Her Heart's Desire (13 page)

Chapter 17

“I
feel bad that we never made it to Lake Geneva,” Ivan said when Friday rolled around.

“I’m not.” Tiffany smiled, remembering how they’d spent their few days. “I had plenty to keep me occupied.”

Their getaway in the trees of Wisconsin gave them a true respite from their busy lives. She coveted those few days alone with Ivan. Nothing else mattered. As if the world sensed their need for privacy, not one of them received a phone call, text or even an email while they were at Windmere. They were completely isolated, and content.

The drive to Tiffany’s house was solemn. Both were wrapped up in their own thoughts.

In front of her building, they got out of the car and took her things inside. Ivan still needed to go home and get ready for his driver to pick him up later that evening.

Ivan gathered her up in his arms and kissed her soundly. Tiffany threw her arms around his neck and molded herself to him.

When they broke apart, her eyes were wet.

“Hey, I’ll be back before you know it.”

She could feel his heart beating against her temple. “Trust me. I’ll know every second that you’re not here.”

“I know, sweetheart. I’ll miss you like crazy, too. We’ve got all sorts of stuff to keep us connected— phones, email, video conferencing,” he pointed out.

Tiffany tried to put up a happy front, but it was difficult. “None of which will ever replace the real thing.”

“Not for me, either, but we’ll make the best of it. This time next week I’ll be home, and five minutes after that, we’ll be in bed making up for lost time.”

A genuine smile etched her face. Now that was a picture she could definitely hold on to while he was gone.

“I like the sound of that.”

“I thought you might. I’ve got a surprise for you,” he informed her.

“Seriously?”

Ivan sauntered over to one of the bags and retrieved a small, decorative box. He walked back to Tiffany and handed it to her. “Indulge me.”

She eyed it excitedly. “Another birthday gift?” This was larger than the last two, and just as nicely decorated.

“You know the present is actually what’s inside, and not the box itself,” he said with a wry smile.

“Okay, okay.” Tiffany untied the ribbon and pulled open the box. Whatever it was was encased in tissue paper. She pulled the paper away, and then held it up.

She glanced up at Ivan with an amused surprise. “It’s...a Taser.”

“Yeah,” he answered, his voice relaying his enthusiasm. “Isn’t it cool? It’s a C2 model, so it’s small and can fit in your purse. I got red. It’s stylish and comes with live and practice targets and cartridges, backup battery pack, a holster—”

“It’s a Taser,” she repeated. “What do you think’s going to happen while you’re in Venice?”

“I don’t know, but whatever it is, you’ll be prepared.”

Tiffany threw herself into his arms. She hugged him fiercely. “You’re a thoughtful and strange man, Ivan Mangum. And if I come up against an unsuspecting bad guy while you’re gone, thanks to you, I’ll know how to beat him to a pulp, and then fry his ass.”

“That’s my girl,” he said proudly.

They both shared a laugh as Ivan’s cell phone rang.

“It’s my pilot,” he said after he hung up. “We’ll be leaving soon. I’ve got to get going.”

Tiffany nodded. They shared another kiss and headed to the door. She followed him to his car.

“Call me and let me know you arrived in Venice safely.”

“Roger that.” He engulfed her in his arms and gave her one final kiss. “Have fun with the girls.”

Tiffany smiled. “You know I’m starting to think you’re going to Venice just so you don’t have to go on the Love Bird tour.”

A shocked expression covered his face. “Would I leave you here to fend for yourself against the Love Broker?”

“Isn’t that why you got me the Taser?” she countered.

He laughed heartily at that. She walked him out to the truck. He rolled the window down.

“Have a safe trip,” she called out.

He waved. “I will. I’ll call you tomorrow when I get in.”

“You’d better,” she said. Tiffany waved, and remained there until Ivan’s Range Rover was out of sight. When it was gone, she turned around and slowly walked back into the house.

* * *

It was eight o’clock the next evening when Tiffany got Ivan’s call.

“Hey, baby. How are you?”

“Ivan, what are you doing up at this hour? Have you even been to sleep?”

