He’d almost told her about finding her list, but didn’t want to ruin the moment. He had no idea if she’d find it romantic or creepy.
The sermon ended, and people started filing out of the pews to head outside to the pavilion for a potluck.
Caytie and Jace both stood up. One look at Caytie’s pale face made Kellen want to get out of the way in case she tossed her breakfast. He’d already been the recipient of her frozen custard last week, and didn’t want to experience that ever again.
“I’m taking Caytie home,” Jace said when Kellen and Ivy stood up next to them. “I don’t think she can handle all the different aromas that will be at the potluck.”
“You can stay, sweetie. I’ll just sit in the truck.”
Caytie was acting brave, but Kellen was positive her face now had a green sheen to it.
“Nope. We’ll go home and have saltine crackers and Gatorade mixed with Sprite.” He licked his lips. “My favorite.”
Caytie leaned her head against Jace. “What would I do without you?”
“I hope we don’t ever have to find out,” Jace said, taking her by the hand and leading her down the aisle.
Ivy was quiet as she and Kellen followed them outside. The tension between them was killing him.
“Hey,” Ivy said to Caytie. “Why don’t you let me make you some chicken noodle soup? The homemade kind, not from the can.”
Kellen felt as relieved as Jace looked. He’d expected Ivy to ask him to take her home early and then tell him she couldn’t see him anymore.
“That’s sounds really good,” Caytie said. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.” Ivy smiled a genuine smile for the first time that day. “Besides, I’ve been dying to use your gas range. It’s gorgeous.”
Caytie laughed. “I wish I knew how to use my gorgeous appliance properly, but I’m just not good at cooking.” She pressed her lips together and put a hand to her stomach.
“Go,” Ivy said. “Kellen and I will stop at my aunt’s and get all the ingredients.”
“Thank you,” Jace said. “I really mean that, too.”
When they were gone, Ivy turned toward him. “Do you need to tell your grandma?”
“Yeah.” He handed Ivy his keys. “It might take me a minute to find her so you can go sit in the truck if you want.”
She took the keys. “Thank you, Kellen.”
He could tell she wanted to say something more, and was prepared to hear something like, “I’ll never forget you, but that’s exactly what I have to do.”
Her next words weren’t much better.
“You’re a really good friend.”
So they were back in the friend zone? He just nodded his head and turned away before she could read the frustration in his eyes. Why was she pushing him away? He doubted this was because she was in love with Corbin Spencer. He wasn’t a boyfriend anymore than Kellen was. Maybe his missing leg really did bother her, but she didn’t want to tell him.
He found his grandma right away, and had to wait while she dished up a plate of food and goodies to deliver to Mrs. Cooper.
Ivy was already in his truck so he went around and opened the door. Before getting behind the wheel, he slid the two covered plates onto the middle of the seat. “Those are for your aunt,” he said when Ivy lifted a questioning brow.
“That was nice of you.”
“I’d like to take the credit, but my grandma is the thoughtful one.” He started the truck and glanced over to find her watching him. “That’s really sweet of you to offer to make dinner for the McAllister’s.”
“It’s not that big of deal.” She lifted one shoulder up. “I enjoy cooking and hope the soup will help Caytie feel a little better.”
Kellen hated the strain between them, and wanted to try one more time to get her to talk. He waited until he’d exited the parking lot before speaking. “Ivy, I know something is bothering you. I wish you’d tell me what it is.”
He heard her draw in a deep breath, but she still didn’t answer him.
“Is it something I did?
“No,” she said quickly. “It’s not you.”
Kellen waited for more, but she remained silent. He wasn’t going to push her. Not yet anyway. He made a right turn toward Mrs. Cooper’s house. A few minutes later he pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. Just as he was about to open his door, Ivy finally spoke.
“I… got some bad news from home, and I’m just trying to process it.”
Concern tightened the muscles in his shoulders. “Is it one of your brothers? Was one of them hurt?”
