Three Blissful Days, page 9
Ivy nodded. “That’s okay with me. What should I call you?”
“I’m good with any or all of the above.” She didn’t have a preference because Cassie had never used any of them. That should’ve been her first clue that their relationship wasn’t going to work out.
“I’m good with ‘honey’ as well, but we shouldn’t overdo it. That would look unrealistic.”
“Agreed.” Too much was a sure sign something was going on, especially since they’d just made their relationship public.
“No kissing or touching of any kind unless it’s for show.” Seemed Ivy had already been thinking about the ground rules.
“And then nothing unnecessarily showy. I’ve never been one to do much kissing in public when people are watching, and never during dinner or conversations with other people.”
“Got it.” That seemed reasonable. Kendall wasn’t much for public displays either.
“Maybe we should create a contract.” Ivy leaned forward and put her palms on her knees as if she might launch off the couch. Clearly, she’d been thinking about this subject a lot.
“Okay. We can do that, if that’s what you want.” It would be good to have something in writing in case some of the lines became blurred.
Ivy stood, walked to her bedroom, and came back out with a yellow pad and pen. “I kind of started writing one earlier before I picked you up.” She handed it to Kendall. “I don’t want to do anything that might make you feel uncomfortable.”
“That’s sweet of you. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable either.” Kendall glanced at the list, which contained several items but wasn’t too extensive. “I’d like to try to keep it fun. You know, we can lay out the groundwork and then make it kind of a game where we get to know each other more as we play our respective roles. That would be fun.”
“We can quiz each other on what we learned each day at dinner.”
“You want to go out to dinner with me every night while I’m here?”
“Wouldn’t we do that if this were real?”
“Yeah. I guess you’re right. When I’m in love, I can’t get enough of my person.”
“Same.” Ivy smiled. “It hasn’t happened all that often, but I know the feeling.”
Kendall hadn’t expected to hear that from Ivy. She seemed so cool and composed, even aloof. A chill ran up her spine. Now she had Kendall wondering what it would be like to have Ivy so into her that she couldn’t stay away.
“Maybe not go out every night.” Kendall shook off the tingle. “Sunday night I might have to work on reviewing my presentation.”
“Right.” Ivy nodded. “When is your last day here?”
“I present Monday afternoon and had planned to leave Tuesday morning.”
“We’re going to have to figure out a plan for you to arrive here in the evenings and then somehow get over to Noah and Taylor’s place.”
“We could go horseback riding after work. That would make sense.”
“True. But if we end up here instead, there’s a shortcut off the main road that will take you to Noah’s. It’s very steep and dark at night, though, so I might have to deliver you. I mean, just to make sure you make it home safely.” Ivy’s cheeks reddened. “You’re welcome to stay here once in a while…and when you come back for the next round as well.”
“You have a lot of faith in me. I might not make the cut.”
“I’ve seen your passion for nature and have no doubt you will.” Ivy’s cheeks reddened even more.
Ivy’s insecurities were making her cuter by the minute. Time to get back to business. “What about social media?”
“I don’t have any.”
“None?” Kendall widened her eyes. “Not even Facebook?”
“Nope,” Ivy said matter-of-factly. “I’m a pretty private person.”
“Well, that could be a bit of a problem because I have several accounts. I use Instagram mostly, but all my posts automatically appear on Facebook too.” Kendall started writing notes on the pad. “I’ll run anything by you before I post.”
“I’d appreciate that. I really don’t want my personal life plastered all over the internet, real or fake.” Ivy chewed her bottom lip. “Especially since my folks aren’t aware that you even exist yet.”
“I understand. We’ll ease into it.” Kendall added a note. “We’ll also need to text or call each other a lot. Just like if we were in a relationship. You know, keep each other updated on how our days are going. That will make it look and feel more authentic.” Kendall noticed that Ivy had put a lot of things not to do on her list, but not many things they should do. Someone in Ivy’s past had indeed hurt her badly. Kendall would need to know at least the high-level story to keep things real, but only time would tell whether Ivy would let her in on the deepest parts of her past.
