Ivy Morgan Mystery 18 - Wicked Wedding Read online

  “Look here.” Janet gestured toward the bodice. “When she leans forward, there’s a slight gap now.”

  Ivy leaned forward to check for herself. “I don’t understand. It’s not as if you can see clear down my dress or anything. Nobody is going to know.”

  “I’ll know.” Janet made a face and then blew out a sigh. “I don’t suppose you could eat your weight in ice cream over the next couple of days, could you? Putting the weight back on would be best.”

  “I can’t help that I’m a little nervous,” Ivy complained, glaring at the woman. “I’ve been stress eating left and right. I’m doing the best that I can.”

  “Obviously not enough. Don’t eat so much that you gain weight, though. That will make the dress lumpy. Just two pounds. It’s not that difficult. I gain two pounds every time I see a Red Lobster commercial.”

  Amy had to press her lips together to keep from laughing. It took her a moment to collect herself, and when she finally did, she graced Janet with a smile that promised retribution if the seamstress didn’t take it down a notch. “I don’t want to tell you how to run your business,” she started.

  “But you’re going to,” Janet muttered.

  Amy ignored her and barreled forward. “It’s probably not wise to get a bride-to-be wound up so close to the big day. Ivy looks beautiful. Jack is going to love her in this dress. It’s going to be a wonderful day.”

  “Of course it is.”

  “So ... what’s the problem?” Amy wasn’t often forceful, but she was at the end of her rope today. She was genuinely fond of Ivy, especially since the woman had helped her through a dangerous situation and allowed her to start a new life in Shadow Lake, free of fear and everyday beatings from her ex-husband. On top of that, she was in love with Max Morgan, and hopeful she would get the same happy ending with him that Ivy was getting with Jack. She wouldn’t allow anything to get in the way of the wedding.

  “There is no problem,” Janet replied stiffly. “I was simply ... talking to myself.” She forced a smile that she obviously didn’t feel. “I’m going to head into the back for a moment to get the shoes. Don’t take the dress off just yet.”

  “Thank you.” Ivy beamed at her back and waited until the woman disappeared into the bowels of the store to speak again. “You’re feeling feisty today.”

  “Not really,” Amy countered. “I just don’t like that she’s got you so worked up.”

  “You’re more worked up than I am. I think the dress looks fine.”

  “The dress looks better than fine,” Amy countered. “You look like an absolute dream, like a princess.”

  That was enough to have Ivy’s lips curving down. “I never really wanted to be a princess when I was a kid. I did kind of want to be a pirate ... and a space cowboy ... and a fairy.”

  “Well, then you look like a fairy. I don’t want Janet from another planet ruining your big day.”

  “Nothing is going to ruin my big day.” Ivy was certain of that. “Some things are meant to be, and this is one of those things. Sure, I tend to find trouble at every turn, but I’ve already found my trouble this week and everything turned out fine.”

  “Trouble?” Amy’s eyebrows drew together. “What trouble did you find this week?”

  Ivy related the tale from the previous day, keeping the story as short as possible in case Janet returned. She didn’t want to answer a bunch of invasive questions. When she was finished, Amy was dumbfounded.

  “Max didn’t tell me that.” Her tone told Ivy that her brother might be haunted by more than a missing two pounds later that evening.

  “He might not have known,” Ivy said hurriedly. “I didn’t call Mom or Dad after it happened.”

  “Don’t you think you should have? I mean ... they are your parents.”

  Ivy hesitated and then shook her head. “I don’t want them worrying. More than that, I don’t want them hovering. I need a bit of breathing room before the wedding.”

  “Why? You’re not having second thoughts, are you?” The second the question escaped, Amy thought better of it. “Of course you’re not having second thoughts. You and Jack are perfect together. What’s the problem?”

  “It’s just a lot. I’m not used to being the center of attention.”

  “Ah.” Amy knowingly bobbed her head. “You don’t like people staring. I get it. You’re going to make a beautiful bride, though. You’re also going to pledge yourself to a man who is devoted to you. It’s all going to work out.”

  “I believe that. I just don’t want my mother and aunt hovering. They tend to take things over and Jack and I have planned the wedding that we want despite what my mother seems to think we should be doing. I don’t want to rock the boat.”

  “That’s fair.” Amy ran her fingers through Ivy’s hair to untangle it. “Are you wearing it up or down?”

  “Down.”

  “That’s good. I think it will be beautiful that way.” Amy cocked her head, studying the other woman for a beat and then frowning. “Does the shelter need additional volunteers now that you’re no longer going to be there?”

  Ivy was taken aback by the conversational shift. “I don’t know. Why?”

  “I was just wondering.”

  “Are you interested in volunteering?”

  Amy shrugged. “Maybe. Well, actually, yes. I know it might seem like an odd fit, but you guys have really helped me and I want to do the same for other people. I mostly work nights and JJ will be going to school again soon. It was just a thought.”

  “I think it’s a great thought,” Ivy enthused, her eyes sparkling. “I actually considered asking you because they run these outreach classes to help women transition back into the real world and I thought you would be great for it. Then I got leery and wondered if it was something you would hate so I decided to wait until I got back from the honeymoon to broach the subject with you.”

