Page 26 of Tempest

CHAPTER EIGHT

Monday

Ryan sat at the kitchen table and read the information that Lucky from the Chicago office had gathered on Ivy’s father, Bill Bellows. The man had a colorful past and more highs and lows than a roller coaster. The last ten years had been good for his business, and depending on what was left to her, Ivy might never have to work again. The kind of money he was worth made whoever inherited it a target, and Ivy was damn lucky that the bullet only grazed her.

The clackity-clack of Ivy’s heels announced her arrival. He looked up and saw that she was dressed up. He’d liked the cutoff shorts and boots she wore yesterday, but the dress she wore was nice too. “You look great, honey.”

She collapsed into a chair and smiled. “Thanks. I figured jeans wouldn’t be considered appropriate to hear Daddy’s last words. That is, if he has any. Lord knows he couldn’t spare me many when he was alive.”

“His loss,” he said firmly as he covered her hand. When she gave him a tight smile, he decided to leave the subject alone. Today was going to be difficult, and his job was to support her and try to figure out who the players were. His laptop beeped and he glanced at it. “I sent Lucky a request yesterday for information about your daddy’s affairs, and she’s been sending it to me as she gets it.”

“That was a good idea. How much dirt has she dug up? I’m guessing there will be truck full when all is said and done.” Smoothing her hair down, she sighed. “I should’ve called her after the incident…I guess I’m not operating at my best.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

“Could you also be the muscle of this operation and grab my bag from upstairs? I feel much better, and we can go back to my house tonight.”

“You have a house here?”

“Of course. I bought it right after I got my first job. It’s about a mile from here. It’s a cute little ranch house with a guest house and a pool. Mama got me a real good deal.”

He moved his hand to her leg and winked. “That means we’re going to be alone tonight behind locked doors.”

“Why do the doors have to be locked?”

“Because the way I’m going to make you feel might be considered illegal. I don’t want to get arrested for making you scream.” He let his fingers play over the top of her dress and winked. “I’ll run up, pack my bag and grab yours, and then we can head out.”

“I want to go dancing before I do anything illegal with you,” she said as he stood.

“I’ll do whatever you want me to do. Dancing, serenading…make a list, Ivy, and I’ll do every single thing on it.”

He walked out of the kitchen and heard her laugh. Women like Ivy Bellows didn’t come along in every man’s life, and he wasn’t going to screw it up. No matter how much work it took.

***

Ivy stood in front of the tall glass building and held his hand. Her breathing was a little shallow, and he worried that she was going to hyperventilate. He guessed that underneath her cool façade lay a river of doubt and hurt. The next couple of hours were going to be tough, no matter how much she pretended otherwise. “Breathe, honey.”

“I’m trying. It’s not that easy.”

“Whatever happens next doesn’t change anything about your life. When we’re done here, you’re still going to be smart and funny and have great taste in shoes.”

“You’re right.” Turning, she glanced at the entrance. “Nothing good has come out of my daddy’s actions, and I don’t expect this to be any different.” She sighed and then squeezed his hand. “Let’s go and get this over with.”

“We’ll face it head-on. That’s the only way to deal with anything,” Ryan said, as he led her into the building.

“Why are you being so nice to me? I hardly deserve all this attention and kindness you’re giving me.”

Ryan understood in that moment that Ivy had never been given much of anything from the men in her life. The self-sufficiency she wrapped herself in was a result of her circumstances. Another one of the many assumptions he’d made about her fell away as he realized that she was just a big marshmallow. Granted, it was covered in a hard case of steel, but it was there and she was showing him.

Whatever her daddy had done left her believing she had to earn attention and kindness. It wasn’t something that was given freely. Bill Bellows had done a good job of being about the worst example possible. “I’m here, Ivy, and I’m not going anywhere.” He would do almost anything for her, and that included standing between her and a bullet. He’d done that for countless strangers. Why wouldn’t he do it for a woman who was stealing his heart?”

“Can we go and get margaritas after this?”

“Sure, honey.”

“I’ll take you to the bar where many of my bad decisions were made in college.”

“What kind of bad decisions?” He sure as hell hoped they didn’t involve men.

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