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

  “I like it when you use your stern face,” Jack said, taking Ivy by surprise when he stood and slipped his arm under her legs to slide her body over and make room so he could join her on the bed. Ivy opened her mouth to argue but ultimately opted for another course of action when she saw the lines around Jack’s eyes. He looked exhausted. Instead, she rested her cheek on his chest and let him hold her. “Thank you.” Jack’s voice was barely a murmur as he ran his hand over the back of her head.

  “For what?” Ivy asked, genuinely curious.

  “For being sweet enough to know I’ll have some sort of freakout if you try separating yourself from me right now,” Jack replied, guileless. “I can’t take it and you recognized that, so instead of fighting you gave in. That rarely happens, but when it does, it’s magical.”

  Ivy snorted as she rested her hand on Jack’s chest, taking solace in the steady beat of his heart. “I really am okay.”

  “You didn’t see things from my perspective,” Jack countered. “You dropped so fast, honey. I … still don’t understand what happened.”

  Instead of immediately responding, Ivy leaned forward so she could peer into the hallway and then glanced around the hospital room in a conspiratorial manner. It was almost as if she was a spy and trying to impart vital government secrets on him without anyone being the wiser.

  “I think I know what happened,” Ivy said finally, causing Jack’s eyebrows to fly into his hairline. “You’re not going to like it, though.”

  “You’re not pregnant, right?” Jack had no idea why he went for the joke, but for some reason it lightened the mood and caused Ivy to giggle.

  “No, and I would’ve paid money to see your face when that happened in front of my father,” Ivy said. “You don’t have to worry about that. I’m very diligent with my pills.”

  “I’m not worried about that,” Jack said. “If it happens, it happens.”

  Ivy’s mouth dropped open. “What?”

  “You heard me,” Jack said. “I’m not taking it back. Unfortunately, though, that is not the focus of this conversation. We’ll fight about that when you’re back on your feet and I have no reason to worry.”

  “You don’t have a reason to worry now,” Ivy said. “At least … not anything in the medical realm, which is what you seem to be obsessing about.”

  Jack was legitimately curious as he tipped up her chin so he could study her beautiful face. “What do you mean?”

  “I saw something, Jack.” Ivy wet her lips, her eyes conflicted. She was clearly worried about telling Jack what really happened at the corn maze.

  Jack rubbed the back of her neck. “Okay. Tell me what you saw.”

  “You’re being really calm, but you’re going to hate what I’m about to tell you.”

  “Well, you can’t be sure of that until you tell me,” Jack argued. “So … tell me.”

  “It was like I couldn’t stop myself,” Ivy said, her voice quavering. “I knew before I knew. Does that make sense?”

  “You knew what?”

  “That the scarecrow was really a body,” Ivy replied. “I … felt it. Or maybe my mind recognized something was really wrong and that’s why I couldn’t stop myself from taking off the shoe.”

  “Yes, we’re going to have to make sure the state police have a copy of your fingerprints on file to rule them out, by the way,” Jack said.

  “They’re on record.”

  Jack pursed his lips, surprised. “Your fingerprints are on record? Why?”

  “I might’ve been arrested a time or two for drinking in a field when I was a teenager,” Ivy replied. “It was nothing serious. Chill.”

  “Ah, the joys of living in a small town,” Jack said, chuckling. “In the city, the cops come after you for drinking in vacant lots and everyone bolts before tickets are issued.”

  “Yes, well, everyone knows everyone in Shadow Lake,” Ivy said. “That’s not really part of the story.”

  “Oh, right,” Jack said, smiling. He found himself relaxing the more she talked. She really did sound like her normal self. “Go on. I’m listening.”

  “The second I pulled the shoe off and realized it was a body … um … I went to another place.”

  Ivy’s eyes were full of fear – which Jack hated – but he wasn’t entirely sure what she was trying to explain to him.

  “Honey, you didn’t go anywhere,” Jack said. “I caught you before you hit the ground. You were with me the entire time.”

