years,” Bennett said, his smile dimming.
“I don’t think it will be.” Ivy squeezed his hand, unsure how to proceed. She had so much to say, so many feelings she needed to share. Was this the right time?
Bennett brought her hand to his lips. “I sense there’s more. I’m listening.”
Ivy gazed into Bennett’s calm eyes. Right now, at this moment, Ivy needed to speak her truth. She blinked and began. “In the past, I’ve had many responsibilities to other people. I’m not saying that was inconvenient or bad—I’m proud of raising two fairly well-adjusted young women. And I was proud of the home that I made for my husband and the relationship we enjoyed for a long time. I know it’s difficult to believe, but there were many good times before our relationship soured.”
“I understand. It wasn’t your fault, Ivy. I knew him, too.”
She grew quiet. In truth, she had often wondered if she could have prevented Jeremy’s infidelity, but she knew in her heart that was a fruitless exercise. Still, she wondered when Jeremy had fallen out of love with her. He might not have been the man she would choose for a partner today, but she had loved the good man beneath the one who had spiraled out of control. Highly intelligent, spontaneous, romantic. And dedicated to his daughters.
A thought struck her. Perhaps Jeremy had never been loyal to her, or only in stretches of time. She would never know, and moreover, she didn’t want to know now.
Ivy knew enough.
She glanced back at the grand old house. On the other hand, she had Jeremy to thank for this home. Perhaps in a karmic manner, his deceitful actions had brought on his demise. Was there only so much duplicity a person could live with?
Ivy took Bennett’s hand. “I know it’s been two years, but I’m still recovering from Jeremy’s death and the shocks he left in his wake.” She didn’t want to lose Bennett, but she had to be honest. “I don’t know how long that will take or when I’ll be ready.” As she said those words, the light in Bennett’s eyes dimmed.
Still, Bennett held her gaze. “It’s not what I wanted to hear, but it’s what I needed to know.” He stroked the back of her hand as he spoke. “I’ve had years to recover from the death of my wife. I was lonely for a long time, but after some grief counseling, I began to step back into the world and discover a different life.”
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
Bennett sipped his champagne. “I’ve been thinking a lot, too. When you and I first met—all those years ago—I was a guitar-playing surf bum, but I grew into someone who wanted more out of life. In Jackie, I found a partner who cheered me on as much as I supported her efforts.”
“That’s what I want for us,” Ivy said, pleased that he seemed to feel the need to talk, too.
“After Jackie died, I put myself out there,” Bennett said. “I learned how to connect people in the community, then I learned how to be a leader, and yes, I’m even taking up surfing again.” He paused. “I guess you need that chance, too.”
“I do.” A flicker of hope brightened Ivy’s heart. Yet, while Bennett might understand, disappointment still edged his voice.
Bennett squeezed her hand. “Then that’s what I want for you.”
Ivy had spoken the truth from deep within her soul, from a place she had hardly known existed. For years, she’d been so busy trying to be Ivy Marin, perfect wife and mother, that she had not asked what Ivy Bay desired in a long, long time.
She thought about how, years ago, when she met Jeremy, she had first put her dreams on hold to start their family, and then tucked them far beneath his. Yet her reward had been two beautiful daughters that she loved fiercely.
The question of marriage still hung in the air between her and Bennett. “There’s more, too. For now, my children still need me, especially Sunny. She’s grieved and acted out of pain. I don’t want her to feel like I’ve abandoned her or that you’ve taken precedence in my heart and in our lives. This is a critical time for our family. And I include you in that, too. You’re becoming part of our family.” Ivy paused, blinking back emotions.
“I feel the same way.” Bennett gazed into the flickering fire as he spoke. “When I think back over the period after Jackie died,