“I slept on the plane. I had to hit the ground running when I got here, so I haven’t been to sleep yet. I’m working on the route plan for tomorrow so that I can go over it with my guys in a few hours. There’s going to be a lot of traffic due to some huge celebration going on. My client is pretty well-known here, so security is going to be an added challenge.”

“Yeah, well, you’d better come back to me in one piece,” she warned. “Not even a scratch.”

Ivan chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”

She smiled at that.

“What are you up to?”

“Working on sketches for a new line. Ivan, as much as I want to, I’m not keeping you on the phone any longer. You need to get some sleep, especially if it’s going to be another long day.”

“It is,” he agreed.

“I’m glad you called me,” she told him. “It’s great hearing your voice.”

“Yours, too. I’ll call you when I can,” he promised. “Stay out of trouble.”

“Like that’s going to be hard to do. You’re not here.”

They said goodbye and hung up the phone. Tiffany returned to her sketching, but it was difficult. Her mind kept wandering to Ivan. He sounded exhausted, and that worried her.

* * *

Ivan threw the papers he was reading across his bed and lay back on his pillows. He’d been in Venice for three days, and it looked as though his week-long assignment was going to turn into two weeks to accommodate a trip to Paris and London. He opened his eyes and glanced at his watch. He had not spoken with Tiffany since the first night he called, but had communicated with her via text messages. His client was a night owl and enjoyed talking business over late dinners or canal rides under the stars with lady friends. There had been at least two other women holding his attention since Ivan’s team arrived.

Tonight had no different. His client and his entourage had dined at Naranzaria on the Grand Canal in the heart of the Rialto, followed by music and dancing under the stars and a moonlight stroll. Ivan had followed discreetly behind while other members of his team had been positioned ahead and behind him. His team had had rotations of two twelve-hour shifts. It had made for an extremely long day, but truthfully, Ivan was used to harsher conditions than protecting a wealthy media mogul.

Ivan received an alert in his earpiece about an irate woman approaching. He moved into position in front of his client while another man redirected the other group of partiers. Seconds later she advanced, screaming in Italian and flailing her arms. Ivan spoke to her in Italian to try to defuse the situation. She was having none of it. He tried to calm her down, but it wasn’t working. By then the men behind him had escorted their client and his companion into an awaiting limo. The woman tried to sidestep Ivan, but her efforts were futile. He blocked her path until the sedan sped off.

Livid at not achieving her goal, she took her wrath out on Ivan. She screamed obscenities at him for thwarting her ability to give her ex-lover a piece of her mind.

Ivan apologized and released her. She threw up her hand in an unladylike gesture and stomped off.

He kept his line of sight on her until she disappeared, before doubling back to rendezvous with his team. It was then he received word that their client was retiring for the evening. Gratefully, Ivan dismissed all but a select group and called it a night.

A few hours later, Ivan woke up from a troubled sleep. He glanced at the clock on his nightstand. It was four in the morning. He got off the bed and padded into the bathroom to splash cold water on his face. He heard his phone chirping in the other room. He hurried to pick it up. “Mangum.”

“Are you busy?”

“Hey, Mike. No more than usual at this hour,” he said with humor. “What’s up?”

“Sorry for the delay, but I’ve got that number you were looking for.”

“Great. Send it to my phone.”

“No need,” he replied. “You already know it.”

When his buddy told him the name of the caller, Ivan swore under this breath.

“Thanks, Mike. I owe you one.”

He set his phone back on the table and then sat heavily on the bed. It would appear that Cole’s warning had come back to bite him in the ass, and he wasn’t happy about it at all, but he would have to deal with it when he got off assignment.

He placed a call to his assistant. He was not surprised that he picked up on the second ring. When he was in the field, Curtis always answered his phone in case Ivan needed administrative support.

“Hi, Curtis, I need you to call ahead and get Windmere ready for me, and book a flight from there to Madison for next week. No, I’m not staying. Book the return flight for an hour after I get there.”

“Of course, sir.”

He thanked him and hung up. After that he dialed Tiffany.

“Hey,” she said breathlessly. “How are you?”

