Chapter 10
A fter giving directions to guests looking for souvenir shops, restaurants, and boat rentals, Ivy turned to her daughter, who stood beside her at the front desk. Poppy was tidying up after breakfast in the dining room for today’s meeting.
“Sunny, when the Spring Fling members arrive, will you show them into the dining room? I need to finish preparing my notes for them.”
Ivy had hardly slept, concerned about how today would unfold and the impact on all the stakeholders, from Shelly and the inn to the community and Bennett.
“Sure, Mom.” At the front desk, Sunny fidgeted with her nails a little. Looking down, she asked, “When are Nana and Gramps returning?”
Ivy heard a note of concern in Sunny’s voice. “It won’t be too much longer. They’ve sailed nearly around the world. Are you missing them?”
She looked up, her green eyes so much like Ivy’s, shimmering with a mist of tears. “I was so worried about them when you all thought they were missing. I don’t want to lose them.”
“Oh, honey, I didn’t realize you’d heard us.” Ivy folded her into her arms and stroked her hair.
She hadn’t meant to worry her daughter, but Sunny wasn’t a little girl anymore, and it had been a long time since she’d censored her words around her. Sunny had a mercurial personality, and maybe because of it, she was more sensitive than Misty.
Sunny sniffed against Ivy’s shoulder. “I know they’re living their dream and having fun, but I’m afraid something might happen to them. When you couldn’t reach them…” She squeezed her eyes against the thought.
Ivy knew it was tough for any child to lose a parent, but Jeremy’s death had been especially hard on Sunny because she’d idolized him. That day marked the end of her youthful innocence.
“I have complete confidence in them,” Ivy said, assuring her with a smile. “Your grandparents are skilled sailors. They’re extremely knowledgeable and very cautious. They watch the weather patterns, and they don’t take risks on the sea. Plus, their boat is known for its safety features.”
Sunny seemed to take this in. She blinked and raised her eyes. “Would they teach me how to sail after they come home? I’d like to be as skilled at something as they are.”
“I’m sure they’ll be thrilled at your interest. They’d love to take you out and teach you everything they know. They love you so much.”
Sunny choked out a little smile and nodded. “Me, too.”
Over the years, all the kids had gone out on her parents’ boats, but since Sunny and Misty had grown up in Boston, they didn’t have the chance their cousins did. Sunny didn’t have much time alone with her grandparents. Maybe this is what she needed.
Sunny brightened at the idea. “I’d like sailing with them.”
Ivy kissed her cheek. “That’s something to look forward to. Now, will you look after the guests while Poppy and I are in our meeting?”
“You can count on me, Mom.” Sunny’s eyes cleared.
As Ivy made her way toward the dining room, she thought about her youngest daughter. Her oldest, Misty, was living her life in Los Angeles, landing parts that had her traveling and meeting interesting people. She was doing what she loved, what she had dreamed of since high school.
While Sunny had finally graduated from UCSD, the highly regarded state university in La Jolla, her vision was less clear.
Still, she was studying for her master’s degree in hospitality and would finish that soon.
Ivy expected she would accept a job somewhere else.
She’d already interned at a large hotel.
Ivy checked her watch. Ten minutes to go.
“We’re ready,” Poppy said, sitting in front of her laptop. “I have your notes for you, and each person will receive an overview with the current plan and timeline.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” Ivy said. She scanned the notes, mentally rehearsing the points she wanted to get across.
“Relax, Aunt Ivy. You know these people. They’re your friends.”
“Friends who won’t hesitate to cancel a major event for Summer Beach if they think I can’t deliver.”
“You can. That’s why we’re here.” Poppy tapped her laptop. “I’ve got the marketing numbers, the press coverage lined up, and the before-and-after mockups. You’ve got a plan. We just need them to trust it.”
Ivy picked lint off the front of the navy blazer with an embroidered emblem she wore over a pressed white shirt and dark jeans. She’d upgraded her casual innkeeper look today.
The doorbell chimed, and she heard Sunny greeting people in the foyer. Voices echoed in the hallway, and the committee members soon appeared in the dining room.
Ivy stepped out to greet them. Clarence, the newest member, arrived first. He was a large man whose presence filled any room he entered.
At once, she recalled Bennett’s warning. Nevertheless, she held out her hand. “Glad you could make it.”
“Unlike some, I keep my word.” Clarence neglected her proffered hand.
Instantly, Ivy stiffened.
This man had made her uncomfortable at the last meeting with his relentless line of questioning. But he had volunteered, and Arthur thought a fresh perspective and his experience in business would be helpful. Clarence was also new to Summer Beach, and his speech bore traces of a southern drawl.
She handed him a packet of material Poppy had compiled. “We’re meeting in the dining room, second door to your left.”
