Ivy didn’t see Parker anywhere. She’d forgotten Heath’s comment about Parker’s different appearance. Wasn’t he working here to organize their entrance and schedule today’s events? What family gathering scheduled events? Kathy wasn’t helpful either. She’d never seen Parker. However, Jones had gone ahead. Ivy would have walked past Parker otherwise. Gone was the professional Parker. Standing there talking to Jones was Parker. With midnight blue hair, hand-painted leather black moto-jacket, and motorcycle boots. He looked like a punk with a chain attaching his wallet to his belt. “Wait, his hair. When did he get an earring?” Heath set Geoff down laughing at Ivy’s confusion, and Kathy’s curiosity in the slim man before them.“I don’t force him to dress professionally at work. He gets a laugh out of how his appearance changes other people’s opinions of his competence. He insists on wearing a wig at work and removes his jewellery w
Monica couldn’t understand. They hit several of her secret social media accounts with violations. Meaning her efforts to go viral went nowhere. She didn’t care about the two lost accounts. Manica would create more. She hated how she’d arranged everything so carefully crafted conversations between the accounts to appear as if the information came from different sources. Sources who compared notes in real time with others on social media. Timing and flow were key. The information couldn’t appear in perfect order.Enough of her posts disappeared from public view. Her social campaign against Ivy failed. The journalist received more attention rather than losing his job for shoddy reporting.What irked her more were the messages questioning where the sudden information came from and the message creator’s motives for bringing this information forward now. It dampened her audience’s interest in the scintillating details she crafted about Ivy and her snot-nosed brat were stealing h
Heath silently cursed himself. He wanted to congratulate himself as well. Even as he’d enjoyed himself with his son, he’d ignored Ivy’s worries. Now they were coming home to roost. It’d been years since he’d had a sunburn. Now he remembered why Ivy worried about him gaining a sunburn. The back of his neck glowed red in the bathroom mirror under the harsh florescent lighting. His neck hurt, and it was hot to the touch. Heath must get through the day. At least, he had a hat thanks to Parker disappearing and bringing him a safari hat with the zoo’s logo on it. He’d forgotten his at home because he’d been too busy arguing with Ivy about her cane. A cane she’d pulled out about two hours into their time here. She wouldn’t let anyone get her a wheelchair. Instead, trudged on valiantly. That’s the least Heath could do. He didn’t want Geoff to think he was leaving because of a sunburn. Parker entered the men’s bathroom. “Ivy sent me in here with
“Your lawyer was kind enough to inform me he believes as long as she contests your divorce, you can’t remarry,” Parker said in a flat tone to Heath with little preamble about Monica’s attempts to slow down the divorce. She didn’t understand, or Monica wasn’t willing to accept that the divorce was final. Contesting never worked because she’d had a year to have both sides withdraw it. The ability to contest a divorce dated before the law of one year separated existed. “I’ve never heard of that before.” Heath said, annoyed with Monica.Parker could see Heath hadn’t expected Monica to try something this extreme. They knew Monica would be petty about everything. “It’s rarely done. Technically, the law won’t allow you to marry again until you’ve completed the divorce, and they’ve concluded any contested cases.” Parker wanted to throw something at Monica for how petty she was. The woman claimed to be proud. Truthfully, she had no pride. Her outrageous clai
“Once it’s cleared, the courts. If the documents aren’t misplaced or destroyed. With the war, and the questionable documents people are using to flee that region. It’s difficult to give you a clear timeline. Add the issue with human trafficking. Remember, Ryker’s involved in these illegal businesses. If she’s connected to him, she’s likely connected to all of it.” After some threats Parker received from Monica during conversations, she seemed very comfortable with violence. Those threats made this theory appear logical for Parker. He thought of Stockholm Syndrome as a possibility. Parker saw Monica as a kidnapper rather than a victim. “Really? Do you think Monica acts like a victim? Or a criminal?” Parker shrugged at Heath’s words. He didn’t want to speculate further out. He didn’t want to be wrong. Because he didn’t want to eat his words. Clearly Heath thought the later. “I don’t know. If she has grown attached to her captors, or she can’t trust an
“Mom. I want another ice cream. Can I have another?” Ivy, Kathy, and Geoff waited in the restaurant. Thankfully, the bodyguards stayed back at a different table. Heath and Parker were in the restroom. Ivy was unsure of what to do. Geoff wasn’t the only one getting antsy because of their delay. “Not right now. Your dad and Parker should return any minute. Then we’ll go have more fun.” She didn’t want Geoff sick from too many sweets. Ivy was worried about Heath’s sunburn. Why hadn’t he listened to her? It was just his stubbornness that would ruin today. It’d gone fine once they were in the zoo. Except Heath kept prying about her ideal home. It embarrassed Ivy to answer him. Ivy felt she’d no right to ask for. She’d change the subject to something about an animal. Heath would ask her about the wedding details. Ivy wanted to scream. She didn’t want to talk about this in front of Geoff. “Tell me, is Parker for real?” Kathy broke the silence a
