Chapter 19
Two days passed and the DNA results from the helicopter crash were finally in, conclusively proving that Timhailov and his men were killed in the crash. The BRG team had returned to their headquarters in Colorado, so that left their little group to celebrate.
The decided to go to Evie’s Diner to celebrate and just happened to run into the Sheriff and Rick Zoeller while there. It was fitting, and they all toasted the fact that the world had a few less bad men in it as a result of their work.
Aqua was worried, Ivy just wasn’t herself. She’d talked to Blake about it, and he told her that a concussion impacted everyone differently, and that she shouldn’t worry about it. Daxon had insisted that Ivy see a neurologist to be cleared officially, and he’d given her a clean bill of health.
Something was off between the two of them, and she was determined to get to the bottom of it. Could it be that their relationship wouldn’t make it now that Ivy was out of danger? Had that been the glue that brought them together? Aqua didn’t think so, but getting the two of them to realize it was another story.
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The next morning, Ivy woke up early and snuck out of the bedroom before Daxon was awake. She had an announcement to make, and decided to make breakfast for the crew. She set the coffee pot to brew, grabbed bacon from the frig, and cracked eggs into a bowl. Gradually the smells of breakfast brought everyone into the kitchen.
“What’s this? Daxon asked as he playfully hugged her waist. He smelled more delicious than breakfast, and her mind immediately took her to the one shower they had shared, her face blushed.
She gently pushed him away declaring, “Hey, don’t distract the cook or you’ll end up with burnt bacon.”
He laughed and grabbed a mug to pour coffee. “Would you like a cup,” he offered?
“I would, thanks.”
Aqua walked into the kitchen next, “Oh my gosh, Aqua, you didn’t have to do this.”
“I know, right? You do it for us every single morning, so it’s the least I can do today.”
“What’s so special about today?” Aqua lifted a brow toward her friend, but Ivy ignored her.
By the time breakfast was ready, Blake had joined the crew, and the table was set.
“I think Ivy’s up to something,” Aqua whispered to Blake. “She’s not acting normal.”
Blake looked at Ivy. “She looks fine to me. You worry too much.”
Aqua wrinkled her nose at him and he kissed it.
The affection didn’t go unnoticed and Ivy felt a surge of sadness threaten, but she pushed it away. She would be happy for her friends, even if her own life didn’t quite work out the say she’d hoped.
She brought the food to the table and everyone dug in, the conversation taking a normal, familiar course; one that she’d become accustomed to and was going to miss. There was no time like the present…
“So, I have an announcement to make,” Ivy started. She blushed when all eyes turned to her, but powered through before she lost her courage. “I got a call yesterday—from my former employer.”
“You did, why didn’t you tell me, Ivy?” Aqua’s eyes filled with concern.
“They’ve offered me a job—a position similar to the analyst position I had formerly—but this would be a few steps above that.”
The table was completely still.
“I—I didn’t think I would ever choose to go back, but this is an incredible offer and I’ve decided I’m going to take it.” She looked down at her plate.
Aqua looked at Daxon, who appeared as shocked as she was. “Well, when do you expect to leave, Ivy?” she asked.
“They want me to start as early as next week. I’m flying out tomorrow for an official interview, but I’ve been assured the job is mine if I want it.”
Daxon stood, gathering his plate. “Well that’s great, Ivy. I’m happy for you. If this is what you want, then of course, we’ll all support you.” And then he walked to the sink, rinsed his plate, and placed it in the dishwasher before turned and walked out of the house.
Ivy expelled the breath she didn’t even realize she’d been holding.
“You’re sure, Ivy,” Blake asked, his eyes searching, concerned.
“I’ll know more tomorrow.” She offered.
Blake gathered his plate. “I have to head over to the Triple M Ranch, Aqua, but I don’t expect to be late. I’ll let you know if anything else comes up.”
“Okay, babe. Have a great day. I love you.”
“Love you, too,” he kissed her and squeezed her arm before picking up his medical bag and walking through the door to the garage.
“Ivy, I don’t understand. I never expected you to ever return to the Agency.”
“You do from time-to-time.”
“Yes, but I would never work for them again on a permanent basis. After all you’ve been through, do you really think it’s wise?”
“If I had to do field work, I would agree with you, but with this position, they’ve assured me that will never be a requirement. It’s a great offer.”
“What about Daxon?”
“What about him?”
“He’s your husband,” she offered quietly.
Ivy struggled to keep the tears that threatened at bay. “He’s my husband because you made him my husband, Aqua. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate everything you did for me, and I could never repay you—but I think Daxon deserves to make his own choices apart from an arranged marriage.”
“Maybe I should be involved in that decision, Ivy.” Daxon offered through the screen of the deck sliders.
“I think that’s my cue to leave you two alone.” Aqua took in a deep breath as her hand instinctively went to her stomach; she felt ill. “Don’t worry about the dishes, I’ll get them later.” She turned, walked to her office, and closed the door.
