Wicked Fog (An Ivy Morgan Mystery Book 6) Read online

  Wicked Fog

  An Ivy Morgan Mystery Book Six

  Lily Harper Hart

  HarperHart Publications

  Contents

  Copyright

  1. One

  2. Two

  3. Three

  4. Four

  5. Five

  6. Six

  7. Seven

  8. Eight

  9. Nine

  10. Ten

  11. Eleven

  12. Twelve

  13. Thirteen

  14. Fourteen

  15. Fifteen

  16. Sixteen

  17. Seventeen

  18. Eighteen

  19. Nineteen

  20. Twenty

  21. Twenty-One

  22. Twenty-Two

  23. Twenty-Three

  Mail List

  Acknowledgments

  Books by Lily Harper Hart

  Copyright © 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.

  Created with Vellum

  One

  The air was crisp as it whipped around Jack Harker, causing him to make a face and snuggle closer to his girlfriend as he watched the denizens of Shadow Lake bustle about the town square as they readied the annual Halloween festival.

  “This bites,” Jack muttered, lowering his nose to Ivy Morgan’s cheek and pressing the cold protuberance to her warm skin. “How are you warm when it’s so cold out?”

  Ivy, her long brown hair shot through with streaks of pink, made a face. “It’s sixty degrees out, Jack.”

  “It doesn’t feel that warm,” Jack complained, tightening his green army jacket around him as he regarded the feisty woman at his side. “It feels downright freezing. Let’s go back to your house and start a fire. I’m convinced if we go into hibernation mode now we’ll survive until spring. If we wait too long, our very survival is in jeopardy.”

  Jack wasn’t a northern Lower Michigan native. He grew up in Detroit, making his home in the suburbs there until two gunshots to the chest ended his time with the city’s police department. After recovering, he moved north because he wanted quiet and peace. What he got was Ivy Morgan, and while he ignored her pull for as long as he could – about two weeks, although she was convinced it was two hours – he ultimately lost the fight to stay away. He’d never been so happy to lose a battle. That didn’t mean he liked the weather.

  “I think you’re just a city boy at heart,” Ivy teased, poking his ribs. She didn’t have a coat on, and her bohemian skirt didn’t cover her feet – which were clad in sandals instead of regular shoes. “I’m a country girl at heart. Maybe we’re destined for sadness.”

  “Oh, we’re destined for something, honey, but it’s not sadness,” Jack said, slipping his arm around Ivy’s waist and causing her to squeal as he pulled her close. “Just because I grew up in the city, though, that doesn’t mean I’m a city boy. I’m pretty sure I’m a country boy.”

  “Then why are you complaining?”

  “It’s cold, honey,” Jack replied, not missing a beat. “In the city it stays warmer longer.”

  “Jack, sixty degrees is downright balmy for this time of year,” Ivy argued. “This is great weather for the Halloween festival. By the middle of November we’ll probably have snow.”

  Jack made a disgusted face. “Snow? We don’t get snow in the city until January and even then we only get three big drops a year and then it melts in between. I get the feeling you’re talking about something else entirely and it makes me want to hibernate sooner rather than later.”

  “I’m definitely talking about something else,” Ivy confirmed, slipping her arms around Jack’s waist and resting her chin on his solid chest as she studied his chiseled features. She was tall for a woman, but Jack towered over her. He made her feel safe. He also made her feel loved, although the couple hadn’t said those particular words to one another yet. It would happen. Ivy had faith. They’d only been together a few months, after all. They had plenty of time to build up to big declarations. That didn’t mean she wasn’t going to enjoy her favorite time of year with her favorite man. “Once it snows here the ground usually stays covered until spring.”

  Jack blew a loud raspberry as he rocked Ivy, ignoring the stares of the town folk as they hurried past to help with the festival setup. Ivy wasn’t usually a joiner, so when she told him she was busy setting up the Halloween fair – and would even have her own booth to sell lotion and candles – Jack was understandably curious. He had to see it for himself.

