Chapter 22 #2
As they wove through dim hallways, Ivy explained the situation with the electrical outage and the cooking challenges. “We’ll have lanterns out shortly. And dinner by candlelight.”
“As long as we can see everyone, that’s all that matters. We can eat cold beans and tortillas for all I care.”
“You won’t have to. Mitch is firing up the grills.”
As they walked through the bustling activity at the inn, Carlotta surprised and hugged everyone in turn.
Ivy’s heart filled with love and appreciation as everything she’d hoped for had come to pass.
Misty and her parents were here. Against all odds, most of her family was together again, except for her oldest sister.
Honey and Gabe often visited their daughter, Elena, in Los Angeles, so Ivy hoped they could also reunite soon.
She drew a breath, wondering how many more twists and surprises this day might hold. She realized she could stress over the sudden change of plans the power outage had brought, or she could enjoy these rare moments of surprise.
She peeked into a room where Shelly was replacing batteries in flashlights. Her sister’s reaction to seeing their mother was instant, and her face lit with joy.
“Mom!” Shelly cried, flinging herself into Carlotta’s arms. “Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe you’re here. This day just went from tragic to fantastic. Is Dad with you?”
“Of course, he’s somewhere behind me.” Carlotta framed Shelly’s face with her hands. “Mija, my darling. And your precious Daisy. I want to hear everything.”
Ivy left them to catch up while she prepared for more guests.
A little later, Forrest and Flint arrived with their families. Their adult children, most in their twenties, were excited about the unexpected barbecue. Darla came over with her friend Louise, and neighbors began appearing bearing dishes in various stages of completion.
Imani and Clark arrived, as did Jen and George with Jen’s sister and her children. Another neighbor brought a portable generator to power a refrigerator.
Bennett’s sister and her family came. Even Carol Reston and her husband Hal joined them, saying they’d heard this is where the fun was.
And everyone pitched in to help.
Bennett checked in with Ivy. “Caleb volunteered to help set up the propane heaters on the patio. It’s hardly been cold enough to use them yet, but I expect it will be tonight.” He paused. “I liked him even before I knew about him and Misty. This is turning out to be a Thanksgiving to remember.”
“On so many levels.” She kissed him before they went their separate ways. Even though the scene was chaotic, her heart was so full of love for everyone she encountered.
On the expansive rear patio, Bennett and Caleb positioned propane heaters in strategic locations around the pool, creating pockets of warmth around which people could gather. They stacked firewood near the fire pit on the sand, preparing for the evening chill that would descend after sunset.
Sunny and Misty unfurled extra tablecloths over more tables inside, while Poppy put out cutlery. Outside, they decided to use thick paper plates and plastic glasses for poolside dining.
Ivy moved through the increasingly crowded inn, answering questions and enjoying the holiday vibe. The disaster had transformed the planned family gathering into an unexpected extravaganza that included old and new friends, far beyond anything she might have planned.
“We need more serving utensils and platters,” she told Poppy, who was organizing the buffet stations. “Check the upper cabinets in the butler’s pantry.”
A neighbor recharged her phone with his generator, and now her phone buzzed with messages from friends responding to her calls. Many were on their way and spreading the word.
“There’s a party at the inn,” she heard someone say on their phone. “Bring your hibachi. Everyone is cooking out on the beach, and they have the fire pit going. Bring your guitar.”
They’d soon have music on the beach. She smiled to herself, expecting that Bennett would join in with his guitar. This was how they celebrated in Summer Beach.
Ivy paused in the doorway of the kitchen, watching Mitch demonstrate turkey carving techniques to several people. Misty was helping Sunny arrange desserts on the buffet while Caleb was unpacking more lanterns.
Children’s laughter rang out as they played impromptu games of tag between the tables.
Shelly had set up a kids’ area with blankets to build forts and card games for the older kids.
Vanz sat nearby with Daisy on his lap, reading to her while Melinda, already looking more relaxed, helped arrange silverware.
Ivy’s phone buzzed, and she answered. It was Emilie, saying they had just passed through the mountains and Summer Beach was in sight.
Emilie sounded mesmerized. “We’re enjoying a beautiful drive. The night is clear, and the stars are coming out over the ocean. We’ll see you soon.”
Ivy chatted with her and then hung up.
Bennett stopped beside her. “Was that Emilie?”
“They’re on their way. Not too far away now.”
“That’s a relief,” Bennett said. “It’s great seeing everyone here, isn’t it?”
