Decked Out with Ivy (Red Maple Falls #13)

Chapter 11

Cody had spent the night at Ivy’s place and had seen her before heading off to set. It had been a little more than twelve hours, but now, as his desire for her grew, it might as well have been an eternity. He didn’t think much of it until he spotted a couple walking into Calhoun’s, hand in hand. An unexpected feeling slammed into him—he missed Ivy.

Calhoun’s sat on the outskirts of town and the parking lot was packed with cars and people hurrying out of the cold December air and into the pub.

“Is it always this busy?” Cody asked Jim as he pulled around the back of the building. He wasn’t just dropping him off and heading out. Being a local, Jim was here for the party as well. Ivy had to stay late at her shop to do some inventory and insisted he go on ahead and she’d meet him here.

“It’s usually busy but never this busy,” Jim said, putting the SUV into park. “Between Declan, his lady, and all her siblings, they probably invited the whole town.

While there were a lot of people, there weren’t nearly as many as Cody would see driving down the 405 on any given day. It was strange how towns like this were so small but felt so big. Maybe because large cities made him feel small. He could throw on a hat, a pair of sunglasses, and blend into the crowds. He’d be invisible. Here, everyone recognized him, and not because he was Cody Chance, but because they saw him getting a cupcake at Sweet Dreams Bakery, cutting down a Christmas tree at Hal’s, or singing Christmas carols at the nursing home. It was a life he never thought he’d want, but the more time he spent here, the more he understood why Bex had made this place her home.

“Ready to party?” Jim asked.

He couldn’t imagine anything coming close to the parties he was used to within the walls of some small-town pub.

“Let’s do this,” Cody said, putting on the stupid Christmas hat he wore at the nursing home. If it was an ugly sweater contest, he was pulling out all the stops. He wasn’t wearing one of Ivy’s creations. He didn’t want her to think he thought her sweaters were ugly. They were… cute, if you were into that kind of thing. So, he had gone on the internet and found the perfect sweater, having it overnighted just for the occasion. What had she turned him into?

He tugged the zipper on his new down coat, slipped on his mittens, and followed Jim toward Calhoun’s.

“Cody, how’s it going, man?” The damn paparazzo popped out of nowhere and shoved his camera in Cody’s face. “Where’s your girlfriend?”

Cody continued walking toward the front door. He had dealt with so many paparazzi throughout his career, but this one was pushing his damn buttons. This guy didn’t seem to want just a shot.

He didn’t want to think about hiring security, but if this continued, he was going to have no choice.

“Going into a bar.” He smirked. “Not a great look for someone with a DUI.”

Cody clenched his jaw. It might not have been this exact asshole, but it was someone like him who had conspired to drug him all so they could make a few bucks. Instead, the paparazzo itching for a quick payout destroyed his career, made him seem like some addict and now he couldn’t even be seen with a beer. Even if he loved to end his day with one. They ruined his image. Yet, his dumbass thought it was a good idea to use the very medium that destroyed him to promote his fake relationship with Ivy. What the hell had he been thinking?

He hadn’t. He’d been desperate.

“Bug off,” Jim said. “Or I’ll go get the sheriff, who happens to be right inside. And this parking lot is private property, so unless you want a hefty fine and a court date, I’d go find some else to annoy.”

“Sure thing,” the jerk said. “But Cody, I’ll be watching.”

“Creep,” Jim mumbled as he held the door open.

“Thanks,” Cody said, hoping Jim knew how much he appreciated him.

“We protect our own here.” Jim patted him on the back as they made their way inside. They were greeted by a pool of ridiculous sweaters. A smile tugged at Cody’s face as he scanned all the ugliness, noting his favorites to point them out to Ivy when she arrived. He also noticed so many of her creations. He could tell by the quality and detail. They weren’t ugly, but they were fun and festive.

He glanced down at his Rolex. She had said she wouldn’t be far behind him. He couldn’t wait to have her at his side, to hear her laugh or gasp, depending on whatever was said. Couldn’t wait to feel the curve of her hip beneath his hand and be able to squeeze her tight into him.