“That didn’t go over quite as I expected.”
“A heads up would have been nice—for all of us, I think. We’ve become a family, Ivy, or at least I feel like we have. While there’s no doubt that extenuating circumstances brought us together, I can honestly tell you I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Not one.”
“It’s not like you had much of a choice, Daxon. I feel like this was forced upon you.”
“You’re wrong. It wasn’t forced on me at all. Aqua was nearly sick with worry about you—she loves you. She loves you more than I’ve seen in any other friendship apart from the bond I shared with my SEAL team. When she shared your story with me, showed me your picture, I felt something stir inside. I wanted to help you—I felt like I’d potentially even come to Burnt River for this very reason.”
Tears leapt into her eyes, but she brushed them away. “I’m doing a really bad job at this. I’m sorry.” She hung her head. “Daxon, it’s just that I—well I overheard you talking with Blake.”
“When?”
“Just let me finish, please. He point blank asked you if you were ready to settle down, and you told him you didn’t know. You deserve to figure that out—you don’t have to remain saddled to me.”
“Ivy, please, I’ve never looked at you that way.”
“Maybe not—you’re an honorable man and although you might never consciously think it, I could never live with myself knowing that you are unsure if you’re ready for this. You deserve—and I deserve to make that decision apart from the extenuating conditions that brought us together. I really think it’s best if we take a break from one another, and figure out if we’re meant to be together—or not.”
“It sounds to me like you’ve already made up your mind.”
This time she couldn’t stop the tears, they coursed freely down her face.
He wanted to resist, he did, but instead he walked around the kitchen island and took her hands, pulling her into his arms.
Her head rested comfortably under his head—God he felt so perfectly right—as though he were made for her. All she wanted to do was cry, couldn’t he see that this wasn’t at all what she wanted? Bu
t she was resolved to give him the freedom to make his own choice. Pulling back, she looked up into his eyes, his crystal-blue, soulful eyes, that made her feel like she was lost in their depths and never wanted to look away. When had that happened, she wondered? There was a time when his intensity made her feel uncomfortable and self-conscious—but now he felt like home.
Her eyes filled with tears again, as she reached up to kiss his lips, then held his face between her hands, memorizing every feature, every line, his gorgeous lips.
It was more than he could take. He’d resisted the attraction between them for so long, wanting to give her the time to heal, to become stronger, to see if this relationship was something she wanted—or not. Now it seemed that his approach was all-wrong, and now she thought that he didn’t want her.
It was the farthest thing from the truth. But was he too late, had he lost her?
He watched her turn and walk toward their room—their room! Should he follow, or should he give her the space she said she believed they needed?
All he knew was that if he did nothing, he may live to regret it, but if he did something and she turned him away, at least he would know for sure where she stood.
He opened the door to their room, where she sat on the bed, crying. He closed the door and walked over to where she sat, and knelt before her. Slowly, he took her face in his hands, and began to kiss the tears away one by one. Rather than pulling away, she pressed her face into his hands, and when she licked her lower lip, he lost himself.
“God, Ivy,” he groaned, do you have any idea what you do to me?” he kissed the last tear away and then caressed her shoulders while his lips connected with hers. She moaned, leaned into him, gave complete abandon to the wind as their kiss deepened. She began to unbutton his shirt, and he pulled away, ‘You’re sure?”
“Are you kidding me right now? Do you really have to ask?” Her frustration growing with the button on his shirt that wouldn’t give way, she tugged and it popped, and then she slowly moved his shirt off his shoulders and down over his arms, savoring the feel of his skin, the taunt muscles, his strength, and then her lips followed the same trail.
“There’s something very unfair about this, and I’m about to remedy it,” he growled, pulling her shirt over her head, the sound of her whimper driving him wild. Picking her up, he gently laid her on the bed. “God, you’re gorgeous.” He began, his touch sending her nerve endings into flames, and she languidly stretched, giggling as he growled again. “Are you just doing to stand there, or are you going to join me?”
Chapter 20
Two weeks later
“I can’t believe this!” Aqua exclaimed, clapping her hands.
“Don’t get too excited, Aqua, there are still a lot of details to work out,” Ivy cautioned.
“I know, but it will work out, I’m certain of it. I knew you and Daxon were made for each other—but good lord it was difficult getting the two of you to see it.” She shook her head. “SO how did he propose? I want all the details, and don’t leave anything out.” Aqua insisted, sipping on her lemon water.
Ivy laughed a beautiful, happy laugh that Aqua hadn’t heard in a long time.
“Daxon took me back to our special mountain for my second-ever sunrise. The moment the sun peaked over the horizon, he took my face in his hands, and promised to love me forever. He told me that he fell in love with me the moment you showed him my picture. And even though we are already officially married, and that marriage certificate will remain in tact by-the-way, he wanted to propose so that we’ll have a special story to tell our children someday.”
What?!”
