Decked Out with Ivy (Red Maple Falls #13)

Chapter 4

The sound of Santa saying, Ho, Ho, Ho echoed from Ivy’s bag. She fished in her bag for her cellphone. The notification sounded again, Ho, Ho, Ho, and again. She clicked into the family group chat that consisted of her parents, sister, three cousins, and aunt and uncle.

The picture of her and Cody stared back at her with a slew of messages that were still rolling in. She’d seen the photo first thing this morning when Brooke and Louise had sent it to her. Then three more times when she checked her emails. She was headline freaking news. Absolutely asinine news.

She inhaled and let it out slowly as she read the incoming messages one by one.

Cynthia: How do you know Cody Chance?

Poppy: Seriously. I’m away for a week and you’re rubbing elbows with Hollywood elite!?

Uncle Richard: Lucy has some explainin’ to do.

Trey: He looks like a douche.

Rome: He looks like a douche.

Trey: Ha! See? Rome knows.

Rome: High-five!

Aunt Claire: Are you two ever going to grow up?

Rome: No

Trey: No!

Mom: Who is Cody Chance?

She unraveled her scarf and undid the zipper on her coat before responding.

Ivy: No one. It’s a misunderstanding.

She doubted that would stop their questions, but it was the truth. She still couldn’t believe how easily a headline was made from an innocent picture. Is this what Bex dealt with on a daily basis? She needed to give her a hug the next time she saw her.

Poppy: You better not be lying.

Ivy: I’m not. Rome and Trey are right. He’s a douche.

Rome: Do I need to kick his ass?

Trey: We can bury his body at Angel’s Den. No one will ever find him.

Aunt Claire: You two knock it off! There will be no beating up or killing!

Ivy: I’m at work. Talk later.

She shoved her phone in her bag. She doubted the text chain would stop, they were just gearing up, but at least they wouldn’t notify the authorities for search and rescue if she didn’t respond.

Ivy turned the Closed sign to Open and headed to the rear of the store to dispose of her coat and bag. The bells above the door chimed, and Ivy called out, “Be right there!”

She hung her coat on a hanger and draped her scarf across the top before placing it on the rack. She stored her bag in one of the lockers that sat beside the counter.

With a turn of a dial, Christmas music filtered through the speakers around the store. She smiled as Nat King Cole’s voice warmed the atmosphere.

She stepped into the main store and smiled when she spotted Terry and Betty Hayes.

“Good morning, ladies. How can I help you today?”

“Is it true?” Terry asked.

Ivy sighed. “Not you too.”

“So you are shacking up with that hunky actor,” she said.

“Terry, you should know better than to believe tabloids.”

“But it’s not just the tabloids. The local news had a segment about the picture.”

“You’re famous all over the state of New Hampshire,” Betty said, her blue eyes filled with warmth and kindness. Though Ivy knew beneath the wrinkles and grandmother appearance, Betty Hayes was anything but innocent. Ivy strongly believed she had a hand in the fact that all her grandkids were currently married, engaged, or in happy relationships.

“Forget the state of New Hampshire,” Terry exclaimed. “You’re world famous. I saw you on the Tweeter.”

“Didn’t they rename it?” Betty asked. “It’s just a letter now, right?”

Terry swiped her hand through the air. “Letter, number, it doesn’t matter. Our very own Ivy is all over it.”

Great . That’s the last thing Ivy needed. She lived a simple life. Heck, she didn’t even have a TV. The last thing she needed was for strangers to know who she was.

“You still haven’t answered the question,” Terry said.

“She’s right,” Betty added. “You haven’t.”

“Because there is nothing to answer. Cody Chance and I are not ‘shacking up’ together.”

“Why not? He’s hot,” Betty said, flashing a smile.

“Betty, you are a happily married woman of sixty years.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m dead!”

“Just admit it,” Terry said. “He’s hot.”

Ivy loved these two women to death, but if she didn’t placate them, they would never leave, and she had a ball of yarn with her name on it just waiting to be turned into something Christmasy and fun. “Fine,” she said. “Cody Chance is hot.”

The bell chimed above the door, and of course, the man of the hour stepped through. Ivy’s heart stuttered in her chest, her mouth dried, and her mind blanked as the man shook the snow from his brown strands. He pushed his hair back with a hand, revealing those Christmas tree green eyes.

A huge smile spread across his too handsome face. “I didn’t know you felt that way about me,” Cody said, and Ivy immediately wished the floor would swallow her whole.

“What a coincidence,” Betty said, glancing between Ivy and Cody.

“No coincidence,” Ivy announced. She did not need Betty Hayes meddling. “Ladies, it’s been lovely chatting, but I have a store to run.”

“And a hottie to talk to.” Terry giggled as she and Betty made their way to the front of the store. Terry stopped in front of Cody and held her hand out. He lifted her knuckles to his lips, pressing a kiss. “I’m Terry. Owner of the Happy Apple. Come by and taste my pie. You won’t be disappointed.”

“Terry, don’t make me tell Walt on you!” Ivy said, not that Terry’s husband would care. He’d probably tell Cody to take his chances. Ivy smiled at the thought. Walt was all talk. He loved that woman with every ounce of his being.

“You are no fun,” Terry said before she directed her attention to Cody. “Unfortunately, I’m married, and so is Betty here, but Ivy is very, very single. You can’t get more single than her.”

“Terry!” Ivy exclaimed.

“What? I’m just telling him the truth.” She turned to Cody. “She’s lovely. Everyone in this town just adores her.”

Terry waved a dainty hand at Cody, and she and Betty disappeared out the door, leaving Ivy alone once again with Cody Chance.