As soon as they were inside, they hung up their coats, then Jim got swooped into conversations and Cody made his way to the bar. He ordered a root beer and spoke with Declan for a few minutes before Declan got called to the kitchen.

Cody held his bottle of root beer, wishing he could have a beer, but if he was photographed with one, the headlines would run with it. He hated how the public dictated how he spent his time. He loved his job, was grateful for all the luxuries it had afforded him, but at what cost? The general public either loved or hated him. Some thought they knew him better than he knew himself. They judged every relationship he was in, every decision he made, acted as if they had control over his life.

He glanced at Bex who was holding a glass of wine. While he had to not have a drink in his hand, it was almost imperative that she did. One picture of her at a party without alcohol, and the next morning headlines would be speculating that she was pregnant.

That part of the entertainment industry was exhausting, but he couldn’t complain about it. Not when he chose this life, and he was making millions while others were barely surviving. He just wished people would back off and let him live his life.

Sheriff Hayes came up to him, wearing a Santa skiing on his sweater. He nodded to Cody’s sweater. “Nice,” he said before he introduced him to his brother, Cooper, who was donning a Christmas tree printed suit, complete with lights that lit up. From their brown hair to their builds, it was obvious they were brothers even if their styles were completely different.

Cooper cleared his throat. “Sorry, just took a sample of Old Man Simpson’s cinnamon moonshine.” He grabbed his throat and rubbed. “It will burn a hole through your esophagus, but it’s free, and it tastes really good.”

“It’ll put hair on your chest,” Sheriff Hayes added.

“Thanks for the heads up.”

“Has that photographer harassed you anymore?” the sheriff asked.

“Haven’t seen him, but that doesn’t mean he’s not lurking in the trees. But I do appreciate your help with the situation.”

“It’s what he does,” Cooper said, patting his older brother’s chest. “Protect and serve.”

The sheriff landed a hand on his brother’s shoulder and squeezed, shaking Cooper slightly. “And what exactly do you do?”

“Other than being a New York Times Bestselling author and having one of the most followed Dad vlogs?” Cooper tapped his chin. “Being an awesome brother and uncle to your kids and let’s not forget brother-in-law of the year.”

“Are you still claiming that title?” Another man walked up, looking very similar to the two, so Cody assumed it was the one Hayes brother he hadn’t been formerly introduced to. “You changed Shay’s flat tire. I don’t know how that qualifies you for best brother-in-law.” He held his hand out to Cody. “I’m Mason Hayes..”

“Nice to meet you,” Cody said, smiling at his sweater that said , It’s the Most Wonderful Time for a Beer . “I’m Cody Chance.”

“I drove all the way to Conway, with two kids in tow, changed the tire, saved the day, and I brought donuts for my nephews. I win,” Cooper said.

The door opened, a burst of cold air coming in with it. Ivy stepped into the pub, the conversation around him fading. A thick plastic headband with lit Christmas bulbs sat on her head. Small red ornaments hung from her ears, decorated with white polka dots. She slipped out of her coat, revealing a sweater she told him she’d been working on since the first week of October. The sleeves were red and white stripes like a candy cane, in the middle a llama, its neck decorated like a Christmas tree, and a Santa hat sat on top of its head, but instead of a pompom, it was a star. He laughed at the ridiculousness of it, though on her, it was the cutest damn thing he’d ever seen.

Her legs were covered in white and red striped stockings that matched her sleeves, and her red tulle skirt swayed when she moved.

Her cheeks and the tip of her nose were red from the cold. A smile lit her entire face, her light brown eyes sparkling as she scanned the crowd. He raised his hand, and she instantly spotted him.

“Who do you think is the best brother-in-law?” Cooper Hayes’ voice penetrated his thoughts, but not enough to drag his eyes from Ivy.

“He’s occupied,” Mason said.

Ivy had so many people here, and she came to him first. An unexpected rush of warmth flooded his system. No one ever looked for him in a crowded room unless they wanted a selfie or an autograph.

Her blonde hair was curled, hanging just below her shoulders. Her eyes locked on his and didn’t waver as she dipped in and out of people.

“Hey,” she said a big smile on her kissable lips.

