Seabreeze Book Club (Summer Beach 6), page 12
“Mrs. Bennett. I like the sound of that,” he said between bites.
“Not unless you answer to Mr. Ivy.” Ivy laughed. “I’m not taking any part of your name—you’re welcome to keep it all. It’s a lot of trouble to change your legal identity these days. Look at what Shelly is going through.” Her sister had been complaining about all the paperwork after her marriage.
“Will you answer to Mrs. Dylan socially?”
Ivy paused with the hummus in mid-air. “I haven’t thought about that, but I suppose I will. Even though we’re not quite legal.”
“It’s legal where it counts.” A smile spread across Bennett’s face, and he pointed heavenward. “I’m mighty proud to be your husband. Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
Ivy had applied for a new driver’s license and passport, so if they wanted to legalize their marriage, they could. Still, she was hesitant. Was this normal? Or was it somewhat akin to buyer’s remorse? Except this wasn’t a car or a house; it was the rest of her life. Could she ever be one-hundred-percent sure?
Was there even such a thing?
“We need to talk about that,” Ivy said. She glanced at the large round clock in the kitchen. “But people will start arriving soon. I’d better finish this and get downstairs. Poppy is already setting up.”
“I’ll be in the room going over some business for the city.” Bennett trailed a finger along her arm. “Would you like to join me for a glass of wine later? We can talk then.”
Despite her uncertainty, her pulse quickened at his touch. “I’d like that,” Ivy said, ignoring her practical side. When she was around Bennett, her heart took over. Still, they were married, however gray that area was.
A little while later, the same crowd as last week gathered, only this time, they’d all brought their favorite books. Everyone was immersed in conversation. Imani and Maeve, Celia and Jen, Gilda and Nan, and a few new guests. Even Bettina, the nurse, had returned. She and her husband were nearing the end of their vacation, and she looked rested and cheerful.
Paige stood by, smiling with satisfaction. Her silver hair glinted in the light of the freshly cleaned chandeliers.
Ivy greeted her, and Paige turned her bright eyes toward her. “Books bring out the best in people, don’t you think?”
“I do,” Ivy said.
“Will your sister be joining us again tonight?”
“I don’t think so. Shelly is feeling a little under the weather.”
Paige slid a knowing glance at Ivy. “She needs her rest. Now more than ever.”
“She does,” Ivy said, wondering if Shelly had confided in Paige. “Did she…?”
“Tell me?” Paige finished. “Dear heavens, no. But she has such a lovely glow about her.” She lowered her voice. “And she had to bolt for the ladies’ room when she was in the shop buying her books. But unlike many people in this town, I can keep a secret.” Paige cast a look at Darla and pressed a finger against her lips.
“We appreciate that,” Ivy said, relieved. “It’s very early, and Shelly and Mitch want to make sure that all is well.”
“I understand.”
And yet, just before the meeting began, Shelly appeared, tapping Ivy on the shoulder.
“You made it,” Ivy said, happy to see her.
“I rallied,” Shelly said, toting a bottle of ginger ale. “Mitch wanted to see Bennett, so I came along.”
“I’m so glad you did.” Ivy hugged her. As she did, she could feel that Shelly had lost weight. Ivy was worried about her gaunt appearance, but Shelly assured her she was feeling better.
Poppy nudged her. “Look who is coming down the stairs.”
Ivy sighed. Geena. Of all the people Ivy didn’t want to see, Geena was at the top of that list. “She fooled me. I didn’t peg her as a con artist. A troubled young woman, perhaps, but not an outright liar.”
“She thinks she’s justified,” Imani said.
Poppy drummed her fingers on her drinking glass. “I wonder what she wants?”
“Cash,” Imani replied. “That’s pretty clear. In her mind, she’s already taking possession. And she wants to irritate you.”
“I could kill her with kindness,” Ivy said.
Shelly leaned in. “Or just ki—“
“Really?” Ivy cut her off. “You could be more creative.”
“Hey, you have to admit my New York attitude comes in handy when you need a heavy.” Shelly struck a pose, flexing a bicep. “Mitch told me he saw her at Java Beach. The word in town is that she moved into the Seal Cove Inn when you kicked her out.”
“What?” Ivy was appalled. “I didn’t kick her out. She left on her own.”
Poppy leaned in. “That’s the gossip at Java Beach, Aunt Ivy. Geena sure has a lot of nerve showing up here again. I can ask her to leave.”
