Page 85 of Wasted On You

“Yes, they are. Important things. At least, to me.”

“I want more.”

“You are engaged to a fine man from a fine family. What more could you want?” Her eyes narrowed a bit. “This is about Mike Paul Darlington.”

“It is.” Ivy nodded. “But it’s also about letting myself have the one thing that can truly make me happy. The one thing I’ve been pushing away for over a year because I didn’t believe in him or me. I never believed in love. Not the kind that lasts. But seeing Millie Sue and Cal find their way back to each other was inspiring. I want what they have.”

“Is that what this is about? Love?” Her mother made a disgusted sound. “The kind of stuff you see in the movies isn’t real. Men cheat, Ivy. It’s an innate part of them. They can love a woman and still cheat. It’s the way things are. The way things have always been.”

“I’m sorry that Dad broke your heart into so many pieces you’re still trying to put it back together. But Mike Paul would never do that. He’s not wired that way.”

Diedre took a step back, her composure slipping a bit. “Who told you about the cheating?”

“It doesn’t matter. Not anymore.”

Ivy would never tell her mom about the night she’d walked into her father’s condo and found him and Val together. The young woman, barely eighteen, had been half-naked, pressed up against a wall with her father. It had been the night before graduation, and her world had shattered. The next day, Cal had left for Nashville, and Ivy had joined him.

“The engagement is over, Mom. Kip and I are just friends. Nothing more.”

“You’re sure about this.”

“I hope you’re not too disappointed.”

“Oh please, his father is a bore, his mother is stoned on valium, and his brother and that wife of his are even worse. Honestly, the whole bunch could disappear, and I wouldn’t care. Though I do like Kip.” Her mother shivered. “You’ve picked an awkward time for all of this. You know that, right?”

Ivy nodded but remained silent. She had nothing else to say.

“It’s cold out here. I should head back inside. Benton’s put on such a lovely spread.” Diedre paused. “Are you coming with me?”

“I’m going to go and find Mike Paul.”

She waited for the pushback, but there was none.

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Diedre left her alone, and Ivy pulled her cell from the pocket in her dress. Still no message from Mike Paul and everything she’d sent him was still marked as unread. She stared at the phone, her forefinger rolling over his name, and then she called Kip.

“I need the keys to the truck,” she said when he answered.

“I left them in the console.” A pause. “Are you leaving?”

“I am.”

“Can I end this thing now?”

“You sure can.”

“I’ll let them down gently. And Ivy?”

She was headed for the truck. “Yeah?”

“Go get him.”

Chapter23

Mike Paul was a good son.His day had started out in the toilet, but he’d managed to get his shit together and meet up with his folks for Christmas Eve service.

It had been a challenge. After his morning fiasco with Ivy, things weren’t looking good. Not more than five minutes down the road he’d taken a panicked phone call from Gord Martin. Mike Paul changed course and headed out to their farm, where he found Melba showing signs of colic. He wasted no time and arranged for the new mother to be transported to an equine hospital for treatment, which on Christmas Eve was a bit of a problem. It took more time than he liked, but in the end he was able to get it done and Melba was taken to Billings.

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