Chapter One
Ivy MacNaught took a sip of her beer and glanced around the pub. She quickly
looked down at her hands. She’d been the focus of attention when she’d entered
The Ivy Pub, and it hadn’t changed in the last fifteen minutes she’d sat waiting
on her new business partner. Muted whispers of “Is that her?” and “She’s the
one,” filled her ears as she focused on her drink.
It wasn’t as if she’d asked for this. She’d never even met her father, much less
wanted anything from him. Now he was sick, and he was deeding over half a pub
in Scotland. Cold, wet, rainy Scotland. As soon as she could sign the papers
she would be back in sunny Florida and this whole mess would be nothing more
than a bad memory.
She took another sip of her beer and stared into the glass. How could a man who
wanted nothing to do with her for thirty-two years suddenly want her to have
half of everything he owned? Didn’t he have other children to leave things to?
Of course, she knew that he didn’t. The lawyer had been very clear that her father
had never married, except for the very brief period he’d been wed to her mother,
and that he had no other children.
“The business is to be split, fifty-fifty, between yourself and Stuart Tavish,
he’s your father’s business partner. Stuart gets the house and belongings, except
for a few personal things that your father wanted you to have. And he’s very
ill, so you need to come quickly.”
Ivy shook her head at the idea of personal items belonging to her father that
she could possibly want. After all, the man had never even sent her a birthday
card, never sent her a Christmas present, never congratulated her on her graduation
from high school or college. Sure he’d named his pub after her, but what did
it matter, really, after a lifetime of neglect? She wondered if Hamish MacNaught
thought to ease his way into the afterlife by making amends to the child he’d
abandoned.
“You’ve the look of your father.”
Ivy looked up, and up, and up. She stood and still looked up. The man, or really
the bear, standing next to her wore a bemused expression on his face. He had
to be at least six foot five. And his shoulders were huge and surrounded by long,
dark hair. His blue eyes still held humor and she wondered what he found so funny.
“Mr. Tavish?”
“Aye, Stuart will do.” He held out his hand, which swallowed Ivy’s as they shook.
She hadn’t expected him to be so young, or so handsome. He didn’t look like he
was even forty years old.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t pick you up in Glasgow. I had some things to attend to.
But we can load your luggage in the boot and be on our way. It’s not too far
a ride to the house, but the rain and fog might hold us back, so we need to be
moving before sundown.”
“House? I thought I would stay here, in town. I made an appointment with the
solicitor tomorrow to sign the papers. I’m flying back to Tampa on Monday.”
“Monday? That won’t give you enough time to go through everything. There’s a
roomful of family items that need your attention. And if you stay here in town
you won’t be able to see your father. He’s not well enough to come to Leaks.
You’ll have to postpone your return until after the New Year.”
The bottom dropped out of Ivy’s stomach.
“I don’t think so. I have a job to go back to before then. And what makes you
think I want to see my father?”
“A job, truthfully?” Tavish’s grin widened. “Because Ham said that you were working
as a temporary office employee, flitting from place to place. The money you get
from here will keep you fed and clothed for a while, so you won’t have to worry
about work. And Ham is your da, you need to do right by him and grant him a few
last wishes. I’ll have your flight booked for around the fifth. That will work.
Now, we best be going.”
He took her carry-on, and then cheerfully asked the bartender where the rest
of her cases were.
Ivy fumed as she watched him lift her two suitcases with ease, sling her carry-on
across his shoulder and head out the door. How dare he make decisions
for her? And how did he know that she worked for a temp agency? He said Ham had
told him. Her father knew where she worked? And how dare Stuart tell her she
needed to grant her father a few last wishes? The man had never done anything
for her, why should she be beholden to him? Providing sperm didn’t make him a
“da.”
She stormed after Tavish and found him whistling as he loaded her cases in the
car’s trunk.
“Listen, Mr. Tavish, I have no intention…”
His whistling stopped and for the first time since she’d laid eyes on him, Ivy
saw Stuart Tavish frown. And frown deeply.
“No, you listen, Ms. MacNaught. I’m cold, and it’s wet, and I have no desire
for all of Leaks to hear us discussing your father and other things that are
none of their business. I would ask you to get into the car. We can discuss things
at the house.”
Ivy looked around and realized that he was right. Several people stood in the
doorway of the pub. They paid close attention to what was being said, probably
so they could repeat it to everyone in the small village.
She bit her lip, and then wrinkled her nose at him when he smiled wickedly. She
worked her way to the right side of the car and waited for him to open the door.
“You plan on driving, lass? No skin off my nose if you do, but seeings as how
it’s my car, you should ask first.”
Their audience laughed and Ivy realized that the car was right-hand drive, as
were all the cars in this part of the world. She walked to the left-hand side,
where Stuart opened the door and helped her inside.
