Chapter 21:
"Oh, hey Ivy," Rachel said as she came into the kitchen with a plastic bag in hand. "Sorry I'm late. The kitchen smells wonderful." Ivy moved to place herself in between the two women. "Rachel this is Veronica. Veronica, I would like you to meet Rachel." Ivy once again made the introductions.
Extending her hand and stepping forward, Ronnie smiled. "Hi Rachel. It's nice to meet you, and please, call me Ronnie."
"Hi Veronica," Rachel gave her hand a quick pump up and down, "nice to meet you too." Turning Rachel walked over to the freezer and took a half gallon of ice cream out of the bag. "I stopped and pick up some ice cream for us. Did you two have dessert yet?"
Stifling her laugh as a cough, Ronnie glanced at Ivy, whose cheeks were once again flushed. Ivy cleared her throat. "Uh, no. We were just cleaning up the dishes." Looking over at Ronnie with a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth, "We didn't get to dessert yet."
Feeling as though she missed something, Rachel looked at both women, not sure what was going on. "Well, I'll keep it in the freezer until you're ready." Rachel opened the refrigerator and peeked into the container of left over's. "So, how was the chicken? Was it hot enough for you?"
"Oh, it was plenty hot." Ronnie said, smiling as she raised an eyebrow at Ivy.
"Thanks for saving me some." Rachel said as she shut the refrigerator.
"Aren't you going to have any?" Ivy asked.
"I'll eat later." Walking over to the cupboard, Rachel grabbed her mug. "I could really go for some coffee. Can I get anyone else something to drink? Coffee, tea, something stronger?"
"Oh, that reminds me," Ronnie went back to the table and grabbed her bag again. "I'm glad you said that. I almost forgot about this." Ronnie pulled out a gift bag and brought it over to Rachel. "Here, this is for you."
"Oh. Thanks." Rachel looked surprised. "You really shouldn't have."
"It's just a little something, no big deal." Ronnie said sheepishly.
Rachel opened the bag and pulled out a bottle of red wine. "Ivy and I went to this restaurant last weekend, and the whole time she kept saying how you would love this wine because there are hardly any sulfides in it to give you a headache." Looking over quickly at Ivy, Ronnie continued. "I thought I would pick up a bottle for you. Do you want to try it?"
"Here, I'll grab some glasses." Ivy offered as she moved towards the cupboard.
"Thanks," Rachel said smiling at Ronnie as she slid the bottle back into the bag. "I would, but I have some work to do tonight before my…uh, class on Saturday."
"Yeah," Jenks said as he flew back into the kitchen, "her teacher can be a real monster if her work isn't done." Giggling, he flew around Rachel's head, almost running into the hanging pots from the ceiling rack.
"What is with you, Jenks?" Rachel asked, holding out her hand for him to land on. Waving her off, Jenks continued to weave around their heads. "I opened up a container of honey that Ronnie brought so Matalina could try some. She said it was so good, I had to see for myself." Turning to face Ronnie, he gave her a thumbs up. "Great stuff!"
Ivy and Ronnie were grinning at the tipsy pixie. "How big of a sip did you take?" Rachel asked, pouring herself a cup of coffee, clearly irritated by Jenks. Turning to Ivy and Ronnie, she held up the pot. "Anyone else?"
"Sure, I'll have some." Ronnie said.
"Here Ronnie, take a seat." Ivy had moved to the table and pulled out a chair for her.
"How do you take your coffee Veronica?" Rachel reached for the creamer and sugar bowl.
"I'll get it," Ivy said, as she poured the coffee and added two scoops of sugar. "I know how she likes it."
"I bet you do!" Jenks giggled as he finally landed on the counter, far out of Rachel's reach.
Giving Jenks a sharp look, Ivy handed Ronnie the steaming mug of coffee. "Here you go. Don't mind him." Ivy pulled out the chair next to Ronnie at the table and sat down.
"Yeah," Rachel agreed as she pulled out her own chair, "he tends to get a little obnoxious when he is honey drunk."
"That's alright, "Ronnie said, laughing softly, "I think he is cute."
"Right back at ya" the pixie said.
"Jenks, do you mind?" Rachel glared so hard at him, he fell silent.
"What class are you taking Rachel?" Ronnie asked as she warmed her hands around her mug. Rachel quickly looked at Ivy for help. "She's taking a ley line class." Ivy answered. "Advanced ley line," Rachel added, "pretty complicated stuff."
"Sounds interesting. Is it at the college?" Ronnie asked.
"I have a private tutor," Rachel waved her hand, "terribly boring, likes to hear himself talk, you know the type." Taking a small sip of her coffee, Rachel set her mug on the table and leaned forward on her elbows. "But enough about me. Tell me about yourself, Veronica."
