eyes.
“Watch him carefully,” Bennett said, concern evident in his voice. “He could have a concussion.” He went on to tell Shelly what changes to look for.
As Ivy watched them, Bennett put his arm around her. She could tell that he was worried about Mitch.
“We’ll bring supper later,” Ivy said softly.
As she and Bennett walked back to the main house, Ivy enjoyed the closeness of his arm around her. “That must have been scary to see,” she said. “But I’m glad they have each other.”
“It was,” he agreed. “And it’s good that Shelly is sticking by him. He’ll get through this and everything else. I hope she can have just a little more patience.”
“What do you mean by that?”
As if he’d slipped up and said something he shouldn’t have, Bennett didn’t answer right away. When he did, he simply said, “I meant his injuries.”
Ivy sensed there was more, but Bennett seemed unwilling, or unable, to talk more this evening. He was shaken, too.
The next day, Ivy collected Amelia Erickson’s wedding ensemble from the Laundry Basket. She hung the bridal gown, lace jacket, and lengths of lace in her closet. Lifting the breathable cotton cover Louise had placed over the vintage collection, she ran her hand over the supple fabric, admiring the artistry. After all these years, the garments were still beautiful.
When Ivy heard Sunny and Misty come into the room, she swept the clothes behind other items and hurried from the closet. Her eldest daughter was just arriving from Boston, and she’d been eager to see her.
“My darling,” Ivy said, folding Misty into her arms. “How was your flight?”
“Fine, except for this.” Misty lifted her forearm, which was encased in a cast. “At least my seatmate let me use the armrest.”
Sunny had volunteered to pick up her sister at the San Diego airport, which wasn’t too far from Sunny's university.
“Do you want to sleep in here with me?” Ivy asked.
“If it’s okay, I’ll stay with Sunny,” Misty said. “We’re going to hang out and sleep in the attic rooms. It’s like having our own apartment up there.”
Someday, Ivy planned to finish out those sparse rooms, but for now, it was a good place for the kids to bunk. “Did Sunny tell you about the wedding party that’s here this weekend?”
“She did,” Misty said. “If you need help, I’ll pitch in as long as it doesn’t involve much with my left forearm. Maybe I can direct.”
“Just you being here is enough,” Ivy said. “Let’s see how Shelly is doing with the flowers and decorations.”
Ivy made her way through the hall with Sunny and Misty. At once, Gilda’s door opened, and she looked out. She held little Pixie in her arms.
“When Pixie heard Misty’s voice, she went crazy,” Gilda said. “Oh, I think I have something of yours that you left here at Christmas. Here, say hello to Pixie while I get it.” She shoved the Chihuahua into Misty’s arms.
Surprised, Misty laughed while Pixie sniffed her cast, yapped, and licked her face. “Did you nick something else, Pixie? I thought you left that thieving life behind.”
Gilda returned with a tortoise-shell hair clip. “When I saw you wearing this, I thought it was so pretty. I guess Pixie did, too. I found it buried in her bed. But she’s improved so much, haven’t you, my precious little one?” Gilda took Pixie back. “She’s been in therapy for her issue. See how remorseful she looks now?”
Ivy didn’t see it, but she played along. Now, they all knew to look to Pixie whenever something went missing.
“Wow, I thought I’d lost that traveling,” Misty said. She scratched Pixie’s head. “You’re a clever little pooch, aren’t you?”
“I’d better finish my article before the festivities begin,” Gilda said. “Do you think they’d mind if I watched from the stairway? I love weddings.”
“I’ll ask if you can sit in the back,” Ivy replied. The guest list was quite small and restricted to family and a few close friends.
While Ivy understood that Eleanor was embarrassed that they moved the wedding date up, things like this happened. What was most important was that Rachel and Topper loved each other. They were looking forward to being parents and building their lives together. Ivy wondered when, or if, Eleanor would realize appearances weren’t as important as family.
After saying goodbye to Gilda and Pixie, they passed another room. “That will be the bride’s room,” Ivy said. The bridesmaids were doubling up in the Sunset Suites, as were the groomsmen. Ivy had put Eleanor and her