us at our end of the table,” he said.
“Would you like for me to get a plate for you?” Bennett asked Ivy.
“No, but thank you. I’ll be there in a moment. I want to check on Kai in the kitchen and see if she needs anything.”
Bennett got in line behind Flint, and they began chatting.
“What a glorious morning,” a deep voice boomed over the gathering crowd.
Ivy turned to see Brother Rip, who had stayed in a guest room last night on Ivy’s insistence. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
“Excellent,” he said, his smooth face serene. “I can’t remember the last time I danced like that. The good Lord sure had me moving in mysterious ways last night.” He laughed heartily at his joke. “And look at this feast. What a blessing to start a day like this.”
“I hope you’re staying with us a little longer,” Ivy said. “Do you perform many weddings?”
“A few every month,” Brother Rip replied. “I also perform renewal of vows, commitment ceremonies, funerals, and blessings of all descriptions. Would you like to attend one of our sunrise celebrations? The surfing afterward is optional,” he added.
“I’d like that,” Ivy said, imagining what a sight it must be on the beach. She hesitated. Something he’d said intrigued her. “What exactly is a commitment ceremony?”
“That depends on the parties,” he replied. “It’s a wedding or union bound by spirit rather than law. Some couples simply want to mark and express their deep commitment to each other. It might be as simple as a few words on the beach. People have different, personal reasons for such unions.”
His explanation touched a nerve deep within Ivy. “I see,” she managed to say, a thought forming in her mind. “That sounds like a lovely gesture.”
Brother Rip placed his hand gently over hers. As though looking into her soul, he added, “You might be more ready than you imagine.”
The warm strength of Brother Rip’s hand on hers was like nothing she had ever felt—as if he had a divine touch. “I’ll let you know,” she replied solemnly.
“Yes, I believe you will.” His face broke into a broad grin. “Now, let’s partake of this marvelous bounty.”
When he removed his hand, Ivy glanced down at hers. Her skin was so warm, and a pink imprint of his hand was visible. Feeling a little light-headed, she ran her fingers over the mark and looked up.
Bennett was staring at her. His gaze was direct, but there was something more in it. It was a feeling, a connection, so deep she couldn’t look away.
He started toward her. “Are you all right? Brother Rip is known for his powerful observations.”
Ivy swept a hand across her face. “On second thought, I think maybe I need something to eat right now. Did you hear what he said?”
“I did,” he said quietly, his eyes never leaving hers.
Feeling slightly unsettled, Ivy glanced at the family table behind her. “I should check Shelly’s garden after we eat. I promised I’d watch the tomatoes. Will you join me?”
“You don’t have to ask.” He handed her the plate he was holding. “Here, I ordered your favorite omelet. Muenster cheese, bacon, avocado, and sliced green onions sprinkled on the top. Go sit with your parents, and I’ll be right there.”
“That was thoughtful.” She hadn’t realized he’d ever noticed what she’d ordered the few times they’d gone out for brunch. Two, maybe three times? She couldn’t recall.
“I know you want to spend as much time as you can with them today.”
Ivy pressed her cheek to his. “Thank you. I’ll save you a seat.”
She sat with her parents, watching how they finished each other’s sentences and observing the small things they did for each other—so seamlessly that Ivy had never noticed before. Her father scooped salsa onto her mother’s plate unbidden; her mother passed the pepper to him; her father picked up a napkin Carlotta dropped and gave her a fresh one; her mother refilled Sterling’s water glass. None of these actions were requested. Rather, this was a perfectly choreographed suite of intuitive movements known only to them.
As they ate, her parents spoke animatedly about their pending departure, which would be tomorrow morning from the marina near their home.
“Here’s what we’ve decided to do,” Sterling said. “After we reach Panama, we’ll sail to French Polynesia. The next stretch is to Fiji, and then to Sydney. From Australia, it’s on to South Africa. Then we have a long crossing to the Caribbean, and finally, we’ll pass through the Panama canal and