He bent toward her, capturing those lips. “Hey.”

Her eyes drifted to his sweater, and a laugh burst from her sexy lips. “ This is my ugly sweater ,” she said, reading the words from the green sweater lined with snowmen and Christmas trees. “Cute.”

“Not as cute as yours.” He bent down and kissed her, not caring if there was a camera in sight. He only cared about Ivy.

With a smile and a blush, she pulled back. “What have I missed?”

“According to Cooper, Old Man Simpson? Is that his name?”

Her lips quirked at the corners. “Yes.”

“He’s giving out samples of his cinnamon moonshine. Cooper told me it will burn my esophagus going down.”

“He’s not lying. The moonshine is delicious, but it’s not for the faint of heart.”

“I’ll have to try it away from cameras one day.”

She leaned up, kissing his cheek, her breath warm against his skin. “I have a bottle at home.” Her hand squeezed his, her thumb rubbing circles in his palm. “If you want to come to my place for a nightcap.”

“I was already planning on it.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, holding her close, relishing in her warmth.

She pressed up on her toes, cupping her hand over his ear. “Keep doing that, lots of cameras.”

He locked eyes with her. “I don’t care about that.”

“But I thought… Isn’t that the point?”

“It was ,” he said. “But right now, I want to enjoy the night with you. Is that okay?”

Her teeth slid out, nibbling at her bottom lip that he wanted to nibble on himself—and he would later at her place.

“Okay.”

He felt her take a deep breath and mumble something under her breath.

“Prepare yourself,” she said just as two woman no older than mid-fifties approached them.

“I was wondering when you would get here,” the woman with the blonde shoulder length hair said as she pulled Ivy into a hug. “Almost everyone here is wearing something you made. It’s like a party to celebrate your talent.”

“That’s not what it is at all, Mom.”

Cody straightened as the realization sunk in. He tugged at the sleeves of his sweater and hoped he looked like someone Ivy’s mother would approve of. Meeting the parents wasn’t something he usually did, and he wanted to make a good impression.

“Of course it is,” the other woman said as she embraced Ivy. “Cynthia is around here somewhere, so are your father and Uncle Richard. Trey and Parker couldn’t make it tonight.”

“You must be the Hollywood actor who has been seen all over with my Ivy,” Ivy’s mother said, standing tall in front of him.

“Cody, this is my mother, Deb, and my Aunt Claire. They bite, so be careful.”

Deb laughed. “Not hard.”

“Speak for yourself,” Claire said with the raise of an eyebrow.

Cody held out his hand to Ivy’s mother. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

Deb took his hand and smiled. “A pleasure to meet you, too, but I’m not the one to impress. That would be my husband and her cousins. They’re tough critics. You already got my vote when Ivy told me you helped her cut down her Christmas tree, especially considering you weren’t dressed for the occasion.”

“Someone didn’t warn me about the activity.” His eyes darted to Ivy, who covered a laugh with the back of her hand.

“She also told me you have since bought suitable attire for staying in the White Mountains in December.”

“In my defense, it doesn’t snow in LA. I don’t own a lot of snow boots and winter coats.”

“I would hate to celebrate Christmas with no chance of snow,” Deb said. “Snow makes it magical.”

“I’ll have to take your word for it. I’ve never experienced a white Christmas.”

Ivy gasped. “That’s so sad.”

“Many people haven’t.” He wouldn’t tell her he hadn’t celebrated Christmas in more than a decade, choosing to stay locked in his house with a bowl of ramen and a beer. He didn’t even know what people ate at Christmas other than Chinese.

“You should join us for the Parker Family Annual Gingerbread Contest.”

“Mom, what are you doing?” Ivy asked.

“I’m inviting Cody to the gingerbread contest. Now shush.”

“If it’s okay with Ivy,” Cody said, glancing at her. He didn’t want to impose on her family traditions.

“Of course it is.” Deb waved Ivy off. “We will see you then.”

“Do I need to bring anything?” He might not have had the greatest upbringing, but he prided himself on etiquette and knew it was the right thing to ask. And maybe part of him wanted Deb to like him.

Deb chucked his chin. “Just your handsome self.”