“I know, it’s so romantic. He told me about his Grandma Eloise and how she’d told him that he would know when he met the right one, and he’d always thought she was just silly, but when he met me he said the truth of that statement hit him like a ton of bricks.”
“Oh my gosh, Ivy, and to think you almost walked away from that.”
“You’re not kidding. I think about that all the time. These last two weeks have been incredible—no beyond incredible—absolutely magical. And damn, is the man good…”
“Okay, I don’t need to know those details,” Aqua giggled.
I’ve watched you and Blake, and the love you shared, Aqua, and I would think to myself that it was so special—I didn’t think I could ever hope to have it. But here I am—here we are. I could just pinch myself!”
“So what’s happening with your job?”
“Well, I renegotiated. The Agency agreed to hire me as an at-will contractor. I have the choice of projects and if I say no, they’ll accept it no questions asked.
As you know, BRG asked Daxon to come on board, but he told them he would only agree to work as a consultant with them, and wanted the pick of his missions. It was a tough negotiation—those guys need consistency in their teams and they have to know one another almost as much as a married couple does in order to be effective as a team. But in this case, Daxon will work only in a medical capacity. He’s going to consult on new hires, and will travel with the team as needed when medical is stipulated.
“Wow, it sounds like a match made in heaven. Was Blake’s mom able to help you guys find a house?”
“I think so. We found a house not too far from yours, and we’re in negotiations on it right now. She’s a hoot, by the way.”
“Renatta? Oh yes, you don’t know the half of it, but she’ll make a great grandmother.”
“What? Are you? You’re?”
“Yep, I am!”
Oh My Gosh, Congratulations!!
“Thanks, we’re very excited, but have only told our family, and now you. I’m past the 12 week point, and all systems look good.”
“I’m so happy for you. It’s okay for me to tell Daxon?”
“Sure, although, with our guys working Blake’s case load together today, I’ll be surprised if Daxon doesn’t know by the time he comes home, which should be any minute now.”
True to her words, the garage bays opened, and within minutes the men walked into the house.
Both women rose to greet them.
“Did you hear?” the women said in unison and then laughed.
“About the baby? I did, congratulations, Aqua!” Daxon jumped in first, reaching forward to give her a hug.
“Thanks,” Aqua glowed, and Blake put his arm protectively around his wife.
“Congrats are in order for you, too, Ivy. I can’t tell you how happy I am for you and Daxon.”
“Thank you, Blake. I’m happy, too. How fitting that we’re both starting new chapters I our lives. I’ll never be able to thank you guys enough for all you’ve done. I’ve finally found home.” She finished softly, tears of gratitude in her eyes.
“My father told me, right before I entered the Navy, that you can’t control many things in life, but if you make wise choices, and follow your heart, it will never lead you astray. Here’s to new beginnings.”
“To new beginnings,” they echoed in unison.
The END.
About the Author
Kate Cambridge is a bestselling Amazon author writing sweet romance books with strong women and strong men, often coming together in ways you least expect, with a thread of humor, hope, and faith throughout. A voracious reader and lifelong writer, Kate left the corporate world of training and project management to begin her own marketing agency, where the pull to do what she truly loved finally won. And now she writes!
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Please check out all the books in the Burnt River Contemporary Western Romance Series. It is a true joy working with all the authors in the collaboration, and we have several books planned in this series as the lives of the people of Burnt River unfold.
Book 1: SHANE’S BURDEN by Peggy L Henderson
Book 2: THORN’S JOURNEY by Shirleen Davies
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Book 3: AQUA’S ACHILLES
Book 4: ASHLEY’S HOPE by Amelia C. Adams
Book 5: HARPUR’S SECRET by Kay P Dawson
Book 6: MASON’S RESCUE by Peggy L Henderson
Book 7: DEL’S CHOICE by Shirleen Davies
Book 8: IVY’S SEARCH
Book 9-14, COMING SOON - Visit the Burnt River Contemporary Series Facebook group to connect with all the authors and readers!
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ALSO BY THE SAME AUTHOR
Thank you for picking up Aqua’s Achilles!
Please also check out my Suffragette Mail-Order Brides Series and the Grandma’s Wedding Quilts books.
Find all Kate Cambridge’s books at:
KateCambridge.com
Suffragette Mail-Order Brides Series Books
(Each are written to be standalone, so you can read them in any order, although Beginnings is truly the beginning of the series and the catalyst behind Elizabeth’s choice to start the Choice Brides Agency. If you can read them in order, please do.)
Book 1: Beginnings
Book 2: Elizabeth
Book 3: Margaret
Book 4: Susan
Book 5: Lydia
Book 6: Lucy
Individual Books (Part of the Sweet Clean Book Club.)
MAE'S CHOICE: A Sweet & Clean Historical Frontier Western Romance
MAUD’S DEVOTION: A Sweet & Clean Blessed With Babies Mail Order Bride Romance
Grandma’s Wedding Quilts Bestselling Series Books
Grandma’s Wedding Quilts - The Prequel
Monica’s Mystery
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