She stood and wandered into the kitchen, which was spotless. “Do you like to cook?”
Ivy nodded as she followed her. “Yes. Just don’t get to do it much anymore. Cooking for one isn’t all that much fun.”
“Maybe we can cook together?” Another thing they had in common. “Are you a recipe follower or a pinch-and-dash kind of girl?”
“Recipes are created to be followed.” Ivy seemed to do everything by the book.
“Definitely for baking, but general food recipes can be modified for the better sometimes.” She bumped Ivy’s arm. “You know, adding a little onion and garlic or removing a little cumin and pepper flakes can make the same dish taste vastly different.”
“I’ve never thought about it that way. You’ll have to show me that trick sometime.” Ivy leaned against the counter in a position that affected Kendall way more that it should’ve. Ivy’s sexy, lean body paired with her sly, cockeyed smile made a tingle roll from Kendall’s belly to the back of her neck. Ivy was cute, sure, but tonight she was looking so much sexier than Kendall had expected.
Chapter Twenty
Ivy had just sat down at her usual table at the lodge restaurant, the one with the view of the huge beam on the deck—a horrible view, generally reserved for park staff rather than guests. She rubbed the back of her neck. Last night’s date with Kendall had gone later than she’d expected. Dinner had been exceptional, as always, and the conversation had been interesting. She actually liked Kendall, which she had originally thought might be difficult, considering her actions when they’d first met. Before she realized, it was midnight, and she’d needed to get Kendall back to Noah and Taylor’s place.
This morning, she’d walked her favorite point trail to catch the sunrise, which was her usual Sunday ritual. Ivy wasn’t necessarily an overly spiritual person, but she did take time to enjoy nature and all its beauty on Sundays. It helped her relax and collect her thoughts.
Sunsets during the week and sunrises on the weekends. Since she was a child, she’d always felt a deep connection with nature. Recognizing that connection gave her a calmness deep within. She supposed that was why it upset her so much when park visitors disrespected the land. Even the wild forces of nature that, at times, ripped through the countryside during spring kept her in awe. Mother Nature could bring beauty and destruction with the same wave of her hand.
Ivy veered her gaze to the room and spotted Kendall entering the restaurant. She hadn’t planned to see her this early, expecting her to sleep in this morning. She glanced around the room, plenty of tables available, but she wouldn’t expect her to take one of them. She glanced back at Kendall, who was now looking straight at her. No avoiding it now, and she shouldn’t, considering they were supposed to be a couple. She held up her hand and waved her over. Not the way she wanted to start her day…filled with lies.
Weaving in and out of tables, Kendall quickly crossed the room. “Good morning.” She slipped into the adjacent chair. “I came by your place, thought it might look more realistic if we arrived at breakfast together.” Kendall’s nose crinkled, forming a line across the bridge.
“I didn’t think about that. I thought maybe you wanted to sleep in after last night.” Ivy slid her menu in front of Kendall as she spotted the waitress coming their way. Thankfully June didn’t always work mornings. “You want coffee or tea?”
“Coffee with cream, please. I drink tea only when I’m sick.”
“Gotcha.” Ivy made a mental note.
“Well, look at you,” the waitress said. “I heard you had company.”
Ivy glanced at Kendall and rolled her eyes. Great. Now everyone was going to be in her business.
“Just didn’t hear how pretty she is,” the waitress said.
She couldn’t argue with that. Time to make it look real. Ivy smiled and slipped her hand on top of Kendall’s. “I guess I should’ve put out a bulletin.”
Kendall’s cheeks flushed, which made her chestnut eyes sparkle. “Thank you.”
“What can I get you to drink?”
“She’ll have coffee with cream and a water.” She glanced at Kendall. “You want juice this morning too?”
“Sure.”
“Orange juice as well.”
The waitress stood there for a minute, waiting to take the rest of their order.
