The Kane Cross

42 - Everything

Baxter had finished one meeting, late of course, and was preparing for the next which should have started two minutes before, when Dani buzzed him.

"I'm almost ready."

"Mrs. Kane's on the line. She says it's urgent."

Dread hit him like an anchor in his gut. His father. "Mother is father okay."

"He's at the office, so yes."

"What's urgent? Doyle!"

"I didn't want Danielle to put me off. I'm tired of you and that girl generating publicity."

"We aren't hiding." He like #mysterygirl. Jimmy thought it was hysterical.

"She can't hide. Now all my friends will know she's nobody. What kind of name is Krasinski? It's humiliating. Bates is so much better."

"Because your friends respect men who abuse women. Wait a minute, what do you mean all your friends will know?" His heart pounded.

"Someone finally revealed her name, and it is unacceptable for this to continue."

He looked at his phone. "Mother, I'm late for a meeting and I'm an adult. I'll pick my wife."

"Wife!"

"Goodbye." He hung up and called, "Danielle!"

She appeared. "Did you know about this?" He thrust his phone in front of her face. She shook her head. "Get Macintyre to go to the school and stay with her. Then have him drive her to Sinclairs."

"Aren't the senior Sinclairs home?"

He looked at her puzzled. "You talked about it at Tate's place."

"Yes. I'll call myself."

Elena Sinclair was excited to meet Ivy and encouraged him to stay as long as he wanted. He had been too busy to look into moving. Baxter was late for his meeting. He tried calling Ivy, but she was in class, so he texted her instead. When she called, he answered and stepped outside the boardroom. His authoritative voice told her Mac was her bodyguard. Baxter didn't like how her classmate had posted her identity and location. He'd talk to her about the details later.

At six o'clock, when he arrived at the Sinclair's, Charles took his coat while Jimmy came down the stairs. "You're home."

His friend nodded and stepped close to him. "What do we do about the little amoeba who sent the post?"

Baxter frowned. "It was bound to happen. Macintyre said people only looked and a few pointed."

"She's still here, so they didn't spook her too much."

Laughter floated out of the parlor. Baxter followed the sound to find Ivy and Elena Sinclair together. Joseph stood as he entered and reached out his hand.

Baxter grasped it. "How are you, sir?"

"Alright. Thank you. We are enjoying your young lady."

Baxter smiled and as his gaze moved to Ivy's, she smiled back at him. "Thank you, she's..." There were so many words - beautiful, intelligent, caring, humorous. "She's everything."

As pink painted Ivy's cheeks, Elena squeezed Ivy's hand. "She really is. I'd be happy to have a daughter-in-law like Ivy. Your mother is acting..."

"Foolish." Baxter added.

"I favored ridiculous."

Joseph teased, "You would be happy with any daughter-in-law."

Baxter laughed at his friend's expense. Jimmy stood by the drink cart. "Bax, I was going to pour you a drink, but now I won't."