Bennett filled the coffee maker and flipped a switch. Through the kitchen window, he could see Ivy in the garden, picking herbs for the breakfast she’d promised her mother and her cousin Diana. The sunlight caught the golden highlights in her hair. He watched for a few moments, transfixed as she moved gracefully through the garden. This was the woman he loved, and he’d do anything for.
Even cook for the entire brood, it seemed.
That’s what Mitch had asked him about at Java Beach—and that’s what he got for agreeing without paying attention. He grinned to himself. It wasn’t so bad. He was happy to help Mitch make a good impression.
As the coffee brewed, he turned to Clark.
“Sorry about waking the household this morning,” Clark said, easing onto a stool at the center island counter. “Although if I’d been an intruder, your guest might’ve scared me off. That’s one tough lady.”
“No worries. We needed to be up early for Paige’s move. The rest of the guys should be here soon to help us pack. We’ll start with the bookshop downstairs so as not to wake the guests. Once they’re up, we’ll pack Paige’s personal belongings in her room.”
“Noah and Piper will meet us at the bookshop to unpack,” Clark added. “Piper offered to help Paige organize her private quarters.”
Bennett pulled out a skillet and put it on the old stovetop. “They’re doing a fine job of transforming the old airfield. The project should be complete next spring.” He swirled avocado oil into the skillet.
“The park is a much-needed addition to the community,” Clark said. “Children need a place to go besides the beach. Especially the older kids.”
“Celia and Tyler have stepped up with support.” The local couple had made a fortune in Silicon Valley in technology, and Celia ran the music program at Summer Beach’s schools. “Tyler is personally overseeing a project to train and employ junior park rangers, which is what he calls the older teens who help organize activities and keep the grounds clean. It’s a good program to give them experience and instill a sense of ownership in the project.”
“And keep them out of trouble,” Clark said.
Like any community, Summer Beach had a few kids at risk, and Bennett hoped this project would give them a new direction. “As it turns out, Tyler had a difficult childhood.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed that, what with all of his fancy tech friends from the Bay Area competing on who has the bigger boat.”
Bennett’s view of Tyler had recently changed. “We got to talking at the marina the other day. Seems his father died when he was young, and his mother struggled. He confided that he ran with a tough crowd as a kid until his mother met and married a wealthy investor. That’s how Tyler managed to afford a top university. He told me he felt like an outsider though, like he didn’t fit in.”
Clark nodded thoughtfully. “So that’s why he’s been trying to prove himself ever since. I grew up in a tough neighborhood, too. The truth is, I could’ve gone either way. But my mother insisted I attend college, and she helped me apply for scholarships. So, I studied music and law enforcement. It’s obvious which way I went.”
Bennett enjoyed learning more about Summer Beach residents. Everyone had a story, and they weren’t always what you first imagined. “Is that why I see you at all the music recitals?”
“It’s my way of supporting the kids, even if I don’t have any. Those kids have talent and dreams. Often I wonder how my life would have turned out if I’d pursued music instead of law enforcement.”
“I’ve thought the same myself.” The coffee machine gurgled to a stop.
Clark was quiet for a moment. “What dream did you give up on?”
“I played the guitar and sang a little. When I was a teenager, I thought I might be a rock star, like a lot of kids do.” He poured two cups and put one in front of Clark. From one of the old twin turquoise refrigerators, he brought out eggs and cheese.
“So why didn’t you pursue music?” Clark asked.
As Bennett drew out a cutting board and knife, he shrugged. “Probably the same reason you didn’t. I didn’t have the proper training, and I couldn’t see a career path ahead. I had an uncle in real estate who seemed to enjoy what he did, and the flexibility appealed to me.”
Clark lifted his cup. “And what made you run for mayor?”
“I grew up in Summer Beach, and I felt a responsibility to make sure the community retained its character. I didn’t want to lose the village to fast food restaurants and chain stores.” He placed a bowl and whisk on the counter.
So far, the community had avoided that, but Bennett knew the threat was ever-present. A few months ago, Summer Beach could have lost the old airfield property to a discount mall developer had residents not rallied against it.
Bennett spread his hands. “Take Paige’s bookshop, for example. A lot of small towns no longer have independent bookstores. To me, the idea of home isn’t only about the house you grew up in. The concept of home also extends to the community and the people who make a town what it is.”
“I hear you on that,” Clark agreed, nodding. “When I go back to my hometown, it’s grown so much that I get lost. I never needed a map when I lived there, but now I couldn’t get around without GPS.”
Bennett selected a ripe avocado from a large bowl on the counter and peered back at his friend. “Was the desire for that hometown feeling what brought you to Summer Beach?”
Clark grinned. “You’re pretty smart for a mayor.”
“Thanks, Chief.” Bennett laughed. The two men had become good friends outside of their work for the city of Summer Beach. Sometimes they took Bennett’s boat to fish, while other times, they played basketball on the weekends. For such a large, well-built man, Clark was fast and agile on the court.
