lifting a pot.
Shelly tucked her gardening boots under one arm and hoisted a pot. “I’ll return them when they’re healthy—if he agrees to follow my instructions.”
“You’re getting quite the reputation as a plant doctor.”
Shelly shifted the palm and laughed. “That’s all Nan’s doing. Ever since I rescued a couple of ailing plants at City Hall. You just have to figure out what each plant likes.”
They crossed the street and secured the pots in the back of the Jeep.
“Last stop for me is Java Beach,” Shelly said, brushing dirt from her hands.
“I’ll go in with you,” Ivy said. “I could use a cup of Mitch’s coffee before I dive into the nuts and bolts at Nailed It.” She patted her pocket. “I brought the gizmos I need replaced. Jen and George always seem to know what to do.” Jen was about her age, and she’d inherited the hardware shop from her father. Ivy always enjoyed seeing her.
They left the Jeep and walked the short way to Java Beach, nodding at familiar faces and visitors they passed. As the days grew warmer, tourists were trickling in, opening their beach houses and preparing for the summer ahead.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since we arrived,” Shelly said as they strolled past shops with open doors. “Although I loved New York when I lived there, that vibe seems a million miles away.”
“Our lives are different now,” Ivy said. “No more surprise spring snowstorms.”
“I don’t miss those,” Shelly said. “It’s funny, but I never thought Summer Beach would feel so much like home. And Mitch knows almost everyone. It’s like one big family.”
“And all the characters that come with that,” Ivy said, thinking about what the dry cleaner had said.
“Oh, it’s not so bad anymore. Especially since you tamed dragon-lady Darla.” Shelly chuckled. “I’ve been giving her some of our garden harvests, but I think she’s growing hard of hearing. I’ve called out to her a couple of times over the back fence, but she seemed like she didn’t hear me and went inside. I just leave the veggies on her doorstep.” She shrugged. “Maybe Mitch can suggest she have her hearing checked.”
Ivy’s neck prickled again, and she slid a hand across it. She couldn’t help but wonder which team Darla was on. Ivy decided she would bake some banana nut bread and take it to their neighbor. Mitch had said that was one of her favorite treats.
Shelly opened the door to Java Beach. “After you, big sister.”
Ivy stepped inside the coffee shop, which was fairly full this afternoon. Chatter rippled across the room, and beach reggae music played in the background. Old fishing nets hung from the ceiling, vintage Polynesian travels posters covered the walls, and the smell of roasted coffee and pastries filled the air.
“…two big-city girls, that’s all they are.”
Ivy hesitated. Snippets of a conversation floated from the other side of a thin bamboo screen in the entry.
“Swooped in to dazzle and steal our two most desirable bachelors.”
Sucking in a breath, Ivy froze.
“That young one is always showing off her long legs. Can’t blame Mitch for looking. But did you know she’s a lot older than him? A cougar, that’s what she is.”
“So I’ve heard. Mitch is young, but our mayor should know better. He needs to be with a younger woman who’ll give him another chance at having children. That’s all I’m saying.”
Shelly gave her a little push from behind. “Why are you waiting? Go in.”
As the women talked, rage surged through Ivy, elevating her blood pressure. It wouldn’t do Shelly any good to hear this kind of talk.
Ivy swung around and pressed a hand against Shelly’s shoulder. “Why don’t we go around back to the kitchen to see Mitch?” Her sister didn’t need to hear that conversation.
“You’re sure acting strange.” Shelly stepped past her and strode toward the counter, short strappy sundress and all.
“Wait a minute,” Ivy called, but Shelly marched on. Ivy winced and heaved a sigh. If her sister heard this, she’d be all over those women in a New York millisecond. It wouldn’t be pretty.
She peeked through a spot on the screen to see who was talking. She recognized three women from the village, but she didn’t know them.
Squinting, Ivy caught sight of a fourth woman. Her heart sank. Royal-blue hair, rhinestone visor.
Darla.
Their neighbor’s raspy voice rang out. “I told Mitch to keep looking for someone his age. That Shelly is just too big-city for him—all short skirts and yoga-schmoga. He’s just blinded by her