“Let’s wait and see what she’s up to,” Imani said in a thoughtful tone. “Could be useful.”
Just then, Geena looked in their direction.
“Shh,” Ivy said. It was all she could do to bite back another comment. On this level, the acoustics carried sound well.
Poppy lowered her voice. “If only there were a way to take a DNA sample on Amelia and Gustav.”
As Ivy swung her gaze toward Geena, a thought occurred to her. “Maybe there is,” she said slowly, her mind whizzing around a new idea. “Wouldn’t it be interesting if someone in her family had submitted DNA somewhere?”
“I think I know what you’re talking about.” Imani narrowed her eyes. “Recently, some old criminal cases have been solved through familial connections from online genealogy sites.”
“Exactly,” Ivy said. “What if we could find other family members and follow the DNA trail?”
“Perhaps,” Imani said. “But don’t get your hopes up. There might not be anything to find.”
“But there could be,” Ivy said, grasping at the idea. She didn’t have many options. “A lot of people are doing DNA research for genealogy.”
“Or, what you find could confirm what you wish wasn’t true,” Imani said.
As Ivy realized the validity of that statement, her hope fell. “But we did the right thing in returning the treasures we found here.”
“Of course, I agree with you, but there are always at least two sides to an argument,” Imani said. “Still, it could be worth a try.”
Poppy’s eyes widened with excitement. “I’ll research that for you, Aunt Ivy. And I’ll find out if she has any family around. I’ll check online.”
Geena took an old book from the shelf. Then, with a pointed look at Ivy, she placed it back on the shelf with an exaggerated movement. “Voila.”
“Let’s start the meeting,” Ivy said, trying to ignore her.
Everyone found a chair and, scooting close together, sat down.
“We can start by sharing our favorite books,” Paige said. “Ivy, why don’t you begin and tell us what you thought of the book you read.”
Ivy held up the copy of Pride and Prejudice that Paige had given her. “I’m still in the early chapters, and I’m not too fond of Mrs. Bennet, who is determined to marry off her daughters. Still, given the era—more than two-hundred years ago—and the fact that Mrs. Bennet has two-and-a-half times the number of daughters I have, I’ll give her a pass,” she added, grudgingly extending a measure of forgiveness toward the character. “She probably didn’t have time for much introspection.” A laugh rose around the room. “As for Lizzie, I believe she is searching for herself, even though she might not realize it yet.”
Paige nodded. “The search for oneself is a frequent theme in Austen’s works. Why do you think that might be?”
Maeve raised her hand. “In the nineteenth century, women’s roles were narrowly defined. And yet, they searched for meaning and often found ways to follow their passions, just as Jane Austen did with her writing.”
“That’s an interesting observation,” Paige said, inclining her head.
“As for Lizzie, I think her subconscious attraction to Mr. Darcy annoys the part of her that wants to remain independent and self-actualizing. Although she also yearns for love and acceptance.”
A small smile tugged a corner of Paige’s mouth. “And do you think she will find a resolution?”
Ivy rubbed her temple in thought. “It’s a struggle, but I like to think she will.” As Ivy caught Paige’s eye, it seemed as if the older woman might have insights Ivy hadn’t shared with her.
“In this novel,” Paige began. “Jane Austen wrote, ‘Till this moment I never knew myself.’ For those of you who had read the novel, what do you think she meant by that?”
A lively discussion ensued, and as Ivy listened, she began to understand why Paige might have suggested this book for her.
A book whisperer, indeed. Ivy exchanged a nod of gratitude with Paige. She would keep reading this novel.
Sitting next to her, Jen swept her long brown hair over her shoulder and rested her chin in her hand. “This book sounds more interesting than I thought it would. And I could really go for a Mr. Darcy.”
As each new member of the book club talked about Pride and Prejudice or a favorite book, the conversation rose and carried along for the next two hours, which seemed to pass quickly.
Geena kept to the rear of the room and declined to speak. Ivy couldn’t figure her out. Oddly, she looked interested in what other women had to say—as if she was starved for connection. What a dichotomy, Ivy thought. Geena didn’t seem to have the personality to draw people to her.
After deciding on the books to read for the first quarter of the club meetings—with Pride and Prejudice as their first selection—the women continued chatting. Poppy poured more wine and tea for those lingering.
“Looks like they’re enjoying the company,” Ivy said to Shelly.
“I can understand why. This place has good vibes. Even with Geena here.”
