Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
It took more than a few frantic minutes to restore order.
George had been hauled back into the parlor. His hind end wiggled as if he’d just enjoyed the best game of his life. Cleopatra, affronted and indignant, was scooped up by Josie and carried upstairs. Her yowls echoed all the way to the landing.
Miss Fairchild stood rigid near Margaret’s desk, one gloved hand pressed to her chest. “I must tell you that I’m terrified of dogs.”
“Oh, you poor dear,” Margaret soothed. “But George is quite harmless, I assure you.”
George chose that moment to bark from his confinement in the back parlor.
Miss Fairchild squeaked.
Josie went to stand in front of the door that lead to the back rooms, while Teddy tried not to laugh and failed.
Caleb scanned the room. His gaze swept from desk to desk, to the coat rack, the door. His chest tightened. “Where’s Ivy?”
Augusta looked toward the main office door. “She left.”
Caleb’s heart began to pound. “Why would she leave?”
Margaret turned to her sister. “Leave? Augusta, what do you mean?”
Josie’s eyes widened. “She’s gone?”
Miss Fairchild cleared her throat. “I don’t wish to interrupt, but…”
No one paid her any attention. “What are you talking about?” Teddy asked Augusta.
Augusta looked from one face to another. “She resigned.”
“What?” Caleb blurted. “Why?”
“She said she’d broken the rules,” Augusta said slowly. “And that she wouldn’t put us in the position of having to dismiss her.”
Caleb went very still as his heart climbed into his throat.
“That doesn’t make sense,” Margaret said. “Ivy is one of the most conscientious people I know.”
“She wouldn’t just leave,” Teddy said. Then her eyes widened. “Unless…”
Everyone turned to her.
“Oh no,” Teddy murmured. “Oh, good grief.”
“What?” Caleb demanded.
Teddy gaped at him. “Mr. Grimsby. Her landlord.”
The name landed like a gunshot. Caleb’s hands curled into fists. “What about him?”
“He’s been sniffin’ around Ivy like a bad penny,” Teddy said. “Always offerin’ dinners. And… other things.”
Augusta paled. “What other things?”
“The marryin’ kind,” Teddy said bluntly. “You know, the ol, marry me and ya won’t end up in the street?”
“It sounds like something from a bad play,” Miss Fairchild remarked, to no one in particular.
“Maybe Ivy thought quittin’ was the only thing she could do,” Teddy said, her eyes meeting Augusta’s. “Especially if she thought she was bein’ fired anyway.” She turned to Caleb.
Something inside him snapped. “That man,” Caleb said, his voice tight. “He’ll not lay a finger on her.”
Augusta stared at him. Margaret did too as Josie’s eyebrows shot up.
Caleb realized, a moment too late, that he’d said it aloud.
Augusta cleared her throat. “Mr. Hartwell… why would you care so deeply of what becomes of Ivy?”
Caleb drew in a breath and let it out slowly. There was no point pretending now. “Because I love her.”
Miss Fairchild gasped. “Oh my. I must say, what happens here is far better than any play I’ve seen.”
Margaret pressed a hand to her chest, while Josie sank into the nearest chair. “Oh dear,” Josie murmured. “So much for the rules.”
“With respect, Josie,” Caleb said and straightened, “I don’t care about the rules.”
That earned him three identical looks of shock. Four, if one counted Miss Fairchild, though she looked more entertained than anything else.
“I have found my bride,” Caleb went on. “And I will not let her believe she has to sacrifice everything to do the honorable thing. Not when the fault is mine as much as hers.”
Teddy grinned. “Well. That clears that up.”
Miss Fairchild stared at them all, eyes wide, then smiled. “Well,” she said brightly. “If two of your employees have fallen in love right under this roof, then I must say this is exactly the sort of place I should find a husband.”
“Be that as it may,” Augusta said. “We must do something.” She sighed. “How did we miss the two of you falling in love? And here we pride ourselves on being experts.”
“We send out mail-order brides to get married, sister,” Josie said. “We don’t watch them fall in love.”
“Well, no,” Margaret agreed. “But when Ivy and Caleb described what it was like to fall in love, we simply didn’t see they were describing each other.”
“Never mind that,” Augusta said and turned to Caleb. “What are you going to do about it?”
His eyes widened. “You mean… you’re not upset we broke the rules?”
“Does Ivy know you love her?” Teddy asked.
