Chapter 11
B efore Ivy could reply to Clarence and his uncalled-for comment, Nan rushed to her defense.
“You’ve crossed the line, and now you’re being rude,” Nan said, her cheeks reddening. She rose from her chair before Arthur put a hand on her shoulder, easing her down.
The silence seemed thick in the dining room.
Ivy looked cooly past Clarence, ignoring his outbreak as she would a toddler throwing a fit, “If I may finish, I’m getting to the salient points.”
But she’d lost her train of thought, and her breathing quickened. Clarence unnerved her, and she didn’t like the way her blood pressure was rising.
She hated to admit it, but he was getting to her.
And yet, she’d come this far and wouldn’t let him throw her off course. She pulled her shoulders back and glanced at her notes. It was imperative that she get this meeting back on track, or Bennett and the entire town would hear about it.
She couldn’t let her husband down—or let him be humiliated for her failings.
With a glance at Roy’s face—encouraging but tinged with concern—Ivy started again.
“The good news is we’ve partnered with the garden club at the high school,” she said, intent on taking the higher ground. This was Summer Beach, and it still stood for good neighbors helping each other, not dragging each other down.
“These talented students have significant hands-on experience,” she continued, regaining her confidence.
“They maintain the nursery stock at the Hidden Garden every winter, and several of them have gone on to work for major resorts and landscaping companies. They’re not amateurs.
They’re young professionals building their skills, and we’re lucky to have them. ”
“Maybe so, but they’re still teenagers,” Louise said, stating the obvious, though not unkindly.
“They are,” Ivy said. “And they’re being paid a fair hourly wage for every shift they work.
This isn’t volunteer labor or a learning experience.
Shelly will supervise. She’s mapped every planting bed, tree and shrub placement, and design detail.
Rosie Gardner, the science teacher who runs the garden club, is also overseeing the program.
And Leilani and Roy have agreed to offer guidance as needed.
They’ve already been working with them for some time. ”
Roy nodded, acknowledging that. “Those teens are a good team. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
“We have confidence in them, too,” Ivy said, glad that Roy was there.
Louise laced her fingers. “Then we should, too. It seems too late for other options. I’m satisfied.”
Ivy let out a little breath. The tension in the room had diminished, and the conversation was becoming more balanced and fruitful.
Arthur opened his portfolio and made a note. “What about liability? If we’re bringing minors onto a project associated with a city-funded event, the city should be covered.”
Poppy cleared her throat. “No need to worry. They’re working for the inn. And we’re insured. If the city wants to pay them for the Spring Fling event, that’s a different conversation. At this point, the event is volunteer staffed.”
“Rosie also requires parental consent forms for any off-campus activity,” Ivy added.
Still, Clarence remained scowling. “And if the students don’t show up? These are teenagers with other commitments. Sports, homework, part-time jobs. What’s your contingency plan? No, I’m sure you don’t have one. This is a disaster.”
His words were sharp, intended to puncture her resolve.
Just breathe , Ivy told herself before going on.
“Rosie vets every student before recommending them for jobs,” Ivy said as evenly as she could.
“If their grades slip, they’re removed from the team.
The ones who signed up are committed, and we have enough that if someone must miss a weekend, we’ll still be fine.
We also have family pitching in. Bennett, Mitch, my brothers, and my nieces and nephews when they’re available.
I promise all of you, the inn will be ready, and it will be gorgeous. ”
Poppy gave her an encouraging smile.
Louise leaned back in her chair. “This is a garden tour. The other homes on the route are incredible. Carol Reston hired a top landscape design firm last year, and everyone wants to see a celebrity property. The Sandvik place has been featured in Sunset Magazine twice. And then there’s Ken’s traditional Japanese garden, which everyone in town is talking about.
Although the Seabreeze Inn is not competing with others, it is the first stop on the tour and the last impression with the reception.
It seems the only question is, will you be ready, or will it still look like a landscaping construction zone?
Perhaps that promise will satisfy our newest member. ”
Before Ivy could answer, Clarence looked at her over his half-rimmed glasses.
“Anyone can make a promise, but will they adhere to it? The inn can’t be the weak link, but it’s sure looking that way.
