Wicked Warning (An Ivy Morgan Mystery Book 5)

C
opyright
© 2016 by Lily Harper Hart

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

“
I
can’t believe
I let you talk me into this.”

Ivy Morgan, the pink streaks in her brown hair highlighted to perfection thanks to the setting sun, slipped her hand in Jack Harker’s and followed him down the sidewalk.

Jack, his brown eyes lit with amusement, glanced down at her. She was breathtaking in her simple bohemian skirt and top. The angular planes of her features caused his heart to hitch every time he looked at her. They’d been dating a few months, and now that summer was about to turn into fall, he decided they needed a new adventure. Ivy wasn’t thrilled with his choice of outings.

“You seem nervous, honey.” Jack feigned confusion and sympathy. “Are you worried about being seen in public with me?”

Even Ivy’s scowl couldn’t dampen her beauty in Jack’s eyes. “Very funny,” she said. “I’m all for trying new things, Jack, but … this?”

Jack shrugged as he clasped her hand tighter. “I thought it would be good for us to hang around with other people for a few hours,” he said, stopping at a crosswalk to wait for Shadow Lake’s limited traffic to pass before continuing across the road. “We’ve spent the past six weeks holed up in your house. People are starting to think we’re hermits.”

“Don’t kid yourself,” Ivy shot back. “They think we’re sex fiends, not hermits. Besides, who says being hermits is a bad thing?”

Despite her beauty and poise, Ivy was uncomfortable around Shadow Lake’s denizens, most of whom she’d known her entire life. Jack was the recent transplant, having moved the previous spring from Southeastern Michigan to the northwestern side of the Lower Peninsula. He left the city because he was running from personal demons. He never expected to find comfort and solace in a new town, but Ivy surprised him with both and he was unbelievably grateful.

Ivy grew up in Shadow Lake, but her flair for oddity – and rumors she might be a witch – caused her to keep her distance from many of the town’s overbearing personalities. She was happiest in her gardens and working at her tree and flower nursery. Interaction with others was never a necessity.

“I like being a hermit with you,” Jack clarified. “I’m always happy to curl up on the couch and watch a movie. I don’t think going out to a social event will kill either of us, though. We only have to spend a few hours here. If it’s boring … or you think you might stab someone in the neck for talking to you … we can leave.”

Ivy blew out a frustrated sigh as her gaze fell on the barn in the middle of the town square. “But … this?”

Jack smirked. Like all small towns Shadow Lake had unique ways of keeping the locals entertained. One was a weekly barn dance – no joke – and Jack had been curious ever since he heard about the shindigs. “We don’t have to stay if you’re uncomfortable. I promise.”

“But … are you really going to dance with me?” Ivy was genuinely curious. “I mean … like in front of people?”

Jack chuckled, the sound warm as it washed over Ivy and calmed her anxious nerves. “I am going to dance with you,” he confirmed. “And while my rhythm isn’t going to win me any awards, I’m pretty sure I can push you around the dance floor without embarrassing one or both of us.”

Ivy bit her lip, her sea blue eyes conflicted. “Really?”

“Okay, honey, what’s going on?” Jack asked, slowing his pace and bringing Ivy’s hand up to rest against his chest. “I thought you were just being your usual persnickety self, but you seem legitimately terrified. What gives?”

“I’m not terrified,” Ivy clarified. “I’m … not used to being on display. People don’t like me, Jack. They’re going to be talking about me.”

“I thought you didn’t care about that,” Jack challenged. “You’ve always seemed pretty self-assured. That’s one of the things I like most about you.”

“Yes, and I like to think I am self-assured,” Ivy said. “I don’t go out of my way to attend dances, though. I don’t enjoy people staring at me.”

“Well, they’re staring because you’re so pretty,” Jack said, brushing a strand of hair away from Ivy’s face. “I think you attach meaning to those stares that’s probably not legitimate. People are fascinated with you because you’re different … and beautiful … and you have a really sarcastic mouth.”

Ivy rolled her eyes. “The women aren’t staring at me because they think I’m pretty, although I’m fairly certain they’d agree with you about the sarcastic mouth.”

Ivy was tall for a woman, but Jack still towered over her so he lowered his shoulders to make sure they were at eye level. “The women are jealous of you,” he said. “They wish they could be as … amazing … as you are.”

Whatever his faults – and he had a few – Ivy could never claim a lack of compliments as one of them. “You’re good for my ego.”

