A few minutes later, he paid Imani for the largest floral bouquet he’d ever seen. And now he had to walk through town with it.
Nan’s husband Arthur was trimming a tree next to a pair of life-sized nutcrackers. He wore a Santa hat over his shaved head.
“Quite an impressive bouquet you have,” Arthur said in his clipped English accent. Lowering his voice, he peered over his glasses. “Hope that makes up for whatever you did.”
“How did you—?” Bennett stopped and shook his head.
“I’ve been married for a few decades,” Arthur said. “I recognize the look in a man’s eyes.”
Bennett hadn’t realized his stroll through the village would be a walk of shame.
As Bennett approached the inn, he heard laughter coming from the direction of the fire pit. He was curious, but he didn’t want to be seen with the flowers, especially if Ivy were there. He raced upstairs to his apartment and deposited them in the sink. He wanted to give them to Ivy alone, not as part of a group, because those roses would be incomplete without an apology.
From his balcony, he saw a small gathering of people seated beside the fire.
Poppy spied him and waved. “Hi, Bennett. Come on over and meet our new guests.”
Bennett made his way downstairs to them, and Poppy introduced him as the town’s mayor. The guests had cranberry and ruby red grapefruit juice Sea Breezes, and spirits were high.
“And Bennett, I’d like you to meet our guests, Ophelia, Molly Ann, Rosamie, and Kristy.” Poppy turned to an older woman who had bright eyes and glistening silver hair. “Ophelia drove in from L.A. She’s a retired teacher and started a new career as a movie extra and model.”
Ophelia laughed. “Who knew I could be a senior model? I sort of fell into it, but I’m having the time of my life. This trip is a little reward for me.”
“No kidding?” Molly Ann asked. “I’m a makeup artist, and I’ve worked a lot of sets.”
“Is that a Southern accent I hear?” Ophelia asked.
“Georgia peach, through and through.” Molly Ann clinked her glass to Ophelia’s.
Poppy gestured to another woman. “This is Rosamie from Phoenix. She’s an ER nurse.”
Rosamie nodded. “This is my first vacation in three years, and it’s so much fun to be with others who aren’t attached. Where I come from, in the Philippines, we start celebrating Christmas in September.”
“And this is Kristy,” Poppy said, introducing a thirtyish woman with dark auburn hair and a cute sprinkle of freckles. “She’s a pastry chef from Phoenix.”
“We heard about the Christmas Stroll tonight in the village,” Kristy said. “I’m ready to shop. Christmas is my favorite time of year, but this year, my ex-husband has the children, so it’s always a little sad for me. I loved to bake with them because that’s what my mother did when I was young. She inspired me to become a pastry chef.”
Ophelia clasped her hand. “It’s difficult to be alone this time of year.”
Molly Ann took Kristy’s other hand. “I never really had a family because I grew up in foster homes. I still see one of my foster moms, and although she’s dedicated to the kids, it’s not quite the same as having a natural-born family.” She brightened. “The Santa Sprint caught my attention. We should do that together.”
Bennett enjoyed meeting the new guests. “I’m in charge of the sprint next weekend. Sprinters and walkers are welcome. So are Santa hats and holiday costumes. Are you staying the week?”
“The room was such a great deal that I’m staying until New Years,” Molly Ann replied. “With daily yoga and beach walks, I’m going to greet the new year in great shape. Happy and relaxed.” She turned Ophelia. “You should stay, too. There’s an extra bed in my room, and Ivy said I might be sharing with a roommate. This is like winter camp for adults.”
“I might do that,” the other woman said, smiling at the idea. “I feel at home already. But I’d have to buy a few more clothes.”
“You’ll find a lot of good shops in the village for that,” Bennett said. “They’re all open late on the weekends for the Christmas Stroll. Be sure to bundle up. Even though we’re at the beach and the sun shines during the day, it can get pretty chilly at night.”
Rosamie shivered. “I drove in from Phoenix. Does it dip below freezing?”
“Not usually,” he said. “Though it’s cooler this year. Sometimes we have to turn on the air conditioner and light the fireplace.”
Everyone laughed at the idea, but Bennett knew a couple of neighbors who did that. They liked the atmosphere of a fire crackling in the fireplace.
“I’m delighted to meet you all, and I hope you enjoy your stay in Summer Beach.” Bennett was impressed with the number of new guests. The Bay family women sure knew how to produce results.
Poppy smiled at their new guests. “If you need our mayor for anything, you’ll see him around a lot.”
Bennett gestured to the apartment above the garage. “After my home was damaged in the Ridgetop fire, I was fortunate enough to find a room at the inn. I know you’ll all enjoy it here. And I’ll see you soon at the afternoon wine and tea event.”
“We have a special guest tonight,” Poppy said.
“One of Celia’s music students?” Bennett asked.
Poppy’s eyes sparkled. “I can’t say. I’m to keep it a secret until the event. But you’ll want to attend.”
“Then I will.” He hesitated. “Have you seen Ivy around?”
Poppy raised an eyebrow. “She’s painting. You should proceed with caution.”
He drew a deep breath. “Right.” Bennett excused himself and raced back upstairs to retrieve the roses. After he’d thought about what Ivy said—and Sunny—he felt like a complete jerk. The last thing he wanted was to be lumped in the same category as Jeremy. He’d never thought much of the man, who had flaunted himself around Summer Beach when he first arrived with an overly made-up Paisley on his arm.
Ivy was a woman who deserved to be cherished and respected.
How could he help her to see that he was the man who would do that?
Bennett changed his shirt, then went into the bathroom to splash water on his face and freshen his cologne. He wasn’t one to be nervous about much, though facing Ivy’s continued rejection had him rattled. He might have been joking with Imani, but that was only to cover up his sorrow.
Since Ivy had come into his life, he felt as if he’d found his partner. His life had taken on new meaning and purpose that revolved around her. He hadn’t felt this level of connection since his wife Jackie died.
In the kitchen, he picked up the bouquet of roses. Its sweet aroma was magical, and he hoped it would help spur Ivy’s forgiveness. Summoning his courage, he made his way to the main house.
With one remark, one misstep, he stood to lose it all. That’s how a demise began. He’d seen friends falter in relationships, never managing to work themselves back to where they’d been, to the joy that had once filled their heart and brightened their world. Love could be the strongest, most durable force on earth. But as with Achilles, the smallest of arrows plunged into a tender spot could bring it down. It was too easy for love to crumple in the winds of misgivings.