Three Blissful Days, page 8
“That sounds like a whole lot of responsibility for a young woman.” Ivy couldn’t imagine being put in that position as a teenager.
“I managed. My family needed me.” Kendall sighed. “After I graduated, I chose careers I thought would be more stable—first accounting, and then web design. The latter wasn’t completely horrible, since I was actually creating something. But most jobs I held left me hating my day-to-day work so much that I struggled through my morning routine, which was filled with status reports and project meetings. I was miserable locked up inside day after day.”
That would be miserable for Ivy as well. “What made you decide to change careers?”
“I just couldn’t stand it anymore, so I enrolled in classes at night to pursue my passion. It’s not nearly as difficult when you’re learning about something you love.”
Ivy pulled into a spot in front of the restaurant. “Can we continue this inside?”
“Of course. I’d like to hear a little more about you, though.” Kendall clicked out of her seat belt.
Ivy rushed around the car and opened the truck door for Kendall. “Allow me.” She held out her hand to help her from the truck.
Kendall grinned. “I feel like I’m getting the royal treatment.”
“That’s what any girlfriend of mine gets.” And Kendall deserved it after the story she’d just told her. Ivy took her hand as they walked toward the entrance. “Wait until you taste this food. It’s amazing.”
Chapter Seventeen
A twinge of nerves hit Kendall as Ivy rushed ahead of her to open the door. She could get used to this treatment. Cassie had always been first in their relationship and had never opened a single door. Kendall shook off the negative thoughts, deciding to stay in the moment with Ivy. Perhaps Ivy was a bit nervous as well. The ride to the restaurant had started quieter than Kendall had expected. Thankfully, once conversation began, it flowed easily. It was going to be fun getting to know this side of Ivy.
Kendall took in the cream-colored walls accented with deep burgundy borders. Pictures of the owners and their family members hung in random patterns throughout.
“This is such a cute little restaurant!”
“Yeah, and, like I said, the food is outstanding. They also have an extensive wine list if you’re into that.”
The hostess appeared quickly. “Hello, Ivy. Follow me. Your table is ready.” She glanced between Kendall and Ivy.
“Thank you.” Ivy ushered Kendall in front of her to follow the hostess into one of the rooms.
“This is nice and private.” A good place to get to know Ivy without others overhearing their conversation.
“Peaceful,” Ivy said as she pulled out the chair for Kendall to sit.
“I take it you dine here often?” An obvious question. The hostess knew her by name.
“As a matter of fact, I do. It’s one of my favorite places.” Ivy didn’t touch the menu. “Shall we start with some bruschetta?”
“That sounds perfect. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until we started talking about food.”
“I’m going to order the chicken piccata. It’s excellent here.”
“I’ve never had it but have always wanted to try it,” Kendall said.
“No time like the present.”
“But I think I’ll have the linguine Bolognese.” Taylor had told her it was one of Ivy’s favorites as well. “It’s probably a better choice for a first date than scampi. They put so much garlic in that.” She noticed Ivy chewing her lower lip. “I mean in case we have to get close for any reason.”
Ivy glanced up momentarily and then quickly down at the table. “Probably so. I think you’ll enjoy the Bolognese.” She ran her finger across the red and white weave pattern of the tablecloth.
The waitress appeared at the table. “What can I get you two?”
“We’re going to start off with the bruschetta.” Ivy glanced at the menu. “For dinner, the lady will have the linguine Bolognese and a house salad.”
“House Italian dressing?” The waitress asked.
Ivy glanced at Kendall, and she nodded. She kind of liked having someone take all the responsibility for ordering. She had no doubt that Ivy knew how to take care of a woman.
“Yes, and I’ll have the chicken piccata with a bowl of the minestrone soup.” Ivy handed the menus to the waitress. “We’d also like a bottle of the Chianti Classico.”
“Good choice.” The waitress turned and headed out of the room.
Kendall waited until the waitress was out of earshot. “Now for the hard part. We have to get to know a lot about each other really fast. Tell me about your mom and dad and how you ended up becoming a park ranger.”
“That’s a lot.” Ivy fiddled with her knife, accidentally clinking it against her spoon.
“Okay. I’ll continue.” She’d already opened that can of worms. “As I told you, I’ve pretty much worked since I was sixteen years old. Been contributing to the household income since before that with the babysitting money I earned.”
Ivy scrunched her eyebrows together. “What did your parents do for a living?”
“Before they started at the school district, my dad used to be in construction until he got injured, and my mom was a stay-at-home mom and didn’t have many marketable skills.”
“That’s rough.” Ivy dropped back into her chair.
“It wasn’t easy, but she got a job as a substitute elementary school teacher, and they needed her quite often, so that helped. She went back to school in the evenings while also working days as a sub. Once my mom was working at the school fairly regularly, my dad’s back finally healed enough for him to work some light duties, and she convinced him to apply for the daytime custodian position. She was able to have a couple of people she knew put in a good word for my dad, and he got the job.”
“Sounds like your mom is pretty resourceful…just like you.” Ivy was good at compliments.
