Chapter 7
As Ivy made her way to the kitchen in the morning, she wondered if she’d misread Bennett earlier.
Poppy passed her with a basket of muffins on her way to the dining room. “Guests sure are thirsty this morning. Would you start another pot of coffee?”
“Will do,” Ivy replied. In the kitchen, she measured out the coffee and punched the start button on the coffeemaker. While the machine gurgled to life, she cleaned the counters and put up the dishes, her thoughts still on Bennett.
Maybe she was reading something into his quiet behavior this week. She didn’t expect him to tell her everything that was going on in the community. This probably didn’t concern her, but if it troubled Bennett, then that was her business.
Poppy pushed the door open and glanced at the coffeemaker. “Are you still going to the farmers market today?”
“Soon. Is there anything you need?”
“If you see any baby artichokes, could you pick up a few? I’m not sure they’re still in season, but Mitch promised to show me how to make them grilled and crispy.”
Ivy never knew what she’d find at the Saturday morning farmers market, especially with the holidays looming.
The crafts vendors were sure to have an array of handmade treasures for the season.
She and Poppy often took turns going on Saturday mornings because someone had to stay at the inn.
With her daughter away and her sister busy with Daisy in the mornings, Ivy and Poppy were managing the weekend guests.
While her niece poured coffee into a large thermos for the dining room, Ivy brought her shopping bags from the pantry.
She turned back to Poppy. “I hate to leave you here alone with this crowd. Have you seen Shelly?”
“I’ll be fine. Didn’t you see Shelly’s text? Daisy had a little accident, so she said she’ll meet you there.”
Instantly, Ivy was concerned about the youngster. “Anything serious?”
Poppy laughed. “No, Daisy tried to send a little stuffed animal for a swim out to sea, so Shelly had to stop and unplug the toilet. At least she’s good at that.”
“Not her favorite little seal, I hope?” Most kids liked bears or giraffes, but Daisy had latched onto a seal after she’d seen them on the beach in La Jolla with their baby seal pups.
“Sarah the seal survived, but she might have to take a trip through the washing machine.”
Ivy recalled how many times she’d had to rescue stuffed animals or dolls when her daughters were young. “Thank goodness we don’t have the plumbing emergencies here like we used to.”
Sighing happily, Poppy opened the door to Bertie, one of the vintage twin turquoise refrigerators they’d decided to keep.
She reached for the cream. “While I still love this pair of beauties, I never realized I could love modern plumbing so much.” Poppy looked back at her and grinned.
“Now we can do other things, like digging up vacant lots. Shelly is dying to do that.”
“I’ll talk to her,” Ivy said, smiling as she folded the bags she would take. “I almost miss this old house’s quirks. They brought us all together. Remember the first painting party we had?”
The rear screen door slammed, and Bennett stepped inside, wearing his running shorts. He paused to kiss Ivy on the cheek. “That was one party I missed. Tell me again, why I wasn’t invited?”
“Because I was trying to put as much distance as I could between me and my old summer crush.”
“Best failure ever, sweetheart.”
Ivy gave him a playful nudge and kissed him back. “How do you know that wasn’t part of my grand plan?”
“Another marriage was the last thing on your mind back then.” His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. “Especially to me. I had to work hard on that.”
Watching them, Poppy swept her hair to one side and twisted it in thought. “So, how long does it take for the honeymoon to wear off?”
Bennett hugged his wife. “Never, I hope.”
“The key is learning to work through our problems while they’re small,” Ivy said, sensing something behind her niece’s question.
Listening, Bennett poured a glass of water and drank it down. “Still in the honeymoon phase with Andrew?”
“I wouldn’t put it like that, but he asked me out for dinner this weekend,” Poppy replied, her cheeks coloring slightly. “He’s visiting and staying with a friend from school who lives here.”
“This sounds serious,” Bennett said. “Do you think it is?”
Poppy’s blush deepened. “I think we’re a long way from that phase.”
Ivy tucked her arm through her husband’s arm. For all his diplomacy in city business, Bennett could be a little clueless about relationships. “Will you walk with me toward the farmers market before your run?”
Now grasping the message, he glanced at Poppy. “Andrew seems like a good guy, that’s all.”
Ivy steered him toward the door. “Thanks for looking after the inn, Poppy. The coffee is ready, and Room 202 should be checking out soon. See you later.”
After they got outside, Bennett spread his hands. “I was just making conversation. What did I say that was so wrong?”
“You know how sensitive Poppy is about dating. Especially after that last fiasco she and Sunny got into with those guys from L.A. She wants to take her relationships slowly now. Asking if every guy she dates is the one only puts pressure on her.”
“If she’s thinking about it, I don’t see the problem. There’s slow, and then there’s glacial. What I mean is, maybe Mitch and I can help vet guys for her.”
“I know you’re trying to be helpful, but I wouldn’t mention that to her. Women have their ways.”
“But the last guy was trouble.”
“We should let her forget about that. We’ve all made mistakes when we were young. I once met this guitar-playing surfer dude on the beach before I left for university.” Ivy slid a side-eyed glance his way. “You know, he never called me like he promised.”
Bennett drew a hand over his stubbly jawline. “Okay, point taken. I’ll be making up for that for the rest of our lives, won’t I?”
“You’re off to a good start. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“Hold that thought.” Bennett stopped to stretch his legs on a stone wall before continuing his run, and Ivy’s heart fluttered at the sight of his muscular legs and shoulders. They hadn’t been married long, and she still found him wildly attractive.
In fact, even more now than on their wedding day.
She recalled her mother saying that she loved her husband more with each passing year. Ivy hadn’t understood it then, because in her first marriage, maintaining a happy relationship with Jeremy had become increasingly difficult over time. She’d been the one putting in most of the effort.
That was before she’d known about his infidelity. When she found out after his death, the knowledge crushed her but had also helped her move on. It had also given her the motivation to rescue and turn the sprawling old beach house he’d bought for another woman into her home and livelihood.
She glanced back at the inn, its new windows and fresh paint gleaming in the autumn sunshine. And just look at it now, she thought, her heart filling with pride at the work they’d all put into the long-overdue renovation.
Bennett caught her glance. “You’ve done an amazing job on the inn. I’m so proud of how you persevered. You had a vision, and you didn’t let anything stop you.”
“I appreciate you saying that. You had a part in it, too.”
“We’re good together, Ivy.”
She slid a hand over his shoulder. “Yes, we are. And I hope you can always feel comfortable sharing troubling issues with each other.”
“I thought that went without saying.” Bennett nodded toward the beach. “See you later, sweetheart.” He paused to kiss her before taking off.
At that moment, Ivy realized she was also holding back.