Seabreeze Book Club (Summer Beach 6), page 7
“What an amazing voyage,” Ivy said, trying to imagine the fascinating trip they were on. “I almost wish I’d stowed away with them, but I have too much to do here.”
“They said any of us can fly out to meet them. If you and Bennett are planning a honeymoon, that could be a sweet place.”
“A honeymoon with Mom and Dad?” Ivy grinned at the thought. “I’m not so sure that’s what Bennett would have in mind.”
Forrest laughed and shook his head. “I guess I’ve been married too long to remember what young love was like. Not that you’re that young.” His face reddened, and he smacked his forehead. “What I meant was—”
“I need to cut you off right there for your own good,” Ivy said, chuckling. “Do you need another cup of coffee or something to eat?” Even as a child, Forrest had stumbled over his words. But he’d do anything for her, and Ivy felt the same way about him.
“How’d you guess?” Forrest said. “I haven’t been sleeping well. I’ve been worried about Mom and Dad, so when they called early this morning, I was relieved.”
“We’re all worried about them,” Ivy said, leading him toward the coffee machine. “But they’re more experienced sailors than any of us. And this is their dream.” She poured a steaming cup for him.
As he sipped his coffee, Ivy showed him the sketch of the downstairs she’d made. “Think we can do something like this? I would like some flex space for events. Book club meetings, wine tastings, corporate retreats.”
Forrest studied the paper. “This looks feasible. I’ll inspect the area and let you know what we can do.”
“I sure appreciate that.”
“Now, where’s Shelly?” Forrest asked. “I want to hear all about her trip to Baja.”
“I haven’t seen her yet, but when I do, I’ll tell her you’re looking for her.”
Poppy gathered everyone in the kitchen, where the remaining breakfast muffins were quickly disappeared among the young cousins. Poppy’s siblings—Rocky, Reed, Summer, and Coral—were there. Flint’s children—Skyler, Blue, Jewell, and Sierra—were there with his wife, Tabitha. Everyone was ready to work.
Through the kitchen window, Ivy was relieved to see Mitch setting up the grill for the noon break. Shelly must be around somewhere.
Ivy could hardly wait to begin. She whistled for attention, and everyone turned to look at her.
“Thank you all for coming to lend a hand today,” Ivy began, stepping up her energy level. “You have no idea how grateful I am to you. We’re celebrating our first year in business, and I’m so thankful that we’ve made it this far. I know this old house still has a lot of good times left in it, but it needs a little more love and care right now. And I know this is just the team to do it.”
“Whoop, whoop,” Reed and Rocky called out. Now in their twenties, Forrest’s sons were built like their father—tall, athletic, and muscular. “Let’s do this.”
Ivy pointed to a corner where she’d deposited cleaning supplies. “Team Poppy is in that corner with cleaning, Team Forrest is over there with repairs, and Team Shelly is right here with painting. We need volunteers for each one, so find a group and huddle.”
“Where’s Shelly?” Poppy asked.
Biting her lip, Ivy glanced around. “Mitch is here, so she must be here, too. I’ll take over until then. Would someone go out and ask Mitch where Shelly might be? I saw him outside getting the grill ready for later.”
Once again, Ivy was irked that Shelly wasn’t here. She was trying to remain happy for her sister, but she’d had enough of Shelly shirking her duties. While Shelly was decorating the beach cottage and planting a new garden, it was also high season at the inn, and Ivy was paying her.
She would have it out with Shelly today.
After grabbing breakfast, everyone picked up cleaning supplies and rags, brooms and mops, and tools for repairs and trooped downstairs. Sunny took charge of the music, setting up a pair of speakers to broadcast an upbeat mix of tunes. She had also set up a buzzer at the front desk that had a remote ringer they could carry around with them in case a guest needed them upstairs—not that many were still in the house.
Downstairs, with the windows flung open, sunshine streaming in, and ocean breezes cooling the space, Ivy began to see the possibilities she’d had in mind emerge.
“Let’s start in these sections,” Ivy said, motioning to an area by the bookcases and the wine racks and cubbies. “Everything here needs to be wiped down. We’ve got at least fifty years of dust here, so put on a dust mask. And we need a window cleaning team that can prep window frames for painting.” At some point, she would replace the old windows, but not this year.
