Five more minutes, Ivy thought to herself, burrowing her toes deeper under the sand where it was cool and damp. Beside her, Shelly and Daisy were dozing.
Just then, a truck with Woodson Construction emblazoned on the side turned into the car court behind the main house.
Ivy frowned as she watched the truck ease to a stop. She touched Shelly’s arm. “Axe just arrived. He’s not on our schedule this week. Did you summon him?”
Shelly opened one eye. “This time, I’m not to blame. Wasn’t that on your list?”
“Oh, my gosh, I must have forgotten,” Ivy said, gathering her skirt. She’d spoken to her husband about calling Axe to tend to the new deck, but now she couldn’t recall which of them said they’d do it. Her brother Forrest and his crew were very busy this year, and Axe had made repairs to Bennett’s house on the ridgetop.
“No rest for you.” Shelly closed her eyes again.
“Seems that way,” Ivy muttered.
She brushed sand from her bare feet, slid them into her sandals, and strode across the beach toward the truck to greet Axe Woodson.
Axe stepped out, his cowboy boots thudding on the pavement and his large frame towering above her. “Good to see you, Mrs. Mayor,” he said in a deep baritone voice. “Or do you prefer Madame First Lady?”
“It’s still Ivy to you.” She laughed at his use of what many people in town were calling her.
“Yes, ma’am.” He touched the brim of his baseball cap as if it were a Stetson.
“Now you’re really making me feel old.” Wasn’t it enough that her memory was slipping?
Axe chuckled. “It’s just my Midwestern manners.”
With his muscular physique, he was easy on the eyes, but he was also at least ten years younger than Ivy. She might be married now, but she could still appreciate an exceptional human form—in a strictly artistic sense, of course.
She cleared her throat. “Did we have an appointment? I’m afraid I must have forgotten it. We have a large party checking in soon.” Frowning, she swept a hand across her forehead. High season at the inn was not for the unorganized. Yet, try as she might, unless she added a task to one of her lists, she was likely to forget it.
“Actually, your husband called me,” Axe replied. “He said he’d meet me here.”
Ivy breathed out in relief. Just then, Bennett pulled his SUV beside Axe’s vehicle. He stepped out and kissed Ivy on the cheek.
Still, Ivy was surprised. She didn’t remember Bennett saying he would meet Axe here today. “Did the ceiling fans for the deck come in?”
Bennett hesitated. “We wrapped up business at City Hall early today, so I thought I’d see if Axe had time for an installation. Turned out he did. Relax, sweetheart, I’ve got this,” he added, smoothing a hand over her arm.
At his reassuring touch, Ivy nodded, gladly letting him take over. After a year of marriage, the unexpected sight of him still lifted her spirits. “I appreciate that. This afternoon will be so busy with the new guests arriving all at once.” Beth had explained that they were meeting at the airport in San Diego and had arranged limousines to Summer Beach.
Bennett kneaded her shoulders and dropped another kiss on her cheek. “Do you need any help in there?”
“We’ve got this. But thanks.” Ivy knew Bennett worked hard, too. She could take care of her business.
Bennett tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll see you after work then.”
Turning to his friend, he motioned for Axe to follow him upstairs. Each man tucked a boxed ceiling fan under their arm before they hurried off.
Ivy watched her husband climb the stairway to the old chauffeur’s apartment they were using now. She was still adapting to being married again; moreover, she was still shedding habits from her previous marriage. Unlike Jeremy, Bennett seemed to enjoy helping her look after the old house, making minor repairs when he could and calling on experts when needed.
As Ivy made her way into the kitchen, the door to the butler’s pantry swung open, and her mother bustled through. She still wore her luncheon outfit of a gauzy floral sundress with strappy, low-heeled sandals and an armful of turquoise and coral bangles. Her hair was wound into a sleek chignon.
“You look nice,” Ivy said. “How was lunch?”
“It was wonderful to see my old friends,” Carlotta said, greeting her with a hug. “They’re off to shop the afternoon away, but with your new crowd arriving, I thought I should return to help with Daisy. You three girls are going to be awfully busy.”
“Shelly will appreciate that,” Ivy said. “So do I.” She paused, recalling the discussion. “Mom, about…”
“The reunion? Of course.” Carlotta clasped her hands. “I’m so grateful for what you’re doing. We shouldn’t lose touch with family.” She slid onto a stool at the center island.