  The cold made him rethink that, although the idea of snuggling with Ivy was always welcome – even if people couldn’t stop themselves from staring. “Explain this snow sticking for months at a time thing,” Jack said, his tone teasing. “Does that mean we’ll be officially snowed in?”

  Ivy snorted. “You’re a police officer. You can’t be snowed in. You’re always on call.”

  “Yes, but I’m considering quitting my job and living off the kindness of a beautiful woman,” he shot back, grinning as she kissed his chin. “I’m going to let you do all of the heavy lifting this winter. I’ll pick up the financial burden in the spring … when I can feel my toes.”

  “Oh, you’re going to be able to feel your toes,” Ivy said. “That’s what the fireplace is for.” Her eyes sparkled as her expression shifted and took on a far-off quality. “Think about it, Jack. There are going to be days when we get a foot of snow and we’re going to be able to spend forty-eight hours straight with nothing to do but drink hot chocolate and be together.”

  Jack hated the idea of snow, but he loved the idea of cuddling in front of a fire with Ivy. “That sounds great,” he said. “Let’s start doing that now.”

  “It’s not snowing yet,” Ivy pointed out. “The first snow is always magical, though. You have to promise to go for a walk with me during the first snow.”

  “What if it snows in the middle of the night?”

  “Then we’ll get up and take a walk.”

  Jack wrinkled his nose. “You want me to get out of a warm bed and walk with you in snow for no good reason? Are you crazy?”

  “I’ll make it worth your while,” Ivy promised, rolling to the balls of her feet so she could kiss the ridge of his ear. “I promise it will be fun.”

  The sultry tone of her voice caused Jack’s insides to turn to jiggling gelatin as he clutched her closer. “Oh, you could talk a snowman into a pair of snow pants,” Jack murmured, making chewing noises as he kissed her neck. “I’ll go for a walk with you in the snow.”

  “Good.”

  Jack knew she would get him to give in before he started arguing, but the smile she graced him with was worth all of the manipulation. “It definitely sounds good,” Jack said, giving her a soft kiss before moving back far enough to sling an arm over her shoulders and stare at the town square. “What can you tell me about this shindig?”

  Ivy rubbed her hands together, excited. “Well, it’s always so much fun because we have a haunted corn maze and a dance. Everyone gets dressed up and we have warm cider. Oh, and there’s hayrides. There’s a haunted house at the carnival for the kids – but I enjoy it, too. Did I mention Halloween is my favorite time of year?”

  Jack cocked an eyebrow, her enthusiasm taking him by surprise and yet warming him at the same time. She was an excitable person, but this was the first time since meeting her he could remember outright joy due to an event causing her to bubble
in this manner.

  “You didn’t, but if you’re this worked up, I have a feeling it’s going to be my favorite holiday, too,” Jack teased, goosing her bottom when he knew no one was looking and causing her to squeal. “I’m looking forward to filling you with treats, Ms. Morgan.”

  Ivy’s smile was so wide it almost split her entire face. “I like licorice … and peanut butter cups … and Almond Joys, for that matter, the best.”

  “That’s good to know,” Jack said. “I’m looking forward to sugaring you up, stripping you naked, and putting a blanket on the living room floor in front of the fireplace.”

  Ivy’s mouth dropped open at the brazen flirting. “Jack!” She feigned being scandalized. “Be careful. People might hear you.”

  “Ivy!” Jack mocked her tone. “I don’t care who hears me. I’m happy. You’re ecstatic. We don’t have a murder … or a traumatized girl … or outright danger plaguing us. I want to enjoy this.”

  Ivy’s expression softened. They had been through a lot for a “fresh” couple. The day they met it was because Ivy found a dead body in the ditch by her house. Jack was instantly drawn to her, but after his own troubles he didn’t want to get involved with anyone so he fought the attraction. That turned out to be a wasted effort.

