“As soon as we open our doors, and rooms are rented, I plan to join a gym, or at least start taking power walks on the beach.” She had to start exercising again—if not to lose weight, at least to tone up what she had.
“Why wait until then?” Shelly asked. “Before I write my blog in the morning, I do half an hour of yoga. Join me, or we can walk on the beach. You’ll be much more energized.”
“Start waking me when you get up.” Recalling the exercise-related adrenaline and endorphin rush she’d always enjoyed, Ivy told herself she was going to start with a morning beach walk. Maybe she’d find inspiration for her painting, too.
Ivy decided it was time she started embracing life again, and a brisk walk in the morning would lift her spirits. She used to do that when she was younger. Where had the years gone?
By the time they returned to the house, it was time to dress for the party, since Carlotta had insisted that they arrive early. Outside, the dark sedan was still at its post. As they walked inside, Ivy’s nerves were on edge, and Shelly was quieter than usual.
“I’m sure all Mom’s friends will come,” Shelly said.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Ivy asked.
“About Mom’s health?”
Ivy nodded.
“You usually worry enough for both of us, but I’m concerned, too.” Shelly shut the door behind them and touched Ivy’s arm. “We’ll face this together. All of us, as a family.”
Ivy hugged her sister, thankful that they’d made up. “I can’t wait to see Honey and Gabe, too.”
“Gabe’s been good for Honey.” Shelly blinked hard, and her gaze drifted away. “Maybe someday I’ll find a good guy like him. How do you know at the beginning?”
“A feeling, I guess.” Ivy knew she was thinking not about Ezzra, but about Mitch. “And maybe a background check.”
Shelly rolled her eyes. “For sure. You’d think I’d know better, having lived in New York all this time.”
“There’ll be others.”
“That’s the problem,” Shelly said as she started up the stairs. “There always are. But I only want The One, wherever the heck he is.”
Ivy nodded. How well she understood. Brightening, she said, “Maybe he’ll be at the party tonight.”
Chapter 22
WHEN IVY AND Shelly arrived at their parents’ home, Honey greeted them at the door. “Here we all are, together at last. It’s so good to see you.” Tears of happiness glistened in her eyes. “I hear the two of you are sharing the house and opening it up to guests.”
“We are,” Ivy said, feeling good that she had positive news to share now. Yet her concern over their mother had escalated even more on the drive over. “Before we see Mom, do you have any idea what this closed meeting is about?”
“No more than you,” Honey said. Worry lines scored her usually smooth skin. “She’s been quite secretive.”
The three sisters sauntered inside, where their family was gathered in the main living area. The sliding pocket doors were pushed back, opening an entire wall to the outside. Many family members had spilled outside onto the patio where the late afternoon temperature was mild.
Ivy spotted Gabe talking to their brothers Flint and Forrest, while the young cousins milled about. She could see Angela and Tabitha, the twins’ wives, chatting in the kitchen. Poppy and her sisters Coral and Summer were catching up with Honey’s daughter Elena, who had driven from Los Angeles. She had short, sassy hair and a blue diamond twinkling in a nose piercing. At Elena’s side was an attractive man, and Ivy wondered who he was. Through the open doors, Ivy saw their brother Flint’s children, Skyler, Blue, Jewel, and Sierra, who were listening to music outside and talking.
Ivy glanced around, searching for their parents. She caught sight of her mother and father on the upper deck outside of their bedroom. They were holding hands and speaking softly to each other. Ivy watched as her father cradled her mother’s face, and she rested her head on his shoulder.
Ivy had seen this natural movement between her parents so many times in her life, but today, it filled her with emotion. She was pleased they were still together, though their easy companionship only reinforced her loneliness.
Beside her, Shelly watched them and sighed. “Can’t say we didn’t have good role models.”
“All these years and they’re still together,” Ivy said. “Now I realize how lucky they are.”
“It’s not just luck,” Honey said, following her gaze and slinging her arms over her sisters’ shoulders.
With their arms around each other, the three sisters watched their parents from below.
Ivy let out a sigh. Their parents kissed, then Sterling draped his arm across Carlotta’s shoulder. It might have been a romantic scene from a movie, or one of the great love affairs of all time. The song about Bogart and Bacall sprang to mind. “They’ve really had it all, haven’t they?”
“A great life,” Honey whispered.
Ivy had always thought that she and Jeremy would grow old together like her parents. She’d once looked forward to a time when she and her husband would have the freedom to travel together or putter about a garden. Not that they’d actually had a garden, but they might’ve bought a little country house. When Misty and Sunny were young, they’d talked about what they’d do after the girls had finished college.
Yet after the girls graduated, Jeremy no longer talked about the future. She was the only one talking—he would listen for a while and then change the subject. While she was dreaming of their future together, Jeremy had acted on his own dream.
Ivy pursed her lips. Now, she and Shelly were the beneficiaries of his dream, and she was determined to make it a success.
And she would. She was ready for a new phase in her life. In every way. She wondered what her daughters would think about the changes she was making. She’d left messages—Are you okay? Call me. Usually, she