“I’m well. Sorry I haven’t called in a few days.”

“It’s okay, Ivan. I understand. At least you’re able to text.”

“I know it hasn’t been ideal.” He sighed. “And unfortunately, my assignment’s been extended another week.”

* * *

Tiffany’s heart constricted at hearing that Ivan’s trip was going to be longer than a week. She wasn’t thrilled to hear the news that he wouldn’t be coming home just yet, but it was his job, his career. She understood.

“You’re right, that’s not ideal news, but we knew going in that it was a possibility.”

He was silent for a moment, and then said, “I...miss you, Tiff. I can’t begin to express just how much.”

Starlight could not have eclipsed her smile. “I miss you, Ivan. And you’re right. Sometimes words aren’t good enough.”

He had to go so they said goodbye. After Tiffany hung up, she sat there a moment. She meant what she said. She was disappointed, but would support him any way she could. His business was as important to him as the Petite Boutique was to her. Somehow, they would make the distance work when he had to travel for business.

Restless, Tiffany decided to focus her energy on her business. She would remain busy to keep from obsessing over how long Ivan would be gone. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. She had a plan.

* * *

A week later, Tiffany’s shop was bustling with clientele.

“I guess that new coupon campaign is helping,” she told Celeste.

“I’d say your idea paid off big-time,” she agreed. “It’s a madhouse in here.”

When Tiffany got home that night, she texted Ivan. She waited for a while, but when he didn’t respond, she figured he was busy.
Good night, Ivan.
With a sigh, Tiffany began working on her website. When her doorbell rang, she set her laptop on the couch and padded to the door. When she looked through the peephole, Tiffany let out a scream. She yanked the door open and jumped into Ivan’s arms, hugging him fiercely.

“What are you doing here?” she shrieked. She kissed him repeatedly.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

“Oh, my God, I’m so happy to see you,” she cried. “I didn’t expect you to come here straight from the airport.”

“Why wouldn’t I? Damn,” he said lowering her to the floor.

“What’s wrong?”

“I forgot something,” he replied, and then kissed her a final time. “I’ll be right back.”

“Wait. Here.” She handed over her house keys. Before Tiffany could say another word, he’d left. Confused, she shut the door
.

Tiffany fell asleep waiting for Ivan to return. She was woken up by a soft pressure on her cheek. She opened her eyes to find Ivan tracing a thumb down her cheek.

“Ivan Mangum, where in the world did you go?”

He held up a bag from Oberweiss Dairy. “I got your favorite, Turtle Candy sundae.”

“That’s what you forgot?” she said. “You’re insane. There was no way ice cream was more important than seeing you.”

“Does that mean you don’t want it?” He moved the bag away.

“Don’t be silly.” Tiffany sat up and leaned against the headboard. She held her hand out for the bag.

Ivan took off his shoes and got into bed beside her. She dived into her treat while he sipped his chocolate malt.

“This was a wonderful surprise.”

She laughed, but then turned serious. “Do you know how much I missed you?”

He sat his malt down on her nightstand and faced her. He searched her face for a few moments. “Are you sure that’s not the sundae talking?”

“You’re impossible.” She hugged him, and then sat her ice cream on the other nightstand. “You’re a fool if you think that I’d prefer any ice cream over you.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I care about you,” she said seriously.

“That’s good to know, because I care about you, too. Now, there’s just one more thing.”

Her smile faltered. “Is it good news?”

“Besides my wanting to tear your clothes off? Yes. I’m off for a while. You’ve got me all to yourself. No distractions.”

She relaxed. “I can handle that. Now, about that tearing my clothes off thing...when do you start?”

He kissed her. “Well, earlier I told you I’d be buried inside you five minutes after I got home.”

“Yeah, you bungled that with the Oberweiss run,” she said.

He moved forward until she was lying down on the bed, and he was hovering over her. “I guess now I’m going to have to make up for lost time.”

“Yeah,” she said enticingly. “I guess you will.”

Chapter 18

“T
iff, I have to tell you something—and you aren’t going to like it.”

