“Thunderation, Ivy!” Flynn growled. “Get back in bed before I hog-tie and toss you there.”

“You drove him away!” She tottered and this time would have fallen except for Brody scooping her up. She slapped at his chest and tried to wiggle free. “Both of you drove Jericho away with all your shenanigans.”

Even as she struggled, Brody carefully deposited her into bed. She wanted to crawl right back out, but she was too weak and her wound throbbed. Instead, she glared at her brothers. “I love him. And I’m aimin’ to spend my life with him whether you want me to or not.”

“We just want what’s best for you.” Brody palmed the back of his neck, his face lined with frustration. “Look at the heap of trouble you got into this time. It ain’t ever gonna be safe with Jericho.”

Those were almost the same words Jericho had used to describe why he’d kept pushing her away. He was haunted by the memories of all that had happened to his mom and didn’t want that happening to anyone he cared about. Even so, she was different. “I don’t need safe.”

“Reckon Jericho felt like Brody and me.” Flynn’s tone took on a sadness Ivy didn’t like. She’d much prefer the anger. “The kid was doing his blasted best to steer clear of you from the get-go. Probably had good intentions but couldn’t stay away for the better half of a second.”

“It don’t matter. Whether you like it or not, I’m going to Chicago just as soon as I’m strong enough.”

Flynn fished inside his trouser pocket. “He doesn’t want you to follow him.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I surefire do know.” Flynn took out a paper and began unfolding it.

She raised herself so she was reclining against the headboard. “You’re just trying to scare me. And it ain’t gonna work this time. I’m old enough to know my mind and what I want. And I know that what me and Jericho feel for each other is just as real as what you feel for Linnea, what Brody feels for Savannah, and what Wyatt feels for Greta.”

Flynn smoothed out the sheet but didn’t meet her gaze.

“We’re meant to be together, and we’ll figure out a way to make things work in Chicago. That’s all there is to it.”

Flynn paused and then handed her the paper.

The top read, Record of Deeds, know all men by these presents. It went on to record Landry Steele’s signature along with the words do hereby sell and convey unto the said Ivy McQuaid the following described premises situated in the county of South Park and the Territory of Colorado.

The handwritten paragraph underneath described in specific details the parcel she’d been wanting to purchase from Steele.