Page 81 of Tempest

They got in the car and before Ryan pulled out, Ivy touched his arm. “Thank you for being such a good sport about all of this. I don’t think there is another man alive who would deal with me and the crazy I’ve got going on.”

Leaning over, he kissed her. “Honey, you’re not crazy, just colorful and entertaining. I knew when you told the macaroni salad story that you were the girl for me. You’re a tempest in a teacup, and I wouldn’t want you any other way.”

“That’s very sweet. Though I’m not sure that being compared to a violent windstorm is a good thing…I guess I won’t complain.”

“You’re not the type of storm to run away from. You’re the type to chase,” he said as he drove them toward the winery.

Ryan Cordell was better than a chocolate chip biscuit, and it was useless to pretend otherwise.

***

Ivy and Ryan sat with Grams and Mama under a shade tree and enjoyed their lunch. “Mama, do you think those two old biddies got it right about Nelson?”

“Baby, I think they may have. Elvie and Janie are as old as dirt, but they never get gossip wrong. They’ve been friends with Mrs. Reardon since your daddy and I were kids. Bill and Nelson competed over everything since the first grade. I never understood why they tried to be in business together, but they did. It wouldn’t surprise me if Nelson got up to his old tricks. Just because your daddy died doesn’t mean that Nelson has given up the feud.”

Grams pointed her fork at the table. “It’s what gives him a reason to wake up every day. He’s not going to stop just because Bill is six feet under.”

Ryan wiped his mouth and looked at Ivy. “We’ve done everything to secure the wells. He won’t get away with anything again.” He looked over Ivy’s shoulder. “Ivy, why are those two women pointing knives at each other?”

Glancing up, she noticed that the annual pineapple upside-down cake argument was about to start. “That’s my Aunt Cee and her friend Eugenia discussing the merits of adding nuts to the cake.” She lifted her napkin and gently wiped her mouth. “It happens at least once a year, if not twice. There was only the one time that actual blood was drawn, and Eugenia swore on a stack of bibles that it was because Big Bobby accidentally pushed her.” Standing, she grinned down at him. “I’m going to get seconds. Do you want anything?”

“Sure. The ribs are incredible.”

“Now, that’s a fight where you better have an ambulance standing by. Shots were fired last year when Carl and Jake started discussing dry rub versus wet. It’s never smart to point your gun at a man’s smoker. Nothing good will ever come out of that. I think Carl still walks with a bit of a limp.” Ivy turned and walked over to the tables filled with food.

Ryan watched her and felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking over, he saw Bea and Grams smiling at him. It was time to put his cards on the table and let the two most important women in Ivy’s life know how he felt. “I’m in love with her, and I want a chance to show her.”

Bea dabbed her eyes with a napkin. “You have my blessing. My baby is a strong as carbon, but she has a soft, squishy center, and she needs a strong man to understand that. I think you may be the one who does.”

Grams cleared her throat and grinned. “I think he’s a good choice for our girl.”

Before Ryan could respond, Ivy returned with two heaping plates of food. “What are you all talking about?”

“Dessert,” Ryan answered.

“We’re going to light the cake on fire this year. Grams is seventy-nine.”

“I’m going to light you on fire if you keep discussing my age,” Grams replied tartly. “We raised you better than that.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ivy replied with a laugh. “I hope I look half as good as you when I’m your age.”

“Me too,” Ryan said before he dug into the food that Ivy had brought him.

“You plan on being around that long?” She watched him nod and she shrugged. “We’ll see about that.”

“Yes, we will,” Grams said quietly.

***

Ivy looked out the window and let her eyes roam over the street. It felt like someone was out there. Shaking off the feeling, she closed the drapes. Ryan’s arms wrapped around her waist, and his lips fell against her neck. “Thank you for being such a good sport today,” she said. Turning, she looked up into his eyes and felt heat radiating off his body. “Why are you looking at me that way?”

“I was wondering if you want me as badly as I want you?”

Watching his eyes darken allowed her to confess how much he affected her. “Maybe I want you more.”

His mouth descended on hers, and his kiss was tinged with raw emotion. When he released her mouth, she looked up and knew he was her answer. Slipping his hands inside her robe, she felt it open, as he moved his hands hotly over her body.

Groaning softly into her mouth, he lifted her up and carried her to the dining room table. Her robe slipped off as he laid her against the hard wood. “Open for me, honey. I want to see how wet you are.” His broad finger slid down her stomach and across her folds. “Perfect,” he moaned as his eyes grew impossibly darker. Bending, he took her breast into his mouth and sucked hard on her nipple.

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