Ivan and Tiffany were lying on the couch a few days later, watching the fire blaze in the hearth.

“Okay.” She sat up, instantly alert. “What is it?”

“I found out who the blocked calls were coming from.”

Tiffany pushed up from his chest and sat back. “Who?”

Ivan paused. “Debra.”

She stared at him. “Excuse me? Why in the world would she call me and keep hanging up?”

“The only thing I can come up with now is that she was trying to run you off.”

“From what?”

Ivan braced himself. “Me.”

“Wait a minute, you told me that you two were over years ago.”

“That’s true,” he replied.

“Well, apparently not, Ivan, if she’s trying to harass me via cell phone.”

“As far as I’m concerned, the only connection between us is her dead husband and the promise I made to help while she got on her feet.”

“Well, obviously she isn’t just interested in your support.”

“It’s irrelevant what she’s interested in. That’s all I’ve given her, and will ever give her. That, and I recommended that she speak with a therapist to work through some of her issues.”

Tiffany’s eyes widened. “Oh, this just gets better and better. This is what Cole meant, wasn’t it? Debra wants you, and has no qualms about doing whatever she can to keep you near.”

“You’re right,” he finally said. He shook his head. “I didn’t see it at first, but I did eventually. In fact, I told her that I was stopping my support in one month. My company has done some business with a client near her. I put in a good word, and she has an interview. That’s it for my help. Whatever happens now, she’s on her own.”

“When did you tell her all this?”

“A while ago.”

Tiffany looked surprised. “Really? You told her before you found out she was the one calling me?”

“Yes.”

The anger left her instantly. Tiffany linked her hands in his. “Thank you.”

He touched her cheek. “You’re welcome.”

“Ivan, listen to me. You’ve been kind, beyond generous and a true friend to her late husband. Especially considering the circumstances of his marriage to Debra, but now she’s using your compassion against you. I can deal with the fact that she blew up my phone trying to run me off, but that’s not going to happen. I’m here to stay, and the emotional blackmail that she’s been putting you through has to stop.”

“I don’t care about me, Tiffany. I can handle it, but her harassing you is unacceptable. You and your safety are my main priority.”

“I understand her motivation, but I’m not about to share you with any woman.”

He stepped closer. “Say that again.”

Tiffany poked him in the chest. “I won’t share you. Okay, maybe with your mom and grandmother, but that’s it—only women who are related to you, and then only conditionally.”

He hugged her tightly. “I’m not going to share you, either,” he informed her. “When my buddy told me who’d been calling you, I booked a flight to Madison. I’m going up there to settle this thing once and for all.”

“Correction.
We
are going. We’re going to sit down and discuss this like three rational adults.”

“And if that doesn’t work?” he inquired.

“Then I’m whipping out the Cane-Fu.”

They both started laughing at Tiffany’s declaration. Ivan gazed into her eyes.

“Are we good?”

“You mean, am I mad at you for your stalker ex-girlfriend prank-calling me?”

“Uh, yes.”

“No, I’m not. I’m not threatened or jealous with regards to Debra. She will never come between us,” Tiffany said confidently. “We’ll handle the situation—together.”

“That seems to be how we function best, isn’t it?”

“You got it, Mangum.”

He picked her up and headed for the stairs.

“Where are you taking me?” she demanded.

“To my bedroom. We have some makeup sex to get to.”

“But Ivan, I already said I’m not mad at you.”

His gaze could have singed her hair. “Well, I suggest you pretend.”

* * *

When they pulled up to Debra’s house, she came running out.

“Ivan, what a nice surprise,” she gushed. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

Tiffany walked up behind Ivan. She stopped next to him.

All pretense of calm left Debra’s face. “What is she doing here?”

“Debra, I’d like you to meet Tiffany—my girlfriend.”

She eyed Tiffany. “I know who she is. I saw her on your social-media sites—” She stopped short.

Ivan frowned.

“Hello, Debra,” Tiffany said.

Debra ignored her. Instead, she turned to Ivan. “I’d ask you to come in, but the house is a mess.”

“We’re not staying,” he replied. “We need to talk. Would you mind if we sat on the porch?”