  “I thought you were done with your community service.”

  “I am but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to keep volunteering there. It won’t be every day, or probably even twice a week other than the winter months, but it’s something I want to continue. I find value in helping those who need the most help.”

  “I think it’s a fabulous idea.” Amy’s eyes sparkled. “In fact, I wouldn’t mind taking a look around today if you think it’s something that can be arranged. That way, after introductions are made, I can work with the woman in charge while you’re on your honeymoon.”

  “I think that’s a great idea.” Ivy hopped down from the raised steps in front of the mirror, a hint of movement catching her attention out of the corner of her eye through the window. For a moment, she thought she saw a shadowy figure watching her from the sidewalk outside. It was gone before she could get a full gander at who it was, though. She immediately dismissed any suspicious notions. Odds were it was either Ava or Maisie spying. She wouldn’t put it past either of them.

  “In truth, I wanted to take a trip out there myself,” Ivy admitted. “I want to check on Dana and Jenny. I just didn’t know how to do it without looking like I’m sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong.”

  “Then as soon as we get your shoes, we’ll head out. I’d actually like to take JJ with me if I can. I think it would be good for him to interact with some of the kids, too, perhaps learn a little something about giving back.”

  “They have a great play area. I bet he’ll have a good time.”

  “So, we’ll finish this and head out.”

  Since that’s exactly how Ivy wanted to spend her afternoon, she didn’t offer up a word of complaint. “I think you’re really going to like Serena. She’s down to earth and understands how to move past trauma. She’s a great woman.”

  “I’m looking forward to meeting her.”

  6

  SIX

  JJ was at the lumberyard with Max, so Ivy waited in the car when Amy went inside to collect him. Since she was feeling particularly lovey-dovey where Jack was concerned, she decided to c
all and give him an update.

  “I have the dress,” she sang out when he answered.

  On the other end of the call, Jack smirked. “Were you worried I needed to be reassured or something?”

  “Maybe a little.”

  “Well, I’m fine.” He meant it. “Once you told me about the weight thing, I got it. You don’t have to constantly call me or anything.”

  “And here I thought you would be excited to hear from me. Where has the love gone?”

  That was enough to earn a growl. “My love for you is never going anywhere. I promise you that.”

  “I feel the same way about you.”

  Jack made a cooing sound and then laughed. “Is that why you called? If so, you should know that Brian is sitting one desk over and glaring at me. He doesn’t find our crap amusing in the slightest.”

  “That’s because Brian never had to deal with the schmaltz gene. You seem to have it in spades.”

  “Does that bother you?”

  “No. I like it. I even like that you still consider getting up every night to cover my feet.”

  “How do you know about that?”

  “Because you have one of those faces that expresses every emotion. Oh, and I know you.”

  “You do indeed.” He pulled back from the phone long enough to murmur something to Brian and then came back. “I would love to spend the next twenty minutes grossing Brian out with more declarations of love, but I’m on his last nerve. Is there something else you need?”

  “Actually, there is.” Ivy wasn’t certain if she should tattle on herself to her future husband, but ultimately she figured it was best to get everything out in the open. “So ... I’m with Amy.”

  “I know. You were trying on your dress.”

  “I was, and even though the seamstress says I’ve lost two pounds — something she thinks is a travesty — I happen to believe I look pretty good.”

  “I’m willing to bet you’re going to be the most beautiful bride who ever existed.” He said it without a trace of guile.

  “Oh, now I think I might cry.”

  “Please don’t do that. Just tell me why you called. I can tell you have something on your mind.”

  “I do,” Ivy agreed, returning to the here and now. “So ... um ... Amy wants to see the shelter. She thinks she would like to volunteer her time out there because, well, you know why.”

  “I do.”

  “I’m taking her, and I figured I should probably inform you, just to be on the safe side and stuff,” she continued. “Personally, I’m never going to be one of those people who constantly informs her spouse where she’s going and what she has planned, but in this particular instance I thought I should probably tell you.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  Ivy could practically hear the smile in his voice. “I don’t have to tell you anything ever again if you’re going to get full of yourself.”

  “I’m not full of myself. I was just thinking that ... we’ve figured this out.”

  Ivy was taken aback. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “This. This relationship stuff. We were both idiots at the start, making terrible decisions and mucking things up left and right. We’ve figured it out, though. I think it’s a testament to how much I love you.”

  “Or how much we love each other.”

  “I like to win. Let’s focus on me.”

  That had Ivy laughing. “You can win today. I just want to make sure you’re not going to be upset. Are you okay with this?”

  “I am. I think it’s a good fit for Amy and you mentioned you’ll probably continue volunteering once we get back from our honeymoon. We have men stationed out there to watch the building. There’s no reason you shouldn’t visit.”

  “Wow.” Ivy was legitimately surprised. “I thought for sure you were going to give me grief.”

  “Well, I guess you were wrong.”

  “I guess so.”

  He waited for her to expand. When she didn’t, he pushed the conversation forward. “Is that all?”

  “Yeah. Well, except for one thing. I really do love you, Jack, and I can’t wait to marry you.”

