“They’re our iBnB guests. Very nice young couple. And quiet.”
“Humph.” Darla crossed her arms.
“Lots of people here rent rooms to guests,” Ivy said. “If we can’t, we’ll have to sell the house or lose it in a tax sale to a deep-pocketed developer. You know better than I what that means.”
“I fought your husband, and I can do it again.”
“But is that what you want? Wouldn’t you rather see people enjoying the home? I plan to teach art classes, Shelly is going to lead garden tours, and we’ll invite authors in to speak. We want to be part of the community and share this magnificent old home for years to come.”
Darla looked like she was considering her message, so Ivy pressed on, hoping she was making progress against a potential seismic upheaval at the open house.
“A lot of your friends will be there. Nan and Arthur from the antique shop, and Mitch from Java Beach.” Ivy remembered that he had spoken in her defense the first day they’d arrived.
“Maybe I’ll stop by.” Darla snatched the invitation from her hand.
“We’d sure like that. Since we’re neighbors—”
Darla slammed the door.
A dire warning stirred inside of her. Did that woman ever have a good day? If so, Ivy thought, please let it be the day of the open house.
Ivy continued knocking on neighbors’ doors. Shelly had selected another street. Finally, Ivy decided to visit Mitch at Java Beach. Although she still had some reservations, she wanted to make an effort. According to Bennett, Mitch had reformed, but then, Ivy had no idea about the details as to why he had served time in prison, aside from burglary. She hadn’t asked.
The coffee shop was busy, and Ivy waited in line. When Ivy stepped up to the counter, Mitch simply said, “What’ll it be?”
“Hey, Mitch. Coffee of the day, please. She took an invitation from her purse. “We’d like for you to come to our open house, see what we’ve done to it, and hear about plans for the future.”
“I’m pretty swamped.”
“And we were hoping you could provide coffee and pastries,” she quickly added. “For about 50 to 100.” Would Shelly be angry about this? She’d sure seemed happier around Mitch. That would be worth the cost.
“Well—”
“Good, it’s settled then.” Ivy beamed and opened her purse.
Mitch held up his hands. “I didn’t say I’d do it.”
Her eyes flicked across his pastry case. “Your cream cheese pastries are the best, everyone says so. I can’t believe you make them here.” She raised her eyes to his. She wasn’t above begging on behalf of her sister. “Please?”
He heaved a great sigh. “All right. But only if you’re sure Shelly is okay with this.”
“Of course. It was her suggestion.”
Mitch raised his brow.
“Well, I could tell that was what she was thinking, even if she wouldn’t say it.”
“I shouldn’t be doing this, but—”
“Thank you, Mitch.” Shelly would be livid when she found out, but Ivy hoped she’d eventually come around. What would her sister do—storm out in the middle of the open house? Ivy blew out a breath. Yes, she might.
Chapter 30
ADMIRING THE FRESH flowers that lined the walkway, Bennett climbed the steps to Las Brisas del Mar. Or, as the invitation Darla had given him referred to it, the Seabreeze house. Same meaning, fresh look, he supposed. His only interest was how their scheme would affect the community. He wouldn’t have even attended had it not been for Darla. Neither Ivy nor Shelly had actually invited him.
Which didn’t bother him in the least.
Not much, anyway.
At the top of the steps, Ivy stood greeting guests. She wore a soft pink sundress that fluttered around her legs. Her hair was lighter, probably lightened in the sun. This past week, he’d seen her walking on the beach in the morning, and he’d done his best to avoid her.
His gut tightened. Okay, maybe the lack of invitation bothered him more than a little. But he was the mayor, and he was bound to learn about this open house from his constituents. He figured he should hear about it firsthand.
When she saw him, she caught her breath. “Oh, you’re here.”
“Darla invited me.”
Ivy blinked. The light streaks in her hair framed her deep green eyes. “Darla’s inside.”
“Thanks,” he said, as anxious to tear his gaze from her face as she was to be rid of him. Yet everything about her drew him back. Her perfume was fresh and delicate, and her shoulders glowed with the sun’s kiss. For a split second, he imagined lifting a pink strap and kissing that shoulder. He opened his mouth to say something.
“Yes?” Ivy stared at him.
“I…” It was as if his brain had disconnected from his mouth. “I think you’ve done a good job on the flowers.”
“That was Shelly, but thanks.”
“Yeah. Well, you can tell her for me.” He winced at his ineptness. Good job. That’s what his sister used to say to Logan when he was a toddler. What was it about Ivy Bay that left him so tongue-tied?
“Tell her yourself,” Ivy said. “She’s right over there.” Swiftly, she turned away from him to greet another guest.
Bennett made his way through the sizeable crowd that had already gathered in the ballroom, which had been redesigned with smaller groups of antique chairs anchored with rugs and a bevy of plants. The sisters had talent. He had to give credit where it was due.
Catching snippets of conversation around him, it was clear that guests were curious about the plans for the estate, while others were eager to learn more about the stolen art saga. Others, like Darla, were concerned about the traffic and noise an inn would bring to Summer Beach. As usual, everyone had an opinion.
Scanning the crowd, Bennett saw Nan and Arthur, who were admiring the antiques. The owner of Blossoms, Imani, was laughing with Shelly. Jen and George, the couple who owned Nailed It, were talking to Flint Bay. Beside him, Bennett noticed other Bay family members, including Ivy’s