  “I know my body didn’t go anywhere,” Ivy said. “I just … my head did.”

  “Oh.” Jack’s forehead creased as he rubbed her cheek. “Where did you go?”

  “I don’t know,” Ivy replied, studying Jack’s face for signs he was going to bolt. This was too weird for any normal man to put up with. “It was black at first … and then white. I kept hearing someone say that they didn’t want to die and my body hurt and my stomach was on fire.”

  “You kept hearing someone say they didn’t want to die?” Jack was intrigued.

  “Yes.”

  “Was it a man or a woman?”

  “Man.”

  “Do you think it was Jeff Johnson?” Jack asked. “Do you think you were hearing his last thoughts or something?”

  Ivy was dumbfounded. “That’s all you’re going to say? Aren’t you freaked out? Don’t you think I’m crazy or something?”

  “No.” Jack’s answer was simple, and he almost enjoyed the flustered look on her face. In truth, her explanation made him feel markedly better because it explained her illness in a manner that didn’t require serious medical care.

  “Why not?” Ivy almost looked disappointed by Jack’s lack of reaction.

  “Because this isn’t the first time you’ve proven that you’re special,” Jack answered. “I mean that in more ways than one, by the way. I don’t think it’s a big deal. You’re magical, Ivy. If you managed to get into Jeff’s head and hear his last thoughts, well, you might be able to help us track down his killer once you get settled and have a chance to think over things.

  “Now, I’m not happy your brain was overloaded and you got sick, but this admission is so much better than you having a physical ailment that could make you weak or eventually take you from me,” he continued. “I’m … relieved. I’m also in awe because you’re amazing.”

  Ivy pressed the heel of her hand to her forehead. “I thought you would freak out.”

  “Well, then you need to get to know me better.”

  “I’m not sure that’s possible,” Ivy muttered, her blue eyes latching onto his serious brown orbs. “Are you really okay with this?”

  “I’m really okay with you and so thankful you’re all right,” Jack replied. “We’ll figure it out. I don’t want you worrying or anything. This is just a new … wrinkle.”

  “It’s more than a wrinkle,” Ivy argued. “I threw up on your shoes.”

  “Yes, and that was gross,” Jack said. “I would gladly buy a new pair of shoes every day for the rest of my life if it means you’re around to throw up on them, though.”

  Ivy’s expression softened. “That’s somehow romantic and gross at the same time.”

  “I do my best.”

  Ivy wrapped her arms around Jack’s waist and burrowed her face in the hollow of his neck. “Thank you for not freaking out.”

  “Thank you for being you,” Jack murmured, kissing the top of her head. “We’ll figure this out. I promise.”

  “I hope so.” Ivy and Jack lapsed into comfortable silence for several minutes. Ivy was the first to break the mood. “So … can I go home?”

  Jack chuckled, delighted and happy. “I will talk to the doctor and see what he says. No promises.”

  “I don’t want to stay in the hospital alone.”

  “You won’t be alone,” Jack said. “If you’re staying here, I will be here with you. If you’re going home, I’m the one who is going to dote on you there.”

  “I guess I can live with that.”

&n
bsp; “Good.” Jack pressed a solid kiss to her forehead. “As long as you’re alive, I can live with anything.”

  Six

  “I can’t believe you cooked breakfast.”

  Ivy stared at her plate, which was heaping with eggs and hash browns, and shook her head. Jack had been nothing but attentive since Dr. Nesbitt cleared her to go home the previous evening. He’d doted on her, tucked her in, and even gotten out of bed to cover her feet … twice. As cute as she found his ministrations, Ivy was starting to chafe.

  “Just because I generally let you cook breakfast, that doesn’t mean I’m an oaf in the kitchen,” Jack said, pushing a glass of juice in Ivy’s direction. “Do you have everything you need?”

  Ivy ran her tongue over her teeth as she silently reminded herself that Jack didn’t mean to be such a mother hen. He simply couldn’t help himself and she should take it as a compliment. “I’m good.”