  Love for her bubbled up and threatened to overwhelm him. “I love you, too. As for marrying you, I won’t feel complete until it’s official. I can’t wait either.”

  In the background, Ivy heard Brian making fake vomiting noises. “You guys are disgusting.”

  She giggled. “And, on that note, I’ll see you later tonight.”

  “You definitely will,” Jack agreed. “Be safe. If you see anything concerning out there, don’t hesitate to give me a call.”

  “You have my word.”

  JACK AND BRIAN ATE LUNCH AT THEIR desks while running background checks on Oliver Taylor’s known associates. Then, for lack of anything better to do, they headed for the rental house he’d shared with his wife and daughter until a few days before. They’d visited the previous evening, but their search had been cursory.

  “It’s a nice house,” Brian noted from outside as they walked up the front walkway. “I mean ... it’s not going to be featured in any decorating magazines or anything, but it’s nice. As we learned yesterday when we came out here, though, this place is a mess.”

  Jack nodded, waiting until Brian used the key provided by the landlord to step inside. The pretty exterior of the house was vastly different from the interior, which looked as if a very angry man had lost his temper and decided to allow his rage to vomit all over the house in the form of broken items and destroyed clothing.

  “Fred Wilkins is the landlord for this property,” Brian volunteered. “He says he checks in once a month, unannounced, and he’s never seen the house looking like this before.”

  “That’s because Dana kept the house clean,” Jack replied, his gaze on a table by the front door. It looked to be a catch-all location where all the recent mail and a few other items had congregated in the time Oliver was on his own. “How long has the wife been gone again?”

  “A little over a week,” Brian replied, his gaze serious as he studied his partner. “When they initially left, they took up residence in the county shelter. That’s a huge place, though, and overwhelming to a lot of people. The organizers try to move people who they think might be fragile, and Dana was one of those people.”

  “Right.” Jack moved his gaze to the framed photograph on the wall. Oliver stood at the center of it, his wife and child on either side of him. He boasted a big smile for the camera, but Jenny and Dana looked frozen in place, as if they’d painted their own smiles on with permanent marker. “So, basically Dana kept the house up right until she left. It was smart not to risk infuriating him right before fleeing. I’m guessing she catered to him even more than normal in the days leading up to her escape.”

  “How do you know she kept the house clean?” Brian queried. “Maybe Oliver did. He could be melting down.”

  “Oliver strikes me as the sort of man who won’t do anything for himself. It all has to be done for him. He expects certain things out of life, and that includes a clean house and a wife who does what she’s told.”

  “And you got all that from the few minutes we spent with Dana after the attack yesterday?”

  “No. I also got it from watching the daughter ... and then there was the dream last night.”

  Brian made a face. “What dream are you referring to?”

  “The one Jenny dragged Ivy into.”

  Brian’s expression didn’t clear. He was used to Jack’s cryptic explanations regarding Ivy’s abilities. While he didn’t want to go into any specifics — he always felt out of his depth when discussing the magical things that had happened since Ivy and Jack got together — he was also aware that a big part of their romance revolved around dreams. “I’m going to need more information ... just as long as it doesn’t freak me out.”

  Jack chuckled dryly. “It’s not a big deal. Or, at least it doesn’t seem to be a big deal on the surface. Last night, Ivy and I were supposed
to have a dream date. We don’t allow ourselves to indulge all that often because we don’t want to get lost in a dream world when we have a wonderful real world to enjoy.”

  “Yes, you and Ivy are amazing,” Brian drawled. “No couple has ever loved one another like you two do. It’s truly a magnificent thing. Get to the point of the story.”

  Jack grinned. “You’re really looking forward to me going off on my honeymoon, aren’t you?”

  “You have no idea. Talk.”

  “Well, there’s not much to say.” Jack opted for honesty. “Ivy fell asleep first. She was supposed to go to the beach location we picked. We wanted our last dream walk before the wedding to be as romantic as possible.”

  “I really want to smack you around sometimes,” Brian muttered, shaking his head.

  “You’ll survive,” Jack reassured him. “The thing is, when I got to where we were supposed to be, Ivy wasn’t there. I got worried and went looking for her, and that’s when I found myself here.”

  “You came here on your dream date?”

  “No, Ivy came here because somehow Jenny called her here. She was having a bad dream and freaking out and Ivy served as her protector. She talked to Jenny, told her to find a happy place, and then fought with Oliver. He kicked down the front door to get to her. That’s when I arrived and beat the snot out of him.”

  “Wait ... do you think he was really in the dream, too?”

  Jack hesitated and then shook his head. “No. He didn’t seem like a real person. He was just Jenny’s vision of her father, an angry and hateful man who hurts her on a regular basis. That’s not really the point, though.”

  “What is the point?”

  “The point is that the house was immaculate. Ivy and I talked about it over breakfast this morning. There wasn’t a thing out of place. I told her about this place, how it didn’t look as if things had been cleaned in a long time, and we both agreed that was on Oliver. He’s the one devolving.”

  “He is,” Brian agreed, moving to the living room to look around. “Notice that all the family photos are still here.”

  “Why is that important?” Jack queried as he followed his partner.