Authors: Lily Harper Hart
Wicked Days (20 page)
Jack studied Ivy through his windshield, watching as she stretched on the grass next to the basketball court. She was getting ready to go on a run, but he had different ideas.
They weren’t good ones. He knew that. Three days without seeing Ivy was all he could take, though. He was opening a door here. Odds were that neither of them would be stepping through it today – but it was still a step.
He just wanted to see her smile.
Ivy lifted her head when she heard a door slam shut, her heart rolling with pleasure when she saw Jack striding toward her. He was clearly off duty if the shorts and T-shirt were any indications. He also had a basketball in his hand and a challenging look on his face.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to shoot a few hoops,” Jack said. It was a lie – but only a little one. “I didn’t know you would be here.”
Ivy narrowed her eyes, suspicious. She wasn’t sure she believed him. “You’re going to shoot hoops alone?”
“No,” Jack said. “You’re going to shoot them with me. I believe we have an outstanding bet. That’s what we decided, right?”
“It is,” Ivy hedged. “I just … are you sure you want to do this?”
Her meaning was clear.
“We’re just playing basketball right now,” Jack said, serious. “I kind of thought we could shoot for a little bit, talk, and just … hang out.”
Ivy tilted her head to the side, considering.
Was that enough?
She decided quickly. It was enough for now. This would give them a chance to get to know one another without too much pressure. “What do I get if I win?”
“I thought you wanted me to weed your garden?”
“I do,” Ivy said, hopping from the grass to the pavement. “I hate weeding.”
“What do I get if I win?”
“I’ll do all your landscaping for you,” Ivy replied, not missing a beat.
Jack arched an eyebrow. “You will?”
“I have good taste. You’re going to need me.”
Jack grinned and bounced the ball to her. “You go first.”
“I’m warning you that I’m really good.”
“So you’ve told me,” Jack said. “Shoot.”
Ivy lifted the ball and threw it up from beyond the three-point line, smiling as it swished through the net without touching the rim. “See.”
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised,” Jack said, chuckling as he retrieved the ball. “You’re good at everything you do.”
“I am,” Ivy agreed. “Tell me about Heath. What’s going on there?”
“He confessed,” Jack replied. “He says God made him do it, though, so he’s clearly going to try and use insanity as a defense.”
“Will that work?”
“Not likely,” Jack said. “This will take months – years maybe – to wind through the courts. You know you’re going to have to testify, right?”
“I figured. I’ll be fine. I’m strong.”
“You’re definitely strong,” Jack said, lining up his own shot and letting the ball go. He grimaced when it rimmed away.
“That’s an H,” Ivy said, jogging over to retrieve the ball before moving to the right side and drilling another shot.
Jack scowled. “I think you have home court advantage.”
“Stop your whining,” Ivy chided, retrieving her own ball and handing it to him. “Tell me about Chad.”
“That’s been shifted over to the state police,” Jack said, eyeing the rim and throwing up the ball. “Son of a … .”
“That’s an O.”
“Thank you, Ivy,” Jack said. “Anyway, Chad is in custody and the state police found the pot field. There are some human services groups working on finding a place for all the women to live.”
“What’s going to happen to the compound?”
“I have no idea.”
Ivy moved to the free throw line and turned so her back was to the hoop. She used both hands to flip the ball over her shoulder, and when it swished through the net again Jack’s heart sank. He had a feeling he was going to be weeding her garden – although the idea wasn’t altogether unwelcome. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I try,” Ivy said, smiling sweetly. “Your turn.”
Jack grimaced. He knew there was no way he was going to make the shot, but he believed in being a good sport. He took up his position and tossed the ball over his shoulder. It was so wide it missed the backboard.
“That’s an R.”
“It’s an N,” Jack corrected.
“We’re playing Horse,” Ivy said.
“No, we’re not,” Jack said, grinning. “We’re playing Honey. Something tells me I’ve already lost.”
Ivy arched an eyebrow. “You don’t know that. Somewhere down the line, you might think you’ve won.”
“I’m looking forward to that,” Jack said.
It didn’t surprise him to find that he honestly was looking forward to it. For now, baby steps were enough, though.
Detective Jack Harker is living in his dreams – only they’re really nightmares.
Ivy Morgan wants to help, especially since she’s become a frequent visitor in his subconscious – only she doesn’t know how.
When a battered teenage girl shows up in Ivy’s greenhouse, the duo must put aside their misgivings and constant miscommunication so they can try and help.
Sixteen-year-old Kelly Sisto is living in a nightmare of her own, and whether through trauma or refusal, she can’t tell Ivy and Jack what happened to her.
Shadow Lake’s favorite witch and newest police transplant have their hands full with Kelly, but it’s their hearts that are getting away from them.
When the truth of Kelly’s sad life is finally revealed, everyone is in danger, and they’re going to have to work together if they want to survive – and find a happy ending.
Wicked Dreams is available
here.
I’m a romantic at heart. A true romantic. I love the idea of a happy ending, so much so I have trouble writing a sad one. The world is sad enough. I like escaping in fiction. That’s just me. I like sarcasm and snark – but I’m not sure a sad ending is in me. If you’re looking for an edge like that, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. Just FYI.
As a heads-up, Ivy Morgan’s witchcraft growth will be coinciding with her relationship growth. That means she’ll be learning more about her powers and beliefs at the same time Jack does. I hope you enjoy their romance.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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