I question your leadership ability. We all do.
Instead of relying on faulty promises, I’ll contact Hal and move the venue, effective immediately.
I’m sure I have the committee’s support. ”
His words sliced through Ivy’s confidence, leaving her exposed. Still, thinking of Bennett, she pressed on, her heart racing. She opened her mouth to speak.
Just then, a swift movement caught her eye.
Still wearing her dirty gardening boots, Shelly stepped inside, her arms folded and her chin held high. She turned to Clarence. “The inn will be ready, because I’m in charge of the exterior grounds.”
He folded his arms. “You’re out of your depth. This event will draw people from Los Angeles, who have a big city mentality and will expect more. I don’t fault you for that if you’ve never ventured outside of Summer Beach, but there it is. I move that we shift the venue to Carol Reston’s estate.”
Knowing her sister, Ivy sucked in a breath. The room was quiet, and no one who knew Shelly dared second that motion.
Shelly glared at Clarence. “Well now, Mr. Big City. If you’d actually bothered to look at what Ivy presented a month ago, you would’ve seen photos of my work in New York City.
Met Gala soirees, red-carpet events, high-profile weddings, and fundraisers that raised millions of dollars for charities.
I’m an award-winning floral stylist and horticulturist, and I worked in the most competitive city in the country for fifteen years. And you are…”
Clarence’s face turned red. He removed his gold-rimmed glasses and tapped them on the table, blustering with indignation.
“I’m only concerned that we’re making the right choices.
I’m merely questioning why everyone is so confident that a team of high school students can produce results to rival professional work. ”
Shelly threw up her hands in exasperation. “Did anyone hear a word I just said?”
Ivy could kiss Shelly for showing up. She opened her mouth to back up her sister, but before she could speak, a small blur of fur shot through the open dining room door.
Poppy called for the tiny dog. “Pixie, come here!”
The Chihuahua scampered across the hardwood floor, nails clicking, and launched herself onto a dining room chair. Her eyes bulging in the heat of pursuit, she snatched her prize, skittering away with Clarence’s reading glasses.
“Hey!” He reached for her, but Pixie leapt and bolted toward the hallway, his readers clenched in her tiny jaws.
Hiding her laughter, Ivy traded looks with Shelly and Poppy. Who knew Pixie was on their side? Maybe she should help, but this was too entertaining.
From the foyer, she heard Gilda’s voice. “Pixie, where are you?”
And then, “Wait up, sweetikins! Remember, we’re working on boundaries.”
Clarence pushed chairs aside on his angry rush across the room and out the door while the committee sat in stunned silence.
A moment later, they all broke out in laughter.
“Pixie’s timing was perfect,” Shelly said. “Who is that guy?”
“Clarence landed here from Houston last year,” Nan said, lowering her voice.
“According to his sister-in-law—wait, you all know Becky, don’t you?
Anyway, he ran a Homeowner’s Association management company with an iron fist before he got run out of town—and the state.
None of us knew that. Her sister moved in with her, and Clarence followed.
I think Becky wanted to get him out of her house. ”
Louise shrugged at Shelly. “At that time, we needed warm bodies, and he looked good on paper. Or so we thought.”
Nan’s eyes widened. “I think he wants to get close to Carol and Hal. He’s star-struck, if you ask me. He often brings them up in conversation, have you noticed? I wonder if he’s even met them.”
“I should probably help retrieve his glasses,” Ivy said, slipping into her innkeeper role.
Shelly let out a puff of air. “Don’t you dare. He’s a grown man. Let him figure it out. Once Gilda is through with her doggie therapy session, they’ll find his glasses.”
Poppy looked up, grinning. “That might take a while if Pixie hid them. She’s been seeing a therapist for such a long time. Kleptomania, anxiety, nerves—poor Pixie.”
“Sunny should be at the front desk,” Ivy said. “Let’s see how she handles this.”
“This should be good.” Shelly hurried to the door to see what was happening.
Ivy and Poppy, along with Arthur, Nan, and Louise, crowded behind her, spilling into the hallway as they watched the chaos unfold.
Pixie danced around Clarence, taunting him with her little tapping toenails before racing into the ballroom.