  Now, after months of dating and sharing dreams with one another, Jack realized he’d never been this happy. Even before his partner turned on him and left him for dead in an alley, Jack didn’t think it was possible to adore anyone as much as he adored Ivy. She made him laugh … and outright giggle sometimes … and she always made him feel content.

  Shadow Lake was supposed to be a quiet place for Jack to retreat. Instead it had been a hotbed of activity – including the discovery last month of a teenaged girl held captive for a long period of time – and Jack was looking forward to a relaxing week with his girl.

  “Tell me what you want me to do,” Jack said. “I’ll help however I can.”

  “You don’t have to do anything,” Ivy said. “We’re just here for the ceremonial opening of the corn maze.”

  Jack glanced around, confused. “There’s no corn here.”

  “I know that,” Ivy said, rolling her eyes. She was cute and cuddly today, but her sarcasm remained intact despite the romantic overtones of the afternoon. “It’s going to be held on the other side of the horse stable property.”

  “Oh, that is a cornfield,” Jack said, realization dawning. “I thought those were just really tall weeds when I first moved here. I had no idea that was corn until I saw people stopping to buy bags of the stuff and take it home”

  “You did not,” Ivy scoffed, giggling.

  “I did, too,” Jack said, tugging Ivy closer. “Are you going to take me on a tour of this corn maze when it’s open?”

  “I am.”

  “Is it going to be a naughty tour?”

  “It had better not be.” Max Morgan, Ivy’s brother, made a face as he appeared in the space next to Ivy and Jack. He was fond of his sister – in fact, they were incredibly tight – but he was also a fan of Jack and Ivy’s relationship. He wanted his sister to be happy. He just didn’t want to hear about their sex life if he could help it. “This is a family-friendly event. You guys cannot be gross in public. The Morgan family will never live it down if you do.”

  Jack pursed his lips, scorching Max with a dark look as he kept his hand on Ivy’s waist. “You saw we were busy, right?”

  “I did,” Max confirmed. “I saw your dirty lips all over my sister.”

  “So why did you come over here to interrupt us?” Jack asked.

  “Because the opening of the corn maze is an annual event,” Max replied.

  “I figured,” Jack said. “I’ve never seen this many people downtown … well, except for when they host those weird dance things in the barn. Then there are a lot of people down here, too.”

  “You didn’t let me finish,” Max said. “The corn maze opening is an annual event … and Ivy and go to it together. We make a day of it. We bob for apples … and drink cider … and frolic in the falling leaves.”

  “Oh.” Jack’s heart sank. The last thing he wanted was to come between Ivy and her brother. “I didn’t realize you guys had a regular date. I can keep myself entertained.”

  Max snorted as Ivy shot her brother a dirty look.

  “Don’t listen to him,” Ivy said. “We most certainly don’t frolic in the leaves and I’m not a big fan of bobbing for anything because I hate germs. I invited you here because I want you with me. Yes, it’s true Max and I come to the opening together every year, but that’s only because he wants to check out the haystack honeys – that’s his term, not mine, by the way – and I’m a convenient excuse for him not to have to attend alone.”

  That was a lot of information for Jack to absorb all at once. “Haystack honeys?”

  “I knew that would be the thing to pique your interest,” Ivy grumbled, fighting the urge to smile when Jack poked her side.

  “You’re the only woman I care about, haystack or otherwise, honey,” Jack said, grinning. “As for you … .” He narrowed his eyes as he regarded Max.

  “Fine, you can come with us,” Max said. “It’s important that you stick close to Ivy, though. The women who run the corn maze dress up in low-cut tops and wear their hair in pigtails. They’re adorable … and sexy. They’ll take one look at you and forget about me if I’m not careful, though.

  “So, while we’re there, we need rules,” he continued. “You fawn over Ivy and make all of the women make that ‘aw’ sound because they want a man to look at them the way you look at my sister – don’t take it too far and be gross, though. Then I shall swoop in and sweep them off their feet when they’re at their most vulnerable.”

