who was now opening a beach cafe, to make healthy meals. Although Lillian favored Eleanor in appearance, Lillian was friendly and relaxed. People gravitated toward her. Ivy understood why Rachel had a better relationship with her aunt than her mother.
Rachel stared at her tea. “Since my mom and dad are divorced, I know my mother is going to make my dad uncomfortable. She didn’t want him to come to the wedding, but I insisted. At least my stepdad is cool with it. He’s nice, but he’s more like a grandpa to me. My mom must amuse him in some weird way. She’s always been self-centered; I just didn’t realize it until I grew up.”
Ivy’s heart went out to the young woman. “So that’s why your last name is different. If I had recognized your mother’s name, I could have warned you.”
“Well, it’s done now.” Rachel gave her a shy smile. “I never thanked you for bringing that basket of goodies to my room.”
“I hope it helped.”
“It did. I felt so queasy, but the crackers and tea settled my stomach. Could I ask you a few more questions?”
The block of ice in the refrigerator was dripping slowly, so Ivy would have to wait for it anyway. “I’m happy to help if I can,” Ivy said, refilling Rachel’s tea.
The younger woman went on, asking questions about how long morning sickness lasted and how long Ivy had been in labor, among other things. Rachel should have been comfortable asking her mother these questions, but Ivy was happy to help put her at ease.
Finally, Rachel rose. “I’d better see Shelly before I leave. But I’ll be back in a few weeks for the wedding.” She smiled. “Thanks for the tea and the talk. I’m happy the wedding will be here, and I know Topper will like it, too. I guess I should thank Mom for that, even though it was really Aunt Lillian.”
“I’m sure your mother has your best interest at heart.” Ivy couldn’t imagine otherwise.
Rachel paused in the doorway. “Maybe. Way, way down in her heart somewhere—I hope.”
“I look forward to meeting Topper soon, too.”
“You’ll love him,” Rachel said, her face glowing. “Everyone does.”
Ivy watched Rachel go, thinking about how young she was to be making such important decisions in her life.
And yet, regardless of age, marriage was always a leap of faith.
“Turn the wheels a little more to the right.” Ivy stood at the rear of her parents’ garage, guiding Shelly as she backed the old Jeep inside.
Their mother had asked them to bring the larger vehicle today because she wanted to send special items home with them for storage. Ivy’s parents had already leased their house for the duration of their round-the-world sail. The new tenant would be moving in soon.
Ivy held up her hands. “That’s it. Stop.”
Shelly stepped out of the car and slid the keys into the pocket of her faded jeans. “I still can’t believe you booked that wedding.”
“Aren’t you glad to have the business?”
“I know we need the money, but I’m only going to deal with you and Rachel. Don’t subject me to Momzilla. Eleanor is all yours.”
Ivy opened the door to the airy breezeway between the garage and the Spanish Revival-style house where they’d grown up. “Rachel deserves the wedding she wants. Did she tell you what kind of flowers she wants?”
“Not exactly,” Shelly said, following her. “She asked me what I like, so I showed her photos of some of my favorite arrangements on my phone. She said that was fine.”
“Then I’ll tell Eleanor that’s what Rachel decided on.”
“She’d better not find fault with it—it’s my best work,” Shelly said. “I wish I could afford that for my wedding.” As they approached the house, she added, “I wonder what Mom has for us?”
“She mentioned old family photos,” Ivy replied. “She doesn’t trust putting cherished mementos into storage. A friend of hers had put everything they owned into one of those units while they were relocating, and the entire storage facility burned to the ground.”
Shelly made a face. “I’m not sure the inn isn’t a fire hazard, too.”
“Don’t even say that,” Ivy said, holding up a finger in warning. “Especially after what we spent on fire alarms, carbon monoxide sensors, and electrical upgrades.”
After a near fiasco last Christmas with actor Rowan Zachary, who had torched a wreath in the ballroom during an event, Ivy spent quite a lot to ensure guest safety.
“Maybe we ought to ban Rowan Zachary from the property,” Shelly said. “He almost drowned