When they were headed out of town, Ivy looked out the window and took a deep
breath to steady her nerves.
“How long have you known my father?”
“Almost twenty years now,” Stuart replied. “He gave me a job at The Ivy when
I was a lad, and he let me rent the apartment upstairs when he realized I had
nowhere else to go. He’s a good man.”
“Right.”
“He is, you’ll see that.”
“Look, I don’t mean to burst your bubble, but it will take far more than my father
wanting to see me on his deathbed for me to think well of him. I’m thirty-two
years old and I’ve never laid eyes on him. The man’s a jerk.”
“And how do you know that, if you’ve never laid eyes on him?”
“I know it BECAUSE I’ve never laid eyes on him. He walked out on me and my mother.”
“You still carry his name.”
“Only because my mother insisted, even after she remarried. She always was a
softie. By the time I was eighteen and could have it done legally, myself, it
would have posed too much of a problem.”
Stuart turned off the main road and the car bumped down a narrow road.
“He wants to do right by you, lass. That’s why he’s called you here.”
“Look, spare me the bleeding heart crap. I’m here for one reason only. My mother
insisted that I come. I’m doing this for her, not for him. For some twisted reason
she still loves him, even after all the garbage she went through because of him.”
“He was a boy.”
“Bullshit. He was thirty years old. Old enough to accept responsibility for his
family. Don’t you dare defend him to me.”
The car jerked as Stuart slammed on the brakes. Ivy braced her hands against
the dashboard and swore.
“What the hell?”
“Listen, and listen good. Hamish MacNaught is a very ill man. I won’t have you
upsetting him by going in there and dredging up a painful past. You’ll behave
yourself and be a good little girl.”
“A good little girl? Screw you, Stuart Tavish. I got news for you, I AM Hamish’s painful
past. If he didn’t want to ‘dredge me up’ he never should have contacted
me.”
“You’ll tone down your attitude before he sees you.”
“Stop giving me orders. If you don’t like the way I’m acting, then take me back
to town and I’ll find a hotel, as I planned.”
“You’ll do as I say.”
“Or what?”
The wicked smile that had been on Stuart’s face earlier reappeared and a chill
ran up Ivy’s spine.
“You know what I think? I think your mother spoiled you rotten. She felt bad
for the little abandoned baby, and gave you everything you wanted. I bet you
were never punished, no matter what you did. I bet you get your way in everything.”
The color drained from Ivy’s face as his words slammed into her ears. She could
see her stepfather standing before her, saying the same thing. And she knew it
was true. It was why at thirty-two she’d never done anything with the business
degree she’d earned. She knew that her mother would continue to support her,
using her stepfather’s money, because she felt bad about the way Ivy had been
raised for the first fifteen years of her life.
“Don’t you dare assume that…”
“I assume nothing. I can tell it’s true just by the look on your face. Now, you’ll
behave yourself or I’ll do what someone should have done a long time ago, and
take you over my knee.”
Ivy laughed. “Fat chance of that. Listen, it’s obvious to me that Hamish thinks
of you as a son. Take it all, lock stock and barrel. I don’t give a shit. Take
me back to town. Now.”
“Someone needs to wash your mouth out with soap.” Stuart grinned and put the
car into gear. He put his foot on the gas and the vehicle shot forward.
“Turn around.”
“If you want to go back into town, you can walk when we get back to the house.
It’s only about twenty miles or so. And the temperatures should be around thirty
degrees tonight.”
“You are a royal pain in the ass.”
“I assure you, Ms. MacNaught, that you are an even bigger pain in the ass. And
I will warn you one last time. You upset Ham and you’ll have me to answer to.”
*****
“She’s a pretty little thing.”
Stuart stared at Constance, who smiled as she stirred the biscuit batter.
“Do your job and cook.”
“I am, lad. I was just saying that she’s pretty, just like all the MacNaughts.
Black hair and big green eyes, with a pert little nose. Not a very hearty lass,
though. We’ll have to put some more meat on her bones while she’s here.”
Stuart shook his head. She might have the look of the MacNaughts, but her attitude
left a lot to be desired. She needed a lesson in how to behave herself, as far
as he was concerned. When they’d arrive at the house, she hadn’t even asked about
her father, or about the house, the land, the horses. Nothing. She’d just asked
to be shown to her room.
“She’s rude.”
“She’s had it tough.”
“Bullocks. She’s had plenty of time to come to terms with her life. I didn’t
have a father, either, and you don’t see me treating people like they’re dirt.
She should have asked to see Ham. There’s no telling if he’ll make it through
the night, or not.”
“True,” Constance said. “I’m sure you’ll help her to see the right of things.”
“Aye, I will. Is he up?”