“You got it, Aunt Ivy,” Reed said. “Who’s on windows with me?”
Rocky and Skyler stepped up beside him.
Ivy glanced around. All the cousins were pitching in, and Forrest was inspecting the electrical system. She made her way toward him.
“How does it look?” Ivy asked.
“Your electrical system needs a professional. I’ll send my guy next week.”
When Ivy started to protest, her brother shook his head. “My cost. Have to make sure you’re safe here.” Forrest slapped his hand on the concrete wall. “I wouldn’t worry. This place is built like a fortress. Made it through more than one earthquake, I imagine.”
Ivy shuddered. “Don’t even say that word.” People often joked about the big one, but she couldn’t imagine what she’d do if this house was damaged.
“It’s our reality,” Forrest said, raising his brow. “I hope you have earthquake supplies.”
“We’re prepared,” Ivy said, acknowledging the fact. “We put flashlights in every guest room, and Poppy drew up an exit map.”
Forrest grinned and shook his head. “I’ll bring some more survival stuff over for you.”
Eager to change the subject, Ivy shifted on her feet. She also needed to pick up the paint Jen had mixed for her. “Has anyone seen Shelly yet?”
“Oh, yeah,” Reed said as he passed by. “I forgot to tell you, but Mitch said Shelly is coming in later. Guess she had some food poisoning or something.”
Ivy pressed her lips together. It was one more excuse. Not that she didn’t feel bad for Shelly—if she was actually sick. Every day, her sister had a reason for being late or not coming in at all.
“I need to pick up more paint and supplies,” Ivy said to Forrest. “Can you oversee everything while I’m gone?”
Forrest grinned. “You know that’s what I do for a living, right?”
Ivy made a face. “I’m a little flustered right now. Is there anything else I can pick up at Nailed It for you?”
Forrest squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll let you know if there is. Ivy, try to relax. We’ve got this.”
She patted his hand. “I will.” Glancing around, she saw all the young cousins were pitching in and getting the job done. “Running this place can be overwhelming at times, especially during the high summer season.”
“You’ve done an incredible job so far. I have to admit, last year when Angela and I heard you were taking on this old house and turning it into an inn—without any prior experience—we had our doubts. We didn’t want to see you hurt again after all you went through with Jeremy. But I also knew that if anyone could do it, it would be you. My dedicated sister with reams of to-do lists and a huge heart. You’re going to be okay, Sis.”
Ivy threw her arms around Forrest. “You’re the best brother ever,” she said. “Well, you and Flint.”
“Can’t you leave out my other half for once?” Forrest chuckled.
“Hey, what’s going on over there?” Flint called out from across the room.
“Aw, get back to work,” Forrest said, waving to his brother.
“Just as soon as you do.”
Laughing at their antics, Ivy hurried upstairs and grabbed the keys to the vintage Chevrolet convertible Bennett had renovated for her.
With the sun on her shoulders, she drove the short distance to the hardware store. While George loaded the paint she’d ordered into the truck, Ivy told Jen about the book club.
“Would you like to join us?” Ivy asked. “Paige is going to lead it.”
Jen leaned against the hardware counter. “Sounds like fun. Count me in. If my sister can find a babysitter, could she come? Or maybe we’ll trade off. She just moved here and needs a break from the kids from time to time.”
“I’d love to meet her,” Ivy said. She was fond of Jen, and they’d become friends after Ivy spent so much time and money in their store.
After saying goodbye to Jen, Ivy left. But instead of turning toward the inn, she decided to check on Shelly.
A few minutes later, Ivy parked in front of the beach cottage and knocked on the screen door. “Shelly, are you decent?”
Shelly’s voice floated faintly through the house. “It’s open.”
Irritated, Ivy stepped inside. “Where are you?”
“In the bathroom. You can come in.”
Preparing to have it out with Shelly, who was probably languishing in a bubble bath, Ivy opened the bathroom door. Instead, she was immediately alarmed.