“Well… no. Not exactly.”
Miss Fairchild laughed. “So you have a rule against your employees courting one another. And the poor girl believes she’s broken it, without even knowing she’s loved in return?” She gave Caleb a pointed look. “What does that tell you?”
“That she loves him,” Teddy said at once. She crossed the room and smacked Caleb on the shoulder. “What are ya standin’ around here for? Go tell her how ya feel before she does something foolish. Like entertain the idea of marryin’ that awful Mr. Grimsby.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Miss Fairchild drawled.
“I’ll get your coat,” Josie said. She hurried to the rack, helped Caleb into it, and handed him his hat. “I don’t care if the two of you broke the rules. If you find happiness, that’s all that matters.”
“That’s very gracious of you,” Caleb said sincerely. “Thank you. All of you.” He gave Augusta and Margaret a curt nod, pulled on his hat, and hurried out the door.
Ivy stoked the fire in the stove and refilled the kettle. She could use a good cup of tea. She’d have one, then buy a paper. The sooner she found another job, the better.
She took out her cup and saucer and the teapot, then waited for the water to heat. She hadn’t waited long when there came an all-too-familiar knock on the door.
“Oh, no.” Ivy pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a long sigh. When she let her hand drop, her eyes drifted to King Alfred’s cage. She didn’t want him to dart out the door when she opened it.
Ivy froze. King Alfred wasn’t in the cage. Had Grandma Evie forgotten to put him away before she went out?
Another knock sounded, this one impatient. Mr. Grimsby knew she was inside and wouldn’t take no for an answer. But she had to find Alfred. She looked under the bed, the settee, their table and chairs. No Alfred.
Ivy’s heart stopped as another knock came and she looked at the door. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t! She shook with silent rage.
But he most certainly did.
Ivy marched to the door and threw it open. Sure enough, Mr. Grimsby stood on the other side, holding King Alfred. He stroked his fur as if the rabbit were his most prized possession.
“Give him back,” she said, none too kindly.
“All in good time, my dear. We have things to discuss first, don’t you think?” Mr. Grimsby looked at Alfred and licked his lower lip.
She shuddered. Either he wanted to eat poor Alfred or devour her. She wasn’t sure which. “You had no right to come into my apartment and take my property!”
A low chuckle erupted from his throat. “I take what I want. Besides, can I help it if you let him out to wander the halls?”
“Grandma Evie would have put him in his cage before she left to make her deliveries.”
“Are you sure about that? Your grandmother is old and forgetful. Once we’re married, she’s got to go.”
Ivy gasped. The audacity of the man! “I’ll not marry you!”
He gave her a languid smile. “Oh, I think you will. After all, you haven’t much money, no employment, and an extra mouth to feed. What else are you going to do, Miss Goodhart?”
Ivy snapped. “Why you… you… pompous, preening… POTATO!”
He drew back, eyebrows raised. “What? Are you trying to insult me?” Mr. Grimsby laughed. “You’re not doing a very good job of it.”
“You wretch! Give me my rabbit!”
He smiled again. “No.”
Ivy’s face scrunched up in rage. Dealing with this snake was the last thing she wanted right now. “If I were a man, I’d punch you in the face!”
“Oh my, such violent thoughts, Miss Goodhart. Tsk, tsk. I’ll not tolerate that sort of temper. I suggest you calm yourself before I do something your precious rabbit will regret.”
Before she could say anything, the sound of footsteps running up the stairwell caught her attention. To her shock and delight, Caleb appeared at the top of the stairs. “Grimsby, I could hear you on the first floor.” He made a beeline for Ivy. “Are you all right?”
“Why are you asking her?” Mr. Grimsby groused. “I’m the one being threatened.”
Caleb narrowed his eyes at him, then turned to Ivy. “You should have punched him.”
She did her best not to smile. After all, Mr. Grimsby still had Alfred. Instead, she shook her head, unable to speak. He came! Caleb was here!
His eyes shown with a warmth she’d not seen before. “Then allow me to do the honors.” Before Ivy could blink, Caleb pulled his arm back.
She shut her eyes tight just before the smack of fist to jaw echoed through the hall.
A loud thud followed. Ivy opened her eyes to see King Alfred hopping toward her.
“Alfred!” She bent to him. “You poor thing.” Ivy scooped him into her arms, then took in Mr. Grimsby.