The waitress delivered the bottle of wine, opened it, and poured a small amount into Ivy’s glass. Ivy pushed it across the table to Kendall, and she took a sip and nodded at the waitress. She filled Ivy’s glass and added more to Kendall’s.
Kendall stared across the table at Ivy, more nervous than usual. She’d been surprised at her own reaction to the sight of Ivy when she’d gotten out of her truck. Her stomach jumped—still reacting. Kendall sipped her wine before she leaned in and clasped her hands together on the table. “Okay. Now you.”
The waitress appeared with the bruschetta just in time to give Ivy a quick reprieve, but Kendall had spilled all the dysfunctionality surrounding her childhood and family, and she expected Ivy to do the same.
Ivy offered Kendall the first piece of bruschetta and then took one for herself. After thoroughly chewing a bite, she set the bread on her plate and wiped her mouth.
“My family is pretty vanilla, I suppose. My dad’s retired now. He was a game warden. Also, a stickler for the rules of the parks and nature.”
“So that’s where it comes from.”
Ivy nodded. “I used to ride shotgun with him on the weekends when I didn’t have school. But my mom tried to steer me toward other less dangerous office careers.”
“She lost that battle, huh?” Kendall chuckled.
“Partially. I’m a ranger, not a warden, so I don’t carry a weapon or arrest poachers. But I still get to experience the beauty of nature and all the other perks, good and bad. I’m also studying for my EMT exam so I can be more useful in rescues.”
“That sounds difficult.”
“Like you said, it isn’t hard when you’re studying something you’re passionate about.”
The salad and soup arrived. Kendall’s salad was huge, much larger than she could eat alone, if she was planning on eating the rest of her meal as well. She eyed Ivy’s soup. “That smells delicious.”
Ivy gripped her spoon tightly as she glanced up at Kendall. She bit her bottom lip as she relaxed her hand and set the spoon on the table. “Would you like some?”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Kendall glanced at her salad. “How about we switch halfway through?” She waited for Ivy’s response, then added, “My mom and dad share, and I’ve always seen that as an act of love.”
Ivy nodded. “Not to mention the cost savings.”
Kendall laughed. “That too.” It seemed that Ivy understood some of her childhood after all. “Now tell me more about your family.” She reached for the bottle of wine and filled both their glasses. She was going to get more out of Ivy somehow, even if she had to ply her with alcohol to loosen her up and get her to share more.
Chapter Eighteen
Ivy wasn’t sure how much she should tell Kendall about her family. They really hadn’t set any boundaries, but she decided she should probably stick to the mainstream information that anyone around the area might know.
“I’ve already told you about my dad. My mom used to work at the lodge.”
“Oh yeah? What did she do there?”
“Ran the office mostly. Balanced the books and made sure everyone got paid.” Ivy spooned a bite of minestrone soup into her mouth.
“You ready to switch?” Kendall pushed her salad to the middle of the table.
Ivy set the spoon beside her plate before she moved the bowl across the table. Sharing food was one thing, but she wasn’t ready to share utensils. She pulled the salad plate closer, picked up her fork, jabbed a substantial portion of lettuce, and slid it into her mouth.
“Sounds like she’s pretty smart.”
She finished chewing. The bite was probably larger than it should have been. “She is. Always helped me with my homework when I was a kid.” She set down her fork and picked up her glass of wine. “Dad taught me the outdoorsy stuff, and Mom made sure I could balance my checkbook and stay out of debt.”
“Quite the opposite of my family.” Kendall scooped some soup into her mouth. “Not that mine is bad, but I would’ve loved for my parents to be able to support us better.”
The conversation stalled momentarily as they stared at each other. Then their food arrived, thankfully—one plate of linguine Bolognese and one of chicken piccata.
“Parmesan?” One of the servers held up a block of cheese and a grater.
They both nodded, and he began grating cheese over each plate. Kendall signaled for him to stop much sooner than Ivy did. She could never have enough cheese on her pasta.
Kendall spun a forkful of pasta, put it into her mouth, and softly moaned as she chewed, then quickly covered her mouth with her fingers. “Sorry, but this is delicious.” She spun another forkful and ate it before washing it down with a sip of wine. “I can’t believe Noah has never brought me here.”
“Don’t think he eats much outside of chicken-fried steak and hamburgers.” Ivy had been to dinner with him and Taylor a few times, his choices strictly American.
Kendall laughed. “You’re right about that. We’ve only been to the diner when I’ve visited before.”
“They have great meatloaf there as well.” Ivy cut a chunk of chicken piccata and put it into her mouth, holding back a similar sound of delight as she enjoyed one of her favorite dishes.
“Is that one of your go-to places as well?” Kendall asked.
Ivy nodded. The last time she’d been there after the movie with June hadn’t been good, though, and it wasn’t about the pie. “Everything I’ve ordered there has been good. Closer to homemade than I’ve had anywhere else.”
“I went there for lunch with Noah today.”
“Oh yeah? What’d you order?”
“Chicken pot pie, and it was delicious.”
“It is. But you have to wait a few minutes to let it cool. If you’re super hungry that can be an issue,” Ivy said.
“Do you go there for lunch a lot?”
