Wicked Warning (An Ivy Morgan Mystery Book 5) (11 page)

“
A
re you nervous
?” Ivy smiled at Jessica as the girl settled in the passenger seat of her car the next morning. “It’s okay if you are. This is a big step.”

“Um … I don’t know if I’m nervous,” Jessica said. “It’s more that I’m excited and a little … okay, yeah, I’m nervous.”

Ivy chuckled. “It’s going to be okay,” she said. “Do me a favor and duck down, though. I’m going to be driving past the media people and I don’t want them to see you. They’ve gotten used to watching me come and go so they won’t think anything of me leaving the hospital alone.”

Jessica mutely nodded and scrunched low in the seat. Given her size, it was easy for her to disappear. Ivy had a feeling she’d been trying to disappear for years.

Ivy was calm as she drove past the media throng, only a handful of curious reporters glancing in her direction. Their interest waned quickly when they realized Ivy was merely making her daily visit.

Ivy waited until she hit the main drag before speaking again. “We’re safe. Make sure you fasten your seatbelt.”

Jessica did as instructed and Ivy couldn’t help but notice the girl’s hands shook as she tried to click the metal pieces together. She finally succeeded on the third try.

“So, where are we going again?”

“My aunt has a fun magic shop in Bellaire,” Ivy replied. “It’s very small and she’s promised to lock the door while we’re in there so no one will accidentally see you.”

“I kind of remember Bellaire,” Jessica said, her eyes taking on a far-off quality. “They have a movie theater, right?”

Ivy nodded. “They do. Do you remember the last movie you saw there?”

“It was one of the Shrek movies.”

“Oh, I loved those movies,” Ivy enthused. “I wanted to be an ogre and have a pet donkey for a little bit. I have a cat that acts like a donkey sometimes, and Jack kind of reminds me of an ogre when he feels like arguing, so I kind of got my wish.”

Jessica giggled, the sound warming Ivy’s heart. “You have a cat? What’s his name?”

“Nicodemus. I found him abandoned and near death in a Dumpster when he was a kitten. I nursed him back to health and he’s been with me ever since.”

“I always wanted a cat, but my parents never let me have a pet,” Jessica said.

“You’re an adult now and will eventually get a place of your own,” Ivy pointed out. “I’m sure you can get a cat when you find your own space. Nicodemus is a great companion. He curls up on my lap when I’m reading. Of course, Jack claims he tries to smother him in his sleep. I’m not sure I believe him, though.”

“You talk about Jack a lot,” Jessica said. “Do you love him?”

“I … .” Ivy wasn’t sure how to answer. Finally, she opted for the truth. “I do love him. We haven’t said that to each other yet. It will happen one day, though.”

“How come you haven’t said it?”

Ivy shrugged. “Jack is a complicated guy,” she explained. “He moved to Shadow Lake after something bad happened to him in Detroit. He wasn’t really looking for a relationship when he got to town.”

“But you guys are in a relationship. How did that happen?”

“Jack claims it was fate,” Ivy replied. “I think he might be right. I know that when I saw him I couldn’t help but fall for him. Something drew me to him from that first moment we met.”

“Is he your soul mate?”

“I think so,” Ivy said. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Like I told you, we’ve only been dating for a few months. We need time to figure things out before we can make grand pronouncements.”

“I think he loves you,” Jessica said. “He’s always looking at you like you’re some sort of magical creature. He’s … awed … by you.”

“Jack is the best man I’ve ever met,” Ivy said. “He’s got a huge heart … and he’s protective … and he’s unbelievably handsome.”

Jessica snickered. “He’s movie-star handsome.”

“He is.”

“I hope someone thinks I’m their soul mate one day,” Jessica said, her eyes trained out the window. “That probably won’t happen because I’m so … damaged.”

“I don’t believe that’s true,” Ivy argued. “You’re obviously not going to be ready for a relationship for some time, but that doesn’t mean that you’re somehow damaged. You’re wounded right now. Wounds heal, though.

“Jessica, you have more strength than any ten people I know combined,” she continued. “That strength will eventually attract the right man. I have faith that you’ll get everything you want someday. You just have to believe in yourself to do it.”

“Do you believe in yourself?” Jessica was genuinely curious. “Do you ever have doubts?”

