An Ivy Tangles by Kari Trumbo

Author:Kari Trumbo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kari Trumbo

Twelve

Ivy glanced at the wood crate taking up valuable space in her kitchen. Knowing who the owner was made her want to toss out every item even more. The embroidered linens sat on top, hanging out from the cover, taunting her. Since she’d come from Levi’s room earlier, they’d been a distraction. What could the crate of items tell her about the mysterious Eve? She lifted the covering and stared at the embroidered initials, so perfectly stitched. Ivy removed the handkerchiefs and under those were sheets. Below those, she found pretty, frivolous sleeping gowns the likes of which she’d received when she’d married Calvin.

She laid them to the side, covering them with the handkerchiefs in case anyone else wandered into the house. There were a few simple dresses and a small card with a bridal agency address on it. The agency was in Florida—of all the places for an agency to send one of their brides, why Montana? Why did they have to ruin Levi? She couldn’t imagine how different life would’ve been for Eve. Florida had beautiful coasts, the warm weather, and soft rain, she’d read about it in the newspaper. They even grew citrus fruit there. Nothing in Montana would have reminded Eve of home.

Katybell dropped to her knees next to Ivy and placed her hands in her lap. Ivy jumped, dropping the address card.

“Eve wasn’t happy here. Diggs thinks I made her leave and I let him believe that, but she was powerful sad. She knew Levi cared about her more than he’d agreed to when she’d first written to him. Eve thought marriage was forever, and she didn’t want Levi stuck married to someone so unhappy. She even told me it was wrong of my ma to leave.” Katybell held her long-fingered hands out in front of her; they were pink from the outdoors. “Eve’s hands were always blue and white with cold. She used to sit by the stove all day and try to do everything in the kitchen because it was the warmest room in the house. I tried to come and keep her company, but it wasn’t enough. She was lonely.” Katybell glanced up and Ivy couldn’t believe the pain in the young girl’s eyes.

“I helped her. I’ll admit it to you, but if you ever tell, I’ll deny it. Pa brought me to town two days before Levi and Eve were to be married. I snuck off and bought a rail ticket for her. I always sneak off when we’re in Cutter’s Creek, so Pa didn’t suspect anything.” Katybell’s shoulders trembled and she scooted closer. “My pa forgot about Ma almost right away, or so he says. I thought Levi would get over Eve fast too, but he didn’t.” She heaved a sigh and bowed her head. “I love Uncle Levi. I never meant to hurt him so.”

Ivy’s heart hitched for the poor girl baring her soul. “Why are you telling me this? Yesterday, you wanted to stomp on my foot. Are

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