Page 12 of Tempest

CHAPTER FOUR

Thursday

Ryan let his truck roll to a stop in front of the McDades’ home in Coconut Grove. Ivy had been staying in their guest house for the last week, and he finally had her cornered. All she ever had time for was a short coffee at the office, or at least that’s what she had told him. He’d invited her out so many times that he’d lost count. The story he was telling himself was that she was so attracted to him, she was scared, so she avoided him as best she could. It was becoming a harder sell each day.

If his boss hadn’t invited him over for dinner, then he wouldn’t have had the chance he did now. He grabbed the bottle of wine from the seat and jumped out. Operation Wedding Date was about to begin. As he strode up to the front door, he heard the loud sound of the McDade twins. He’d been with the company only a week and the sounds of the kids’ laughter was already familiar. Vivi and the kids were regulars at SAI, so he’d gotten to know them. Before he could knock, the door opened, and Joel stood there with his son in his arms. “Welcome to the madhouse.”

“Thanks for having me over.”

“We’re happy to welcome you to the family. Come on in and let me get you something to drink.”

Ryan glanced around and grinned. The house was spacious and littered with children’s toys. He hadn’t been sure what to expect when he heard that Joel’s wife was an heiress. The possibility of a formal dinner had danced in his mind. He was relieved to see that they lived in a regular house with the kids clearly the focus.

“I’d apologize for the chaos, but that would imply we had control over the situation. Having twins ensures your house is always going to look like a bomb went off. We pick up after they go to sleep and then it starts all over the next day.”

“I grew up with three brothers, and my father probably would’ve said the same thing.”

“Let’s head out back. The ladies are out there. I think Ivy said she was going to take the kids in the pool while Vivi and I get dinner together.”

Ryan followed Joel out and almost swallowed his tongue. Ivy Bellows stood next to the pool in a bright green bikini with Tory McDade in her arms. He’d known Ivy had a great figure. He just hadn’t known how great. He liked soft, curvy women, and Ivy Bellows was exactly that. Seeing her hold a baby so comfortably did something to his insides that he wasn’t sure he liked. “Hello, Vivi. Thanks for having me over.” He waved to Ivy, and she lifted the baby’s hand and waved back.

“We’re so happy to have you. If you want to swim, there’s a bunch of trunks in the guest house. Just go on in and help yourself,” Vivi said with a smile.

“Thanks.” He handed her the bottle of wine and then accepted a hug. He’d recently learned that Vivi was the type of woman who hugged anyone who got close enough. She would also feed you and offer any advice that she thought might be helpful. Whether you were interested or not.

He walked over to Ivy and held the baby’s hand. “Hi, Ivy.”

“Hey. I didn’t know you were invited to dinner,” she said.

“The way you’ve been avoiding me, how would you know anything about my plans?”

Tory started to fuss, so Ivy bounced her a little and gave him a small smile. “Avoiding is a strong word.”

Before he could respond, Joel’s loud voice interrupted them, asking what they wanted to drink.

“I’ll have whatever Vivi’s having,” Ivy replied.

“I’ll take a beer if you have it,” Ryan added.

Vivi turned to Ivy and winked. “I’ll have Joel make us some blackberry margaritas. They will be perfect with the dinner.”

“Sounds great.” Tory continued to fuss, and Ivy stepped into the pool. “Can I put her in her floaty and take her around the pool?”

“Of course. We just need Ryan to get changed and take Jordy in as well. He’ll have a fit if his sister gets in without him.”

“I can take them both,” Ivy responded.

“Give me five minutes and I’ll change and take Jordan in. We can have a race across the shallow end. I bet the boys can whup the girls.”

Ivy put Tory in her floaty and shook her head. “Leave it to a SEAL to make brother and sister compete against one another. Not everything is a contest.”

Vivi laughed and glanced at her husband. “If only that were true.”

Joel strolled over and handed his wife her drink, then gave her a wet, sloppy kiss. “I’m reformed now, sweetie. I’m surprised you keep forgetting that.”

“I forget nothing, Mr. McDade.”

“I’m the luckiest son of a bitch in the world,” Joel responded as he set Ivy’s drink next to the side of the pool.

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