“You’re good for my everything,” Jack said, wrapping his arm around Ivy’s waist and pulling her close so he could press a soft kiss to her mouth. “It’s going to be okay.”

“I know,” Ivy said, sighing. “I’m just being dramatic.”

“You wouldn’t be you if you weren’t at least a little bit dramatic,” Jack said, hopping back as she playfully slapped his arm. “Now, come on. I’ve been hearing about these things for months. I’m dying to see one.”

“It’s people dancing and drinking in a barn, Jack,” Ivy said, linking her arm with his as they continued their trek. “I don’t think you’re going to get any great insight into Shadow Lake’s grimy underbelly by attending a dance.”

Jack barked out a laugh. “Never change, honey. Never change.”

“
W
ELL
, WELL,
well, I never thought I would see the day.”

Brian Nixon, Jack’s partner on the Shadow Lake police force, sat down at a table with Jack and Ivy about twenty minutes after entering the packed party. He had a beer in his hand and a sly grin on his face.

“Don’t push her,” Jack warned, his fingers rubbing idle circles on the back of Ivy’s neck as he nursed a beer. “She’s barely hanging on as it is.”

“That’s not true,” Ivy protested. “I’m perfectly fine. In fact … I’m amazing.”

“You
are
amazing,” Jack agreed, winking. “You’re still nervous.”

Ivy made a face so comical Jack had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. In an effort to alleviate the tension, he decided to engage Brian in some meaningless conversation. “Is your wife here? I’ve been dying to meet her.”

“She is,” Brian said, nodding. “I wouldn’t be here if she wasn’t.”

Ivy snorted. “You wouldn’t be here if she didn’t make you come,” she corrected. “Millie loves a good dance, though.”

“And that’s why I’m here every week duty doesn’t call,” Brian said. “I love the woman, but she’s a social butterfly.”

“I don’t have that problem with this one,” Jack said, jerking his thumb in Ivy’s direction. “She would rather hide at her house and get me naked than share me with anyone else. It’s shameless really. I had to force her to come.”

Ivy’s cheeks burned as she lowered her eyes. “I’m
so
going to make you pay for that.”

“I’m looking forward to it, honey.” Jack rested his hand on Ivy’s shoulder. “So, tell me who all of these people are. I only recognize about half of them.”

“You’re not missing anything,” Ivy said. “Trust me.”

Brian’s eyebrows shot up his forehead as he exchanged an amused smile with Jack. “Someone is in a mood.”

“I’m not in a mood,” Ivy argued. “I’m just … taking in the ambiance of this lovely dance.”

“Yeah, you’re definitely in a mood,” Brian said. “As to your question, the majority of the people are town folk, but we have regulars who traipse in from neighboring towns whenever the mood strikes. When you’re as isolated as most of us are, people will look for any event because they want to find a mate.”

“A mate?” Jack was amused. “Do people really find mates at these things?”

“They do for a night or so,” Brian replied. “I think a few people have made lasting unions after meeting here. Mostly these dances are a way for the usual suspects to hit on the other usual suspects.”

“Like Max?” Jack asked, pointing toward Ivy’s brother as he held court near the bar. At least four women surrounded him, each hanging on his every word as he regaled them with some tale. “He looks popular.”

“Max is always popular,” Brian said. “He’s considered a real catch.”

“Oh, whatever,” Ivy scoffed. She loved her brother beyond reason, but she wasn’t ignorant of his faults. “Max is playing the field for the foreseeable future. Those women are wasting their time.”

“I think that’s true,” Jack said. “The thing is, when Max finally does decide to settle down, he’s going to make some woman extremely happy. He’s loyal and will be a good husband and father. I can see why he’s popular. Those women keep playing the game because they know someone is eventually going to snag him.”

“You’re just saying that because you have that whole ‘bro code’ thing going on,” Ivy said. “You two always stand up for each other.”

“Oh, well, that’s not true,” Brian argued. “When Max thought Jack was going to break your heart he threatened to kill him. That was pretty ballsy when you consider Jack is a cop and could’ve gotten him arrested.”

Jack shifted in his chair, uncomfortable with the turn in the conversation. “Did you have to bring that up?” A few months before one of Jack’s old enemies surfaced and targeted Ivy in the process. Still emotionally recovering from his own near-death experience, a gunshot wound to Ivy’s arm sent Jack into a tailspin. It took him a few days to wrap his mind around things and he completely abandoned Ivy during the process. She forgave him, but he didn’t like being reminded of his hurtful actions.

