“It’s an emergency!” a woman announces. “I really have to go!”
Ivy grins up at me before tugging her shirt back into place. “We should let her in.”
“I don’t wanna.” I grin and nuzzle into her neck again. “Let’s stay here and let her assume we’re having some kind of terrible stomach problem. People are forgiving of stomach problems.”
She rolls her eyes and kisses the tip of my nose before hopping down off the sink. “You’re ridiculous. Let’s go.”
What is it about this girl? I want her every second of the day.
Before Ivy opens the door, she turns back, lands a kiss on my lips, and grins. It’s a very stark contrast to the grimace of confusion and horror we get from the elderly woman on the other side of the door.
We smile, nod, and walk straight past.
I don’t think I’ve felt this alive since I was a teenager, when a buddy and I got caught with a few beers down by the riverbed. We were way too young to drink, and the cops weren’t up for the chase we gave them.
Ivy and I are criminals. That’s what we are. Two people doing something they shouldn’t do. Two people playing with fire. Two people refusing to let go, no matter the consequences.
Chapter Eleven
Ivy
It’s late afternoon when Ryker finishes stabilizing the chicken coop. I love to watch him work. His big, rough hands. His hard, flexing muscles. The way he somehow knows how to do everything without directions or how-to videos.
“You get those chickens all set up in the brooder?” He brushes his hands down over his jeans, his voice gruff as he grips my waist and pulls me close.
“Sure did! They’re set up in the back corner of the barn near Lightning. I had a good talk with her, and she promises to watch over the chicks tonight. You trust her?”
“With my life.” He smiles and leans into my lips, kissing me roughly. “We’ve got a special connection.”
“Now I’m jealous!” I smile and tuck under his arm. “I’ll have to monitor your time with her closely.”
He tilts his head to the side and grins as he glances back toward Lightning, who really does seem to be looking over the chicks. “Sorry, girl. I’ve got to give Ivy all the love now. You understand?” He pets her nose sweetly then turns back toward me for a kiss and a squeeze of my ass.
I love how he can’t take his hands off me, how he needs me. I hope nothing ever changes.
“So, what do you think about these whiskey recipes? Are you really going to call Archer and see what he knows?”
“Yeah.” He nods once, still holding me against his chest in the light of the brooder. “I think sales might be down, and if Dad really had whiskey recipes the whole mountain loved, we could use them to draw people in.”
“But you were right earlier, too. Why would the redneck tell you about them? They want you guys off the mountain, not more profitable.”
“Who knows? I—”
Ryker is mid-shrug when I catch Benny out of the corner of my eye with some dude I’ve never seen before. He’s young, my age maybe. Light hair, blue eyes, dressed like he’s come from a business meeting.
“Hey,” Benny says, rounding to meet us in the back of the barn. “What are you guys doing back here?”
I grin wide and toss my hands up in pride. “We’ve been working on the coop all day. What do you think?”
“Looks good.” He narrows his brows and glances toward Ryker. “Pretty generous of you to do all this for nothing.” There’s a bite to Benny’s tone that’s unusual and makes me think there’s more coming, though I haven’t figured how the strange man fits into the scenario.
Ryker glances toward me then back at my brother as he side-eyes the man he’s brought with him. “It’s not for nothing. Have you seen the price of eggs? Who’s the pretty boy?”
“Oh.” Benny nods toward the dude in a blue button up. “I was talking my sister up at the bar, saying how sweet and smart she is, then I started sharing pictures, and before you know it, I’ve set Ivy up with a blind date. I brought dinner, figuring we could all get to know each other a little.” I can’t explain the tone in Benny’s voice, but something isn’t right.
“Dinner?” Ryker clears his throat. “How generous.”
“Yeah.” Benny glances toward me. “Nice guy, knows a lot about farming.”