“No. I usually pack my lunch or eat at the lodge restaurant. Sometimes I’m in town and stop there before I get back to the lodge. If I forget to pack a morning snack, I’m usually starving by the time I break for lunch.”
“So, you pack your lunch?” Kendall raised her eyebrows. “You’re thrifty. That’s good to know.”
“I am. I don’t like to spend money when I don’t have to.” She was having such a nice time, she’d almost forgotten why they were having dinner together.
“Growing up in my family, being money-conscious was a must. We rarely ate out, and when we did, it was an all-you-can-eat buffet.” She looked down at her plate and rearranged some of the noodles. “There were rituals regarding leftovers.”
“Rituals?” That was an interesting description. Ivy wondered what exactly she meant.
“My parents snuck containers in and sent us to the buffet to get food to fill them.” Kendall glanced up warily. “Eventually we got caught and were banned from a few restaurants.”
“I’m sorry you had to do that.” Ivy’s stomach tightened. She set down her fork and relaxed into her chair, contemplating her next words. “I’m sure your parents were only trying to make sure you had food to eat.”
Kendall smiled softly. “I believe they were.”
“Nevertheless, that seems like a lot of pressure for a kid.”
“It taught me how to support myself—know that the only person I could rely on was me.” Kendall kept eye contact. “It’s not that hard once you get used to it.”
Ivy reached across the table and took Kendall’s hand. “That’s not always the case, you know.” She rubbed her finger across the tendons just below the surface of Kendall’s hand. “I’m someone you can rely on.”
Kendall slipped her hand loose and placed it in her lap. “For now, at least.”
Ivy nodded. “Yeah.” She wished she could relieve some of the responsibility that Kendall held inside and the guilt that seemed to go along with it. She pushed her plate forward. “Now, how about some dessert?”
“I hear they have really good tiramisu.”
“I’ve heard that.”
“You’ve never had it?” Kendall raised her eyebrows as if she’d just told her she saw a UFO.
“No. I usually stick with the raspberry jam bomboloni.”
“Doughnut holes. They sound good. Do you want to share an order?”
“Sure.” Ivy could pound the whole serving down herself, but refusing Kendall’s request to share would be rude and might put her back a step in getting to know her.” Ivy wasn’t a fixer of souls, but something about Kendall made her want to help.
Chapter Nineteen
Since they really had only scratched the surface in getting to know each other, after dinner Ivy drove them to her cabin. They both felt it was a good idea for Kendall to get to know how and where Ivy lived. Considering the size and complexity of the project, there would most likely be follow-up interviews after this weekend. They would need to keep up appearances if Kendall made it through the initial round.
“Welcome home, honey.” Ivy pushed open the door and allowed Kendall to enter.
“You don’t want to carry me inside?” Kendall asked with a laugh.
“Only when you’re drunk.” Ivy winked, which sent a rumble deep into Kendall’s belly. It was good to see that Ivy could be playful and loosen up a bit.
Kendall was surprised at how minimalistic the cabin was. It contained a kitchen with the standard appliances—refrigerator, oven, stove, and microwave. All black finish, rather than stainless steel. The counters were clean except for a coffeemaker and a toaster. She also spotted an air fryer shoved back into a corner like it might not be used much. Kendall had the same one at home that she used practically every day.
Ivy’s place wasn’t too small, but it was definitely a limited space. Not a lot of furniture and not a lot of anything else. Kendall noticed the shelf loaded with books and DVDs and walked directly to it. There were many titles she loved and some she hadn’t seen or read yet. This could be a good start to finding common interests, especially since they’d discussed that would be one of the intriguing points they would use in their story for when they met.
“Looks like you have a great collection here.” She plucked a newish fantasy adventure movie from the shelf and read the blurb.
“When it’s too hot or cold, I like to settle in on my days off and have movie marathons.”
“Ooh.” Kendall nodded. “I do that too.” She put the DVD back and slid a book from the shelf. “What about reading?”
“I do that to settle my mind. It keeps me focused more than watching a movie does.” Ivy took a poker from the set on the fireplace hearth.
“I’ve never thought about it, but I think it works that way for me too. I end up playing games or checking social media when I’m watching something.” Too much multitasking for sure.
“Then you miss some of the movie.” Ivy leaned into the fireplace and opened the damper.
“You’re probably right. You’ll fill me in though, right?”
“Maybe.” Ivy grinned as she scrunched some old newspaper and placed it between the already stacked logs in the fireplace. She was getting to be a flirt.
Kendall slid the book back into its slot on the shelf and spun around. “So, what should I call you?” Kendall didn’t know if she didn’t like certain pet names or ones that had been used in a previous relationship.
“I usually go by Ivy.” She pulled her eyebrows together.
Kendall let out a short laugh. “Right. I mean an intimate name like honey, dear, or baby.”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought about that.” She tilted her head. “What feels natural to you?” She took a match from the hearth, swiped it against the surrounding stone, and lit several edges of the paper, then tossed it into the fire.
“Honey?” It was simple and sweet. Kendall took in a breath as the cabin began to smell of pine and wood smoke from the small fire now crackling in the stone fireplace.
