A calm, gentle voice came from the other end of the line, “Mrs. Lancaster, hello. I’m Jake’s uncle, Onyx Birch. Jake was a bit out of line just now—please don’t take it to heart.”

Onyx spoke slowly and smoothly, with a tone that made it easy to like him.

Of course, Ivy wasn’t about to snap at someone being polite. She replied, “You’re too kind. I know Jake—we’ve crossed paths before. I’m well aware of his temperament.”

Onyx ...