Wicked Places (An Ivy Morgan Mystery Book 4) by Lily Harper Hart

her hair away from her face. “I got so worked up after you were shot that I shut down. That’s not your fault.”
    “I understand why you did it,” Ivy said. “You panicked about your own shooting and got overwhelmed. It’s not fair to keep punishing you for it when I’ve already forgiven you.”
    “You have a right to feel what you feel,” Jack countered. “I deserve whatever you throw at me. I am really sorry, though, and I have no intention of going anywhere. I like you because you’re you. Nothing is going to change that.”
    “Even if I lead us to something awful?” Ivy asked, lifting her eyes.
    “Even if you lead me to something awful,” Jack confirmed. “Do you want to know why?”
    Ivy nodded.
    “Because I found something wonderful here,” he said, tapping the spot above her heart. “You and I are muddling through this the best we can. It’s all going to work out in the end. I believe that. I think you should, too.”
    “I believe in you,” Ivy said, leaning in for a quick hug. “Now I just need to figure out what’s bugging me out here.”
    “Let’s hope it’s nothing worse than the dogman,” Jack said, pressing a quick kiss to Ivy’s forehead before releasing her. “Bigfoot I can handle. I’m manly. Trust me.”
    “You’re … something,” Ivy said, although her eyes twinkled as she returned to their trek. “I wish I knew what was bugging me. It was like I had a feeling that something was watching me.”
    “Like the day you were gardening and you thought I was watching you?”
    “I … don’t know,” Ivy said. “I felt something that day. I didn’t jump to the conclusion that it was you until I saw you down by the lake. Before then … I was uncomfortable.”
    “And you didn’t tell me you thought someone was watching you,” Jack grumbled.
    “I was very angry with you that day.”
    “And rightfully so,” Jack said. “I don’t want to fight about that again … at least until we’re alone and can make up properly. Follow your instincts, Ivy. What do you feel?”
    “There’s something over here,” Ivy said, pointing. “I have no idea what it is.”
    “Well, let’s see what it is,” Jack said, grabbing her hand and moving ahead of her so he would be the first one in harm’s way should they come across trouble. “You be ready to run if I tell you to do it.”
    “I’m not leaving you.”
    “If there’s danger, you are leaving me,” Jack challenged.
    “I didn’t leave you at the house when your ex-partner’s murderous spirit was trying to kill you, and I’m not leaving you now.”
    “You are the most stubborn person I’ve ever met,” Jack muttered, pushing through the trees and walking into a small clearing in the middle of the forest. “Is this where we’re supposed to be?”
    Ivy tilted her head to the side, considering. “Yes.”
    “Well, I don’t see anything here, but let’s look around,” Jack instructed. “Don’t you leave me. Do you understand?”
    “Is that because you’re worried about me or getting lost?”
    “Both,” Jack replied, squeezing her hand before releasing it. “If you feel anything … .”
    “I’ll scream like a girl and jump into your arms so you can protect me,” Ivy finished, making a face.
    “That sounds delightful,” Jack said, refusing to let an argument fester. “Maybe we’ll play that game in our tent tonight.”
    “You’re a sick man.”
    “I do my best,” Jack said, his eyes moving around the clearing. He was already on the job, even though he had no idea what he was supposed to be looking for. The clearing wasn’t very large, and nothing stood out to Jack’s trained eye. He decided to approach things as an investigator, and moved along the tree line, completely circling it and then moving in closer to make sure he didn’t miss anything.
    For her part, Ivy was drawn to a large rock in the center of the clearing. Something about it called to her, although she had no idea what. An indentation