“Hold still, I’m working on it.”
“Any spiders yet?”
“No. Oh, yuck.” He plucked something out and flicked it.
“What was that? Why didn’t you let me see what it was?” She shook her hands in despair.
“It was some sort of insect that was caught in the web. Don’t worry. It was long dead. Kind of crunchy.”
“No details, please.” She shuddered again.
“Hold still,” he said.
Shelly appeared in the foyer. “What’s going on here?”
“I got into a spider’s web behind the refrigerator. Bennett’s picking out the cobwebs.”
“Among other things,” Bennett added.
“Oh no, anything in my hair?” Shelly asked.
“Let me see.” Bennett peered at her hair.
Still bent over, Ivy glanced up. “Hey, remember me down here?”
“Oh, yeah. I think you’re all clear,” Bennett said. “But you should wash your hair as soon as you can.”
Ivy whipped back up and shook her hair. “I don’t need grooming tips from you.”
“You asked me to—”
“I know, and thank you,” Ivy replied, miffed at him for ignoring her the moment Shelly appeared. Her sister was younger and more beautiful, but for Pete’s sake, Ivy had spider webs and dead creatures in her hair.
“Our luggage, thank goodness.” Shelly clapped her hands.
“I got your message,” Bennett said to Ivy. “When I saw a car out front, I thought it might be yours.”
“Thanks,” Ivy said. “It’s good to have our clothes back.”
Bennett cast another appreciative glance over her. “You look nice, though. Really nice.”
Ivy’s hand shot to her cleavage. Had she been hanging out when she was doubled over? She was filled with embarrassment.
“Courtesy of our mother’s closet,” Shelly said.
“Your mother has exceptional taste,” Bennett said, shifting on his feet. He glanced back at Ivy, then reached toward her hair. “Wait, just one more…”
“What are you doing?” Reflexively, Ivy dodged his hand.
Bennett plucked something from her hair. “Got it. You really need to—”
“Wash my hair. I know,” Ivy said, tossing it back. The way he looked at her was uncomfortable, and her heart was already pounding from the thought of spiders. “Thanks for the luggage and everything.” She reached for the door.
“Wait,” Shelly cried. “Bennett, do you have any extra keys to the house?”
“I might. I’ll check Claire’s files. I believe there were some documents—and maybe a set of plans—that went with Las Brisas.”
“Guess what?” Shelly’s eyes flashed with excitement. “We’re calling it the Seabreeze Inn. Do you like it?”
“Inn?” Bennett asked, frowning. “You can’t run this as an inn.”
“And why not?” Ivy was growing perturbed with him. Why couldn’t he just leave the luggage and go?
“Because it’s not zoned for that. This is strictly a residential neighborhood.”
Ivy put her fists on her hips. “So who should I see about having that changed?”
Bennett hesitated for a moment, staring at her before he spoke as if he were weighing something in his mind. Finally, he said, “You’ll need a business license, too. Start at the treasury office and the zoning department at City Hall. It’s in the village.” Narrowing his eyes, he said, “I thought you planned on making this your home.”
“I am, but I have to do something with all this space to pay the property taxes,” Ivy said, exasperated at his inability to understand her dilemma. She spoke slowly to make her point. “If I don’t run this as an inn, I’ll lose the house to a tax sale.”
“Unless you make improvements and list it for sale again. Now that you’ve finally found time to see your property, I’m sure you can understand the problem I had in trying to market it all these months.”
Ivy drummed her fingers on her arms, anxious for him to leave. “I appreciate your advice, but I prefer to handle this property my way.”
“The zoning is there for a reason.” Bennett shook his head. “You’re just like your husband, aren’t you? Next you’ll want to tear down the house.”
“Okay, you two.” Shelly cut in, touching each of their shoulders. “Bennett, we’re so glad to get our bags. Hope to see you around town soon.”
“Or not.” Ivy held open the door and tapped her foot. What had she ever seen in him?
“Oh, you will,” Bennett said. “I can guarantee that. By the way, you’ll also need to transfer the utility bills into your name.”
After Bennett left, Ivy blew out a breath. “The nerve of that guy, thinking he should stick his nose into my business. That sounded like a threat, and I sure don’t need his uninformed opinion. Hope I never have to see him again.”
Shelly watched Bennett get into his SUV. “Think he’s right? About the zoning, I mean?”
Ivy slammed the door. That man was as full of himself as he had been when he was younger. “We’ll see about that. There are plenty of seaside inns up and down the coast of California. When I tell the zoning department about my plans, I’m sure they will approve the use.”
Chapter 7
FIRST THING IN the morning, Bennett strode into the Summer Beach City Hall and pushed through a door marked Planning and Zoning Department. A trim man with a thick thatch of silver hair and a fit, ramrod-straight physique even Bennett envied stood behind the desk tapping on a computer keyboard. Bennett rapped his knuckles on the counter.
“Hey Boz, I’ve got a heads-up for you.”
“Yeah, boss?” Boz finished typing and turned toward him, peering over his half glasses.
“Jeremy Marin’s widow just moved into Las Brisas.”
“About time. You’d been trying to reach her forever. Imagine having enough money that you don’t even care about a place like that.” Boz chuckled. “What’s her story?”
Bennett glanced around and lowered his voice. He didn’t want to be seen as gossiping, but the Las Brisas estate was a serious issue in the town. “She’s planning on running it as an inn.”
Boz shook his head. “Not zoned for that. Didn’t you tell her?”
“Like speaking to a rock. Couldn’t get through to her. Thought you should be ready for the hot-headed Mrs. Marin. She’s argumentative and opinionated. Expect a scene.”
“No worries, boss. I’ll set her straight. So, no luck on
