in cheers. The ecstatic couple turned toward their family and friends, and Poppy gave a cue. The entire group—even Brother Rip and little Pixie, aided by Gilda—shot their hands in the air and shouted together, “Woo-hoo!”
Shelly and Mitch laughed and joined them. Soon, the champagne was flowing, people were lining up for the buffet, and the photographer was capturing sweet moments.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Ivy made her way to Shelly and Mitch. “I’ve got to see this surprise ring.”
“Wasn’t that sweet?” Shelly held up her hand, revealing a platinum band designed of old-fashioned filigree studded with glowing sapphires. “I once said I loved sapphires because they’re the color of the ocean. Elena knew what I liked, so this is exactly what I wanted. I can wear it all the time, and it won’t snag inside my gardening gloves.”
Ivy smiled at her sister’s practicality. Turning to Mitch, she asked, “How did you manage to pull this off?”
As Mitch waggled his eyebrows, their niece Elena turned around. “Surprise,” she said, laughing. A tiny, rare blue diamond sparkled on the side of her nose. “Mitch came to me with his idea, and we’ve been working on the ring for a while. Fortunately, I’d finished it just last week, but he hadn’t seen it yet.”
“And it’s a perfect fit,” Shelly said, her eyes glowing.
Mitch hugged her. “This is my real treasure,” he said before they were whisked away by other well-wishers.
As the sun set over the happy gathering, the lights that Poppy and Sunny had strung up outside began to glow in the balmy evening air. Ivy watched her family and new Summer Beach friends reveling with the newlyweds. She pressed a hand against her heart, still marveling at the miracle of the past twenty-four hours.
And the weekend was still young.
22
As other wedding guests lined up at the buffet, Ivy looked around for Bennett. She spotted him strolling toward her carrying two vintage crystal champagne coupes.
“Would you like to join me by the firepit before dinner?” he asked. “Looks like we have a few minutes before the buffet line clears out.”
“I’d like that,” she said, tucking her hand through the crook in his elbow. Shelly and Mitch were at the head of the line, and all the nieces and nephews and friends were queued up behind them. They had time to slip away.
Ivy slipped out of her sandals and lifted the blush-pink silk above her ankles. The sand was cool between her toes.
They strolled across the beach toward the firepit and eased onto one of the curved benches that flanked it. Flames danced in the sea breeze, spewing forth tiny orange embers like miniature fireworks that quickly burned out. Ivy leaned toward the fire, enjoying the scent and warmth on her face.
Bennett handed her a glass of champagne. “To your unwavering support of Shelly and the amazing effort you put forth today. Who knew this day would end with such a happy crescendo?”
“Sometimes things fall into place just as they’re meant,” Ivy said, recalling their 4:00 a.m. wake-up with eloping guests. As she touched her crystal glass to his, a sweet tone rang in the air as if heralding a new beginning. “To Shelly and Mitch, and Rachel and Topper. What a day for weddings.” She sipped her champagne, enjoying the chilly bubbles against the warmth of her face.
“I have faith that fate will soon orchestrate something special for us, too,” Bennett said, putting his arm around her.
She leaned her head against his. “Maybe so.”
Bennett laced his fingers with hers. “I won’t push you anymore. We’ll know when the time is right.”
“I have to see to my paperwork,” Ivy said, her voice trailing off.
“Perhaps we could have it expedited.”
“I suppose so.”
“That didn’t sound very strong.”
Ivy sipped her champagne, considering her words. “It’s not that I’m not looking forward to marrying you.”
“Ouch,” Bennett said with a soft chuckle. “I’m not sure that was positive.”
Ivy kissed his cheek. “It’s just that I was married for two decades. I was a wife and a mother, but I’d forgotten what Ivy Bay had once wanted.”
Bennett nodded slowly. “You’ll have to tell me what that means.”
Ivy hadn’t thought about having this conversation tonight. Yet whether it was the champagne or the early wake-up call they’d had, she felt ready now.
She drew a breath. “I love you very much, my darling. But I need more time. You’ve had ten years to discover yourself and arrange your life as you like. I haven’t had that.”
“I hope it won’t be ten