Wearing a thin cotton nightgown, Shelly was curled on the white tile floor near the toilet, pressing a damp washcloth to her forehead.
“I can’t get too far away from the toilet,” she said in a thin voice. “Not much stays down, if you know what I mean.”
Instantly, guilt coursed through Ivy for having thought Shelly was neglecting her duties. Kneeling beside her, she smoothed her hand over her sister’s damp, tangled hair. “Mitch said something you ate didn’t agree with you.”
Shelly struggled to lift herself onto one elbow. Wrinkling her brow, she shook her head. “I don’t think it’s anything I ate.”
“Then it could be a virus or a parasite. Didn’t Mitch call it Montezuma’s Revenge?”
“Montezuma had nothing to do with this. It’s all Mitch’s fault.”
“You thought Mexico was a good idea when he suggested it.” Ivy looked at Shelly and frowned.
Her sister’s face was flushed, and her skin felt feverish. Ivy took the washcloth and rinsed it under cool water. She hadn’t seen Shelly this ill in a long time, and she seemed to have lost some weight. As she wiped Shelly’s forehead, she asked, “Have you taken your temperature?”
“I don’t need to.”
“Shelly, be sensible. I can take you to the clinic. Mitch shouldn’t have left you here alone. Bennett could have easily managed the barbecue.”
Ivy flexed her jaw with irritation. Mitch’s youth was showing—he’d never had to be responsible for anyone else in his life. But that was beside the point. Shelly needed help now.
“I made him leave. Besides, I knew you’d be looking for him.”
“And you, of course. I was worried about you.”
Shelly leveled a gaze at her. “You’ve been angry, and you think I’ve been making excuses about work.”
Ivy waved off the comment, but it was true. And she felt terrible about that. “I didn’t realize you were so sick. I think you should come back to the inn where I can look after you. Take my room, and I’ll stay with Bennett.”
“You should be doing that anyway,” Shelly said, attempting a smile. “But I’m okay here.”
“Shelly, you look awful. You need to see a doctor.”
“I have an appointment next week.”
“Next week? If you can’t keep anything down, you need to be checked out right away. You can get dehydrated very quickly. This could be serious.”
“Oh, it’s serious, all right.” As haggard as Shelly was, her eyes gleamed. She pointed toward a blotter strip by the sink. “Mitch is a little freaked out.”
Following Shelly’s gaze, Ivy parted her lips in surprise. “Wait a minute, are you…?” She gripped Shelly’s hand. “Are you?”
7
The joy that bloomed on Shelly’s pale face flooded Ivy with happiness, and she recalled how ecstatic she had been in discovering her first pregnancy.
“Just a few weeks, I think,” Shelly said. “My body must be making up for lost time with this queasiness. I thought it might have happened in Mexico, and maybe it did, but the internet tells me it takes a few weeks—not that the web is always right. Anyway, we had no idea, so at least Mitch didn’t feel like he had to marry me.”
All the disappointment and animosity Ivy had felt earlier toward Shelly vanished. With an immediate outpouring of love, Ivy slid her arm under Shelly’s limp frame and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you. This is just what you wanted.”
Despite her weakness, Shelly managed a thin laugh, and her face lit with happiness. “We didn’t think it could happen so fast.”
“See, it’s meant to be,” Ivy said, stroking Shelly’s hair. She knew how much this meant to her. “You’ve waited so long for this.” Sitting beside her sister, she took her hand. “Have you told Mom yet?”
“You’re the first. Besides Mitch, that is. I’ve been feeling so tired lately, and when I started getting sick and missed my monthly cycle this week, I suspected I might be pregnant.” She chuckled. “You should have seen the look on Mitch’s face when I showed him the test strip. But he was cool with it—thrilled, actually. Except that he was hovering all over me, making me nervous, so I finally tossed him out of the house. I told him to go make himself useful at the inn today.”
“Do you want to call Mom now?” Ivy thought she would burst with this news.
“I’d really like that,” Shelly replied, leaning against Ivy. “But I might need a few minutes.”
“Take all the time you need.”
“Is everyone at the house?”
Ivy nodded. “I left Forrest in charge. I think I insulted him when I asked if he could manage without me.”
