Page 27 of Tempest

“I once decided that a short pixie cut was a good idea. I have an unusually large head and a short haircut was about the worst choice I could’ve made. I mean, you’d think that I would’ve known better, given how hard it was for me to find a hat.” She pulled his hand and walked toward the elevator. “Unfortunate haircuts are not something that a person gets over easily. I mean…it just about killed my social life sophomore year.”

They stepped onto the elevator, and Ivy continued to enlighten him on the options for bad hair decisions. He wasn’t paying real close attention, and he figured she didn’t much care. He now recognized this as something she did to distract herself when she was nervous. He nodded a couple of times and held her hand as she talked, because that’s what she seemed to need.

***

They stepped into the law offices of Garret Small, and Ivy whistled quietly. “I guess Daddy ended up having a couple of good years in the oil business.” The place reeked of success, with an original Maxfield Parrish painting on the wall. She turned toward the receptionist, gave her name, and then walked over to the sofa. “We have about fifteen minutes before our appointment.” Collapsing into the couch, she checked her phone.

Ryan sat next to her and looped his arm around her shoulder. “Do you want me to go in with you when the will is read?”

Tilting her head up, she gave him a small smile. “I was hoping you would offer. I’m embarrassed to admit this whole thing has me tied up in knots. We don’t know each other well, and I know it’s a lot to ask.”

“I’d be happy to go with you.”

She was about to respond, but stopped when the doors to the office opened and a tall man entered. “That’s my brother, Colin.” Standing, she stepped over and gave him a big hug.

They were definitely siblings. Ryan noticed they shared the same eyes and nose. He wondered how much time they spent together over the years and how well they knew one another. The way Ivy was fussing over him suggested that they had formed a bond despite the circumstances of the family.

“Ryan, this is my half-brother, Colin Bellows. He just graduated from college and was drafted by the Texas Rangers.” Looking up, she gave him a warm smile. “My baby brother is a baseball star.”

“Jeez, Ivy…quit saying that. I’m only playing with a Minor League team to start. Don’t embarrass me,” Colin huffed out.

“What you’ve accomplished is a lot to be proud of. Not many people get to play professional baseball.”

Ryan met Colin’s eyes over Ivy’s head and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ivy’s boyfriend.”

Her eyes flew up, and he wondered why she was giving him a stink eye.

“Boyfriend? We haven’t even had a regular date yet.”

“Ivy, quit being such a hard-ass,” Colin said with little patience. “I heard from Aunt Tilly that you were at Fabar’s yesterday, buying out the condoms. He must be your boyfriend. Quit busting his chops.”

“I did not buy out the condoms. There were plenty of boxes left.”

Colin rolled his eyes and laughed. “I also heard you gave Wendy Ann a piece of your mind and made out on Main Street in front of God and everyone. I listened to Aunt Tilly for twenty minutes as she gave me a blow-by-blow of your afternoon antics.”

“Tilly has way too much time on her hands. Ever since she stopped working at the post office, she’s become an out-of-control gossip,” Ivy said tartly.

Before the argument could continue, the receptionist told them Mr. Small was ready for them. “Let’s go…boyfriend. I hope to God you turn out to be a decent one. The last few have been duds,” Ivy said, as she picked up her purse and followed the receptionist.

“Good luck,” Colin said. “My sister is a pain in the…”

“Don’t say it, Colin. I’m only a pain in your ass because I have to keep an eye on you.”

Ryan followed the siblings and laughed to himself. Ivy clearly took her older sister duties seriously. Her ability to brag about Colin, infuriate him, and then get in the last poke was impressive.

A shrill voice stopped the group as Colin’s name was called. Everyone stopped and turned to see who was responsible for making such an awful racket.

“Shit. What the hell is she doing here?” Colin groused.

Ivy looked around her brother and sighed. “Is that Daddy’s latest?”

A short woman with brassy red hair trotted up to the group. “You all can’t start the meeting without me. I know Bill wouldn’t like that.”

“Are you sure you have an invitation?” Colin asked sarcastically.

“You shut up, Colin Bellows.”

Ivy stomped around both men, slid her hand up on her hip and skewered the woman with a glare. “Don’t ever speak to my brother that way. Spending a little time with our daddy doesn’t give you the right to behave that way. Use whatever manners your mama taught you and keep your insults to yourself.” Turning on her heel, she grabbed her brother’s arm and tugged him down the hall. “Lord save us from Daddy’s trash,” she said, none too quietly.

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