Grinning, Paige shook her head. “Never a dull moment at the Seabreeze Inn.”
“We like to keep things interesting.” Ivy straightened the papers scattered in Pixie’s wake.
Roy cleared his throat. “While we’re waiting for Clarence and his glasses to return, I’d like to say something.”
“Please,” Ivy said.
“Leilani and I have watched Briar, Thorn, and the others work. They show up on time, follow instructions, and care about plants. This is a good fit for everyone. When we can get away from the nursery, we’ll stop by to help.
Maybe you could’ve started earlier, but I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re confident that you’ll get everything done.
I don’t see any problem here, because I know we can transform a yard in a weekend with the right team. ”
Arthur returned to his seat and closed his portfolio. “Shall we adjourn this meeting?”
Nan seconded that, Ivy swung the gavel, and then, the meeting she had dreaded was over.
She let out a breath.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and Leilani appeared in the doorway with Rosie beside her. Both women looked amused.
“I’m sorry we’re later than expected,” Leilani said. “Rosie had a faculty meeting that ran overtime. What did we miss?”
Rosie raised her eyebrows. “Besides Clarence storming out the front door. We saw that part.”
“Sounds like he quit,” Leilani added, throwing a questioning look at Roy. “He was muttering something about all the fruits and nuts in California.”
“We do grow some good produce here,” Roy said, chuckling as he swept his arm around Leilani.
Paige laughed. “I don’t think that’s what he meant, but coming from him, I don’t take that as an insult.”
“Should we go after him?” Poppy asked, looking hesitant.
Nan shook her head. “I think he’s far too serious for the Spring Fling. Bless his heart, as my sister in Atlanta says. You know, I bless a lot of folks who storm into City Hall.”
Laughing, Shelly swung her arm around Nan. “Bet a lot of them need it.”
A mischievous smile filled Nan’s face. “You have no idea.”
Ivy chuckled, a sense of relief washing over her. The real work was just beginning, but she had a better feeling about it now.
Gilda squeezed into the room, clasping Pixie in her arms. She held up the glasses, slightly damp but still intact. “Tell the nice folks you’re sorry, Pixie, dear. She didn’t mean to break up your meeting.”
Dangling the glasses, Gilda added, “Now, where is that unpleasant man?”
“We’ll make sure he gets those,” Nan said, taking them from her with a napkin. “With all our blessings.”
Laughter filled the room.
Ivy bumped Shelly’s hip. “I sure was glad to see you. Funny how you came in at just the right moment.”
Shelly bumped her back. “Maybe I happened to be walking by.”
“Or maybe you were eavesdropping outside the door.”
Shelly winked. “Guess we’ll never know.”
“You sure are confident about your skills.” Ivy was only half-joking; her high spirits were now floating back to earth.
“I have to be.” Shelly hooked her arm through Ivy’s. “While others have professional landscape architects and budgets to match, we’ve got high school students and a fledgling irrigation contractor. And a bunch of family members we’ll have to bribe with food again. We’re not the frontrunners, Ives.”
Ivy turned to her, horrified. “Was all your boasting just for show?”
“It’s not like I haven’t done all those jobs. Well, the Met Gala might have been a stretch. But I don’t let arrogant dudes treat my sister like that. Good thing Sunny warned me.”
“So that’s why Sunny didn’t see Pixie loose downstairs.”
Shelly waggled her eyebrows. “I couldn’t have planned that better. Speaking of plans…”
A vein in Ivy’s head began throbbing at the realization. “You need to go back to work right now, don’t you?”
Shelly swept out her hands. “I didn’t even have time to take off my boots.”
“Oh, my gosh,” Ivy said, taking a half step back. “You’re one of the fruits and nuts Clarence was talking about.”
“And proud of it. I didn’t lie. Well, not exactly.” Shelly grinned and pumped her fist as she strode from the room.
Ivy pressed a finger to her temples. Was Shelly teasing her?
Not that she didn’t trust Shelly, but right now, she wondered if Shelly was covering up the inevitable. Honestly, her sister drove her mad sometimes.
Ivy’s heart dropped. What had she gotten them into, and could they complete this in time?