“I think anyone who says they don’t have doubts is lying,” Ivy replied, not missing a beat. “I like to think of myself as a strong person, but I often have doubts because it’s human nature to second-guess yourself.”

“What do you doubt?”

“Just last night I doubted whether Jack would be able to put up with some of my quirks and I admitted it to him.”

“What did he say?”

“That he liked my quirks and he wasn’t bothered by them in the least,” Ivy answered. “He has a way of making me feel safe. You’ll find someone who will do that for you, too. It won’t happen tomorrow, but I believe it will happen eventually.”

“I hope you’re right,” Jessica said. “Right now I feel as if everyone is watching me … like I’m a bomb about to explode and they’re just waiting to see who I take out when it happens.”

“People are watching you because they’re worried and desperate to keep you safe,” Ivy said. “We’re working hard to make sure no one will ever hurt you again.”

“I have nightmares.” Jessica’s words were barely a whisper. “He comes for me each time. He … does things. He’s never going to just let me go.”

“Then you have to find the strength to help us put him away,” Ivy said simply, refusing to get into a heavy discussion about Dorsey before visiting Felicity. She didn’t want to put a damper on their day. “When you’re ready to help us, we’ll be waiting.”

“What if I’m never ready?”

“I don’t believe that will happen,” Ivy said, directing her car toward the highway that led to Bellaire. “You’ve already proven you’re strong. Now you just need to find a little more courage. You’ll get there. Now, roll down your window and take a deep breath. This is what freedom feels like, and I want you to enjoy it.”

“
Y
OU
must be Jessica
. I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally meet you.”

Felicity Goodings never met a boundary she didn’t want to cross, and today was no different. She pulled Jessica in for a tight hug before the girl could even utter a word.

For her part, Jessica appeared dumbfounded. She didn’t pull away from Felicity, even though the woman’s bohemian skirt and long hair probably threw her for a loop, and instead let Felicity’s warm feelings wash over her.

“Don’t smother her,” Ivy chided, shaking her head.

“And you, sourpuss, where have you been for the last two weeks?” Felicity asked, releasing Jessica and pulling Ivy in for a reluctant hug. “I have a feeling I know who has been taking all of your time. I would think you’d at least call your favorite aunt once, though.”

Ivy sighed. She was used to her aunt’s theatrics. “I’ve been busy.”

“Well, make yourself busy and lock that door,” Felicity ordered. “Turn the sign so people know we’re out to lunch for a bit, too.”

“You’re so bossy,” Ivy grumbled, although she obliged her aunt and did as instructed.

“Now, come and sit at the counter, Jessica,” Felicity said. “I’m going to make everyone some tea and then we can gossip about Ivy and her love muffin.”

Jessica giggled. As usual, Felicity managed to put a new face – even a traumatized one – at ease within moments. “Do you call Jack that?”

“Jack would not be happy if I called him that,” Ivy replied, following Jessica to the counter and settling next to her as Felicity poured tea into mugs on the other side. “He likes to think of himself as manly and strong.”

“He is both of those things,” Felicity said. “He’s also a big cotton ball where you’re concerned.”

“Do you like Jack?” Jessica appeared happy to engage in a conversation that didn’t revolve around her captivity. “He seems nice to me … just big.”

“He’s a tall man,” Felicity agreed, pushing Jessica’s tea toward her. “He’s also an unbelievably kind man. His patience is one for the record books, too. You’d have to have infinite patience to put up with this one.” She pinched Ivy’s cheek for good measure.

Ivy jerked her face away from her aunt. “Ha, ha. I don’t know why you think Jack is patient. We argue all the time.”

“That’s merely the way you communicate,” Felicity said, waving off Ivy’s statement. “You both have fiery personalities. That’s why you’re a good fit. I knew the moment I first saw you together that you were going to fall head over heels for one another.”

Ivy racked her memory. “We fought horribly in here that day.”

“Yes, but you were also like magnets and couldn’t stay away from one another,” Felicity said. “That’s called chemistry, my dear, and you two have it in spades.”

“Whatever,” Ivy muttered. “I think I have more patience than Jack.”

Felicity snorted. “Oh, puh-leez,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “I’ve seen you go after that man for stupid things. Speaking of Jack, where is he?”

