“Hallelujah!” Sterling bellowed, thrusting his fist into the air while the family cheered.
This was only the first drop. Ivy watched as the plane circled around to reload. A long night stretched ahead of them all.
As the moon rose in the sky, the Bay family continued to keep watch on the property and on all those within the walls of the Seabreeze Inn.
Though she was relieved, Ivy wondered about how Bennett and Mitch were faring. She was concerned that they were so close to the fire. The danger of a wind-whipped tornado of fire worried her; too many firefighters had perished in such circumstances.
Still, she and her family were facing down dangers here, too. She couldn’t let her mind drift; she could only pray that Bennett and Mitch were safe.
Chapter 33
A FEW HOURS later, tired and bedraggled, the family tromped into the house. They’d heard from a neighbor that the fire was contained, though it would still burn throughout the night. Since the wind had decreased, the most pressing danger that would cause the fire to spread had subsided.
Ivy slumped onto a stool in the kitchen. It was almost midnight now, and looking at her clothing, she began to laugh. The sundress she’d taken such pains to iron was a soggy, ash-streaked mess that reeked of smoke. “What a grand opening party this turned out to be.”
“But we’re still standing,” Shelly said, giving her a high five.
Her father and brothers and the nephews were stepping out of soggy shoes that had once been nice, too. Sterling chuckled at the sight. “Ivy and Shelly always did know how to throw memorable parties.”
“I think we’re out of the crushed ice we bought for the party,” Ivy said. She was exhausted, and her shoulder throbbed with pain. The rigid end of the palm frond had slammed onto her harder than she’d realized. “My shoulder is a wreck. Any ice cubes left in Gert or Gertie?”
“I don’t know, but I sure could use a stiff Sea Breeze now.” Shelly rubbed soot from her eyes. Ash streaks crisscrossed her face like hash marks.
“I’m on it,” Poppy said. She opened the freezer and pulled out a couple of antique, silver-toned ice trays. Staring at them for a moment, she said, “I have no idea how to work these contraptions, but there’s ice in there if we can knock it out.”
“You kids are so techy you forget how to work things,” Carlotta said. With a swift jerk on the handle, the ice jolted from the tray. “See?”
“Impressive,” Poppy said. “And after seeing you and Gramps in action tonight against the fire, I guess we shouldn’t be worried about you two sailing around the world.”
“Tell that to my daughters,” Ivy said, accepting a bundle of ice wrapped in a dishtowel from her mother. She eased it onto her shoulder, shivering from the intense cold.
“Will they visit soon?” Carlotta asked.
“Not likely,” Ivy replied.
Poppy brightened. “I saw Misty’s opening night photos on social media. And Sunny’s still globetrotting.”
Ivy looked around at her disheveled family. “Take a photo. We need to show them how much fun we’re having out here.” Around her, the weary family burst out laughing, partly in relief from the stress of the day. They flung their arms around each other while Poppy snapped a few photos.
Shelly made a face. “Since we put our first guests to work saving Darla’s house, I guess we shouldn’t charge them.”
Ivy wiped tears of laughter from her streaked face. “What a great investment this place is turning out to be.”
“Hey, we’re just getting started,” Shelly shot back. “And already we have a full house. Think of the reviews we could get.”
They were still laughing from sheer stress and exhaustion when Bennett and Mitch walked in. Both men were covered in soot and grime. Bennett made his way toward Ivy.
“Hey,” Mitch said, his voice somber. “Did as much as we could up there on the ridge. On the way back, I realized I left my phone here. Anyone see an extra one?”
“Here it is. I was wondering who this belonged to,” Poppy said, scooping up his phone and handing it back to him.
“Thanks,” he said, trying to catch Shelly’s eye.
“You look like you could use something cold to drink,” Shelly said. She spun off the stool and hurried toward the fridge.
Ivy couldn’t help but wonder where that relationship might go. She turned her attention to Bennett, who also looked exhausted. His shoulders were slumped, and his eyes were bloodshot.
Ivy put down the ice pack on the counter. “How’s your home?” she asked Bennett, touching his hand.
He ran an ash-streaked hand through his sooty hair and exhaled. “Going to need a lot of repair.” His voice sounded even deeper and more gravelly. “Smoke damage is pretty bad, but the house is still standing. Can’t say as much for my garage. The palm trees went up in flames, and the fire jumped to the garage.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Ivy said. “Do you think you’ve lost much?”
“I’m insured. Photos are digital. I needed new clothes anyway.” He shrugged. “Life is so much more important than things.”
That was something they both understood.
Her father interjected, “Any homes lost?”
“Three,” Bennett said. “Everyone made it out, thank goodness. We even got the pets to safety.”
“Got a place to stay tonight?” Flint asked.
Looking lost, Bennett shrugged. “I’ll find a motel or something—”
“Absolutely not,” Shelly cut in. “You’ll stay here with us.”
Poppy piped up. “We’ve got a full house, but I saved a room for you. Thought you might need it, though I’m sorry that you do.” To Ivy, she added, “It’s a room near yours, Ivy. His name is on the door.”
A spark of gratitude lit Bennett’s dull eyes. “Really appreciate it. I’m in desperate need of a shower.”
“Ditto,” Ivy said, twisting up a corner of her mouth. They were both weary, and their clothes and hair were