“No, as far as I know they’re all healthy and safe.”
He was confused. “So who called you then?”
She bit her bottom lip. “Corbin called. He was worried that the news about the missing cattle would upset me.” She met Kellen’s eyes. “I didn’t know what he was talking about so he told me that Morgan discovered at least a hundred head of cattle are unaccounted for.”
Kellen’s fingers curled around the steering wheel. Her brothers had probably kept the news from Ivy so she didn’t have to worry. There was nothing she could do about it, yet her idiot so-called boyfriend had no problem telling her. He had to know how upset she’d be. Then it hit Kellen. The guy was counting on it upsetting Ivy.
“Let me guess, Corbin thinks you should come home early.”
She narrowed her gaze. “He offered to come pick me up.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“I told him I couldn’t leave Aunt Tillie, and that I needed to talk to my brothers.”
“I’ll bet he didn’t like that answer.”
A hint of a smile lifted the corners of her lips. “No, he didn’t.”
“So what did your brothers have to say?”
Worry entered her eyes. “I haven’t been able to get a hold of them, but just before you came to get me for church, I finally talked to one of the ranch hands. He said that my brothers are out for the rest of the week, rounding up the cattle to get a more accurate count. The cell phone service is spotty, and I doubt I’ll hear from them until they get back.”
“I know how concerned you must be, but until you hear back from your brothers you really can’t do anything to help.” He cut the engine. “I’m sure that’s why they didn’t tell you in the first place.”
“Probably, but now that I know I’m having a hard time not worrying.”
Precisely what Corbin Spencer wanted. “My grandma always tells me that worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do…”
“But gets you nowhere,” Ivy finished for him.
“Exactly.”
She held his gaze for a long moment. “I’ll try to stop worrying for now.”
“Good girl.” He exited the truck and came around to open Ivy’s door. She handed him both of the covered plates and climbed down.
“Thank you for talking to me,” she said, taking one of the plates from him.
“Any time.”
The corners of her mouth edged up slightly. “I’ll be right back.”
While Ivy went upstairs to give her aunt the food, and to change her clothes, Kellen waited for her in the kitchen. He was still ticked about Corbin calling her with the troubling news. What kind of guy did that?
A few minutes later Ivy returned. She’d changed into a long-sleeved denim shirt worn like a jacket over a pale yellow, V-neck tee. The color enhanced her already tan skin, and showed off curves a lot of women only wished they were blessed with.
“Aunt Tillie said to thank you.” She opened the freezer and pulled out the egg noodles and a small package of frozen chicken breasts and put them into an empty plastic grocery sack.
After gathering all the ingredients, Kellen took the sack from her. “Is this everything?”
“Yes, but I don’t have anything for dessert.”
“Don’t worry about that. Jace has a sweet tooth and they always have the makings for something good.” Kellen hadn’t planned to use a
nymore of the scenarios from Ivy’s list, but figured one more thing wouldn’t hurt. “We can always build a fire and make Smores.”
Ivy’s face lit up. “That sounds like fun.”
The drive out to the ranch was much better than before. Ivy didn’t seem as stressed, and Kellen found the courage to tell her about the horse therapy program he wanted to start for the disabled, particularly those with missing limbs whether from an accident or from illness.
She loved the idea, and encouraged him to talk to George and Jace. Even though he hadn’t told anyone else any of this, it felt right to Kellen. He even told her his concerns about PT school.
“No one will think you’re a failure if you’ve changed your mind about what you want to do,” Ivy said as they parked in front of Jace and Caytie’s house. “You’re lucky you have so many choices.”
An undercurrent of her former mood returned, but she quickly hid it behind a smile. “Let’s get this stuff inside so I can get started.” She unclicked her seatbelt and gathered up her purse and the grocery sack.
