Page 87 of Tempest

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Friday

Ryan sat at the kitchen table and waited for Ivy to finish her phone call with her brother. She was receiving updates, and he wanted to know what the DA decided to do about Davis and William. If they were lucky, they might also find out what was happening with Sherry. It would be great if they could go back to Florida and know that everything had been taken care of. It had been a wild couple of weeks, and he was ready to have some normal with Ivy. He heard her say her goodbyes and then watched her end the call. “Good news?”

“I think so. The DA has filed charges against Davis and William, and they are due to be formally charged today. There wasn’t enough evidence to tie Brook into the embezzlement scheme, so he’s free for now. I think he was just incompetent.”

“Good news, honey.” He took her hand and held it. “Butchko has been giving me updates, and the wells are now fully secured with the new protocol. Ken is in the process of ensuring that the new security managers are working out. I think we have the right system in place, and soon we’ll have the right people, so wells going offline or catching fire shouldn’t happen anymore.”

“I hope so. I want to show six months of no problems and then put the company up for sale. I need a COO to work with Phoebe and Grace in the interim. I don’t think it’s going to be easy to find someone.”

“You might get lucky. It seems that the companies up in Barnett have just about pulled out, so there might be a few people looking for jobs.”

“I contacted a friend from school who has an executive search firm, and she’s looking for someone. I hope we have some candidates soon.”

“The private detective still owes us some information on the Reardons. It doesn’t seem likely that Nelson and Stuart are going to give up easily. I’ll bet they are lying low and coming up with a new plan.”

“What is their end game? Daddy’s dead and there isn’t anything to gain financially.” Ivy remarked.

“Some people can’t give up the war they’ve been fighting their whole lives. If they do, then they might as well be dead.”

“I guess so.”

“Let’s get out of here and go on our date. I’m ready to go to the Hamilton Pool Preserve. I’m hoping there are not going to be a lot of people there so I can smooch you under the waterfall.”

“When I was in high school, I dreamed of going out there with a boyfriend and having a romantic date. I’m twenty-nine, and it’s finally happening.” Running her hand down his face, she smiled. “You were worth the wait.”

“I didn’t know what I wanted or what I needed until I met you. Now that I have you, I can’t imagine living without you.” Leaning over, he held her face in his hands and pressed their mouths together. When she moaned, he deepened the kiss and felt her hand against his heart. Maybe it was time to tell her how he felt. Holding back never got you anything in life, and he figured that was probably especially true when it came to love. He released her mouth and grinned. “Let’s go have our date.”

“Okay. I’m excited to show you the pool. It’s one of the prettiest places in the state.”

He stood and pulled her out of her chair. “Quit dawdling, woman. Let’s go.” Watching her saunter away made him laugh. There was never going to be a dull moment with Ivy around.

***

Ryan held the picnic basket and blanket and waited for Ivy to grab her bag. The parking lot had only a couple of cars, so it looked like they were going to get lucky with the crowds.

“It’s a short walk to the water,” Ivy said as she took his hand.

“Lead the way,” Ryan said as he followed her. They walked for less than a quarter mile and came to a sunny opening with a white sand beach and an amazing blue-green tiny body of water. There was a large overhang at one end with a small waterfall. “Damn, Ivy, this place is great.”

“I know, and there are not that many people. This place can get packed in the spring and summer. A weekday in fall seems to be the perfect time to come.”

They walked hand in hand and found a spot on the sand, and he unfolded the blanket. “Feel like getting in the water?”

“Yes, please. It’s close to ninety today, and I’m ready to cool off.” She flipped her dress over her head and put her hair up in a bun. “I’m ready.”

Ryan looked around and counted around a dozen people. He loved seeing Ivy in her bathing suit. He just didn’t want anyone else to enjoy the view. It was a prehistoric way of thinking, but he couldn’t help himself. She was his and his alone, and the thought of another man looking at her body made him a little crazy. Pulling his shirt over his head, he dropped it next to her dress. “Let’s go.” He led her into the pool and felt the cool, clean water lap at his legs. It was surprisingly cold.

“Holy moly, that’s cold,” Ivy said as she hopped around.

“It’s better to jump in and get it over with. The slow approach will never work.” He held out his hand and watched Ivy shake her head. “I’ll carry you in, and my body temperature will help with the shock.”

“You go ahead and I’ll be in in a bit.”

“Liar.” He stepped forward, lifted her up and held her tightly as he swung around and walked into the water. Her wiggling body was turning him on, so he moved as quickly as he could. “Settle down or I may drop you.’

“If you drop me then I’m going to be as mad as a wet hen.”

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