When Bennett strolled into Java Beach, Mitch gestured to him from the coffee shop’s kitchen. The younger man had a secretive look on his face, and Bennett wondered what he was up to. He made his way toward his new brother-in-law past an old surfboard, vintage Polynesian travel posters, and clutches of people sipping coffee and enjoying the summer day. Business was brisk at Java Beach today.
Bennett was relieved to see Mitch in good spirits again. He could only imagine the stress he had dealt with in becoming a new father, especially given his upbringing with an abusive father. Yet, from what Bennett saw, that had built character in Mitch and given him the determination to overcome all he had endured.
Still, there were certainly healthier ways to build strong traits.
In comparison, Bennett’s life had been relatively uneventful—except for losing his first wife, Jackie. But now, he was building a life with Ivy, and he was deeply grateful for this second chance.
He could hear Mitch talking to his assistant, who stepped from the kitchen to take an order for a customer. Bennett poked his head inside.
“How’s it going in here?”
“I’ve got something new for you to try.”
His friend—whom he now considered his brother-in-law, even though he wasn’t sure that was quite the right term—was plating a dish.
“Tell me what you think.” Mitch speared a seafood cake of some sort with a fork and handed it to him.
“That’s a keeper,” Bennett said between bites. “Delicious. Is this crab or shrimp?”
“Both. I’m trying to differentiate my menu. Everyone on the beach serves burgers, but since my gourmet coffee creations have been a hit, I’ve been thinking about what I can do that’s different. I’ll still offer burgers. But I’ll make them with different cheeses. Brie. Stilton. Havarti. I’ll add sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions.”
“Options for the grown-ups.” Bennett grinned. “Sounds delicious.”
“Ginger’s recipes are my most popular dishes, but I can’t accept any more from her now that her granddaughter is making a go of the Coral Cafe.” Mitch spread a sauce onto a small plate, added a bunch of arugula, and placed another seafood cake on top with care.
“Marina has sure raised the bar in Summer Beach.” Bennett watched his friend’s meticulous attention to detail. Mitch had come a long way since serving coffee in paper cups on the beach and sleeping in his car. He had been studying new techniques and trying to improve his craft.
Mitch placed the dish in front of Bennett with a flourish. “Marina serves good food. She’s brought in serious foodies with her food festivals.”
“Sounds like you have to keep up,” Bennett said, issuing a mild challenge.
“Times change.” Mitch ran a hand through his spiky hair, bleached blond from the sun. “Poppy and Shelly are attracting travel and lifestyle bloggers to Summer Beach, what with the Seabreeze Inn and their new specialty weeks. They always mention the Coral Cafe’s menu.”
“Java Beach gets its share of mentions, too.”
“For coffee and muffins. I’m trying to build the afternoon business with a limited menu.”
“I thought you liked to close early to take out charter groups.” Mitch had a side business that did well when the whales were migrating.
“I did, but you have no idea how expensive kids are. I figure I’ll spend more on diapers than I did for my first surfboard.”
“Daisy won’t be wearing diapers forever.” Bennett chuckled, though he’d spent plenty on his nephew over the years. But he enjoyed doing it. He sliced a piece of the shrimp-and-crab cake and swept it through the sauce.
Mitch shook his head. “Have you seen how much those tiny pieces of clothing cost? And then there’s college. I want Daisy to go, even if I didn’t.”
“You just made a huge leap there,” Bennett said, smiling. Cleary, Mitch had new-father worries. “Relax; you’ve got time.”
“It doesn’t seem that way. Starting over like I did, I’m behind in adulting. Being responsible for a kid is a big deal. I can’t mess up.” Mitch folded his arms and leaned on the prep counter.
“You won’t.”
“I need to make sure of it. I’ll hire another cook for the afternoon crowd that’s been gorging on hot dogs and chips at the beach. Bratwurst, I’m thinking. And some vegan options.”
“Good idea.” Bennett took another bite of the appetizer and gave his friend a thumbs-up. “That has to go on the menu.”
“Next week,” Mitch said, looking pleased with Bennett’s response. “Has Ivy been keeping you updated about this reunion?”
“She mentioned it.” Bennett knew Ivy’s immediate family, most of whom lived nearby, but he had yet to meet the extended family.
Mitch wiped down his stainless-steel workspace. “Shelly expects that as newcomers to the family, we’ll be heavily scrutinized. And that’s the last thing Shelly needs right now.”
“I’ve got nothing to hide.”
Mitch paused and smirked. “Yeah, speak for yourself, Mayor.”
