“Thank you,” Nick said. As she walked away, she noticed he went back to the buffet for seconds.
She wondered if Nick would stick around now that she’d asked him to work in exchange for his room. Shelly might explode, but Ivy wasn’t going to turn out a nice young man right before Christmas. She knew what it was like to lose your home. Besides, Amelia Erickson had a history of providing shelter to other. From wounded troops in the ballroom to refugees in the attic, her house had been a sanctuary for many.
Nick was staying, and that’s all there was to it.
Chapter 10
Bennett strolled along the marina, enjoying the crisp breeze off the water. It was Saturday afternoon, and the sky was clear. Behind him, palm trees rustled in the wind. He enjoyed walking through the village and visiting shopkeepers and restaurateurs. He learned a great deal that way. Who was opening a new shop, who was getting married or having a baby, or who was struggling and might need a hand. As the mayor, he was there to serve his constituents.
Bennett stopped by the old sport fishing boat that Mitch had equipped with long benches and inside seating to accommodate charters.
“Permission to come aboard,” Bennett called out.
Mitch climbed up from below deck wearing an old sweatshirt and jeans. His spiky blond hair stuck out at weird angles, and he brushed his hand over his head, ruffling his hair even more. “How’s it going, Mr. Mayor?”
“Getting ready for the opening of the Christmas market in the village square tonight.”
Bennett stepped onto the boat and greeted Mitch with a warm bro hug. Mitch was like the younger brother he’d never had. “Chief Paula is bringing the fire department’s vintage truck to decorate, Axe Woodson is organizing the a cappella carolers, and Nan and Arthur are organizing the shopkeepers.”
“Even without snow, Summer Beach is my favorite place to spend Christmas,” Mitch said. He pulled a couple of guava juice drinks from a nearby cooler. “Want one?”
“Sure,” Bennett said, and Mitch tossed him a can. “In the past, we’ve trucked in snow from the mountains for the kids. No snowfall yet, though.”
The two men eased onto aft benches and opened their drinks. Bennett took a swig and lifted his face to the salty breeze. Though the wind was cool, the sun was warm on his skin. “This is the life, isn’t it?”
“Best one I’ve ever known.” Mitch grinned. “Even the whales head this way. Word is the gray whales are migrating now. They’ve been spotted up north. Thousands of those beauties making their way all the way from Alaska to Baja California. That’s why I’m getting this old vessel cleaned up. I’m already getting calls for charters.”
“You did well last year with that, didn’t you?”
“It was a good year. This year should be, too, as long as that part I’m waiting on isn’t back-ordered again. Can you use another hand on your boat for the parade?”
“It’s more fun that way,” Bennett said, grinning at his friend.
Mitch tipped his drink back. “Seems the inn has been pretty quiet. Bakery orders are way down.”
“Maybe not for long,” Bennett said. “Ivy and Shelly started a special winter deal. I saw a couple of new guests already.” He hoped they’d be able to make it through the lean winter months.
“Good for them.” Mitch paused. “How’s Nick working out there? Shelly says he’s helping her in the yard.” He chuckled. “She wasn’t too happy about it at first, but now I think she’s glad for the help.”
“Can’t quite figure him out.” Bennett shook his head. “But he seems harmless, and he’s there to stay for a while.”
Mitch inclined his head. “That’s what I thought when I rolled into town, too. And now look at me.” He fist-bumped Bennett. “Hey, we should invite Nick on the boat for the parade. He seems like a good guy, and I bet it would mean a lot to him.”
Feeling a little put on the spot, Bennett shifted uncomfortably. And yet, Mitch was right. “Go ahead. Why don’t you ask him?”
“Will do.”
Bennett and Mitch chatted a little longer, and then Bennett moved on to the next boat owners. Most of the people there today were decorating their boats for the annual Christmas light parade. He stopped to speak to Tyler, who was rigging up an animated Santa display on his boat. After talking with Tyler, Bennett continued to his boat at the far end of the marina.
Satisfied that everything was in order, Bennett left the marina and started back through the village toward the inn. It was a healthy walk, but it felt good to be out. As he passed Blossoms, he saw Imani wave to him. A thought came to him, and he jogged across the street.
“What’s the hurry?” Imani asked. She wore a holly-red sweater over a long tie-dyed skirt with low heeled boots.
“I need something extra special,” he said, perusing the cut flowers Imani had displayed in aluminum watering cans and brightly-colored buckets.
“What’s the occasion?”
Bennett winced. “Let’s call it a mea culpa peace offering.”
Imani shook her head. “Has to be for Ivy, am I right?”
“You got it.”
“Hmm. What’d you go and do this time?”
Bennet’s mouth dropped open. “This time?”
Imani gave a hearty laugh. “You’re trying to tell me this is the first time you’ve made a fool of yourself?”
“Well, no, but you don’t have to be so blunt about it.” He enjoyed sparring with Imani, though her words sure hit the mark. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet.
With a wink, Imani said, “You’re a man. I have to be blunt. And it’s my legal training.”
“Okay, then.” Passing a hand over his eyes, he said, “I might have questioned her judgment on something that wasn’t any of my business.”
“Ah-ha.” Imani crossed her arms. “Then I’m afraid that would call for my best red roses. It’s going to cost you, but I’ll bet you’re already paying the price, aren’t you?”
“I’d asked her to go to the Christmas Stroll tonight, but she’s not taking my calls or replying to my texts. I know she’s had new guests arrive, so she’s probably busy, but…yeah, I made a fool of myself.” And then some. “It’s quite possible—probable—that I insulted her intelligence and judgment.”
“That calls for an even larger bouquet.” Imani narrowed her eyes. “You do know you could just go upstairs, knock on her door, and apologize.”
“Sure, but I figure an armful of flowers can’t hurt. If the conversation turns ugly, I can hide behind them. So you’d better make it a huge bouquet.” He held out his arms. Yes, I’m a giant idiot.
“I know just the thing,” she said, plucking roses from a container.
Bennett sure hoped so. He’d made the date with Ivy—at least, in his mind, it was a date—before Thanksgiving. But she’d been so upset that he hadn’t had a real chance to talk to her. Maybe he’d avoided her, too.
Yes, he had. They usually had breakfast together, but he figured he should let her cool off.