  “Great.” Jack sat in the chair across from her and prepared to dig into his own breakfast. “Have you talked to your dad? Is he going to run the nursery today?”

  Ivy owned a plant and tree nursery, which was located on the other side of her property. It was a simple five-minute walk through the trees between her house and the business she started from scratch. Even though the season was winding down, the nursery garnered solid business until the end of November. During the winter months, Ivy worked on manufacturing the lotions, body sprays, and soaps she sold as part of a side business.

  “He is,” Ivy confirmed, tugging on her limited patience. “That’s not a new thing, though. He was always going to run the nursery today because I’m supposed to help with the festival preparations at the greenhouse and downtown.”

  Jack balked. “That was before, though. You need a day to recuperate.”

  “I’m fine, Jack.”

  “You’re not fine. You passed out and threw up all over everything.”

  “Yes, and that’s exactly what I wanted to be reminded of as I’m trying to eat breakfast,” Ivy deadpanned, her eyes flashing. “I feel fine. I feel refreshed, even. I slept like a rock.”

  “I know,” Jack said, his expression unreadable. “You snored so loudly I thought you would wake the dead.”

  “I don’t snore!”

  “You did last night,” Jack shot back, the corners of his mouth twitching. “I thought it was cute. I actually liked it because the noise made it so I didn’t have to wake up every five minutes to make sure you were still breathing.”

  “You wouldn’t have done that.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short,” Jack said. “I’m extremely fond of you.” He wanted to say something else, but since he sensed an argument brewing, he didn’t want to taint the big moment with a big fight. The longer he waited to make the declaration, though, the harder it was to find the words.

  “I’m extremely fond of you, too,” Ivy said, her eyes softening. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. That wasn’t fair.”

  “I’m used to it.”

  “It still wasn’t fair.”

  “I actually enjoyed it because that means you’re feeling fiery,” Jack said. “I like that you’re feeling fiery. That makes it apparent that you’re well on your way to recovery.”

  “I’m already recovered.”

  “After another day of rest you’ll be recovered,” Jack corrected. “For now you’re homebound. You’re going to settle on the couch with a pot of tea, a blanket, and that obnoxious cat that keeps trying to smother me in my sleep. That way I won’t have to worry about you.”

  “Oh, that does sound like a nice day,” Ivy said, her voice positively dripping with fake sincerity. “That’s not what’s going to happen, though.”

  Despite his best efforts to the contrary, Jack found his temper flaring. “Ivy, you were in the hospital yesterday.”

  “And I’m fine today,” Ivy said. “I’m going to help with the festival decorations. I promised.”

  “I’m sure whoever is organizing the event will understand,” Jack argued. “All you have to do is place a call. You can help setting up tomorrow.”

  “I’m going today.” Ivy was done messing around. “I feel fine. I feel great even. I want to help with the festival. It’s my favorite event of the entire year.”

  Jack felt his resolve waning due to the earnest expression on her face. He didn’t want to cause her a moment of unhappiness, but he also wanted her safe. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to live with that,” he said. “I have a lot of work to do on Jeff Johnson’s death today because I slacked off yesterday. I … won’t be able to check in on you.”

  Ivy made an exaggerated face that would’ve been comical under different circumstances. “I don’t need you to check in on me.”

  “Yes, well, I can’t help but feel as if it’s my duty.”

  “Well, pick another duty,” Ivy suggested. She was ramping up for a big fight and she didn’t care if she hurt his feelings in the process. He needed to get a grip. “I’m going.”

  “Not if I tie you to the bed you’re not.”

  “Oh, that sounds like a fun game for later.”

  Jack didn’t want to smile, but he couldn’t help himself. “You’re such a pain in the … .”

  “Jack, look at it from another direction,” Ivy suggested, opting to change tactics. “If I’m stuck alone out here all day, there will be no one to help if I have another fit. I love Nicodemus dearly, but he can’t operate the phone. He doesn’t have opposable thumbs and only speaks to me.”

  As if sensing Ivy was talking about him, the black cat rubbed himself against her legs under the table.