“No, of course not.” She turned around and headed back to the house. Ivan and Tiffany followed.

Debra sat down. She regarded Tiffany. “So, why are
you
here?”

“I came with Ivan, of course.”

“Yes, but why? I’m sure what Ivan and I have to discuss can’t be your business.”

“
He
is my business.” Tiffany replied.

“For the moment, it seems.”

“Enough,” Ivan snapped. “This isn’t a social call. You’ve been calling Tiffany’s cell phone, and it’s going to stop. She’s done nothing to you, and I won’t have her harassed like that.”

Debra shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Ivan pulled out his cell phone and hit a button. Debra’s house phone started ringing.

Ivan’s expression turned glacial. “You want to try that again?”

“Fine. I did call her. Can you imagine how I felt seeing her all over your social-media pages? I admit it was wrong, but I wanted to make sure she was aware of the...understanding between us.”

“There is no understanding between us, Debra. That ended the moment you threw me over for Brian.”

“You’re right. It was wrong of me, and I’m sorry I hurt you. I loved my husband, Ivan, but he’s gone. You’re the only connection to him that I have left. He spoke about you so much, and he loved you like a brother,” she cried. “It was only natural that I’d turn to you during my time of grief.”

“Does manipulating someone qualify as grief?” Tiffany inquired.

Debra turned on her. “What do you know about it? How dare you come in here and judge me.”

“I know that you used Ivan for financial support, while purposely distorting his kind heart and sense of obligation as some rekindled love for you. Go ahead,” Tiffany demanded. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

Debra’s face turned a mottled red. She lunged for Tiffany, but Ivan was faster. He jumped up and blocked her path.

“I want you off my property,” Debra said to Tiffany, “or so help me, I’ll have you arrested for trespassing.”

“
We
are leaving,” Ivan said. “I’m done, Debra. Our financial arrangement has concluded. Don’t contact me or Tiffany ever again. Do you understand?”

“You promised,” she cried. “You promised that you’d take care of me, you promised that you’d be there for me, and this is how you repay me? How you repay
him?
”

Ivan was barely able to contain his anger. “Tiffany,” he said calmly. “Can you give us a minute?”

“Sure.”

* * *

After Tiffany headed back to the car, Ivan turned back to Debra, and any semblance of civility was gone. His eyes were bright with barely restrained hostility. Debra wrenched herself out of his grasp and backed up a few paces, actually looking frightened.

“We’ve settled all our debts to each other, Debra. I meant what I said about not contacting me or Tiffany ever again. If there’s so much as one hair that gets mussed on her head, I will know it was you, or that you had a hand in it. And if that day comes—”

“You’ll what?” she taunted. “Call the police on me for harassing your girlfriend? I’ll deny it.”

“I don’t need police,” he said coldly. “There is nowhere on this planet you can hide that I won’t find you, Debra. And I hope for your sake you’re smart enough not to ever want that day to arrive.”

Debra stood rooted to the spot. Her eyes bugged out in fear.

He leaned closer. “Do you understand me?”

She could only nod.

Without another word, Ivan strode back to the car. He got in and kissed Tiffany.

“Let’s go home,” was all he said before he put the car in gear and drove off.

* * *

The next night, Tiffany and Ivan were at his house watching a movie when his cell phone rang.

Tiffany glanced over. “Work?”

“Yep, I promise it won’t be long.” He stepped away to take the call.

Fifteen minutes passed, and Ivan still had not returned. Tiffany got up and went looking for him. She found him outside on the patio standing in the darkness.

“Hey, what are you doing out here?”

He didn’t turn around. “Thinking.”

Tiffany walked over. “Ivan, what’s wrong?”

He took her hand in his. “I just got offered the chance to take on a client who’ll be working out of the country for several months in Dubai. He asked for me specifically. Apparently, I came highly recommended. He said he heard I was the best, and he only wants the best. You know what the irony is? I once thought something like this was a dream job for me.”

“Why?”

“Because the money I’d make on this one client would allow me to expand my business interests internationally, which could mean a lot of follow-up work, if all went well.”