Kellen went around and opened her door. He was glad he’d been able to talk to her about his plans for the future. There was just one more thing that needed to be said. He was falling in love with Ivy, and he wanted her to know so she could have a choice about her future too. He had no idea what kind of hold Corbin Spencer had on Ivy, but it wasn’t love.
Chapter 15
Turning the temperature down so the noodles wouldn’t overcook, Ivy began shredding the cooked chicken breasts. Caytie came out of her bedroom and smiled.
“That smells so good,” she said. “Thank you again for making lunch.”
“I’m happy to do it.” Ivy continued to shred the chicken, and was happy when Caytie took a seat at the bar. She looked a lot better than she had thirty minutes ago when Jace and Kellen left to check on Serenity and her colt.
“You make cooking look so easy.”
“I’ve been doing it for a long time.” She eyed the beautiful teal blue colored gauzy dress Caytie had worn to church. “I wish I knew how to pick out clothes. Your dress is beautiful and, looked incredible with those yellow cowgirl boots.”
“Thank you. Those are my Sunshine boots Jace gave me when he proposed.” She studied Ivy for a few seconds. “And I don’t know what you’re talking about. I love the way you dress.”
Ivy laughed. “This isn’t what I normally wear. Aunt Tillie took me shopping after she picked me up at the bus station.” She added the shredded chicken to the chicken broth simmering on the stove. “I grew up on a cattle ranch with four older brothers, and I usually dress like they do in Wranglers and flannel.” She shrugged. “My mother died right after I was born, so I’ve never really had a woman to take me shopping.”
“My mother died when I was in my early teens, but not before she’d taught me how to shop and spend money.” Caytie stood up and came around the bar. “It was kind of a problem, but I’ve put my skills to good use by opening my boutique.” She opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. “Do you want one?”
“Yes, thank you.” Ivy wanted to ask Caytie if she sold dresses like the one she had on. The only dresses Ivy owned were a few skirts like the denim one she’d worn to church.
Caytie handed Ivy the water, and then returned to her seat at the bar. “Well, I still love to shop, and I’d be more than happy to go with you if you wanted.” She took a drink of water. “You could come into my store sometime when I’m there and I can show you what I have.”
“I’d like that.” Ivy stirred the noodles so they didn’t stick together. “I would love to buy a dress similar to what you’re wearing.”
All of the sudden Caytie popped up out of her seat. “I think I have the perfect dress for you.” She came around the bar again and stared at Ivy’s stocking feet. “What size shoe do you wear?”
“Six and a half.”
Caytie’s eyes lit up. “Stay right there and I’ll be right back.”
A few minutes later Caytie came back into the kitchen, carrying a shoebox and a garment bag. “Can you leave the soup alone for a minute? I think these will fit you perfectly.”
“Sure.” Ivy went to the sink and washed her hands. She followed Caytie into the great room off of the kitchen.
“I had Tate design these boots for the granddaughter of my housekeeper back in California.” She lifted off the lid, and pulled out a beautiful pink cowgirl boot. “But I gave him the wrong size, and he had to make another pair. I would keep these for myself but they’re too small.”
Ivy reluctantly accepted the shoebox. She knew she couldn’t afford custom made boots. Especially pink boots that she couldn’t wear on a daily basis. “These are beautiful, Caytie, but I know I can’t afford them.”
“If they fit, then they’re my gift to you.”
“I couldn’t do that.”
“They’re already paid for.” She clapped her hands. “Now try them on.”
The boots were a perfect fit. Ivy kind of felt like Cinderella when Caytie unzipped the garment bag and pulled out a beautiful turquoise green, lacy dress.
“I can’t wear it,” Caytie said when Ivy once again protested. She pointed to her chest. “Pregnancy does all kinds of wonderful things to your body, including making your boobs bigger.”
Ivy laughed, and went into the guest bedroom to try on the dress. She wasn’t exactly lacking in the chest area, but the clothes she usually wore hid any of her womanly assets. Still, even with her new pushup bra the dress fit her perfectly.