  “I … didn’t think of that,” Jack admitted, rubbing his finger over the tender spot between his eyebrows. “I’ll call Max and see if he can spend the day with you.”

  “Max is going to be down at the festival,” Ivy said. “He likes hitting on the haystack honeys and they’re all going to be there. I’ll actually be better off at the festival because it will be filled with people – and right across the road from the hospital.”

  Jack was caught. Her argument held a lot of merit. He also knew she was leaving out a large portion of her plans from the retelling. “If I agree to this, I expect you to keep your nose out of the investigation,” he said. “This is a police matter and you’re not an officer.”

  Ivy narrowed her eyes. “I’m the one who found his body.”

  “That’s the only way I’ll agree to this,” Jack said. “If you don’t promise to stay out of the investigation, you’re staying here.”

  Ivy was affronted. “You can’t force me to stay here. You’re not my boss.”

  “No, but I am the man who … adores you,” Jack said. “If I have to call your mother to make sure you do the right thing, I’ll do it. I don’t care how angry you get.”

  Ivy’s mouth dropped open as the potential horror washed over her. “You would turn my own mother on me? Are you a monster?”

  This time Jack’s smile was wide and heartfelt. “I would do anything to keep you well and safe.”

  Ivy blew out a frustrated sigh. “Fine. I won’t stick my nose into the investigation. Are you happy?”

  “I’m happier,” Jack clarified. “I won’t be happy until we solve this and I can enjoy the Halloween festival with you. We’ll take all of that one step at a time, though.”

  “HOW IS Ivy?”

  Brian met Jack in front of the police station shortly before nine. He was happy to see Jack’s color back, and the man didn’t look nearly as dour as he did the previous day.

  “She’s good,” Jack replied. “She’s at the festival working.”

  Brian pursed his lips and glanced over his shoulder, the urge to smirk overwhelming when he saw Ivy in the thick of things as she and Max worked on decorating a table. They seemed animated as they talked to one another, and Ivy truly didn’t look as if she’d undergone any sort of ordeal. “She looks good.”

  “She looks beautiful,” Jack corrected. “She’s still a pain.”

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nbsp; Brian snorted, relieved that his partner was back to his usual self. “You like it when she’s a pain,” he said. “Admit it.”

  “I don’t like it at all,” Jack argued. “I think she should be a demure woman and do what she’s told.”

  Brian knew that wasn’t even remotely the truth. Jack and Ivy enjoyed the fight as much as they did making up. “Ah, I’m taking it you put your foot down and told her to stay home and she explained to you that wasn’t going to happen.”

  “Pretty much,” Jack confirmed. “She said she was an adult and that she can do whatever she wants to do. Then she pointed out that being home alone wasn’t necessarily safe if she passed out again, and at least here she would have people surrounding her and easy access to the clinic if it happened in the town square.”

  “Oh, so she used logic,” Brian teased. “That must’ve killed you.”

  “You have no idea,” Jack said. “We came to an agreement, though. As long as she sticks to the festival and doesn’t get involved with the investigation, things are going to be fine. She understands that Jeff Johnson’s death has nothing to do with her and she promised to keep out of trouble.”

  Brian guffawed loudly enough he caused Jack to jolt. “Oh, boy, you’re so funny,” he said. “You know darned well she won’t be able to keep her nose out of this. That’s not in her wheelhouse.”

  “I know,” Jack said, heaving out a sigh. “If she can put up a decent effort to stay out of it for one day, though, I’ll take that as a win. I need to know she’s completely better before she goes off the rails.”

  “Well, at least you have reasonable expectations,” Brian said. “We need to focus on work, though.”

  “Right,” Jack said, shaking himself out of his reverie. “Where are we heading first?”

  “The firehouse.”

  “That seems like as good a place as any to start.”

  “I STILL can’t believe it.”

  Brad Gardner was chief of Shadow Lake’s volunteer fire department and he met Jack and Brian at the door when they approached the station. He seemed to be expecting them.