more space there, he’d grown lonely. While he’d tried to alleviate that feeling by filling his hours with work, he missed having a partner in his life.
He hadn’t wanted to settle for just anyone. He’d held out for the perfect woman for him, and that was Ivy.
“I’ll cover them with foil until the fish is ready,” Ivy said, her eyes glittering like rare emeralds in the firelight. She held up a large platter.
“Thanks for making these,” Bennett said as he plucked the charbroiled skewers from the grill. Portobello mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and zucchini were spaced between garlic cloves and sweet Maui onion slices. Ivy had drizzled the vegetables with olive oil and seasoned them with rosemary and oregano from Shelly’s garden.
“It was easy,” Ivy said, leaning into him. “I love making supper like this.”
“So do I.” Bennett loved everything about tonight, but most of all, he loved Ivy. Ever since she’d come back into his life—their teenage crush hardly mattered now—she’d occupied his mind and heart every day. If someone had told him a year ago that he would be marrying the widow of his worst nightmare client, he never would have believed it.
“How long will the fish take?” Ivy asked.
“Just a few minutes for the tuna.” Bennett picked up a plate of thickly sliced bluefin tuna brushed with olive oil. “I’m searing these a couple of minutes on each side. They cook fast on a hot grill.”
Standing beside him and managing the other half of the broad grill was Mitch. He looked up. “The red snapper and rockfish are almost ready.” Mitch had taken great care to prepare the whole snapper for the grill. Rockfish fillets filled a long-handled wire basket positioned over another part of the barbecue. “This grill was a great investment.”
“Makes the place seem more like home,” Bennett said. “We can use it for guests, too.”
“The barbecue was a complete surprise.” Ivy smiled up at Bennett. “I appreciate it so much. I didn’t know you were such a good cook.”
“Everyone has to eat,” Bennett said, modestly deflecting her praise, though he enjoyed hearing it.
He’d been making a few additions to make the inn more comfortable for them. The new barbecue grill where he could cook for Ivy and her family, as well as patio furniture for his balcony so he and Ivy could share a glass of wine in private at the end of the day—these touches brought them together.
Bennett assumed he and Ivy would live at the inn for now, since Shelly would move out and Sunny was still living here. They hadn’t figured out if they would share Ivy’s master bedroom in the main house or his apartment above the garage. He didn’t know if she’d want to be closer to guests or if she’d prefer some distance.
Ivy kissed his cheek. “I’ll check on that salad Shelly is making in the kitchen.”
As soon as Ivy was out of earshot, Mitch cleared his throat. “Thanks for making that call for me. I appreciate the referrals.”
“Did you follow up with any of the therapists?”
“I’ve got an appointment tomorrow.”
Bennett nodded, impressed with Mitch’s actions. “Good man. Go with an open mind. Have you said anything to Shelly?”
“Not yet.” He nodded toward the kitchen. “But I’m doing this for her.”
“And for you,” Bennett added. “I think you’re long overdue.” He adjusted the flame on the gas grill. “How is the heat on your side?”
“Just fine,” Mitch replied, shifting the basket of rockfish filets to a cooler part of the grill. “Did you hear about what happened between Darla and Ivy and Shelly today?”
“No. Better fill me in.”
Mitch tested the snapper with a fork before taking a half step back. “I was in the kitchen this afternoon when I heard a commotion in the dining area. I came out to find Shelly and Darla going at each other, and then Ivy jumped in to defend Shelly.”
“As sisters do,” Bennett said, grinning. He liked the fact that Ivy and Shelly—the entire Bay family, actually—looked after each other.
“This isn’t funny,” Mitch shot back. “Darla has been talking a lot of smack about Shelly—Ivy, too—and she’s got people taking sides.”
“Talking smack?”
“Yeah, smack means being critical behind someone’s back. Sorry, I forgot you’re an old man.”
Bennett punched Mitch in the arm. “I know what it means, and I’m not that old.” He looked at Mitch as a younger brother. “Maybe Darla feels threatened by the attention you’ve been giving Shelly. She might think she’s going to lose you. Have you talked to her