“Give us a minute to look at the menu.”
The waitress nodded before she spun around and headed to the kitchen.
“Do you usually get the buffet?” Kendall glanced across the room at the food setup.
Ivy shook her head. “Eggs over easy, bacon, and toast. Otherwise hiking the trails would kill me.”
“Sounds good to me. I’m not much of a fan of buffets anymore.” She glanced down at her hands. “Considering what I told you about before, the food stealing. It kind of gives me a bad feeling in my gut whenever I think about it now.”
“Well, then don’t think about it. I promise not to take you to any buffets while you’re here. This one is kind of unavoidable, though, and the food is fresher than most. A lot of motorcycle groups stop on the weekends because of the affordable price and variety of food.”
The waitress appeared again with orange juice and coffee. “Ready to order?”
Ivy rattled off her usual order, and the waitress looked at Kendall for hers next.
“I’ll have the same. Crispy bacon, though, and instead of toast, can I get one small pancake on the side?” She leaned near Ivy and whispered, “I like a little taste of sweet in the morning.”
“I’m not enough sweet for you?” Ivy shot back with a grin. She was getting good at this flirting thing.
“Oh, no. You’re plenty sweet for me.” Kendall quickly kissed her cheek.
Heat rolled through Ivy. She hadn’t anticipated the contact and definitely hadn’t expected the way it affected her.
“You two are so cute,” the waitress said before she spun and headed to the kitchen.
“So, tell me how you got to where you are today in your career,” Kendall requested as she leaned forward. “I mean, I know how passionate you are about your job, but not how you got that way.”
“I really wasn’t all that interested in nature when I was a kid. I loved being outside and all when it wasn’t too hot. Running free from morning till night was a thing around here.” She frowned. “Kids can’t do that nowadays without their parents worrying something might happen to them.”
“True. It’s a dangerous world out there for such innocence,” Kendall said. “So, what changed?”
“It was either go to work with my mom in the office or ride along with my dad in the woods.”
“The choice is obvious.” Kendall grinned. “I can’t see you cooped up in an office all day.”
“Right. I would’ve driven my mom crazy.”
“What’s your mom like?” Kendall was getting good at rapid-fire questions.
“She’s the best mom ever. Always in my corner no matter what. I couldn’t wish for anything more in a mom.” Ivy smiled widely as warmth filled her. “I’m sure I was a handful when I was a kid. She has lots of stories that prove that, but she never made me feel inadequate or unloved.”
“I can’t wait to hear some of those stories.” Kendall seemed genuinely excited.
“What about your mom? What’s she like?”
“She’s very loving and supportive too. I only wish we hadn’t struggled so much when I was younger. She never let on, but the pressure to provide for us was enormous.” Kendall smiled softly. “Especially after my dad injured his back and couldn’t work for a while.”
“But you said he’s working now, right?”
Kendall nodded. “Yes. And thankfully they both have health insurance.”
“Glad to hear that. I’m sure it takes a huge weight off your shoulders.”
“It does. I didn’t realize how much until they finally found permanent jobs.”
Ivy’s stomach clenched, and she set her napkin on the table. “Will you excuse me for a minute. I need to check on something.” Without waiting for an answer, she stood, crossed the room, and exited the restaurant. Needing a minute to settle herself, she stood in front of one of the plate-glass windows in the common room of the lodge and stared out at the valley below. Kendall’s childhood story had upset her—left her feeling sad and anxious. She didn’t know where she would be today if she’d been in the same situation growing up. She could’ve ended up living off the grid in the woods fending for herself along with the wildlife. Ivy didn’t think of herself as entitled or even spoiled. Getting an education had been a lot of work, but she’d had that opportunity and was thankful for it. Her biology degree had been useful in her job, mostly because she’d emphasized botany so she could become a park ranger. She’d also minored in chemistry to help her understand photosynthesis and respiration in plants in more detail. Nature was fascinating and she loved it, wanted to know all about the plants growing around her. If her parents hadn’t afforded her the opportunity to go to college, life could have been very difficult, as it had been for Kendall.
