The Kane Cross (Cross 1)

23 - Princess

Ivy was uneasy about returning to the Kane home or was it a mansion? She had been to an estate with Jimmy. The kind in the movies, with a long driveway and tennis courts and a pool in the backyard. Growing up, she had a sandbox in the backyard, but she couldn't play in it because the neighborhood cats kept using it. She babysat for some kids with a covered sandbox, why didn't hers have a cover? She didn't even have a play set in her yard. If she wanted to swing, she had to go to the park.

"Did you have swings in your backyard growing up?"

Jimmy laughed. "My nanny took me to the park where I played with a kid named Baxter."

"Seriously, you've been friends that long?"

Baxter nodded. "Why did you ask about his backyard?"

She giggled. "I was thinking of your large backyard."

Jimmy said, "The Kane's have a garden."

"It's beautiful, and I compared it to mine. Anyway, I was curious about when you were little kids."

"We ran around outside, but we didn't have any structures," Tate answered.

"We threw the ball." Baxter reminded his sister.

Jimmy said, "We grew up city kids."

When the car pulled to a stop, Ivy considered finding an excuse to go home. Remembering Baxter in the kitchen stirred up feelings best left dormant. She kept the memories tucked away, but they popped out. Feeling him next to her, they threatened to choke her. Stepping onto the sidewalk with the help of Jimmy's driver, Ivy took a breath of fresh air. She cleared her nasal passages of his heady scent.

Swept up with the other's, Ivy entered the large home. It stood quiet like a museum. The tall older man quietly approached the front hall.

"Mr. Sinclair, welcome."

"Hello Percy. This is Ivy Krasinski."

"Your friend, Miss. Tate?" He smiled. "It's a pleasure, Miss."

Baxter stepped forward. "Percy, we're going to the kitchen."

The man nodded. "I'm happy to serve drinks."

Jimmy winked. "I've learned how to pour. If not, Ivy can help me."

Percy smiled. "Always cheeky, even as a boy."

"Could you teach my butler to smile?"

Ivy giggled at the exchange. Jimmy kept surprising her with his humor. If she had met him first, she might have fallen for him. Tate's warnings were right. Jimmy could have broken her heart, if she hadn't already given it away.

Jimmy went in one direction as Ivy followed Baxter into the kitchen. The room looked like a restaurant kitchen. Even with the disagreements, Ivy's family's kitchen was homey and comfortable.

Baxter pulled out a stainless steel stool. "Here sit, unless you want to help cook."

Ivy didn't move towards the seat. "Where's Tate?"

"She went upstairs when Jimmy was teasing Percy."

"Is she coming back?"

"I don't know."

Ivy froze as Baxter took his tuxedo jacket off and pulled on his tie. "Maybe you should change."

He stared at her. "Do you want to help me?"

She shook her head. "If you don't know how then your butler could help you."

He stepped closer. "I can manage on my own, but it's more fun with you. We could go up the backstairs. No one would see."