Page 75 of Moonlight & Matrimony
A look of relief flashes over his features as he secures his mask, then follows the rest of the crew into the fray. The sight of firefighters moving decisively towards the fire brings a small measure of relief amid the devastation.
When Liam’s not behind the bar, or pulling double duty at home with Aiden, he’s volunteering at the fire station. He’s a broody motherfucker most of the time, but he’s a good guy and an amazing dad.
“Luca. Your workshop. All of your projects.” Ivy’s face is etched with a heavy mixture of worry and exhaustion as she takes a seat on the curb.
“Everything can be replaced.” I keep my tone calm and reassuring, but inside I’m struggling to contain my devastation. Questions swirl over how this could have happened. Did I leave something plugged in? What if Rylin had been home, and we didn’t wake up in time? Every possibility, every devastating thought races around in my mind as the firefighters work to control the blaze.
I sink down beside her as my phone chimes with a notification.
Cade: Are y’all okay? Heard there’s a fire in your area.
Luca: Workshop is on fire. Everybody is safe.
Paige: WHAT?! Why didn’t you call me?
Luca: Calm down, sis. I haven’t had a chance to do much of anything.
Dean: Do you need anything? What can we do?
Luca: Don’t know much yet. We’ll keep you updated.
What feels like hours later, Ivy and I are still perched on the curb, her head resting on my shoulder, eyes closed. Liam’s sympathetic voice shakes me out of my thoughts. “I’m sorry, man. It’s a total loss.” I nod, resignation flooding my veins. “Look, I really shouldn’t be telling you this, but if it were me, I’d want to know. It looks like arson.”
Ivy’s head snaps up, a panicked expression on her face, and tension racks my body at the revelation. “What do we do now?”
“Fire and arson investigators will want to look into it. You’ll need to air out the house, but as far as I can tell, it’s otherwise unharmed. I’d give it a few days to clear out before going back in. Do you have somewhere you can stay?”
“Yeah,” Ivy says, cutting off my denial. “Evie and Russell wouldn’t mind lending us a cabin.”
“Ok. If I hear anything else, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks, Li. For everything.”
“Sure. Y'all stay safe.”
Ivy
Less than 24 hours ago, I was damn near ready to open up my heart and let Luca in, but it’s like the universe knew and decided to remind me why I can’t let that happen.
We arrive at the ranch shortly after the fire trucks disappear down the street. I call Evelyn on the way over, and she greets us with a tight hug and a watery smile. Russell follows us to the guest cabin on horseback, pulling me into one of his signature dad hugs. I hold him a little tighter than usual, soaking in his warmth to calm my frazzled state.
Once I get inside, the first thing I want to do is get the smell of smoke out of my hair and skin, but my efforts are futile. No matter how long I shower or how hard I scrub, the scent clings to me, stubborn and intrusive, like an unwelcome ghost.
Resigned to a restless night, I settle on the worn leather couch and send Luca off to the bedroom in hopes that maybe one of us can get some rest, but he returns an hour later and we sit in silence until the sun crests over the landscape, illuminating the breathtaking views of Whispering Oaks Ranch. Luca’s presence is an unexpected comfort amidst the heightened emotions lingering from the night before.
Evie brings Rylin over after the farm chores are completed, and while it's a balm to my soul to have my girl in my arms, I can’t muster enough strength to explain the situation. We tell her we’re going to have an extended sleepover with Gigi for a little while, but we don’t elaborate. Thankfully, the idea of waking up at the ranch every day seems to appeal to her little 4-year-old heart, and the conversation ends there. I know we’ll have to explain things someday, but I can’t even wrap my headaround everything that’s happened, let alone explain it in a way that Ry could understand.
“Come on, lovebug. Let’s give mommy some time to settle in, okay?” Evelyn guides Rylin back down the steps as I stare off into oblivion, and Luca follows them out, leaving me alone with only my thoughts for company. No matter how much I want to give myself over to Luca, body and soul, I can’t. And between the alleged arson and my ever-growing feelings for my husband, I’m drained. There isn’t anything left to give.
Hidden away in the guest cabin, my mind begins replaying every possible mistake I might’ve made in this life — or a past one — that could have led to a lifetime of misfortune. I don’t know how long I stay like that, sitting on the floor wrapped in one of Luca’s hoodies, knees tucked to my chest with my back against the sofa as I try to quell the building ache in my chest, but I come back to myself when I sense Luca’s return.
“Ivy?” Luca’s steady presence surrounds me as he steps into the small living space, his familiar scent enveloping me in a comforting embrace. “Russell wanted to know if we’d like to join them up at the main house for dinner. He said to tell you that Griffin and Jaxon are grilling. He seemed to think that was going to be a deciding factor.” Something like jealousy flashes on his face, but it’s quickly replaced by a quizzical expression.
For a few years after mom died, Griff and Jax were like the big brothers I never knew I needed. Wilder is the oldest son, but he married and moved away before Evelyn unofficially adopted me. Then there’s Ruby, the baby sister and country music darling. She and I didn’t interact much, though we were the same age. I hung out with a different crowd at school. Where she was the popular girl with the heart of gold and talent beyond her years, I was the girl who would fight at the drop of a hat, just treading water, trying to stay afloat.
Later, when I should’ve been clinging to the stability offered by the Hayes family, I chose to give my heart to a man who would eventually tear it to shreds. When I met Austin at 17, I put this beautiful family in my rearview, thrusting myself into a life I was unprepared to face.
Luca waits for my response as I debate whether or not I’m ready to let them see this broken version of me. Realizing I don’t have anything left to lose, I agree. “I’ll just get cleaned up and we can head out.”