“Oh, don’t be such a baby,” Brian chided. “You made up with Ivy, and from what I can tell, she forgives you.”

“Mostly,” Ivy confirmed. “I still bring it up when I want my own way.”

“Yes, and I can’t tell you how happy it makes me when you do that,” Jack said, the corners of his mouth tipping down. “In fact, I’m surprised you didn’t bring it up to get out of tonight.”

“I … .” Ivy was caught.

“You didn’t bring it up because you really wanted to come,” Jack said, his eyes flashing as realization washed over him. “Admit it. You’re happy to have me on your arm so you can show everyone we’re together. You’re such a woman.”

The teasing was enough to push Ivy over the edge. “Maybe I just wanted people to see me on your arm,” she suggested. “Did you ever consider that? You might need the popularity boost.”

Brian snickered. “You two are a trip,” he said. “All that fighting you do must make for some terrific foreplay.”

“You have no idea,” Jack said, smiling as he leaned over to kiss Ivy’s cheek. He wanted to make sure she wasn’t really angry. “Everything she does makes for terrific foreplay.”

“Men are sick,” Ivy said, shaking her head. “You have one-track minds. It must be all the testosterone.”

“Oh, no, honey,” Jack said, shaking his head. “You do it to me. You’re the one with the power.”

“I’m going to stare at my drink now,” Ivy said, mortified and pleased at the same time.

Jack watched her for a moment, his expression thoughtful. She didn’t look unhappy. She was nervous, that was obvious, but she also seemed content. That was the way he liked her. “I think I’m going to stare at you. You’re the prettiest one here.”

“Okay, I think I’m going to have to take my leave on that one,” Brian said, moving to climb out of his chair. He didn’t get a chance to make his escape because Maisie Washington, Shadow Lake’s favorite librarian, cut off his avenue of travel and forced him back into his seat. “Good evening, Maisie. How are you tonight?”

“I’m great,” Maisie replied, her green eyes sparkling as they landed on Jack. “How is everyone over here?”

“Oh, good grief,” Ivy muttered, wrinkling her nose. Maisie’s reputation wasn’t exactly one for the record books … er, well, the clean record books. Ivy knew exactly why the flirty librarian sidled up to their table.

“How are you, Ivy?” Maisie asked stiffly.

“I’m great,” Ivy replied, her tone cool. “How are you?”

“I’m a little bored,” Maisie said. “I want to dance, but everyone else says they’re holding off until later. That’s why I came over here.”

“Uh-huh.” Ivy narrowed her eyes into dangerous blue slits, essentially daring Maisie to do something obnoxious.

“Since he’s new to the dances – and you’re obviously boring and not going to entertain him – I thought I would ask Jack for a dance,” Maisie said, leaning over the table and putting her ample cleavage on display as a form of enticement. “How about it, Jack? Would you like to … dance?”

“Wow, that was subtle,” Ivy intoned, rolling her eyes.

For his part, Jack didn’t appear impressed. He kept his eyes on Maisie’s face as he moved his fingers to the back of Ivy’s neck. Maisie was a predator. He knew that. He also knew he would never do anything to disrespect Ivy. “I have a date,” he said. “I’ll be dancing with her in a little bit.”

Maisie looked surprised by Jack’s answer, but she wasn’t ready to give up. “There’s no reason you can’t dance with me now and Ivy later,” she pressed. “Of course, once you dance with me you’ll probably realize you don’t want to dance with anyone else. That’s often the way it goes around these parts.”

“Then how come you’re still single?” Ivy challenged, earning a scowl from Maisie and a smile from Jack. “If you’re the queen of the barn dance, why are you going after every eligible bachelor in town? Heck, why are you going after the ineligible guys, too?”

“No one is talking to you, Ivy,” Maisie said, her voice practically dripping with disdain. “I’m talking to Jack.”

“I think I’m going to stick with my date,” Jack said, forcing his voice to remain even. “I have no interest in dancing with anyone else.”

“But … why?” Maisie was flummoxed.

“Because she’s the prettiest and most exciting woman in the room,” Jack replied, not missing a beat. “Dancing with someone else would be like trading down, and I have no intention of trading down.”

“Well, great,” Maisie snapped, rolling her eyes as she took a step away from the table. “This dance sucks.”

The shift in her demeanor was sudden enough to make Jack chuckle. When he risked a glance at Ivy, though, he found sincere gratitude reflected in the fathomless depths of her eyes. The earnest expression was enough to make his heart roll. “Do you want to dance with me, honey?”