Chapter Twenty-one
Kendall waited patiently for Ivy to return as she glanced across the room at the food spread on the main table. She’d lied to Ivy about the buffet. The aromas of bacon, eggs, pancakes, and freshly brewed coffee had drawn her into the lodge’s restaurant breakfast room like the melodious tune from mythical sirens. She’d experienced these lavish morning spreads before and was always instantly overwhelmed by the vast array of food options.
She gazed around the space, struggling to take it all in. Some stations were dedicated to eggs, and bowls piled high with fruit glistened under the lights. She spotted strawberries, melon, pineapple, and other tropical treats. And the pastries—oh, the pastries. Trays showcased croissants, Danishes, muffins, scones, and tiny cakes.
If she’d been here with her family, she would’ve wandered around the entrance until no one was watching, then grabbed a plate to check out the selections. She would’ve sampled a little bit of everything, piling her plate high with fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, hash browns, and a freshly baked cinnamon roll, the icing still warm and gooey.
When she had gotten here earlier, she’d searched the room looking for an inconspicuous place to sit and spotted Ivy sitting at a table by the window. She’d immediately wanted to retreat. Ivy wouldn’t understand her lust for a good buffet. Instead, she’d remained frozen, staring at the beautiful ranger. Once Ivy had waved her over, she’d purged the buffet from her mind and headed straight to her table.
Ivy’s manners were impeccable. She’d stood and pulled out the adjacent chair for Kendall and had delayed ordering breakfast until Kendall had made her selection. But now they were having a simple conversation about their parents, and Ivy’s attention seemed to wander. Then Ivy had stood abruptly and excused herself before she’d rushed through the entrance of the restaurant and taken a turn toward the common room.
Kendall’s stomach knotted. Had she made Ivy nervous? She glanced around the restaurant to see if she’d missed something else going on…or maybe she’d said too much.
Ivy appeared at the entrance and quickly crossed the room. “Sorry about that.” She slipped into her chair. “I forgot to make sure my schedule was cleared this morning so I can help you find your way around.”
The knot in Kendall’s stomach loosened. “No worries. I appreciate you taking the time to show me the park.”
Their conversation waned, and the bustle of the restaurant provided a gentle backdrop as Ivy and Kendall sat adjacent to each other at the small table. Kendall was pulled from her thoughts as the waitress appeared and delivered their plates, loaded with perfectly cooked eggs, crispy bacon, toast for Ivy, and one lightly browned pancake for Kendall.
Time to get out of your head, Kendall. “I can’t believe we’ve both known Noah for years, and last night was the first time we’ve actually interacted,” Kendall said as she carefully cut into her egg yolk and watched it spread across her plate. “Though I did know he was friendly with everyone around here, I just didn’t realize he knew any single women.”
“It’s not like I wear an additional badge on my uniform that says single.” Ivy laughed as she reached for the pepper. “Although that might be helpful.”
“Yes. That news would’ve been helpful a few years ago.” Along with a set-up from Noah.
Ivy smiled, scooping up a forkful of eggs. “Sorry I didn’t text you this morning. I’m usually up and out before sunrise. Sometimes I hit the gym before work. This is actually the first day in ages that I’ve been this late.”
“No apology necessary. That’s my fault. I kept you up too late. I had fun last night, though.” Kendall smiled as warmth spread through her.
“Me too.” Ivy reached for the salt, adding a bit to her eggs.
“What machines do you use at the gym?” Kendall took a bite of bacon and savored it for a moment before chewing and swallowing.
“Pretty much all of them, although the rowing machine is my favorite.” Ivy stretched her arms forward and pulled back in a rowing motion.
“Rowing? That explains your strong arms.” Kendall gestured with her fork. “I was wondering if you were a rock climber or did something like scale the sides of mountains for fun.” Her biceps were perfectly shaped, her form-fitting shirt accentuating them.