Tiffany’s heart dropped to her stomach. She stood there for a minute before she spoke.

“Are you going to take the job?”

“Before, I would’ve accepted on the spot, but things have changed, Tiff.”

He turned to face her. Though it was dark, his hand went right to her face. He grazed her cheek with his fingers. “You’re in my life now. What we have is important to me, Tiffany. Whatever decision I make affects you now, too.”

His words sent her heart soaring. “Is this job going to be dangerous?”

He grasped her hand, and she followed him back inside. Ivan turned off the television, and they went upstairs to his room. They sat on the bed facing each other.

“Sweetheart, there’s an element of danger in the majority of the jobs I do. It only takes a split second for something to go wrong. I won’t lie and say that this assignment won’t have a heightened level of security.”

She nodded. “When do you have to let him know?”

“I have forty-eight hours to get back to him.”

Tiffany’s expression fell. “Ivan, that doesn’t give you much time.”

“I agree, but what I really need to know is what you think about the offer. Where are you on this?”

Tiffany was thoughtful for a moment. “Honestly, I think it sounds like an incredible opportunity for you and your company, Ivan. I think you should seriously consider it.”

He placed a hand under her chin and tilted her face to meet his. “Even if it would mean leaving you?”

She nodded. “I don’t like the idea of you leaving, whether it’s a short or long-term assignment, or the possibility that you’re in mortal danger,” she admitted. “But I will support whatever decision you make. I told you before, we’re in this together, Ivan. No matter what you choose.”

Somber, they both agreed to set it aside for the night.

Troubled, Tiffany called Milán the next day and told her about Ivan’s job offer. She immediately instructed her to come over.

When she arrived, her friend hugged her. “I’m glad you’re here. Jeannie is here, too,” she whispered. “Don’t worry, I’ve made a pitcher of margaritas, and Adrian’s at Justin’s watching a basketball game.”

“Hi, lovebug,” Norma Jean said when Tiffany came out onto the patio. She pulled Tiffany into her arms. “Milán told me what’s going on.”

“I figured you didn’t want to repeat it again,” her friend said, by way of an apology.

“It’s fine,” Tiffany told her.

They had already told Norma Jean that they were dating. She had taken it well, even the part about being kept in the dark for a while.

The group stretched out on lounge chairs while they sipped their drinks.

“The biggest question is whether you can be without him for several months. It may start out as two to three, but what if it goes longer? Would you be okay with that?” Milán asked.

“I agree that it would seem like forever, but in reality, his being away wouldn’t be any different than if he were still on active duty in the army. Both would mean a long separation, and Ivan being in harm’s way.”

Norma Jean observed her for a minute. “You really do care for him, don’t you?”

Tiffany replied instantly. “Yes. Ivan means the world to me, Jeannie. I can’t imagine my life without him.”

“Then don’t despair, honey. It will work out. Remember, the heart wants what the heart wants. You should always listen to what it’s telling you. Most people run into trouble when they don’t follow that simple tenet. You’ve got a great man, Tiffany, and he would do anything for you. That isn’t something people find every day. You’ve got to hold on to it—and cherish it.”

Tiffany wiped the tears from her eyes. “I know.” She got up. “Thank you both for being here and listening to me. I’m sorry, but I have to go. I’ve got something I need to do.”

“We’re here anytime you need us,
chica
.
Te amo
.”

“I love you, too, Lani. You, too, Jeannie.”

In the car, Tiffany called Ivan and asked him to meet her at Buckingham Fountain in an hour.

Arriving early, Tiffany had a chance to watch the water show that occurred every twenty minutes. She tilted her head back to see the center jet shoot water in a one-hundred-and-fifty-foot vertical line.

She sensed Ivan before she saw him. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s one of the things I love most about the city.” He observed her profile. “How’s your day been?”

“About as good as yours, I suppose,” she replied.

Taking her hand in his, Ivan began walking. “So what’s on your mind?”

She got straight to the point. “Ivan, I think you should take the job.”

He stopped and faced her. “Tiffany...are you sure?”