That wasn’t what Ivy had in mind, but they needed to finalize those plans, too. She drew a tablet and pen from a drawer and joined her mother. “Let’s make sure you’ve included everyone on the guest list.”
Carlotta raised her brow in surprise. “The entire family, of course. Your aunts and uncles on both sides and your cousins.”
“We need a headcount to make sure we’re not overlooking anyone.”
“All right, then.” Touching her fingers, Carlotta reeled off names.
Ivy started her list. The immediate family, which included Ivy’s twin brothers, Forest and Flint, and their families. “How about Honey and Gabe? Is there any way they can make it?”
“Your father says no. They’re quite busy with their businesses. Elena will surely miss seeing her parents.”
“So will I,” Ivy said. She didn’t get to see her eldest sister as often as she’d like.
Behind them, Shelly entered the kitchen with Daisy in her arms, flailing and crying, and Poppy beside her. Daisy had a set of lungs on her that Ivy had seen startle even the most stalwart, pious pelicans and send shorebirds skittering in fright. Shelly was trying her best.
“Anyone else to add to the guest list?” Ivy asked.
Poppy nodded. “Elena is driving down from Los Angeles with Misty. She has an assistant for the jewelry shop now.”
Ivy remembered one or two distant cousins who hadn’t been very friendly. Gently, she asked her mother, “Are there any you might not want to include?”
Carlotta shook her head. “My dear, family means everyone.”
A wave of guilt washed over Ivy. Yet, one person could spoil the entire affair. In fact, it wouldn’t be the first time. Ivy hesitated. “Have you had second thoughts about Aunt Maya?”
Carlotta pressed her lips together. “I’m quite serious.”
Shelly’s eyes widened. “I thought you two had a falling out.”
“We’re working on that.” To Ivy, she added, “Have you called yet?”
“I left a message this morning.”
“I heard her daughter is even worse.” Shelly made a face. “I guess that side of the family falls in the category of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.”
“Isn’t that what Machiavelli said?” Poppy asked.
“I believe it was Sun Tzu from The Art of War,” Carlotta replied with a small smile.
“You’re both wrong,” Shelly said, raising her voice over Daisy and plopping onto a stool. “That line is from The Godfather.” Daisy let out another shriek, and Shelly swung her in her arms. “Daisy is already frightened.”
Carlotta smiled at these comments. “Maya has always been complicated, but she’s my older sister, and it’s time we put issues behind us.” She rested a hand on Shelly’s arm. “Would you like me to look after Daisy?”
With a look of relief, Shelly passed the fussy child to her mother. “She’s been fed and had her diaper changed. I have no idea what’s wrong.”
“Maybe she’s bored or misses the beach.” Carlotta cooed to her granddaughter. “There, there now.”
Carlotta bounced Daisy a few times and murmured to her. Shortly, the child stared up at Carlotta, transfixed by her dangly silver earrings and sparkling necklace. Daisy suddenly forgot about crying.
Shelly raised her palms. “I give up.”
Her mother smiled as she rested the child against her shoulder. “It’s common for children to torture their parents and be angels for others. Try not to take it personally.”
While Ivy made the guest list, Shelly asked, “Do you think Aunt Maya still has that crush on Dad? Nana told me about that when I was little, and I’ve never forgotten it.”
Ivy froze. She didn’t remember that story. Was that what had happened between the sisters?
“Your father married me,” Carlotta said, lifting her chin.
“Not that she didn’t try,” Shelly said. “She’s been married a few times, too.”
Her mother brushed off the comments, and Ivy admired her resolve. Carlotta and Sterling enjoyed a close relationship and a good marriage.
“Where are you getting your information?” Ivy asked her sister.
“I see her daughter’s posts on social media,” Shelly said. “Could Diana look more like Cruella de Vil if she tried?”
At the sink, Poppy spewed out a sip of water she’d just taken, and everyone laughed.
“There’s nothing wrong with having a little gray hair,” Carlotta replied with a look of reprimand.
“Dad has never mentioned them,” Poppy said, blushing as she wiped her blouse.
Ivy realized the younger generation might not be aware of old family stories. Shelly was right about that black-and-white hairstyle though.
“Of the three sisters, Maya was always the drama queen.” Carlotta sighed, rubbing Daisy’s back. “If she and her family come to the reunion, I expect you all to welcome them.”
Shelly darted looks at Ivy and Poppy. “We’ll try.”