  Jack ran his tongue over his teeth as he regarded Max. He liked the gregarious man a great deal, but he wasn’t thrilled at being used as a virtual wingman. “Why would I do that?”

  “Because I let you sleep with my sister and don’t put up a fuss,” Max replied, not missing a beat. “I have a key to her house and an open invitation to raid the refrigerator. I could make life very difficult for you.”

  Jack refused to be pushed around. “I don’t care. Come over whenever you want. I have no problem being naked in front of you.”

  “Ivy!” Max took on a whiny tone. “He’s grossing me out.”

  “You’re grossing me out,” Ivy shot back, her forehead creasing. “Why can’t you meet a nice woman and settle down? How come you’re always on the prowl for haystack honeys … and Christmas cupids … and those horrible spring succubi?”

  “Wow,” Jack intoned, shaking his head. “I cannot believe you came up with all of those names.”

  “It wasn’t hard,” Max said. “I bore easily and my phone has a built-in Thesaurus. As for the rest of what you said, Ivy, I happen to be happy with my lot in life. Not all of us are meant for one woman.”

  “Oh, you don’t know what you’re missing,” Jack said, pulling Ivy a tad closer as he kissed her cheek. “My one woman takes up more energy than ten of yours do.”

  “I’m also smarter than all ten of them combined,” Ivy added.

  Jack bobbed his head. “That, too.”

  “Yes, you clearly know the way to my heart,” Max deadpanned. “I love a good scientific debate before I roll in the hay with a hot honey.”

  “You’re a sick man,” Jack said, although he didn’t appear particularly bothered. “I will gladly shower your sister with affection and ship all of the nostalgic women in your direction when they see me fawning all over her. Are you happy?”

  “Thrilled.”

  “Then let’s go,” Jack said, linking his fingers with Ivy’s and giving her a good tug. “This town never ceases to amaze me with the weird crap they come up with to entertain everyone. I’ve never seen a corn maze, and I have no intention of missing this one.”

  “Let’s go,” Ivy said, beaming. “Did I mention this is my favorite time of year?”

  “Only
about a hundred times, honey,” Jack said. “I’ll never grow tired of hearing it as long as you tell me the tale with that smile.”

  “Consider it done.”

  “Oh, be still my heart,” Jack teased, grinning.

  “Yes, and be still my lunch so I don’t throw it up,” Max complained. “Come on. I want you two to put on a show before all of that sappy love talk oozes out and you start fighting … as you inevitably always do.”

  “That shows how much you know,” Ivy said. “We’ve decided not to fight this week.”

  Max snorted. Ivy and Jack were known for their passionate arguing skills. “And I’ve got twenty bucks that says you won’t last a day before that falls by the wayside.”

  “You’re on.”

  Two

  “Wow.”

  Jack’s face lit up when he turned the corner behind the stable and he saw the decked-out cornfield. Workers were busy setting up the maze, the sound of weed whackers echoing from deep inside the field, and every inch of space close to the opening was decorated with orange and black party favors.

  “Isn’t it fun?” Ivy rubbed her hands together as she studied the garish Halloween tableau at the opening of the maze. “Did I mention I love Halloween?”

  “Just a few times, honey,” Jack said, tilting his head to the side. He’d honestly never seen her this excited. He wasn’t complaining – he loved her smile, after all – but he wasn’t sure how to respond. “Can I ask what this delightful holiday attitude stems from?”

  “I just like the holiday,” Ivy said hurriedly, averting her gaze. Jack didn’t believe her for a second. “I’m going to grab some cider before they do the ribbon cutting. I’ll be right back.” She darted away before Jack could press her further, leaving the befuddled man to shift his attention to Max.

  “Don’t look at me,” Max said, offering a saucy wink to one of the blondes dressing the skeleton at the corner of the maze. “I am loyal to my sister. Where she is concerned, my lips are zipped.”