He lay on the floor, stunned or knocked out; she wasn’t sure which.
Caleb took her by the elbow. “Let’s get you inside.” He steered her toward the door and gently walked her over the threshold. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
Ivy swallowed hard, took in her landlord laid out behind Caleb, and nodded.
“Good.” He took off his hat. “I have a few things I’d like to say to you.”
Her heart hammered. Oh no, now what? “Caleb, if it’s about earlier, I… I don’t want to talk about it. I told Augusta…”
“You told her you resigned. You didn’t have to do that. If anyone should have resigned, it’s me. But I’m not sure I want to. It’s a satisfying position.”
“All the better that I did…”
He held up a hand, silencing her. “Ivy, you didn’t have to quit. What we have between us is stronger than any rule.”
“But Caleb…” His words took hold. “Wait… what did you say?”
He gave her an easy smile. “Love, Ivy, is stronger than any rule.” Caleb closed the distance between them. “And I must share mine with you.”
He took Alfred from her and set him down. The rabbit hopped away.
“Ivy,” Caleb said as he straightened. He took her by the arms. “I love you; I love you more than the prairie and the way the stars shine at night. I love your kindness, your compassion, and the way your mind works.”
Mr. Grimsby moaned behind him, but Caleb ignored the noise.
“I love you enough not to let you go.” He pulled her close.
“Ivy, I know we don’t have an understanding between us, but if you have any affection for me, would you consider giving me a chance?
” He bent his head to hers. “Marry me, Ivy. I’ll take care of you and your grandmother.
” His eyes flicked behind her. “King Alfred, too.”
Something between a laugh and a cry escaped her. “Caleb, do you mean that?”
“With all my heart.” Without warning, he lowered his face and kissed her.
Ivy melted against him and realized they fit like a hand in a glove. He loved her, and she loved him!
When Caleb broke the kiss, he looked into her eyes and smiled. “Ivy Goodhart, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Tears filled her eyes. “Caleb… I love you too…”
“Enough to marry me?”
Another groan came from Mr. Grimsby, this one full of disgust.
They ignored him. “Yes,” Ivy said with a smile. “Enough to marry you!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.
By now Mr. Grimsby had climbed to his feet and glared daggers at them. “If he moves in, the rent is going up, Miss Goodhart! In fact, I’m going to double it!”
Caleb held Ivy against him and didn’t bother to turn around. “Miss Goodhart and her grandmother are to live with me. You will see that their belongings are delivered to 114 Cherryfield Lane. And you will do so immediately.”
“What?!” Mr. Grimsby spat. “You can’t order me to…. Cherryfield Lane!” He gasped. “But that’s…”
Caleb let her go and spun to him. “I said immediately.” He pulled something from his pocket and shoved it into Mr. Grimsby’s hand.
Her landlord took one look at the money, his eyes lighting up, and gave them a bow. “As you wish, sir.” He turned on his heel and strode down the hall. “You’d best start packing, Miss Goodhart.”
He disappeared down the stairs to leave Ivy staring up at Caleb. “What was that about?”
Caleb brushed a wisp of hair from her face. “I have some decisions to make, and I’d like you to help me. We haven’t known each other long, and there are things about me you should know…”
She put a finger to his lips. “It can wait. I know enough about you to want to be your wife.”
He smiled. “Yes, but…”
“Do you really want Grandma Evie and me to come with you now? Our rent is paid through the end of the month.”
“I’ll not have you anywhere near that nefarious landlord of yours.” He looked her in the eyes. “Besides, we have shopping to do.” Caleb grinned. “After all, we’ve a wedding to plan.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “But tell me. Would you marry me even if my place isn’t much bigger than yours?”
“Oh, Caleb, how can you even ask such a thing? Does it really matter where we live? Between the two of us, that is, if the Merriweather sisters keep us both on, we could afford a one-bedroom apartment. Maybe even a two-bedroom.”
He smiled. “Hmm. Well, what if I told you my place has more than enough room for the three of us?”
“Four,” she corrected.
“Of course. How could I forget about Alfred?” He rested his cheek against her hair. “There’s plenty of room, sweetheart. King Alfred can roam the entire house if he wants to. But we’ll have to make sure we don’t lose him.”
Ivy gazed up at him and laughed. “Oh, Caleb, how could we possibly lose a bunny in your house?”
He smiled. “You’ll see.”