Ivy darted a worried look in Jessica’s direction and licked her lips. “They have a suspect and they’re searching his property,” she replied. “It’s going to be a long day. The suspect refuses to talk and has lawyered up, but they’re still going to question him this afternoon.”

“That sounds serious,” Felicity said. “How does that make you feel, Jessica?”

Ivy made a slashing motion with her hand to silence her aunt, but to her utter surprise Jessica answered without complaint.

“I feel as if everyone expects me to know what to do and I don’t,” Jessica replied. “I don’t know anything about the man who kept me. It’s like my memory doesn’t want to work. I can’t remember … and I know people don’t believe me when I say that.”

“That’s not true,” Ivy protested. “Everyone believes you. We just want confirmation that Dan is the man who took you.”

“What if he’s not?”

“Then we’ll find the guilty party,” Ivy answered, unruffled. “No one wants to force you to remember things that upset you. I promise you that. We also don’t want this man free in case he tries to grab another girl. He needs to pay for what he did.”

“I’ve honestly been trying to remember,” Jessica said. “Everything is black when I try, though. It’s like there are big gaps in my memory.”

“I think that’s because you need the gaps to function,” Felicity supplied. “You’re dealing with more than any one person should ever have to deal with. I think you’re holding up remarkably well given the circumstances.”

“I don’t feel that way,” Jessica lamented. “I can see the way my parents look at me. They want me to tell them what happened but … I can’t.”

“You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready to do,” Felicity countered. “You need to stop worrying about what others think and start worrying about yourself. Your aura is cloudy, my dear. That’s because stress is overwhelming you.

“Given what has happened, no one can blame you for taking a step back,” she continued. “A person’s mind has a way of protecting them until they can accept their reality and move forward. That will happen to you eventually.”

“I can’t sleep,” Jessica admitted. “Every time I close my eyes I have nightmares. The problem is, they’re so confusing that now I’m not sure what is a memory and what I’ve made up in my head.”

“That’s because you’re being stalked by fear when your barriers lower,” Felicity said. “You’re at your most vulnerable when you sleep and your mind can’t protect you as easily. You need a way to keep the nightmares out so you can sleep without fear.”

“Do you know how to do that?” Ivy asked, interested despite herself. “Is there a way we can protect Jessica in her sleep?”

Felicity nodded. “There is.”

“What are you guys talking about?” Jessica asked, confused. “I … do you believe in magic?”

“There are all different kinds of magic,” Felicity replied, unruffled by Jessica’s tone. “I’m a witch. Ivy doesn’t like defining herself in those terms.”

“A witch?” Jessica’s eyebrows practically flew up her forehead. “I … seriously?”

“It’s not what you’re thinking,” Felicity cautioned. “I don’t believe I can fly around on a broom or cast spells to get what I want. I do believe there is magic in nature, though. That’s how Ivy and Jack found each other. That’s how the world turns on its axis. That’s how people overcome terrible things.”

Jessica rubbed her cheek as she considered Felicity’s words. “Do you really think you can help me sleep? I haven’t slept in so long it feels like a luxury now.”

“I think I can,” Felicity said, moving to the cupboard at the back of the counter and opening it. She returned a few moments later with a dreamcatcher. “I want you to put this next to your head when you sleep. It’s been blessed and should ward off nightmares so you can relax and get the rest your mind clearly needs.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a dreamcatcher,” Ivy supplied. “They’re part of Native American folklore. Aunt Felicity made one for me when I was a kid and having bad dreams.”

“Did it work?”

Ivy nodded. “It did,” she confirmed. “I have no idea how it happened, but … it worked. I’d been having a reoccurring nightmare about a monster chasing me and I put a dreamcatcher next to my bed and it never happened again.”

“How does it work?” Jessica asked, accepting the wooden contraption and flipping it over so she could study it.

“Do you see those webs?” Felicity asked, pointing.

Jessica nodded.

“Your bad dreams are absorbed into the webs and they can’t escape,” Felicity explained. “It’s like a spider web, but for dreams. Then, when the sun rises in the morning, all of the nightmares are burned away.”

“Really?” Jessica looked dubious. Ivy couldn’t blame her.

“Look at it this way,” Ivy said. “It couldn’t possibly hurt and it’s really cool to look at.”

Jessica tilted her head to the side, considering. “I guess I’m willing to try anything.”