An idea occurred to her. “Not quite everyone. I need to go to the shelter. It won’t take long. Remember the woman I told you about?”
Bennett kissed her forehead. “Let’s get our jackets.”
The harvest feast activities were taking on a life of their own, with Mitch directing the culinary endeavors. Poppy and Sunny were acting as hosts, while Shelly tended to the children.
“Quick, before anyone stops us,” Ivy said.
They slipped out the back door and took his vehicle.
Ivy clicked her seat belt and shoulder strap. “I don’t know if Adelina is still at the shelter, but with her connection to our house through her father, I have a strong feeling that she should be with us. I don’t think she has anyone else, and she’s grieving the loss of her husband.”
Bennett reached for her hand and kissed it. “We both know how that feels, don’t we? Your heart is in the right place.”
“I hope she’s not insulted that I didn’t invite her sooner. I wish I’d thought of it, but I knew the shelter was planning a feast.”
“You had a lot on your mind.”
In a few minutes, they arrived. Bennett parked in front of the shelter. Inside at the desk, they asked for Adelina.
“I don’t think she’s with us anymore,” the younger woman behind the counter said.
Ivy’s heart sank. “Do you know where she might have gone?”
“I’m sorry, no.” The volunteer shook her head and returned to her work.
They were just about to leave when Ivy glanced through an open door. She saw the other woman, sitting alone. “She’s here,” she cried.
The younger woman looked up. “Oh, you mean Addie. I’ll get her.”
When Adelina emerged, she looked pleasantly surprised. “I thought you’d be with your family.”
Ivy quickly explained. “Would you like to come to the inn for our harvest feast? It’s a little chaotic, but it’s turning out to be a lot of fun. And I would love for you to meet our friends. We also have an open guest room and would love to have you for the weekend.”
Bennett interjected, “I have to warn you, we have no power, but we have lanterns, candles, barbecue, and fireplaces.”
“It’s quite cozy,” Ivy added.
“What a generous offer,” Adelina said, happiness blooming on her face. “I appreciate your thinking of me, but this is rather sudden.”
Ivy touched her arm. “Art is often about the unexpected, isn’t it?”
The silver-haired woman smiled at that. “It won’t take me long to gather my things.”
After Adelina left, Bennett turned to Ivy. “This is one more reason why I love you.”
“I feel like she belongs with us this weekend. I want to show her the logs from the bunker and the photos we took. If her father kept those logs, they’ll have special meaning to her. Imagine if she recognizes his handwriting.”
“You’re a wonder.” He kissed her on the cheek.
Adelina returned with a small bag, and Bennett carried it for her. He helped her into his vehicle, and soon they were on their way.
When they arrived at the inn, the rooms were lit with lanterns and the glow of the fireplaces. Inside, Ivy introduced Adelina to her parents, thinking they might have things in common to talk about.
“My parents have just arrived,” Ivy said, leading her to where Carlotta and Sterling were seated by the fire.
Carlotta stood with an expression of surprise on her face. “Why, Adelina, how nice to see you. Sterling, you remember Adelina. We represented her glasswork and mosaics to some of the finest stores.”
Ivy was pleased they knew each other. Her parents were well known among artists for placing original arts and crafts with high-end department stores and galleries before they retired.
“You’ll have plenty of time to catch up,” Ivy said. “Adelina will be staying with us for a few days.” And in that time, she hoped they could figure out a way for the older woman to revive her career and leave the shelter.
Emilie and Tristan arrived shortly afterward with a wine bag, a selection of cheeses, and winter vegetables from their garden.
“This is part of our harvest,” Emilie said, handing Ivy a lovely gift bag.
“And how was the drive?” Bennett asked.
“Without glaring lights, except for other cars, everything is soft on the eyes,” Tristan said as he opened the wine and poured glasses for them and Ivy’s parents. “It reminds me of being in the country in France.”
Sunny came by with appetizers from the grill, offering stuffed mushrooms, zucchini, and shrimp on skewers.
People were sharing what they’d brought, and Ivy loved that. The food coming off the grills smelled delicious.
She introduced Emilie and Tristan to Adelina, and soon they were all talking about art glass. As Emilie described her blown glass chandelier of grapes and leaves, a smile grew on Adelina’s face. She brought out her phone and scrolled to her portfolio.
“This one?” The image shone against the flickering firelight.
“Why, that’s it,” Emilie exclaimed, moving closer.