“You look so gorgeous.” Caytie fingered Ivy’s dark curls. “I love your hair color. I wonder if Jace would like me as a brunette?”
“Don’t color your hair!” Ivy said. “People pay a lot of money to get that hair color.”
“Yes,” Caytie said wryly. “And I’m one of them.”
Laughing, Ivy changed back into her clothes. She tried to offer Caytie money at least for the dress, but she refused and said dinner was payment enough.
Kellen and Jace returned just as Ivy pulled the biscuits she’d made from scratch out of the oven. After they washed up, everyone took a seat at the table to eat. Ivy loved every second of being with Kellen and his family. She soaked it in, wanting to lock this memory away along with the kisses she and Kellen had shared over the past week.
Before Corbin’s call, Ivy had made up her mind to tell her brothers about the bargain her father had made with Corbin. Deep down she knew that they’d never allow her to marry him when she was in love with someone else. Because she did love Kellen.
The call about the missing cattle had shattered her dreams. Corbin talked about the amount of money her family had just lost, and had voiced his concern that it could be more. He’d subtly reminded Ivy how valuable the water rights would be for them, especially now.
She’d planned to tell Kellen that she couldn’t see him anymore when he’d come to get her for church, but when she’d opened the door and he’d leaned in and kissed her softly, she hadn’t been able to do it.
Then she’d decided to tell him after lunch, but the McAllister’s invited them to stay and watch a movie. She and Kellen had both fallen asleep on the couch and had slept for a couple of hours. Now they had just finished eating the leftover soup for dinner, and Kellen had gone outside to start a fire to make Smores.
Ivy had to tell him now. She felt selfish, and hated herself for allowing it to go this far, but he was too hard to resist.
“The door will be unlocked if you all need to come in for anything,” Jace said, handing her a sack full of supplies to make their dessert. Although Caytie wasn’t sick, she was too tired to stay awake, even for Smores.
“Good night,” Ivy said as she stepped outside and closed the door behind her. She wasn’t sure what direction to go, but followed the scent of burning wood.
Kellen was crouched down, adding another small log to the growing fire. The flickering light illuminated his profile, and she stopped to admire his handsome face for a moment.
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He rose up, and Ivy wouldn’t have guessed that the lower part of his left leg was a prosthetic. Of course if the amputation was below the knee, it probably made movement like bending down much easier than someone with another kind of injury.
He glanced over at her and caught her watching him. “Hey,” he said, walking toward her. “I was just about to come looking for you.”
“Afraid I would sneak off with the contraband?” she said, trying to keep things light.
“Nope.” He reached out and caught her around the waist, and tugged her close. “Just missed you.”
Every time she got up the guts to tell him they couldn’t see each other, he did something cute or romantic to keep her from talking. It was all too much, and she didn’t want to tell him goodbye. Her lower lip trembled and she shut her eyes when they started to sting.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t want this to end.” The words tumbled out on a sob as she buried her face against his shirt.
“It doesn’t have to.”
“It does.” She should push him away, but her arms snaked around to his back, holding him close.
“Why?” he asked, smoothing one hand down her hair and onto her lower back.
She couldn’t answer, and just held on, afraid if she let him go that would be the end.
He drew in a deep breath and then she felt him press a kiss to the top of her head. “We have something here, Ivy. I know you can feel it.”
“I do.” She couldn’t deny it when every fiber of her being was attuned to this man holding her so tenderly.
“Do you love him?”
She jerked back and looked up into his eyes. “Corbin?”
“Yeah, him.”
The lie was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t say it. “No.”
“Are you still planning on marrying him?”
“I… I have to.”
One eyebrow lifted. “Where I come from when a girl has to get married it usually means…”
“I’m not pregnant!” She smacked him on the chest and pushed him away. “I’ve never… we’ve never.” She shuddered. “Did you really just say that?”
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