owners went all out decorating their watercraft. Last year, Ivy and Shelly and Poppy had organized an arts and crafts fair that brought in a lot of new visitors to Summer Beach. But the main attraction was still the beach.
Bennett rubbed his stubbled chin. “I missed my early run, too. Had an early morning call with a client back east. They’re looking for a house in Summer Beach, but they’re also considering a lot to build a custom home. I still have just enough time for a quick run before heading to City Hall.”
“Don’t go without breakfast,” Ivy said, gently scolding him. “Surely Nan won’t mind if the mayor is a little late.” Bennett still had a few real estate clients—as long as they didn’t conflict with his mayoral duties.
“Only if you’ll join me.”
“I’ll meet you in the dining room.” She’d already told Shelly to hold breakfast for their late-sleeping guests. “Now shoo. You’re wasting time.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Bennett took off, kicking up sand behind him as he headed toward the surf.
Ivy strolled behind, watching him. His legs were firm and muscular, and he kept in shape. She counted herself lucky. Frankly, there wasn’t anyone else who’d ever touched her heart as Bennett did—except for her late husband. But that had been a different relationship altogether.
She and Jeremy had been married more than two decades when she’d received that dreadful call that had changed the course of her life. Their marriage had been traditional, which was how her husband liked it. Jeremy worked, and she had taken care of the girls and the house. That left little time for her painting. Even after their daughters went to college, she was still washing their clothes on weekends, arranging birthdays and holidays, booking everyone’s appointments, and tending to household repairs and tasks. Her lists were endless.
A future with Bennett would look different. Although just how different, she wasn’t sure.
She glanced back at the grand old house that Jeremy had never intended to leave her. She couldn’t have turned that house into an inn without Shelly’s help. Or their brothers and nieces and nephews. Everyone had pitched in to help Ivy and Shelly get back on their feet.
Had it only been a year since she’d returned to California? So much had happened in that time, from the discovery of rare paintings and other precious objects sequestered within the old house’s walls to an unexpected new relationship.
Only a year.
She’d known Jeremy for just six months before they married. Though their lives stretched before them, they had been in a hurry, confident that their love would never fade. Yet for him, it had. Maybe their familiarity with each other had killed the excitement he craved. His desire had driven him to act upon a new life without her.
Ivy blinked against the breeze and tucked her hands into her windbreaker. Though she’d worked hard to come to terms with his infidelity, the wound hadn’t entirely healed.
She slowed to a stop. Bennett was a speck ahead of her on the shoreline now. She wondered, how well did she know the mayor of Summer Beach? Forever was a long time.
Just my nerves, she told herself, thrusting her shoulders back and picking up her pace. They loved each other, and they would make it work.
Remembering that she had a meeting with Mrs. York, Ivy walked briskly for ten minutes to increase her heart rate. Twenty minutes is better than nothing, she thought. She had just enough time to bathe and dress before meeting Mrs. York, who was eager to inspect the inn as a possible wedding venue for her daughter.
They had spoken briefly on the phone yesterday, and Ivy had barely had a chance to share the package prices. Costs didn’t seem to concern Mrs. York. She was clearly a woman on a mission.
“Another muffin?” Bennett asked, offering Ivy a cranberry orange muffin dusted with sugar on top.
“No thanks, that would only add to the muffin-top,” Ivy replied, resisting. She’d already indulged this morning, but at least she had walked. She placed her napkin on the table. “Maybe I’ll ask Mitch to develop a gluten-free recipe for us. A lot of guests ask for that. And maybe a skinny version. I need that.”
Bennett tapped her nose. “I think you’re beautiful just as you are.”
Ivy never tired of hearing that. “Thank you, sweetheart. You sure know how to start a woman’s day.” It had taken her years to gain the confidence to graciously accept a compliment and not immediately disclaim it.