Icing Ivy by Evan Marshall Page B

bumped into Adam, who said he’d just reprimanded Tom for being rude to the guests.”
    She remembered Ivy’s wreath incident.
    â€œAdam told Tom that if he didn’t lose his attitude fast, he’d have to leave as soon as the old road was plowed.” Daniel looked troubled. “But it was the Carla and Johnny thing I felt you should know about.”
    â€œThanks. I appreciate it. Not that I can do anything about it, but thanks.”
    She saw him out, took one look at the bed, and knew she was too tired to read now. She put the manuscript on the dresser, climbed under the covers, and switched off the lamp. A short time later, as she was drifting off to sleep, she was aware of the sound of people yelling. Slowly she came awake and realized they were Ivy and Johnny. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, just that Ivy was crying, pleading.
    This went on for some time. Finally it became quiet, and Jane drifted into an uneasy sleep.

Chapter Seven
    T he atmosphere at breakfast was subdued, as if everyone had a hangover. Adam announced that the plowing of the old road had begun but would take a while.
    As Jane sat down, Arliss took the seat beside her.
    â€œJane, what on earth was all that noise last night?”
    â€œI don’t know, Arliss.”
    â€œIt was coming from that floozy’s room—”
    â€œDon’t call my friend a floozy.”
    â€œIt was coming from Ivy and Johnny’s room, which is right next to mine and across the hall from yours. How could you not have heard it?”
    â€œI didn’t say I didn’t hear it. I just said I didn’t know what it was.”
    Arliss regarded her for a moment. “I see. Being discreet, are we? Well, it’s unacceptable, Jane. I’m here as a favor to you, but this is my vacation and I expect certain standards to be met.”
    â€œAll right, Arliss. If it will make you feel better, I’ll ask Ivy to be more considerate. Couldn’t you have done that?”
    â€œOf course I could have. But it’s not my job. You’re the director of this thing, and it’s your responsibility to make sure it goes smoothly. So far, I’m sorry to say, you’ve done a lousy job.”
    Before Jane could respond, Arliss got up and walked away, taking a seat at the far end of the table. Almost immediately, Daniel took her place. “Morning,” he said brightly. “What was all that commotion last night?”
    â€œNone of your business,” blurted Ivy, who sat directly across from them, glaring.
    Daniel, shocked, took a quick bite of his croissant. Ivy got up and began to walk around the table. She stopped at the coffee urn, poured a cup, and headed back to her seat. As she passed behind Carla, she stopped, stepped closer to the table, and dropped the coffee right in front of Carla, who gasped and jumped up. “You bitch,” she screamed. “You deliberately spilled that on me. I’m burned.” She slapped Ivy hard across the face, then ran from the room.
    Everyone was silent.
    â€œOops,” Ivy said.
    â€œOh, Ivy,” Jane said, throwing down her napkin, and hurried from the room to make sure Carla was all right. Upstairs, she knocked on Carla’s door and Carla opened it. She had already removed her jeans, and she pointed to angry red marks on her thighs.
    â€œLook at this. That bitch burned me. Can you believe it?”
    Jane didn’t know what to say.
    â€œI know she hates me because she saw Johnny and me come out of the storage room last night, but that’s too bad for her.”
    â€œYou can’t blame her for being upset,” Jane said, then quickly added, “Not that I condone what she just did.”
    â€œIt’s not going to make any difference,” Carla said, pulling on a fresh pair of jeans. “Stupid fool thinks Johnny cares about her. He was laughing at her when he was with me.”
    Jane felt a pang of hurt for her