She turned back to the door just as Arthur arrived, wearing a colorful Hawaiian shirt.
He carried a worn, gold-embossed leather portfolio that looked like he’d brought it from Antique Times, the antiques shop he ran with his wife Nan.
She still worked as the City Hall receptionist for the mayor’s office.
Ivy knew Nan liked to keep up with the community news and gossip. She was also a treasure trove of information.
Arthur and Nan had been friends to Ivy and Shelly since they’d arrived, helping them find replacement fixtures for the inn and research its history.
Arthur was fair, but he also asked tough questions, and he wouldn’t give her a pass just because they were friends.
Still, she appreciated him, calling him her favorite Englishman in town.
Greeting her, he said pointedly, “We have a great deal to discuss today.”
“And we’ve made many changes I think you’ll like.” She handed him the revised plan for the Spring Fling.
He opened it, quickly reviewing and assessing it. “Well, I must say, this looks brilliant.”
She walked with him to the dining room to begin preparing for her talk.
The owner of Louise’s Laundry arrived next. Louise was a sturdy, no-nonsense woman with steel-gray hair and an assertive handshake. She said what she thought and didn’t care if you were ready to hear it. She might be blunt, but that came from her genuine desire to help people.
“The grounds still look pretty rough,” Louise said, pulling out a chair. “Just so you know what you’re walking into today.”
“I appreciate the warning,” Ivy said.
Nan, Arthur’s wife, bustled forth with a folder of paperwork. Her tight red curls framed a freckled face that was quick to smile. She gave Ivy a quick wink as she sat beside Arthur.
Paige was the next to arrive. She owned Pages Books, which had moved from its historic location after the flood that damaged the old shop. Her new bookshop was already a favorite in town, and she changed her display and inventory with the season.
Just last week, Ivy had seen Paige’s Spring Fling-themed windows, which were stunning.
Paige was a striking woman with white hair worn in a new sleek cut and bright blue eyes that took in everything.
She’d also lived in Summer Beach for decades and had a near encyclopedic knowledge of the town. When Paige spoke, people listened.
“Good afternoon, everyone.” Paige took a seat by the fireplace beside Nan and Arthur. “Shall we get started? I have a book club at four.”
Roy had already taken a seat in the back, saving two chairs alongside him. He caught Ivy’s eye and gave her a reassuring nod.
Glancing at her notes, Ivy straightened. She called the meeting to order with a tap of her gavel. “It looks like we’re all here, so I’ll get right to business. Some of you are concerned about the inn being ready for the Spring Fling to serve as the headquarters and patron party venue.”
Clarence spoke up. “We should approach Carol and Hal since they’re showing their gardens. I’m the one to do that. No offense, but I speak their language. We’re both successful in business.”
“Many of us are,” Arthur said evenly.
“I mean big business, my friend.” A derisive laugh burst from Clarence, but Arthur remained calm.
Ivy knew he’d call that his English stiff upper lip.
She bit her cheek until she tasted blood to keep from saying something she might regret.
Nan stood, clearly miffed. “Would everyone wait for Ivy to speak first? That means you, Clarence.”
He didn’t reply but made an exaggerated show of withdrawing his reading glasses from his suit jacket and sliding them on to review the packet in front of him with disdain.
Ivy appreciated her intervention, but Clarence’s actions gnawed at her confidence. “Thanks, Nan. I’ll address every question, but first I want to bring you up to date. When I’m finished, you’ll have all you need to make a decision.”
“This is a real mess,” Clarence muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Maybe we should cancel and start over next year.”
While Poppy passed out the new plans, Ivy began.
“This is a revised approach to our landscaping project and event plans here at the inn. Our team is working hard to put this together. You’ll see it’s realistic and achievable.
We all want a garden tour that will make a great impression and bring people back to Summer Beach every spring. ”
She walked them through the phased plan for the grounds renovation, prioritizing the areas guests would see.
This included the entry through the queen palms, the front lawn, the terrace plantings, the path to the greenhouse, and the patio and pool area.
She shared images of the plants Shelly had sourced from regional growers.
Next, she shared the weekly timeline she and Poppy created leading to the event date.
“Who’s going to help you with all that?” Clarence asked, waving a hand. “We don’t see anyone but Shelly and one or two of you working—and not doing much of that.”
“Well, we have a unique solution?—”
Clarence slammed his hand on the table, jarring everyone. “Let’s face facts. You don’t know the first thing about running a business. This inn is a farce. You spend your time decorating and serving wine. Leave real business to people like me to bring Summer Beach to where it should be.”
Ivy was speechless.
Still standing, she tightened her fingers on the back of a dining room chair to remain calm and organize a response. She could feel the Spring Fling meeting starting to go off the rails.