Just then, Ivy burst through the kitchen door carrying fresh produce from the garden. She deposited the bright green basil, sweet yellow peppers, and a rippled heirloom tomato beside the sink.
Ivy pushed her hands through her still mussed hair. “What a way to wake up. I’m sorry you both had to endure Diana’s wrath this morning.”
“She reminds me of Darla.” Bennett poured a cup of coffee for Ivy. “Crusty on the outside, but tender on the inside. At least, that’s what I hope.”
Ivy cradled the cup in her hands. “So do I. Honestly, it’s hard to fathom that Diana is related to us. My mom is up there with her now.”
Clark stood and pulled out a stool for her. “My apologies again for waking her.”
Sensing Ivy’s struggle, Bennett put his arm around his wife. “Relax, I can manage a few omelets.”
Poppy hurried into the kitchen. “I heard the racket outside. What happened?”
Clark explained, “Your cousin was ready to call the police on me.”
“Wow,” Poppy said. “I can just imagine what your officers would have thought about that. Turning to Ivy, she added, “My room is all yours if you want it now.”
“I could use a shower to clear my head,” Ivy said. She looked at Bennett. “Are you sure you’ve got this?”
“Never better,” Bennett replied. After Jackie died, he’d learned to cook for himself, and now he enjoyed it. Besides, he wanted to do this and more for Ivy. She hadn’t slept well last night, and he suspected it was more than the discomfort of their makeshift bed.
That afternoon, after moving Paige’s belongings from the inn, Bennett stacked boxes by the bookshelves they’d arranged in the newly renovated space. He admired Paige’s organization; she marked each box of books to correspond to a bookshelf. With plenty of help from Clark, Noah, and other friends, the move had gone swiftly, and all the bookshelves were in place. Pages Bookshop would be open for business tomorrow.
New shelves and beaded wainscoting were painted white, and nautical, navy-blue carpets were rolled over the restored hardwood floors. Axe Woodson’s renovation team had salvaged the painted wood risers from the whimsical staircase, so the old book quotes were back in their former positions. The bookshop was fresh, clean, and inviting, yet it still retained the small-town charm that generations had loved. And at the center of it all was Paige, looking excited over this fresh chapter in her life.
Bennett hoisted another box of books. “Where do these go?”
Paige gestured toward Piper, who was unloading cartons near the stairs. “That box goes over there in the local authors’ section.”
Piper was shelving books. “Those are probably the ones I’ve been looking for. Paige wants them right here.” She brushed her fringe of short dark hair from her eyes.
“There’s another one coming.” Bennett was glad to see how well Noah and Piper were getting along. Two young people with such talent and shared love could have a wonderful life in Summer Beach.
He chuckled at his thoughts. He’d become more sentimental after falling in love.
Outside, Clark stood by the moving truck, stacking boxes on a hand trolley. When Bennett approached, he rested an arm across the top of the boxes. “I’m glad Noah brought his extreme sports buddies. We’re getting too old for moving.”
Bennett ran a hand across his neck. “We’re just out of practice. Those guys are serious athletes.”
He reached for a couple of cold water bottles from an ice chest and tossed one to Clark, then motioned to Noah, indicating he and Clark were taking a break.
Noah grinned. “We’ve got this. Nearly finished, anyway.”
Clark eased onto a bench by the door, and Bennett watched the younger man take over. Noah had a good physique. While Bennett enjoyed running and staying active, he’d never been into extreme sports.
After taking a long swig of water, Clark leaned toward Bennett. “I heard old Charlie is taking bets on Noah and Piper at Java Beach.”
“Not again. Do you think they know?”
“Noah might. He’s the kind of guy who’d laugh it off.”
“I’m not so sure about Piper. Think we should tell them?”
“You’d better let Noah do that.” Clark raised his brow. “A while back, I had a serious talk with old Charlie about the line on Imani and me.”
“No kidding? I didn’t know you were that serious.”
“She’s not.” Clark took a swig of water. “She doesn’t like anyone talking about her private business. As for me, I’m biding my time.”
Bennett nodded. “Patience will serve you, my friend.”
Just then, Piper called out to Paige across the room. “Where do you want this sketch of Ivy?”
Bennett looked up. Sure enough, Piper held a charcoal sketch. Although her hair was different, the eyes were perfectly drawn. “I’ve never seen that before. Where did this come from?”
“It was leaning against a bookshelf, so I packed it,” Clark replied.” I didn’t really look at it.”
“You can take that back to Ivy,” Paige said. “It’s quite good, so I’m sure she’ll want it.” She squinted at the corner. “That doesn’t look like her signature, though. And what an odd mounting.”
Piper turned the piece over, inspecting it. “It’s a beautiful inlaid piece on the other side.”
Paige turned her brilliant blue eyes to him. “Be sure to let her know we didn’t mean to take it.”
“Will do,” Bennett said. He carried the piece to his SUV and slid it into the back.