Alder

I stare at the email on my phone I just received from my P.I. My last run-in with Ivy’s ex-husband and the bad feeling that I have about him visiting here convinced me to have my guy look into him. It turns out, he’s really struggling financially or at least he’s going to be very soon. The IRS doesn't give second chances when it comes to fraud. I respond with the go ahead for him to file the report. The bastard deserves everything that’s coming to him.

After finding out the information I did on Noah, I decided to check into my business partner as well. Sullivan Rutherford runs a tight ship but bringing Noah on board his company was a glaring error on his part. One I’m planning to use as leverage to make sure The Edgemont belongs solely to me.

I look over at the woman who’s still asleep in my bed, and my chest squeezes. Everything she had to go through at the hands of the men in her life. It’s no wonder she doesn’t trust easily or let anyone take care of her. I send my offer to Sullivan Rutherford. I know he’ll accept, but I’d like to know his answer soon. I’d like to be able to present an alternative to Ivy leaving as soon as possible. I feel like maybe coming clean about my job title regarding the lodge will be softened by having a romantic gesture in my back pocket. Her leaving isn’t going to work for me. Telling her everything now is probably what I should be doing, but I don’t want to bring this up to her until I have a solution.

I leave my spot on the chair in the corner of my room and walk into the kitchen, turning on the coffee pot. I start slicing oranges. I’m set on making these orange peel candies that Ivy loves, even though I think she should be finding a better snack to keep on hand for low blood sugar. I cut the peels off, throw them in the boiling pot on the stove, and gather the rest of my ingredients. I looked up how to make them last night after Ivy fell asleep. She mentioned her stock was running low, and I want to make sure she doesn’t run out. The peels need to simmer for ten minutes, so I decide to get some fresh air with my cup of coffee.

After turning off the stove, I walk out onto the deck and take in the winter scene before me. I think today may be a good day for another lesson. She’s getting the hang of it, and next week, I would like to take her on a blue trail just to see how she does. I’m really happy that she seemed to enjoy our last lesson. These early mornings together are something I want to keep sharing with her.

I’m lost in thought when I feel slender arms circle my waist, followed by a warm, citrusy scent. “Morning, beautiful.” She hums behind me at my greeting.

“If you were actually looking at me right now, you might change your mind,” she grumbles into my back.

I turn and tuck her under my arm, bringing her in front of me to see she’s in an old T-shirt of mine. I like that; I really like the sight of her wrapped in me. I kiss her head and then her temple, her cheeks, her lips until I feel her smile. This is how I want every morning to be from now on. This is what's been missing. She’s what’s been missing.

“You’re stunning, Ivy.” She blushes at my compliment.

“It’s actually not fair that you look so good this early in the morning, Search and Rescue.” I chuckle at her use of nickname this morning and pull her into me.

“What’s not fair is that I have to go to work today, away from you, when all I want to do is spend the day with you in my bed,” I admit.

She hums again, content to be in my arms. “Yes, I can see how you would feel deprived. I am hands down the best you’ve ever had,” she muses.

I smile; there’s no point in denying it. “Are you saying it isn’t that way for you?” I ask. What we shared last night wasn’t possibly one-sided.

“I’m only saying that I may need another session to confirm my stance,” she says, sliding her palms up my chest slowly.

“Oh?” I bend just enough to position my hands under her thighs. When I straighten, I lift her body with me. She slips her legs around my hips and locks her arms around my neck. “Is that so?” I question again.

She nods. “Yes. I’m definitely going to need to do some more research before coming to a final decision,” she tells me with a sigh.

“Then what the hell are we still doing out here?” I ask, swatting her ass once before turning us toward the glass door. She giggles before gripping my face in her hands and kissing me as I fumble for the door handle to get us back inside and in my bed as fast as humanly possible.

We spend the rest of the morning doing research and making her candied orange peels. When I finally get myself out the door for work, I can’t stop smiling. A goofy, over-the-top smile that spending time with Ivy Rutherford causes me to wear like a fucking badge of honor.