“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
Immediately, Bennett regretted his choice of words. Mitch had served a short prison sentence for theft several years ago when he was hardly more than a teenager. When he’d arrived in Summer Beach, he’d just been released. Later, Mitch had confided in Bennett, and he’d kept the younger man’s secret as he built a new reputation and business in Summer Beach.
Mitch waved off his words. “This is the price I pay for my teenage stupidity. So, do I tell the relatives first and get it over with or wait until they find out and confront me?”
“Mundane as it sounds, honesty is the best policy, but you probably shouldn’t lead with that.”
“Suppose not.” Mitch shook his head. “I’ll just wait until it comes up in conversation. Or maybe I’ll find a weekend charter for the duration of the reunion to save Shelly the embarrassment.”
Bennett touched his friend’s shoulder. “I’m sure it won’t be like that. No one will bring up your past.”
Mitch hung his head. “No one but Google. It’s easy to find out about me.”
“Who cares? You and Shelly are married, so that makes you part of the family. And you’re pretty successful now.” Bennett gestured toward the cafe. “Can’t argue with this.”
Mitch gave a sarcastic chuckle. “You’re too optimistic. I know how people are.”
“Everyone in Summer Beach has accepted you. Even Chief Clark.”
“Sure. Once my name was cleared, he released me from jail. With my record, I’ll always be suspect number one.”
“It won’t be like that again.” Yet even as Bennett reassured him, he knew that Mitch was being realistic.
No one had known about Mitch’s past when he arrived in Summer Beach. But when his prior troubles came to light, there had been talk. The extended family might have a similar reaction. Yet once people got to know Mitch, they usually liked him.
“Good thing you don’t have anything in your past to hide.” Mitch raised an eyebrow. “I hope family members don’t bring any expensive jewelry to lose on the beach.”
Bennett nodded in thought. He hadn’t checked himself out online—not that he had anything to worry about. There were a few cases against Summer Beach that he’d been involved with, the most notable being the lawsuit that Ivy’s former husband had filed against the city. Jeremy had attempted to change the zoning to build his high-rise monstrosity. Still, Bennett wasn’t concerned. Unlike Mitch, he’d lived life carefully.
Too carefully, though?
Bennett wondered. He didn’t even have a bucket list. Marrying Ivy was the most adventurous thing he’d done in years. He’d seen plenty of men his age make drastic changes. His father-in-law was sailing around the world. His former neighbors, Tyler and Celia, had reconciled, and they were planning a long voyage, too. Roy and Leilani closed Hidden Garden every winter for a long holiday in Hawaii.
What was he doing with his life? Balancing the city budget, listening to the same minor complaints, and showing real estate on the weekends. The most exciting thing he was doing right now was building the extension on the chauffeur’s cottage.
And he couldn’t even talk Ivy into taking a holiday with him.
Was life passing him by?
“Hey, man. Earth to Mayor; come in, please.” Mitch rapped his knuckles on the counter. “Did you hear anything I said?”
“What? Oh, sure.”
“So, the answer is yes?”
“Absolutely.” Bennett pushed aside his empty plate.
Mitch grinned. “Okay, then. This should be fun.”
Bennett had no idea what Mitch had said, but whatever it was couldn’t be earth-shattering.
Nothing in his life was.
Which is just the way he’d planned it. Still, he had a sense that he was missing something.
“There’s one more thing I need your opinion on,” Mitch said, looking concerned. “It’s about Shelly. Ever since Daisy was born, she’d been kind of different. Tired, but more than that, and I’m not sure…” His voice trailed off as he glanced at a customer who’d just arrived at the counter.
Bennett heard the sudden shift in his friend’s voice, and it worried him. He wondered how Mitch was adjusting to fatherhood. Due to the abuse he’d suffered as a child, he’d had some trepidation before the baby was born. He’d had counseling, but something was clearly on his mind. “Want to talk about it?”
Mitch ran a hand through his spiky hair. “That would be cool. It will have to be later.”
“I won’t forget.” Bennett gave Mitch a hug and left Java Beach, strolling down Main Street toward the marina.
As Bennett walked, he thought about everything he had to be thankful for. Yet, sometimes he felt he was living in the shadow of the Seabreeze Inn in Ivy’s heart. At that thought, he slowed, not knowing whether to chuckle or chastise himself. How could he be envious of an old house? He hoped he was more evolved than that.
Besides, he was the mayor of Summer Beach. He had achieved every goal he’d set for himself. Last year, he declined an important position that would have taken him from the community. He had no regrets about that.
Bennett glanced back at the inn, rising against the clear blue sky. Still, the vague feeling of discontent persisted. A thought formed in his mind, and he nodded to himself.
A man needs to matter to those he loves the most.