“You didn’t.” Shelly smiled at that.
“I had a lot on my mind. Like what was going on with you.”
“Sorry if I haven’t been around much. I know I’ve been slacking.”
“You have a pretty good excuse now.” Ivy ran water into a cup and gave it to Shelly to drink.
“I’ve never been this tired,” Shelly said between tiny sips. “I haven’t even felt like putting in the garden here.”
“Don’t worry, we’ve been looking after your garden at the inn. Your tomatoes are producing like mad. There are so many that I’ve been giving them to guests. The basil plants are going crazy, too. I’ve been making pesto.”
“I’m glad.” Shelly raised her head a little. “That actually sounds good. I might be a little hungry now.”
“Do you have any saltine crackers or broth?”
“Oh, yum. Is that what I’m going to have to eat?”
Ivy grinned. “Maybe for a little while. Stay away from the spicy stuff.”
With some resignation, Shelly nodded. “Mitch has matzo crackers in the kitchen. He makes the best matzo and eggs dish for weekend brunch.”
“That will work. How about some ginger tea or ginger ale? Lemon, peppermint, and ginger can help settle your stomach.”
Shelly nodded. “An egg sounds good, too.”
“Do you think you could manage to eat a little now?”
“I think so. But don’t you need to get back to the house?”
Ivy waved off her comment. “They’re fine without me. Forrest is in charge, and they won’t be ready to paint until after lunch. Everyone has been cleaning, and when I left, they still had to tape and prep. I’ve got time to scramble an egg and call Mom with you.”
A broad smile wreathed Shelly’s face, and she hugged her knees to her chest. “I can hardly believe it. I’m finally going to be a mother.”
“And you’ll be a great, fun, wacky mom,” Ivy said. “Just like ours was.”
“She was, wasn’t she?” Shelly managed a small laugh. “Last year, when we moved out here, I was so depressed. After my relationship with Ezzra fizzled, I thought motherhood would never happen for me. I tried to talk myself into thinking that wouldn’t be so bad. I’d accepted that; it would have been okay.” Her eyes sparkled. “But I’m really excited now.”
Ivy looped her arms around Shelly, acutely aware that it was still early in her pregnancy. She prayed that it would progress well for her sister. But this was a moment to celebrate and look forward to the best. “Women have all sorts of options these days.”
Shelly blinked a few times. “A couple of my friends in New York are childless by choice, and I have another friend who is seeing a fertilization specialist. I was even thinking about adoption.”
“Those are all good choices.”
“But I really wanted to have a child of my own. With Mitch.” A smile swept across her face again. “He’s going to be such a great dad—once he settles down and stops treating me like a strange alien being.”
Ivy laughed. “I’m glad to see your sense of humor is coming back. Now, how about that egg?”
“I think I can manage one.”
After helping Shelly to her feet, Ivy led her sister into the cottage kitchen. Although it was small, Mitch kept the walk-pantry he’d built well stocked. An array of professional skillets and pans hung from a rack, and a block of expert knives sat on the counter. The rest of the house might look like a bachelor pad, but the kitchen was that of an accomplished cook.
In the refrigerator, Ivy found a bottle of ginger ale and poured it for Shelly. “Sip this first and see how you feel.”
Shelly eased onto an old farmhouse-style pine chair at a small table and took a few sips.
As Ivy watched Shelly for adverse reactions, she told her about their parents’ call to Forrest and their plans.
“Maybe someday Mitch and I could do that,” Shelly said, resting her chin on her hand. “People sail with children all the time. We talked about taking our children everywhere with us. This one is going to learn to do yoga, sail, and cook.” She smiled and pointed toward a basket on the counter. “You’ll find the eggs there. Mitch buys them at the farmers market.”
Ivy was glad that Shelly was in better spirits now. She lifted a red-checked napkin and picked out a speckled brown egg. After whisking and cooking it, she turned out the paltry offering on a white restaurant plate like Mitch used at Java Beach. She broke off a small piece of a matzo flatbread cracker and added it to the meager fare, hoping this would sit well on Shelly’s tender stomach.