Constance’s smile dimmed. “The nurse was down earlier. She said that he was weak
today, and thought it best if he waited to meet his daughter until the morning.
That gives her more time to become adjusted.”
“She needs to be strapped. That will adjust her all right.”
A movement in the doorway caught both their attentions. They turned to see Ivy
standing just inside, an uncertain look on her face.
Constance laughed. “Just do it in your cottage, so himself doesn’t hear and get
upset.”
“I wouldn’t do anything to upset him. I’m afraid I can’t say the same thing for
his own flesh and blood. She’s hell bent on being angry at him.”
“Well, I think I would feel anger, too. But you’re right. Treating people badly
doesn’t help things.”
“I’m going to go up and check on himself.”
“Himself is fine. You’re just trying to hide from the girl. I think you like
her.”
“She’s not a girl, and what I’d like to do to her isn’t fit for proper conversation.”
“Ah ha! See.” Constance laughed and shook her finger.
“That’s not what I meant. When you finally divorce Zachary, then I’ll have the
girl for me.”
“Oh, be gone with you,” Constance said. “I’m far too old for the likes of you.
Plus, Zach is my man, and I could never live without him.”
Constance’s gaze shifted to the doorway. “Come in, lass. You must be hungry.
I’ve fixed a mighty good stew for sup tonight. Lots of meat and potatoes. Good,
hearty Scottish food.”
“Thanks but I’m not very hungry.”
“Poppycock. Won’t do you any good not to eat. Sit here. This is the best Angus
beef around.”
Stuart eyed Ivy as she sat. She wiggled her nose at the stew and then smiled.
“Smells delicious.”
“Aye, it is, even if I do say so myself. Now I have to run afore me husband sends
out the coppers. I’ll see you two tomorrow.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Stuart said.
Then he turned to Ivy. “I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t hurry on my account,” she said as she swallowed a bite of food. “I’m fine
without you.”
He grinned at her and helped Constance gather her things. When they were at her
car she loaded the boot and patted him on the shoulders.
“You’ve got your work cut out for you with that one. Be nice to her, and maybe
it will soften her up a bit. Remember that she’s meeting her da for the first
time in her life. She needs some understanding.”
Constance burst out laughing at the look on Stuart’s face. Then she patted his
shoulder again, and drove off.
**********
Ivy was still eating when Stuart came back inside. She wiped her mouth and took
a drink of water.
“Do you live here?”
“I have a cottage down by the barn, which is about a ten minute walk. Since himself
took sick I’ve been staying here with the nurse, in case something happens in
the middle of the night.”
“So I suppose I have to meet him after dinner.”
“You suppose wrong. The nurse says he’s not up to it today. Maybe tomorrow.”
“Great. So what am I supposed to do? Sit around and listen to the rain fall?”
“I can show you around. There’s some boxes of things he wants you to go through.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“For your heritage, girl.”
“Don’t call me girl.”
“Your father’s a good man. He may have made some mistakes in his life, but we
all have. He deserves a second chance.”
“Second chance? Just because he’s dying? I told you that I want nothing of my
father’s. This whole trip is just a waste of my time. Who gives a damn if he
dies?”
“You’re a right bitch, you know that?”
Ivy sat bolt upright, her spoon clanking against the side of her now empty bowl.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. It’s no small wonder you don’t have a job. I wonder if anyone
could stand to be around you for more than ten minutes at a time.”
“You’re no prince, you know.”
“Aren’t I? Well I’ve got the likes of you beat.”
Stuart stood up and crossed the kitchen island. As he neared, Ivy stood and moved
away.
“Ah, you remember what I said, do you? Good. You should be nervous. You need
a good spanking. It’ll pop your attitude right back where it needs to be.”
“And where does it need to be?”
“Appreciative of the fact that the man who sired you wants to make sure you’re
taken care of after he’s gone.”
She stared at him for a long few minutes, then shook her head. “You don’t get
it, do you?” Her voice was soft.
Stuart studied her silently, then shook his head. Maybe Constance was right,
and he needed to wind things down just a bit. The lass was obviously very uptight
right now.
“Tell me what I don’t get.”
He watched her take a piece of bread, then dip it into her stew. She ate it,
then repeated the process. When she’d done it a third time, she swallowed and
said softly, “I hate him. Truly I do.”
“He’s dying. Can’t you find it in your heart to give him just a little compassion?”
The silence reigned again and she repeated the motion with the bread. Finally,
she said, “I don’t know. I’m not lying when I tell you I’ve hated him all my
life.”
Stuart sat down, then turned to her. “I realize you and I have gotten off on
the wrong foot, totally. Shall we try it again?”
She gave him a small smile and nodded.
“I’m Stuart Tavish.” He held out his hand.
“Ivy MacNaught.” His hand swallowed hers again and she tried to smile. “This
isn’t easy for me, you know.”