As soon as Kathy realized the man she stared at was indeed Parker, she instantly struggled with the fear she’d found someone who played games with distinct personalities. She feared he didn’t have a strong understanding of his true inner self. Kathy wouldn’t waste her time with these types of men usually. She found them a waste of time because she didn’t want to deal with an immature man-child seeking constant validation and instruction on behaviour. That wasn’t what Kathy wanted, but she could suffer if she met with him socially. She just wouldn’t date him. The truth became obvious as the day continued. He wasn’t confused or shifty, as she thought he’d be about his personality or his maturity. Parker acted polite, well mannered, and with Heath, Parker’s professionalism came to the forefront before his distinctive sense of humour did. Parker swore a few times and even teased Heath. The men were more than just colleagues. Kathy noticed their closen
Ivy watched Geoff chatter away to his father as they awaited their turn to ride a camel. What would she do when Heath tried went to confirm his rights? He’d said nothing about it after he’d moved in. What would his parents do when he tried to establish Geoff as his firstborn? Geoff would inherit everything if Heath did that. Would his father counter by disinheriting Heath? Ivy knew she must talk to Heath and ensure he’d considered every angle of this situation. Then the thought of marriage raised its ugly head in Ivy’s mind. What if his parents disinherited Heath because he married her? What would Heath do then? Ivy couldn’t allow Heath to ruin his life if it hurt more people than helped. Who would benefit from Heath’s disinheritance? Could she find out? Would Heath know who would benefit? For all Ivy knew, Monica might have saved Heath, but she could try to stick her claws into Heath’s replacement. Heath should warn them. Monica seemed fixated on m
In the school cafeteria, Jimmie Marks cornered Geoff to taunt him with the information he got over the last few weeks about him. Jimmie was told that Geoff was poor and his mother married his dad for his money. “So, you got a stepdad. It still doesn’t count. Your dad didn’t want your mom or you.” Jimmie tried to mess with Geoff and embarrass him in front of everyone who heard him. He’d heard from his housekeeper’s son all about Geoff because he’d gone to school with him. Maybe he was a little jealous because his family hadn’t been invited to the Allerfords summer house for their yearly party. “He’s my real dad not my stepdad. It wasn’t that he didn’t want me or my mom. Don’t you read or listen to the news? You’re so stupid. My ex-stepmom lied to my dad and made him think my mom didn’t want him. She then made it, so my mom had to leave. My mom had enough of the nonsense and left. When she did that, she didn’t tell my dad where she went. His mom and dad made him marry my ex
“Wait, is Alice dating him?” Heath missed a lot because he wasn’t in the trenches like Ivy. It didn’t surprise her he was unaware of Ed’s search for a wife among the female staff. Ivy kept brushing him off, knowing if he chased her, then he wouldn’t chase any other woman. He was a nice guy if the woman wasn’t his wife. Or at least that’s how Ivy saw it. “He’s trying to make his moves on her, that’s obvious. I don’t think he’ll fool her. Maybe she can fix his mistaken beliefs. I lacked the time or interest to try. So, all the power to her if she tries. Though I think she’d be wasting her time.” Ivy leaned back in her seat and explained. She tried to act like she didn’t feel the tension coming from Heath. Ivy couldn’t believe he felt so threatened by what she’d just said. His concern for Alice was decent, she guessed, because Alice was her friend and co-worker. “I’m glad to hear you say that. You had me worried there that you thought I didn’t apprecia
Ivy settled in the limo’s backseat, heading home. What a change to taking the train. It didn’t matter that she didn’t go home at once. It was nice to have someone drive her in comfort. The dark interior and gentle lighting somehow made everything easier. Heath liked them to pick him up as well. The three of them would go home. Kathy didn’t use her beat up old car anymore, because Heath insisted, she use the car he’d bought as a family car to transport Geoff safely. With Parker’s help, Heath had Kathy using a member of their security team to mail her packages and pick up her packages from her post office box. Ivy had to admit Parker played dirty by sending her a glitter bomb she’d opened after she got back to her studio. She called Ivy furious claiming Parker admitted to sending it to prove to her that anyone could send her a bomb. Kathy still felt outraged, even though she understood the point. Ivy could understand her outrage, even though the point
