From the way you describe your plans, I know they’re going to be spectacular.”
“If Rachel only remembers one thing about her wedding, it’s going to be the floral extravaganza.” Shelly winked at her sister. “I’m really good at what I do.”
A smile played on Mitch’s lips, and Shelly swatted him on the arm. “Don’t even say it.”
Mitch’s eyes widened with innocence. “Say what?”
Watching the banter between them, Ivy laughed. Surely they could find their way through the forest of doubt to the place where their souls could fully unite. Each one of them deserved happiness, and Ivy truly thought they were happier together.
She had never seen Shelly so much in love, and this time, it was a mature love. A love for the rest of her life. It disturbed Ivy to think this chance for happiness might slip away from them. What was it that Bennett had said to her on the drive home from the vineyard? Let Mitch work it out by himself. He’ll come around.
It was all Ivy could do to keep her opinion to herself. She had to trust Bennett’s judgment. If she said the wrong thing, it might drive Mitch even farther away. Ivy raked her teeth over her bottom lip. What, if anything, did Darla have to do with his hesitation?
As the week wore on, Shelly and Poppy tended to the decorations and supplies for Rachel’s wedding. Ivy only wished that the excitement she saw in Shelly’s eyes was for her wedding day instead of someone else’s.
The time for their parents’ departure was also drawing closer, and although Ivy was happy for them, she could hardly bear to say goodbye. Carlotta and Sterling were going to write regular posts on their voyage to keep everyone updated on their whereabouts and adventures. Ivy had invited all the siblings and their children to gather at the inn for a send-off party after the York wedding.
Ivy still wished that Shelly and Mitch could somehow get married before their parents left. But now it was too late to plan the wedding Shelly would have liked. They were all consumed with Rachel’s wedding.
In the kitchen, Ivy removed two loaves of banana nut bread from the oven. This morning, she had devised a plan, although she hadn’t told anyone about it. Banana nut bread was Darla’s weakness, and Ivy meant to exploit that. Shelly would not be happy if she knew what Ivy was doing. Nor would Bennett.
Yet Ivy could no longer sit idly by and do nothing while Shelly might miss out on the wedding she’d dreamed of for so many years. If Ivy couldn’t talk to Mitch, there was still something she could do about Darla. And maybe, just maybe, the two issues were somehow related.
While Ivy waited for the bread to cool, her phone rang.
“Hi, Eleanor,” Ivy said, automatically pulling her Eleanor-to-do list from her pocket. “Yes, we have rooms reserved for family members. Here is who we have so far.”
Ivy read off the names on the list. Most were checking in the morning of the wedding, which was being held on a Friday evening when the pastor they wanted to use would be available.
“I wish you had suites for everyone,” Eleanor said, fretting over the phone. “Churchill’s family is accustomed to fine accommodations. As you know, they’re related to royalty.”
This was Eleanor’s familiar refrain. “The rooms are spacious, and I promise that we will shower them with attention to ensure their comfort. But I can’t conjure suites out of thin air. We have what we have, Eleanor.”
The woman sighed. “I suppose it’s just for one night.”
“They won’t be languishing in the room for long. The wedding will be a magical affair. Shelly is outdoing herself with the floral arrangements, and the musicians have your musical request list.” Ivy had asked Celia, who sponsored the music program at Summer Beach schools, to recommend musicians, which she had. “There will be delicious food, dancing, and revelry long into the night. We’re doing everything we can to make it a wonderful, memorable weekend.”
Eleanor was tightly wound today, but Ivy assumed that pre-wedding jitters were normal. Glancing at her list, she went over final arrangements for the cake, photography, menu, and other incidentals.
“One more thing,” Eleanor said. “Where will people park?”
“We have plenty of street parking available.” Yet even as Ivy said that she knew it was going to be a problem.
“We must have valet parking. After all, Churchill’s family is—”
“I’ll get right on it,” Ivy said, knowing what was coming