“Me neither. I never know when I’m going to come home and find out a man I’ve
cared about for a long time is dead.”
“Yes, and I’m working hard not to run upstairs and cuss that very same man out.”
She took another bite of her stew, and he watched her carefully.
“What did your mother tell you about him?”
“Nothing much. She was eighteen, he was thirty-two. They had a date and I was
the result of it. She tried to get him to accept the fact, and he wouldn’t. So
she moved back home to the States, had me, and fended for herself until she married
my stepfather.”
Stuart toyed with a piece of bread, tearing it into tiny pieces until he had
a huge amount in front of him. He moved it around, then ate a few pieces.
“I’m sorry for what I said earlier. This has been so stressful, and I suppose
I expected you to be grateful to your da for flying you over. I never thought
you’d hate him.”
“You can see now why it’s probably better if I go into town without meeting him?
I’ll sign the papers and then be on my way. I was serious when I said you could
have it all.”
Stuart considered her idea for a few minutes, then shook his head. “No. As much
as I don’t want to upset him, I think that not meeting you would upset him more.
You’re all he’s talked about for the past month and a half.”
Her heavy sigh made him respond in kind.
“It’s surprising to me, since he’s ignored me all my life. Did he tell you why
he was so hell-bent on meeting me? Is it the fact that he’s dying? Is he afraid
of bad karma when he gets to the other side?”
Stuart shook his head. “You didn’t even ask me what’s wrong with him. Did the
lawyer tell you?”
“No, and I didn’t ask. Frankly I don’t care.”
“You should.”
“Why, is it hereditary?”
“No.”
He stared at her for a few minutes, until she turned her gaze to him. “What is
it, then?”
“Heart disease. Too much food, drink and smoke. About three months ago the doctor
told him that the chances of heart disease could be passed to children and he
started to worry that he’d passed it to you. He said that since he’d been a lousy
da that maybe warning you would help set things a little better.”
“Well, I don’t smoke, and I don’t drink to excess. Besides, this was something
he could have told me over the phone.”
“You’re right, he could have. But I think it was the excuse he’d been looking
for.”
“He needed an excuse?”
“He’s a stubborn man, something I think you have in common.”
They both turned to a woman who appeared in the doorway. She wore a loose pair
of pants and a T-shirt.
“Hello. I’m Beth, the nurse.”
“Hi, I’m Ivy, the long-lost daughter.”
The woman laughed, then crossed the room. “He’s asking for you. He knows you’re
here. Shall we go up?”
**********
Ivy stood outside the doorway, trying to get her breathing under control. She
didn’t want to do this, had never wanted to do this. She would be fine with never
meeting her father. Wouldn’t she?
She thought back to all the nights she’d thought about him growing up. At first,
she’d asked her mother about him constantly, and the sweet-hearted woman had
always said that he was a wonderful man who just didn’t have time for a family.
It wasn’t until Ivy was older that she realized he wasn’t a wonderful man, but
someone who never wanted to have anything to do with her. The realization had
stung, and Ivy had started to hate him.
When she was twelve, she’d cried about it at least once a week, always careful
to hide it from her mother. It hadn’t helped matters when her mother had married,
because her stepfather, Doug, had not really wanted to claim her as his own.
He’d wanted her mother to have his babies, and she had. Her mother had still
paid attention to her, but more attention had been paid to the babies, and Ivy
had blamed everything on her father.
When she was fifteen, and other girls were talking about how their fathers were
giving them driving lessons, she’d come home and written his name over and over
on a sheet of paper. Then she’d tacked the paper on her dartboard and slung darts
at it over and over before taking it down and setting it on fire in the bathroom
sink.
As she’d watched it burn, she thought about him, and thanked the stars above
that he lived across the ocean, and she’d never have to run into him., because
she knew if she did, she’d slap him.
Now, as she stood outside his doorway, she could hear Beth’s soft voice telling
him his daughter was just outside. She had behaved herself while Beth was around,
so the woman didn’t know that Ivy detested her father, unless Stuart had told
her. He was in the room with her, but she couldn’t hear him talking.
There was some movement, and finally the door opened. Stuart stepped outside
and gave her a stern look.
“Promise me you’ll behave, and there won’t be any of the words that you and I
shared on the way here.”
“I’ll try.”
“No, you won’t try. You’ll do it. Do you understand?”
Ivy wanted to tell him to go to hell, but she knew he was right. If her father’s
health was that fragile, then she didn’t want to be the reason for pushing him
over the edge. Maybe she could learn a thing or two by behaving herself and being
nice to him. All she had to do was bury thirty-two years of hate, and realize
that, like it or not, this was the man who had fathered her.
She nodded at Stuart and whispered, “I understand. Take me inside.”
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