"What is it that you want to know?"
"Well, let's start with how long have you known Ivy? Where are you from originally and what else?" Rachel tapped her finger against her chin. "Oh yes, why do you want to take Ivy on a trip to Brazil with you?"
"Ok," Ronnie sat up a little straighter in her chair. "Are you asking to be curious Rachel, or is this some sort of interview? Just so I know if I need a referral letter." Ivy, Jenks and Ronnie laughed at the joke, but it was Rachel who was not laughing. "Well, then, to answer your questions, let me start with the first one. I have known Ivy for a long time. I would say several years, does that sound about right?" Ronnie glanced at Ivy who nodded.
"As for the rest, I was born and raised in Brazil and came to this country as a teenager to model. I went on to college and got my degree in finance and here I am an investment broker in Cincinnati. How is that? Does that answer your questions?"
"You left out the last and most important one." Rachel said, resting her chin in the palm of her hand as she stared at Ronnie.
"Come on Rachel," Ivy's voice held a warning, "that's enough interrogating for now."
"Well, I think it's only fair," Rachel said, looking innocently at Ivy, "I mean, I'm sure you talked to your friend about me and all our disagreements, but I know nothing about her. No offense intended, Veronica."
"None taken," Ronnie said, "I just didn't want to embarrass anyone with my answer. I asked Ivy to go to Brazil with me as my date to my sister's engagement party. I didn't know if Ivy had mentioned to you that we just started seeing each other as more than friends, and I didn't want to be the one to do it if she hadn't." Ronnie looked down at her coffee mug and then took a long sip. "Too bad no one wanted the wine, isn't it?"
"I could use a drink about now," Ivy said. "Yeah, too bad I left the honey out in the stump." Jenks looked more sober now as he sat on the edge of the counter.
"So, what else do you have planned in Brazil, other than the party that is?" Rachel asked, leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs.
"I thought that going to the beach would be fun," Ronnie said with a small smile.
"Ha! Can you picture Ivy in a bikini on the beach? Do they make them in black leather?" Jenks teased from his spot on the counter.
"Do you have a bikini, Ivy?" Ronnie asked.
"I, uh, don't think I do." Ivy said cautiously.
"How about we all go out and go shopping ? We could make a night of it, go shopping and then maybe have dinner together? What do you say Rachel, would you like to?" Ronnie gave both women a hopeful grin.
"I don't really have much use for a bikini. The beaches in Ohio aren't so grand, but thanks anyway." Rachel said snidely.
"That sounds like fun," Jenks said, "can I come?" Ronnie and Ivy laughed, glad to have some of the tension broken.
"Jenks, zip it." Rachel scolded. Turning back to face Ronnie, she smiled sweetly. "Let me cut to the chase, Veronica. Not many people get taken on dates to a foreign country with someone they just started sleeping with. I guess what I want to know is what do you get out of all this?"
"Rachel, enough!" Ivy raised her voice and glared at Rachel across the table.
"I don't mind answering this question Ivy, but it will be the last one I answer tonight." Ronnie patted Ivy's hand on the table and turned to look Rachel in the eye. "I think it is good to have friends who look out for your best interests. I realize some of Ivy's old acquaintances may not have been so scrupulous. I can assure you I am not like they were. In fact, I'm sure you probably haven't come across many living vampires like me. Maybe if you got to know me better, you would agree. You want me to answer your question honestly?"
"How else would you?" Rachel met Ronnie's stare, not backing down.
"Fine. You want to know what I get out of all this. That's easy. I get Ivy."
Rachel sat at the table with her mouth agape. She started to respond to Ronnie's answer, but Ivy quickly cut her off. "If you both don't mind, I think we should call it a night right here. I have to get to work on the new case tomorrow and I need an early start."
"I agree. I have an early day tomorrow as well. Ivy, would you mind taking me home?" Ronnie asked, standing up from the table and pushing in her chair. "Jenks, it was a pleasure meeting you. Good luck with the seeds." Turning to face Rachel, she extended her hand. "Rachel, it was good to meet you, and I hope you enjoy the wine. You'll let me know if you have any more questions you would like me to answer, won't you."
Rachel shook Ronnie's hand. "Nice to meet you, I'm sure." Smiling sarcastically, Rachel remained seated at the table. Ivy and Ronnie walked out of the kitchen and Rachel heard the front door shut.
"Nice going, Rache. I sure wouldn't want to be in your shoes when Ivy gets home." Jenks stood from the counter and stretched. Taking flight, he hovered in front of Rachel for a moment. "Call me if you need back up."