“I’d like that,” Ivy said, feeling a measure of relief.
She clasped his hand. If she were to take the next step with Bennett, Ivy had to make a plan for her family. “Sunny is struggling with a new school, new friends, and a new home. And I know she’s worried about finding work after graduation.”
“I see that Poppy is training her.”
“That’s to work off her Amex bill, which is really about taking responsibility for her actions. But Sunny seems to like it, and she has hinted about working at the inn after school.”
“Is that an option?”
Ivy shook her head. “I think it’s better that Sunny try working for another boss. When I ask her to check a guestroom, I’m not asking as her mother. I’m directing her as the business owner. But she doesn’t always take it that way.”
“Spoken like a true boss.”
Ivy grinned and bumped his shoulder. “No one has ever called me that before.”
“That’s what you are. I’ve watched you blossom into the role these last few months. Being a boss isn’t only about delegating. It’s looking ahead to create your future, holding to that vision, building your team, managing your finances, and being creative when you have to be.”
Ivy threw her shoulders back and lifted her chin. “Then I’m your boss.”
Bennett laughed. “One heck of a boss, in my book.” He drained his hot cocoa and wrapped his arms around her.
Bennett made talking about tough subjects easier, and Ivy appreciated that. Plus, she couldn’t remember when she’d had so much fun or laughed so hard. Seeing Bennett sprawled across the ice rink with teens from Summer Beach skating around him was priceless. Thankfully, he wasn’t hurt, and he was a good sport about it all.
After returning their skates, they walked on the beach for a while, talking about the holiday events in Summer Beach and guests at the inn.
“I think we might have our first guest romance developing,” Ivy said.
“I haven’t noticed. Who?”
“Oh, come on.” Ivy nudged him. “Haven’t you seen how Nick and Kristy are often in deep discussions? The sky could be falling around them, and they wouldn’t notice.”
“Really? I’ll have to watch for that.” Bennett grinned. “The sky bit, too.” He looked up and ducked.
“You’re such a tease.” But Ivy liked that about him. Bennett reminded her of how her father used to kid around with her and her siblings. Flint and Forrest were like that with their children, too. It might be silly, but it kept life fun.
As they drove back to the inn, Ivy slid next to Bennett on the bench seat. Fortunately, there was a seatbelt in the middle. Sitting next to him with the blanket over her legs and the winter breeze in her hair reminded her of old film scenes. Although the trappings of day-to-day life had changed since the 1950s, the human heart still longed for the same closeness and connection.
When White Christmas came on the radio as they were driving past the Del Mar horse racing track, Ivy turned up the song. “My parents used to play Bing’s Christmas album all the time. When my father was young, he worked for Bing Crosby and the group that developed Del Mar. They developed the racetrack in the 1930s, a little before Dad’s time, of course, but Bing and his friends were still hanging out there in the sixties.”
Bennett stretched his arm across her shoulders. “I used to strum this on the guitar for my folks.”
He began to sing, and Ivy rested her head on his shoulder. His gravelly baritone reverberated in his chest and warmed her heart.
She could never have predicted this holiday season. Yet as they wound back to the inn on this wintry eve, she had a strange feeling that more surprises were still to come.
Ivy reached up and pulled down the retractable attic staircase from the ceiling and locked it into place. “We haven’t been up here much since we had a big Halloween party, so there might still be some stray popcorn around.” Rocky and Reed had also slept here over the long Thanksgiving weekend. She gathered her soft denim skirt to start up the stairs.
“I appreciate your taking the time to show me the attic,” Nick said, craning his neck to peer into the opening above. His eyes were bright with anticipation.
“We opened the attic during the art festival this past summer and led tours to share the history of the house.” As she climbed the stairs, she told Nick about Amelia Erickson and how the house was used during the Second World War for recovering troops and to shelter people.
“Do you know who she was sheltering here?” Nick asked.
Ivy stepped into the attic room. “No one by name, no. In her journal, she wrote about how she was destroyed when a European refugee ship was turned back. Many of those passengers went on to perish in the war.” Ivy paused to catch her breath.
“The S.S. St. Louis,” Nick said.
“You know your history,” Ivy replied. “Not many people these days are aware of that.” She gave Nick a hand up the last steps. “History, science, music, inventions—you’re a Renaissance man, Nick.”
He blushed slightly. “My grandparents’ influence, I suppose. I have a wide range of interests.”
“And you’ve obviously had time to pursue them.” She waved her hand. “This is an outer room, which was probably used for storage. We found some old boxes of tinware here.”
Glancing around the small anteroom lined with shelves, Nick took in everything. “I grew up on a farm, so the period from planting to harvest was busy. However, during the winter, my family and I had to occupy ourselves.”
“A farm?” Ivy was curious about Nick and his background, but she didn’t want to probe. He would share when he was comfortable. She’d had portrait clients like that. At the commencement of the commission, they were quiet and concerned about their appearance, but as they relaxed, they’d let down their defenses. When their personality emerged, she was able to capture their unique character on canvas.
However, Nick didn’t expound on his farm life.
“You’re very intelligent,” Ivy said reassuringly. “I’m sure you’ll get the break you’ve been looking for someday soon.”
Nick chuckled. “I’ve been trying to put the pieces together for a long time.”
“You should think about staying in Summer Beach.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose on your hospitality too much.”
“You wouldn’t be. And Shelly is very pleased with your work. It’s going to be fairly quiet around here until spring break and the summer season. We’ll use that time to catch up on maintenance around the grounds and in the house. We’re planning several special events right now, so we’ll still have some busy periods.” So far, she was encouraged by the reservations for the holiday season.
Nick raised his brow. “I’d planned to be on my way after Christmas, though I’ll keep your kind offer in mind.”
“Please do. Now, let’s have a look at the rest of the rooms. They’re small but functional.” Ivy turned to go through a doorway. She flicked on the overhead lights that Flint had repaired for her.
“Pardon the dust,” Ivy said. She bent down to pick up a few pieces of popcorn from the floor.