admitted everything,” Jack said. “He’s going for an insanity defense, though. He said he has urges he can’t control, and he never coerced Kelly into doing anything.”
“That won’t hold up in court, will it?”
“Nope,” Jack said. “Don’t worry. Gil Thorpe is going away for life.”
“That’s good,” Ivy said. “Did you know Jordan was going to get custody of Kelly?”
“I was hopeful,” Jack said. “We put the paperwork in yesterday. Because of his unblemished record, and the fact that his boss showed up to say he would have help, the judge agreed Kelly should be with her family.
“She’s going to have regular visits from a social worker, and the court is recommending family therapy for both Jordan and Kelly, but Jordan is open to all of it,” Jack said. “I think Kelly is finally going to get what she’s always wanted.”
“You didn’t get a chance to say goodbye, though.”
“There is no goodbye, honey,” Jack said. “I heard she’s going to come and work for you in a few weeks. I’ll see her then.”
“Are you going to be spending a lot of time at the nursery?” Ivy asked, readying herself for the second part of their talk.
“I’m going to be spending a lot of time around you,” Jack said.
“Are you sure?”
Jack led her through the woods, not answering – or stopping – until he was in front of her fairy ring. Ivy’s heart flopped when she saw the blanket, complete with a picnic basket, sitting in the middle of the ring. “Oh, wow.”
“Don’t worry, I made sure there was no Poison Ivy around,” Jack teased.
“I … I don’t want to do this if you’re going to break my heart, Jack,” Ivy said. “I can’t take it.”
“I have no intention of breaking your heart,” Jack said. “I can’t make promises about forever. Not yet, at least. I can promise you that I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want you.”
He glanced down at Ivy, rubbing her unblemished cheek with his thumb. “I’m not going to fight this any longer,” he said. “It hurts too much to be away from you. I want to have a chance with you. I want us to have a chance together. I need to know if that’s what you want, too.”
“I’ve been drawn to you from that first moment I saw you,” Ivy said, her lower lip quivering. “I want you, but I’m scared.”
“I know,” Jack said. “I’m scared, too. Maybe it’s time that we’re scared together instead of apart.”
“You know people are going to always whisper about me in town, right? You know I’m not normal.”
“I’ve always known you’re not normal,” Jack said, tilting her chin up. “I’m not normal either. I think we’re going to be happy if we both agree to be odd together.”
“Do you want to be happy?”
It was a pointed question, and Jack was ready for it. “I didn’t think I could ever be happy again after … what happened. I didn’t think I’d ever want to share that with anyone. I was wrong, on both counts. You make me happy. You make me smile. You make me laugh.
“My heart sings when you’re around,” he continued. “I always want to touch you. I’m tired of fighting those instincts. I want to be with you. I want to make you happy. I can’t do it all on my own, though. You’re going to have to meet me in the middle.”
“I want to be with you, too,” Ivy said, a tear slipping down her cheek. “I want to touch you.”
Jack smiled. “Then let’s start now,” he said, lowering his lips to hers.
The kiss was soft, neediness put aside for another night. Jack tugged Ivy into his arms and held her close, rubbing her back as he lifted her. When they parted, Ivy’s face was practically glowing.
“Does this mean I get to pick where we dream tonight?”
“Yes,” Jack said. “If you make me pick vegetables, though, I’m breaking up with you.”
Ivy laughed, the sound warming Jack’s heart. “I have a fun place for us to visit.”
“Let
’s finish enjoying this place first,” Jack prodded. “We’ve got a lot of nights in front of us. We don’t have to pick one destination yet. We have forever, and everywhere.”
Ivy kissed him again. This time it was slow and sensuous, the promise of forever on her lips and in her heart. Jack gave in and accepted everything she had to offer, and Ivy did the same.
There was no turning back now.
Up Next
Detective Jack Harker and Shadow Lake’s resident witch Ivy Morgan are finally on the right romantic track – and they’re officially going on their first date.
While eating dinner in a neighboring town, a police officer is shot and killed on the street – and when the ballistics come back, Jack realizes his tortured past is still part of his tumultuous present.
Jack’s demons are on display, and he’s in danger from an old enemy’s grudge and a current enemy’s vengeance. He’s worried that Ivy is going to be caught in the crossfire, and when those concerns come to fruition, he takes a step back.
Ivy isn’t a normal woman – or witch – and she’s not about to let Jack go through this alone. When Jack can’t stay away, and Ivy refuses to give him the space he only thinks he needs, this duo finally gives in to temptation.
Now they just have to survive – and save a lost soul in the process – to be able to look forward to a promising future.
Wicked Times is available here.
Author’s Note
I’m a romantic at heart. A true romantic. I love the idea of a happy ending, so much so I have trouble writing a sad one. The world is sad enough. I like escaping in fiction. That’s just me. I like sarcasm and snark – but I’m not sure a sad ending is in me. If you’re looking for an edge like that, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. Just FYI.
As a heads-up, Ivy Morgan’s witchcraft growth will be coinciding with her relationship growth. That means she’ll be learning more about her powers and beliefs at the same time Jack does. I hope you enjoy their romance.
If you’re interested in upcoming releases, follow me on Facebook and Twitter. I do not spam. I don’t believe it and, as a reader, I find it annoying. Only new release information and special sales promotions will be posted.
This book is available for lending. Please do so.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Books by Lily Harper Hart
Hardy Brothers Security
Deadly Intentions
Deadly Intuition
Deadly Illusions
Deadly Proposal
Deadly Prospects
Deadly Ever After
Deadly Honeymoon
Deadly Questions
Deadly Addition
Deadly Vacation
Deadly Secrets
Deadly Storm
Deadly Dealings
Deadly Christmas
Deadly Desperados
Deadly Arrival (February 2016)
Deadly Rivalry (April 2016)
Deadly Memories (Coming Soon)
Deadly Adventure (Coming Soon)
Deadly Reunion (Coming Soon)
Deadly Conflict (Coming Soon)
Deadly Payback (Coming Soon)
Deadly Waters (Coming Soon)
Deadly Forever (Coming Soon)
A Maddie Graves Mystery
Grave Homecoming
Grave Insight
Grave Delight
Grave Misgivings
Grave Concerns
Grave Discovery (February 2016)
Grave Decisions (Coming Soon)
Grave Seasons (Coming Soon)
Grave Holiday (Coming Soon)
An Ivy Morgan Mystery
Wicked Days
Wicked Dreams
Wicked Times
Wicked Places (March 2016)
Wicked Warning (Coming Soon)
Wicked Fog (Coming Soon)
Wicked Seasons (Coming Soon)
Wicked Winter (Coming Soon)
A Harper Harlow Mystery
Ghostly Interests
Ghostly Issues (January 2016)
Ghostly Deceits (Coming Soon)
Ghostly Worries (Coming Soon)
Ghostly Images (Coming Soon)
Ghostly Wrecks (Coming Soon)
Ghostly Asylum (Coming Soon)
Wicked Dreams Page 20