Head Over Heels (Wilder Family Book 2) by Karla Sorensen

Author:Karla Sorensen [Sorensen, Karla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dutch Girl Publishing, LLC
Published: 2024-01-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Ivy

The flowers had felt like a great idea until the moment I had to juggle the vase and knock on the Wilders’ front door.

Objectively, I knew I’d built a bouquet the size of a toddler, but when Sheila opened the door, and her mouth fell open, I felt a cold zap of panic.

Too much, Ivy. Definitely too much.

But it was also too late because she’d seen me, and there was no going back.

“My word,” she breathed. “What’s all this?”

I shifted the vase in my arm, pretending I didn’t just get smacked in the face with one of the iris stems. “A thank-you,” I told her.

Then I held it out, fighting the flush of heat crawling up my cheeks when she studied me, not the really expensive flowers.

Sheila’s smile hit my chest like a notched arrow, embedding somewhere deep and soft.

“Come in,” she said and held open the door.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything important. I can come back later if you’re busy.”

Hell, even as I said it, I was ready to dart back out the door.

“Not at all,” she said. Then she nodded into the family room. “My husband, Tim, was just trying to con me into making some cinnamon rolls.”

“Like I can con you into anything you don’t want to do,” a tired voice came from a big leather recliner in the room off the kitchen.

Now my chest hurt for an entirely different reason.

With a single glance at the man who’d spoken, I knew Tim Wilder was really sick.

Cameron had told me that in the elevator, of course, and Ian made a comment as well, but seeing it for myself was different.

He had that gaunt look about him, where it hurt to watch him try to shift up higher in his chair. But his smile—it was warm and welcoming—and in the spread of it across his face, I saw a glimpse of his son.

“You must be Ivy,” he said. “I wish I could show better manners and get up to greet you, but my legs don’t feel so agreeable these days.”

I smiled, walking over to him and holding out my hand. “Please don’t worry about standing on ceremony,” I told him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

His handshake was still firm, his eyes clear. “You’ve caused quite a stir since your arrival, young lady.”

I cleared my throat but was saved from replying when Sheila tutted from the kitchen.

“Lord, Tim, don’t scare her away. I finally got her here.”

He winked. “I don’t think this one scares easily, honey.”

I smiled, but I couldn’t help but feel like a giant coward. All of this scared me beyond belief. Nothing more terrifying than the kind of home I’d never experienced.

Showing up on their doorstep was the scariest shit I’d done in a long time.

The welcome in this home was tangible, and I tried to recall a time in my entire life when I’d ever felt its equal.

“Your home is beautiful,” I told them, and I meant it.

Everything about it was warm and comfortable, the craftsmanship in the two-story log cabin was evident.

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