Geoff enter his new school. He realized his insignificance among the other kids in school, but this time, he wasn’t alone. Three kids he met at the cottage a few weeks back were with him. They were his friends; they said to him. He’d accept it because his dad said he needed to make friends to learn to be like him. “Thanks for bringing me, Kathy. We know where we’re going.” Kathy blinked at Geoff in surprise. Geoff desired to appear as a helpless child, needing help to navigate the school corridors. “Okay, quick check then. Have you got your bag, water bottle, lunch, phone, and hat?” “Yup.” Geoff said. He insisted on wearing a fedora he found as his dad unpacked a box of old clothes. “Okay, then go seize the day and try to avoid getting in trouble. Don’t forget your security is in the parking lot. No leaving the school grounds without them and they’ll bring you home. Parker is with your dad today and I’m getting my workroom se
Heath watched Ivy lose her confrontational nature, and that sexy hidden kitten came out to play. He loved it, because when this happened, she had no limits. He panted as she opened her blouse to reveal she wasn’t wearing a bra. Her hands moved to his waistband and Ivy had the air kissing his cock in moments before she was kneeling between his thighs, sucking on him like he remembered she used to do. His eyes devoured the sight of Ivy’s glistening lips bobbing on his hardening shaft. “Babe, slow down or the enjoyment will end too soon. You know I’ll want a good long taste of you too. God, you remember how good that is,” Heath said. He felt himself gasped as her small teeth nipped at his foreskin. His thighs shook a little. She’d barely gone down on him, and he wanted to lose himself. “Enough. I hope you have got no panties on either, or I’ll rip them apart to get to your cream.” Ivy resisted when he tried to pull from her mouth. She teased him by hol
Ivy and the other wives could head off for several potential disasters. Finally, she witnessed Heath’s efforts to make the day of a dream come true. Thankfully, the wedding planner realized how dated and difficult achieving this was to arrange. In the end, Heath got what he wanted, and Ivy understood him better. He’d kept a storage space of things he couldn’t part with that she’d left behind when she’d left. One of which was a dream book all about her dream wedding. She’d made the book about a decade before she met Heath in her teens, like many girls. So, it was out of date by the time she’d met him. The only reason he’d known about the book was she’d found it one day and told him about it. But she’d forgotten about it. With help from her new friends and the planner, they could achieve their goals. Ivy got stronger and walking became easier. She returned to work and life continued. Geoff now seemed content with his two reliable parents.
The weekend had been going well. The men didn’t disappear, as Ivy believed. They’d stayed close to the house and the kids. Ivy learned that this was normal. The men in Alec’s circle tended toward wanting to foster family bonds and friendships with people who had similar interests. The men all found they disliked how their parents raised them, and this was their answer to their problem. “You don’t know how glad we are. It’s you here and not her. Is it okay if we mention her? I don’t want to make you feel awkward.” Ivy sat outside on the patio after a rather enjoyable dinner. Heath had stayed true to his word, and the men were watching the kids play beside the lake. “It’s fine, I guess. Some argue I don’t consider her as much as she considers me. So, please understand, I probably won’t have much to say about her.” “You’re not angry at her for messing up your life?” “I’m sorry? Messing up my life. How? Everyone has r
Ivy couldn’t believe how present Heath became. Present for Geoffrey and herself, that is. He’d planned everything and stunned her when he revealed how he’d remembered her dream wedding one evening. He’s changed from the man who only cared about marriage paperwork. But what had Ivy scratching her head was he’d written it all down and he wanted her to review it to ensure her wishes hadn’t changed. Or she preferred a newer style. Her preferences and opinions now took a precedence they never had before. Heath ensured that she and Geoff enjoyed the best at the Allerfords’ beachfront event. Heath went with Geoffrey shopping for clothes, as well as for school supplies. Geoff looked like an entirely different child, right down to his expensive new haircut and running shoes. Ivy initially dismissed it, as Geoff naturally outgrows clothes and requires haircuts. That happened to boys his age. She’d finish but clothing in one size to buy
“Really?” Geoff was sure his dad would have limits. Geoff just needed to figure out what they were. His dad would surely appreciate his lack of tantrums and materialistic desires. At least not yet, anyway. Perhaps when he discovered what other children possessed. But right now, he enjoyed having his own gaming space and a lot of rooms to himself. Stop using the dining table for art and having to clean up before and after meals. “In the past, I used to dictate and control you and your mother’s actions and choices. Now is different and your mom and I decide together. But I have the connections and influence, so I’m the one that makes things happen. The young man will prioritize school, grades, and friendships. Learn from me to network and build connections for your family’s future. Remember the job I’m taking over from your grandfather?” They both wrinkled their noses when a member of the hospital staff pushed a cart by them with something smelly in it.