Page 18 of Cruel Expectations

Colton extended a fist, and they bumped knuckles. “Get cleaned up. I’ll get Meadow and we’ll leave at sundown.”

“What about the princess?”

He blinked at Hunter as if he didn’t register who he was talking about. “Ah, you mean Ivy. I don’t think she’ll be going to the saloon with us.”

The image of the beautiful but annoying blonde floated into his head. He grunted. “You’re right. She’ll want her beauty sleep.”

Chapter Five

Ivy’s old childhood bedroom wasn’t even close to being a relaxing space. After traveling Europe, staying in beautiful, modern hotels or quaint B&Bs, her bedroom left her feeling claustrophobic.

The pale blue wall color that her mother had lovingly chosen when Ivy was a little girl were dated. The window blinds needed ripped down.

She didn’t plan to stick around forever. She would make sure her father was on the road to recovery and then she’d find a way to return to her own life. What that looked like right now, she didn’t yet know.

She stared at the floral photos over her boring white desk until she could stand no more and flung an arm over her eyes to block it all out.

For her entire life, Ivy had laid in this bed and listened to the heartbeat of the house. Her mother moving around the kitchen or the vacuum running on bedroom carpet. One of their many farm dogs barking from somewhere outside. Her sister and Forest’s voices, rising and falling as they battled over a video game.

Back in the old days, she would hear the screen door slam shut and know her father had come inside for dinner.

Now? She only heard the throb of silence. Dead nothingness.

Then faintly, she heard footsteps coming down the hall. Before she heard the knock, she knew Meadow was on the other side of the door.

“Come in!” she called before her sister could even rap on the wood.

Meadow popped into the room. “You’ve always freaked me out when you do that.”

She pushed into a sitting position, propped on pillows and a few much-loved stuffed animals. “I’m glad I can still manage it.”

Meadow’s stare moved over Ivy’s face. “I came to make sure you’re all right.”

She shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Her sister perched on the side of the bed. “Seeing Daddy that way isn’t easy. Hooked up to machines.”

“It isn’t pleasant, that’s for sure. I hope he recovers quickly. You say that there’s been improvement daily?”

Nodding, she rested a hand on Ivy’s arm. Then she did a double take. “Are you wearing my new sweater?”

Ivy gave her a sheepish look. “This old thing?”

When Meadow lightly slapped her arm, she was already prepared. “You always did steal my clothes. I haven’t missed that!”

Feeling a bit lighter, Ivy laughed. “So what do you want to do tonight? Our favorite movies? Popcorn? M&Ms?”

“Um.” Meadow tilted her head, drawing Ivy’s attention to her gleaming hair waving over her shoulder.

“Wait! You’re dressed to go out. Where are you going? I’m coming with you. It’s like a tomb around this place.”

“Actually, Colton and I are going to Badlands. I came to tell you not to wait up for us.”

Ivy bounced off the bed and reached for her makeup bag where it sat among the belongings she hadn’t unpacked. “What should I wear? I don’t want to clash with you. What is Colton wearing?”

“Ivy. I don’t think it’s a good idea—”

She spun on her sister, a big, fluffy makeup brush in hand. “I’m coming. I’m old enough to get into a bar, Meadow.” A thought hit. “Unless you and Colton are having a date. I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

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