about to be your de facto mother-in-law.”
“Not if she can help it,” Shelly said. “I’m being sabotaged from the inside.”
“No, you’re not.” Mitch took Shelly in her arms. “I hate that they hurt you. I’ll make it very clear to Darla that Team Mitch and Shelly are a package deal. She won’t see me without you. She’ll come around.” He tilted her chin. “Will that work?”
Shelly thought for a moment before nodding. “Thanks for stepping in to defend me.”
Bennett put his arm around Ivy. “Mitch will take care of this situation. Java Beach is gossip headquarters. It probably started there—so, he can end it there. He’ll look after Shelly, and I’ll look after you.”
“That’s right,” Mitch said. “No one talks smack about my girlfriend—or her sister—and gets away with it. Although you two took pretty good care of yourselves without us.”
Bennett kissed Ivy’s cheek. “You can be quite formidable. But let your guys help you this time. Mitch and I know the people in Summer Beach pretty well. In fact, it took folks a while to accept Mitch.”
“And that was only because of you,” Mitch added. “I was just some lone surfer dude to them.”
Bennett shook his head. “You’re an entrepreneur who serves up a lot more than coffee and pastries. You make people feel good, lighter and happier. That’s a gift, my friend.”
Ivy gazed up at Bennett. “You don’t have to rescue us.”
“I’m aware of that,” Bennett said. “But in a partnership, we share the load, right?”
“In that case, I appreciate it.” Ivy seemed quick to understand. They were working their way toward the ultimate partnership—that’s how he looked at marriage.
Bennett brushed a stray strand of hair caught in the wind from her face. Every day, he felt like more of a partner to Ivy. She was smart and highly capable, though he suspected she might still harbor vestiges of self-doubt—likely sown for years by the overbearing Jeremy. Yet Ivy had certainly proven herself here in Summer Beach. And for that reason, he was even more disturbed by what villagers were saying about her. He’d talk to Nan tomorrow.
Mitch grinned and gestured toward the red snapper and rockfish resting on a platter. “Enough of that. Who’s hungry?”
Shelly managed a smile and nodded.
Ivy looked at the seared tuna. “Smells delicious.”
They brought the food to a table on the terrace that had an expansive view of the ocean. The tide was going out, and the ocean was calm tonight. Eager to shift the mood and enjoy the meal they’d prepared, Bennett drew in a deep breath of feel-good ions that surrounded the sea. Gazing out, he saw shorebirds skittering along the water’s edge, pecking the sand as the waves swept out to reveal what lay beneath.
Bennett paused to watch the waves guided by gravitational pull, considering that as the social tides in Summer Beach shifted, so too were problems uncovered. As a leader in the community, he would have to address these issues. Left to fester, a rotting core could damage that same proverbial apple.
Turning from the beach and his troubling thoughts, Bennett scooped an assortment of fish onto his plate, along with Mitch’s condiments. “Looks like a new salsa tonight.”
“I’ve been experimenting,” Mitch said as he opened and poured the wine. He had made a spicy Cajun sauce and tropical fruit salsa for the fish.
Bennett was often amazed at Mitch’s creativity with food. The younger man had plenty of skills that came so naturally, he didn’t think they were special. And he was still young. Mitch had already done well, and an even brighter future loomed.
“Here’s to happy times ahead,” Bennett said, lifting his glass and touching it to others.
As everyone ate, Bennett shifted the conversation to more pleasant topics surrounding upcoming summer events. He asked Ivy if she and Shelly planned to host another art show this summer, and they chatted about their plans. The conversation veered to Independence Day, and Mitch wanted everyone to come on his boat for the annual coastal cruise.
Ivy glanced at Bennett. “This seared tuna is delicious. You added just the right amount of lime and sesame seeds.” She turned to Mitch. “And the salsa is amazing. Papaya, pineapple, and mango with a spicy kick to it. It’s fabulous on the snapper.”
“Might be good to serve at a wedding,” Bennett said to Ivy with a wink. He savored the last bite of his seared tuna. If he ate any more, he’d have to do a much longer run in the morning.
Ivy caught his gaze