Reed and Rocky and Coral into joining us. They’re young, strong sailors. You and Bennett are welcome—if you can break away from the inn and City Hall.”
Ivy and Bennett looked at each other and grinned. “You never know, Dad.” That would be quite the adventure. Unexpected, but then, Ivy was getting used to that, too.
They followed her father onto a lower deck. Ivy glanced around. From polished wood interiors to a spacious galley and cabins that could sleep six, the boat was perfect for her parents.
After looking around and then rejoining the rest of the family, they visited for a while. Finally, Ivy realized the time for her parents’ departure was drawing near. Carlotta was pouring Sea Breezes and champagne and passing them around.
Ivy swallowed hard, willing herself to be strong. Her daughters were also blinking back tears. She clasped hands with Sunny and Misty. “Your grandparents will have the time of their lives. They’ll be fine.”
“A final toast,” Sterling said, raising his glass with everyone. “May you be fearless in exploring uncharted waters. Here’s to sailing through life with a smile on your face and joy in your heart—even when the seas are rough. Remember, there are always blue skies ahead.”
“Hear, hear,” Ivy said amidst the clinking of glasses.
After other toasts and well wishes, Ivy and her family took turns hugging Carlotta and Sterling.
It was time to let them go.
Her eyes shimmering with love, Carlotta framed Ivy’s face with her hands. “I love you, mija. Try not to worry—your parents are going to have a grand old time.”
“I’m so happy for you, knowing that you’re living your dream,” Ivy said, wrapping her arms tightly around her mother and blinking back tears. “I love you for showing us what it means to live—and love.”
Finally, Ivy stepped from the yacht, joining the rest of the family to watch the departure. Bennett put his arms around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder. “Someday, that could be us.”
“We have a lot of adventures ahead of us,” he said, smoothing her hair as strands lifted in the breeze.
As her parents eased the boat from the marina, they turned and waved. Ivy and the rest of her family called out, cheering them on.
Watching her parents sail away, Ivy heaved a sigh.
“Are you okay?” Bennett asked, touching her cheek.
“I am,” she said, shielding the sun from her eyes as the Bay Dreams took to the open water. “I’ve learned a lot this past year.”
Bennett clasped her hand, and they turned to leave, following the rest of the family. “And what might that be?” he asked.
As they strolled along the weathered planks, Ivy thought about that question. She realized she had made great strides in coming to terms with her past, her parents’ voyage, and her life ahead with Bennett. While she still had a few things to work out, there was time for that. She felt an even deeper connection with Bennett than before their ceremony.
Ivy paused and turned to him. Smiling, she said, “I’ve learned that life is a risk worth taking.”
The End
Author’s Note:
Thank you for reading Seabreeze Wedding, and I hope you enjoyed the wedding events at the Seabreeze Inn. Be sure to read the next story in the series, Seabreeze Book Club. Find out what happens when Ivy starts a book club at the inn to help Pages Bookshop in the village.
If you’ve read the Coral Cottage at Summer Beach series, join Marina and Kai and the rest of the Delavie-Moore family as the cafe expands and the performing arts center debuts in Coral Holiday.
Keep up with my new releases on my website at JanMoran.com. Please join my Reader’s Club there to receive news about special deals and other goodies.
More to Enjoy
If this is your first book in the Seabreeze Inn at Summer Beach series, I invite you to revisit Ivy and Shelly as they renovate a historic beach house in Seabreeze Inn, the first book in the original Summer Beach series. In the Coral Cottage series, you’ll meet Ivy’s friend Marina in Coral Cottage.
If you’d like more sunshine and international travel, meet a group of friends in the Love California series, beginning with Flawless and an exciting trip to Paris.
Finally, I invite you to read my standalone family sagas, including Hepburn’s Necklace and The Chocolatier, 1950s novels set in gorgeous Italy.
Most of my books are available in ebook, paperback or hardcover, audiobooks, and large print. And as always, I wish you happy reading!
About the Author
JAN MORAN is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic women’s fiction. A few of her favorite things include a fine cup of coffee, dark chocolate, fresh flowers, laughter, and music that touches her soul. She loves to travel, and her favorite places for inspiration are those rich with history and mystery and set against snowy mountains, palm-treed beaches, or sparkly city lights. Jan is originally from Austin, Texas, and a trace of a drawl still survives, although she has lived in Southern California near the beach for years.
Most of her books are available as audiobooks, and her historical fiction is translated into German, Italian, Polish, Dutch, Turkish, Russian, Bulgarian, Portuguese, and Lithuanian, and other languages.
Visit Jan at JanMoran.com. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a brief review online for your fellow readers where you purchased this book or on Goodreads or Bookbub.