Chapter 3
“I THOUGHT YOU needed to sell the house,” Bennett said, shifting his weight from one foot to another.
“What I need is income.” Ivy felt dazed at the decision she’d just made to move into the house. Ideas were whizzing through her mind like comets, and she hadn’t felt this alive in a long time. Maybe that’s why her pulse kicked up a notch every time he spoke.
Ivy gave him a dismissive smile. “Thank you, Bennett, but we’ll call a ride.” She drew her phone from her purse. She had just enough battery power left. She tapped a ride-share app that she’d used from the airport. There was a car two minutes away. Perfect. Two minutes and she’d never have to see Bennett again.
He stood gaping at her. “If you can’t afford the upkeep, why would you move in?”
“Why not? Looks like a good cleaning and a few plants are all it needs. We can do that.” Ivy could hardly believe the words coming out of her mouth, but after she’d spoken, the idea sounded entirely plausible to her. Why was she paying rent to crowd herself into a professor’s extra bedroom when she owned all this lovely space? “I’m taking Las Brisas off the market.”
Shelly stared at her with rounded eyes. “I thought you needed to sell the house to pay the property taxes. And buy your condo.”
“Bennett couldn’t sell it, and he doesn’t think it’s going to sell anytime soon,” Ivy said, anxious to get on with her plan. “As for the tax situation, I have other ideas.”
Shaking his head, Bennett dropped the keys into Ivy’s outstretched hand and shoved on his sunglasses. “Call me when you change your mind.”
“I won’t.” Ivy spied their ride-share car easing to the curb. “But thank you for everything.” Eager to leave, she rushed to the car and slid into the back seat. Shelly followed her.
Bennett swung into his SUV and left.
Sighing with relief, Ivy watched his taillights dim in the review mirror before leaning toward the driver, a young man with an awkward cowlick who was nervously checking his phone. “Hi, we’re heading to—”
“No, you have to get out,” the young man cried. “My wife—she just went into labor. I’m sorry, call another ride. I have to go. We’re having a baby!”
“Okay,” Ivy said. She and Shelly slid out. “Hurry, but drive carefully,” she called back at the nervous young man.
“Are you feeling all right?” Shelly asked.
“Sure, why?”
“What’s this about moving into…what’s it called?”
“Las Brisas. Spanish for sea breezes.”
“That’s easier to remember,” Shelly said. “Like the cocktail. But are you serious?”
“I am.” Trying to regain her usual efficient balance, Ivy tapped her phone. “I’ll get another car.” Her phone blinked, then powered down. Pressing her fingers to her temple, she said, “Shelly, I need your phone. I forgot my portable charger.”
“Mine’s dead, too.” Shelly angled her head toward Bennett’s SUV, which was now a distant speck on the road. “And there goes our luggage. I could use one of those Sea Breezes now.”
Ivy smacked her forehead. “How could I have forgotten?” She was the Great Organizer, the one who remembered every detail, who’d packed a family of four for a month’s vacation on Nantucket and didn’t forget even a band-aid. “I just wanted to get away from Bennett.”
“I thought he was nice. What’s up with you two?”
“If you have to know, I used to have a crush on him. He surfed with a friend of mine one summer.”
“And?”
“And nothing.” Ivy shrugged. “I don’t think he ever knew I existed. Well, except for one time.” And that heartbreak had been her first, though nothing in comparison to her husband’s death. She shook her hair back. No, Bennett Dylan was nothing more than an irritant. And that’s all.
Shelly stared at her with an incredulous look on her face. “Twenty-five, almost thirty years ago, right?”
“About that.” Still, how could such old, forgotten emotions have lain dormant all these years?
Standing at the curb, Shelly spread her hands. “What’s gotten into you? You’re supposed to be the sane one.”
“And look where that’s gotten me.” Ivy plopped onto the low stone wall in front of the house. Looking up at the forlorn old house, she began laughing.
Shaking her head, Shelly sat next to her. “I think the champagne has gone to your head. Did you win the lottery? Because otherwise, I have no idea how you’re going to come up with the money for your property taxes.”
“I’ll figure it out.” Ivy pushed aside her thoughts of Bennett. Except for getting their luggage back, she was finished with him. She poked her sister in the ribs. “Come on, you can stay as long as you like. Tell Ezzra you’re helping me clean house.”
At the mention of Ezzra’s name, Shelly folded her arms. “That’s exactly what I need to do—starting with Ezzra. I’ve let this one-sided commitment go on far too long.”
Ivy slid her arm around her, thankful that Shelly was seeing the truth of her relationship with Ezzra now. “There’s the fearless girl I’ve always loved.”
Shelly tapped her forehead against Ivy’s. “What have I been afraid of for so long?”
“Being left alone. Same as me. But better to be alone than to be with someone who doesn’t respect you.” Ivy looped her arms around Shelly. “What made you change your mind?”
Sniffing, Shelly leaned against her. “You did. Seeing how independent you’ve become after Jeremy’s death—even when things didn’t go your way. You inspire me.” Her voice cracking, she added, “If you can overcome challenges on your own, so can I.”
“I’m not perfect.” Ivy dug a tissue packet from her purse and handed it to her sister.
“Perfect is overrated.” Shelly took a tissue out. “I just wanted to have a baby before it’s too late. Did you know that when women over thirty-five
