but that was the biggest thing that had happened here in a while. Except for when Jeremy Marin sued the city. That sure got everyone’s attention, and so did his girl—”
“About the clothes I dropped off,” Ivy said, interrupting. “Are they ready?”
“Oh, sure.” Louise’s face flushed. “Look at me, standing here yammering as if I were a gossip hound, which I’m not. No, ma’am. I’m on—”
“My team,” Ivy said. Thank goodness for small favors, she thought. There were few secrets in Summer Beach—and even fewer who could keep them, it seemed. Yet, if that were the only downside to living here, Ivy could manage that.
Louise disappeared. A few moments later, she emerged from the long clothing rack with Ivy’s order draped over her arm. She hung it on a clothes rack by the cash register and beamed. “Since these are old and delicate, I steamed and spot cleaned them by hand. I think I did some of my finest work. I hope you’re happy with it.”
Ivy lifted the plastic covering and was impressed. Louise had taken special care of the delicate fabric. “You did a beautiful job. Why, these pieces almost look new.” The silk shimmered, and the lace looked fresh.
“It’s a shame that this won’t fit you or Shelly. Are you sure your sister wouldn’t wear a mid-calf length?”
“Shelly has her heart set on a long dress.” Ivy touched the length of lace that Louise had folded over the hanger. It was a shame that neither she nor Shelly could wear this.
Ivy stared at the dress, trying to envision a restyling of some sort. “Say, I have an idea.” She picked up a pencil on the counter and sketched an idea on a notepad imprinted with a laundry basket and a swimsuit.
“Do you think you could do something like this?” Ivy asked.
Louise studied the drawing and nodded. “That would be pretty. I’ll see what I can do. Of course, I’ll need measurements.”
“I’ll call you with them later,” Ivy said.
She walked out of the Laundry Basket, smiling at what she had in mind. Checking her watch, she saw she still had a little time before meeting Megan at the Starfish Café. Ivy had brought Amelia Erickson’s trousseau log with her to share.
Strolling along Main Street to her car, Ivy passed several local shops. A few owners were outside chatting, and Ivy noticed that some conversations paused as she passed. Were others dividing up between Team Darla and Team Ivy and Shelly? She wondered.
As Ivy neared Antique Times, the shop that Nan and her husband Arthur ran, she saw a sign on the front door saying they would be back in ten minutes.
Like many of the Summer Beach shopkeepers, when Arthur and Nan stepped away from the store, they simply hung out a sign that invited shoppers to come back later. During the day, Nan served as the receptionist at City Hall. She joined Arthur in the late afternoon and on weekends.
Ivy was wondering if she should wait or go when she saw Arthur ambling along the sidewalk. His Hawaiian print shirt was right on brand for Summer Beach. She lifted her hand in greeting.
“What brings you out today?” Arthur asked, his English accent evident. “With such beautiful weather, I should think the inn would be quite busy by now. Can you be spared?”
“Our reservations have picked up,” Ivy said. “But Shelly and Poppy are watching the inn.” She hesitated. “Do you have time for a question?”
“Of course. Please come in.”
She followed Arthur into the quaint shop. “I’ve been hearing talk about Team Darla versus Team Ivy and Shelly. Do you know anything about this?”
Surprised, Arthur coughed into his hand. “Don’t let that bother you. It’s nothing but people having too much time on their hands.”
“I’m concerned about the effect it might have on Shelly and Mitch.” Although Ivy didn’t like the gossip about her and Bennett, she was more concerned about her sister. Mitch still hadn’t committed to a date—even after they’d received their marriage license. Although Ivy was hopeful, with each passing day, Mitch seemed to become more nervous.
Darla’s actions certainly weren’t helping matters.
Ivy spoke directly. “What can I do to bring Darla to our team? After all, once Shelly and Mitch are married, Darla will practically be an in-law. You know how close she and Mitch are.”
“That is a problem,” Arthur said, taking off his glasses to clean them. “Have you thought of involving her in the wedding festivities?”
“Shelly has been reaching out to share herbs and vegetables