As they spoke, Daisy watched the slow twirl of her grandmother’s silver earrings, hypnotized by the motion. Her eyelids began to droop, and her little fists relaxed.
Shelly breathed out in guarded relief at Daisy. Leaning forward with an inquisitive look, she asked, “What really happened between you and Aunt Maya?”
Ivy slid a look at her mother. Conflict was etched on her face.
Carlotta replied carefully, “Maya often acted without thinking. She couldn’t have known the outcome of her actions. We both miss Pilar and always will.”
Poppy looked confused. “I’m not following.”
“Pilar was our younger sister, who died when she was a teenager.”
The kitchen grew quiet. It was more complicated than that, Ivy suspected, though she didn’t know the details. Somehow, relationships had broken down.
Carlotta went on, “It’s healthy to get rid of old feelings and grudges that no longer serve us.” She gave them all a piercing look. “Family is family, after all. It’s time you met them.”
None of them had attended family events before. While Ivy respected her mother’s wishes, she still didn’t have a good feeling about this. Still, she dutifully added them to the list: Maya, Diana, and Robert.
Just then, a ring sounded from the front desk, and Ivy pushed away from the counter. “That must be our guests.” At least they’d had a little rest.
Shelly rose and kissed the limp, rag-doll body of her sleeping child.
Nestling in the safe embrace of her grandmother, Daisy’s only response was to sweep a pink fist to her mouth and squeeze her eyes tighter.
Like angels when they sleep, Ivy thought. And oblivious to all that was around them.
“Thanks for looking after her,” Shelly whispered.
As Ivy left the kitchen with Shelly and Poppy, she considered how grateful she was for her sisters and brothers. Her mother deserved to have a pleasant reunion, so she tried to shake the feeling of dread that was creeping over what should be a happy event.
Making her way through the butler’s pantry, Ivy nodded to herself. “Everything will be fine.”
Shelly arched an eyebrow. “Are you trying to convince yourself or me?”
“All of us.” Ivy tilted her chin. “We’re adults, aren’t we?”
“That never stopped anyone from acting stupid,” Shelly said. “Or evil. If Aunt Maya and Diana come, maybe we should put them in Amelia’s room and let our ghost have a go at them.”
“If you believe in that sort of thing.” Ivy sniffed her disapproval, though a shiver still coursed through her. “I prefer to think of our former owner as a benevolent presence.”
Shelly’s face brightened with a conspiratorial look. “Paige told me the renovation of her bookshop and apartment is almost complete, so the room should be available. I think only our best room will do for Aunt Maya. Maybe we could hold a séance and ask Amelia Erickson if she could perform a little number with rattling chains and slamming doors.”
Ivy swatted Shelly on the shoulder. “No one is conjuring ghosts. Even if such things existed.” If guests thought the inn was haunted, that would dry up business faster than a hot Santa Ana wind. “I thought motherhood would make you more mature.”
Shelly laughed, although it sounded a little forced to Ivy.
“Where’s the fun in that?” Shelly retorted. “If anything, motherhood just pushed me over the edge.”
“Of the cliff of ridiculousness,” Ivy said.
Shelly executed an eye roll worthy of a teenager. “You should learn to let loose, or you’ll end up like Aunt Maya and Diana.”
“I know how to do that,” Ivy shot back. Granted, she might have been a little rigid when she’d moved here, but Summer Beach, with its laid-back vibe, had been working its magic on her. Wasn’t that obvious? She’d never be as free-spirited as Shelly, but that wasn’t a bad thing.
One of them had to be responsible.
Gesturing ahead, Poppy whispered, “Shush, you two. Let it go.”
Her face flushing, Ivy realized that right now, that responsible person was their niece. After all these years, Shelly could still annoy her. She drew a steadying breath. Just ahead of them in the foyer was a group of thirty-something women in chic summer dresses. They were rolling their designer luggage inside. These guests didn’t need quarreling sisters; they needed the rejuvenating experience that they’d paid to enjoy.
A statuesque brunette in a slim black dress led the way like a conquering general. She was clearly in charge.
Beth Baldwin, Ivy guessed. “Everyone look happy, or else,” she hissed.
Shelly laughed. “Ditto, Ives.”
Raising her eyebrows and spreading her arms, Shelly turned to the crowd of women in the foyer. “Welcome to the Seabreeze Inn,” she called out.