Ivy sighed. “She has to leave sometime.”
Just then, Mitch joined them. Sliding his arm around Shelly, he said, “How are you feeling, babe?”
Shelly beamed at him. “Great, but a little tired.”
He kissed her forehead. “I thought you might want to leave early. How about a bubble bath in that big old clawfoot tub?”
“I’d love that,” Shelly said.
Standing next to them, Paige turned and smiled. “It’s getting late, but you know book lovers. We like nothing better than to talk about our favorite books.”
“And drink wine,” Poppy said, emptying another bottle. “Aunt Ivy, I can stay here if you want to turn in as well.”
Bennett had invited her for a glass of wine, and she looked forward to relaxing with him. She had been waiting until after the meeting to enjoy a glass. “I’d appreciate that.”
Ivy walked out with Shelly and Mitch. She stood by the kitchen window, watching them as they strolled arm in arm to Mitch’s car, and he helped her inside. His gentle way touched Ivy’s heart. Blinking back her emotion, she thought of all that Shelly had gone through in the effort to live her dream. And soon, if all went well with her pregnancy, they would be welcoming a new little life into the family.
Ivy leaned against the doorjamb and waved as they pulled out of the car court. If there was one constant in life, she decided, it was change.
Turning away from the lights of the car, Ivy considered the dishes in the sink. Usually, she would have tended to them before going to bed, but Poppy had offered, and Sunny would be back from studying with Jamir to help her soon. Ivy would gladly leave the dishes to the girls tonight.
Across the car court, a window glowed in the old chauffeur’s apartment. On the balcony, a silhouette stood against the light.
Bennett was waiting for her.
She smoothed her hair and tucked it behind her ears before making her way outside. The night was balmy, so she took off her denim jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
As she crossed the car court, Bennett’s deep, gravelly voice floated down to her. “I was hoping you’d come.”
“The book club is still going on, but I ducked out.”
Bennett gazed across waves that looked surreal in the moonlit sky. “How about a walk on the beach with a to-go glass?”
“I’d like that,” she said, smiling up at him.
Bennett leaned over the railing. “I’ll be right down.”
Moments later, Bennett descended the stairway carrying two glasses of wine. He gave her one and slid his hand into hers. “Not a bad way to end a day, is it?”
Thinking of Shelly and Mitch and the love they shared, Ivy touched her glass to his. Despite the doubts and second-guesses swirling in her mind, she felt at home when she was with Bennett.
Was that her heart speaking? If only she could tune out the noise in her brain. Raising her gaze to his, she resolved to do just that tonight. “Here’s to ending each of our days together.”
“Nothing better.” He tapped her glass again. “To a perfect evening and to our future.”
After taking a sip, they strolled toward the ocean. As they walked, the bright moon cast shadows of swaying palm trees across the sand. A distant rumble filled the night, and the waves rolled in with such thundering power that Ivy leaned into Bennett to steady herself. She breathed in the salty aroma, feeling cleansed and relaxed.
But beneath her feet, the sand shifted, pulling away and then rising again. Her wine sloshed, and she clutched his arm. Something was happening. “That’s so weird—” Slipping again, she paused, rocking on her feet.
“Look,” Bennett cried. He jerked back toward the inn, where they could see the water sloshing in the pool, illuminated by underwater lights. In every window from the basement to the second floor, lights flickered once, twice, three times, and then, the house went black.
“An earthquake!” Ivy clung to him, trying to keep her balance, but together they stumbled to their knees, their wine glasses tumbling from their grasp and spilling onto the sand. Ivy scrambled to stand, but grains of sand seemed to liquefy beneath her feet. Seconds seemed like an eternity, and a thousand thoughts roared through her mind. Where were Sunny and Misty? Shelly and Mitch?
They had to reach the inn.
Above the roar of the ocean, Ivy could hear screams from the house, and her heart sank. As her pulse shot up, prayers formed on her lips. What had her brother just said?
Flailing about, she slipped as the sand beneath her hollowed out.
“I’ve got you,” Bennett called out, lifting her in his arms. He struggled to stand as the earth shuddered. “Hang on!”
Ivy flung her arms around his neck. Yet the beach still rippled, tossing them to their knees again. She clawed at the sand, trying to get a grip. Looking behind her, she cried, “Look out!”
Just then, a wave crashed onto the shore, enveloping Ivy with an icy blast of water that robbed her breath.
14
Beside her, Bennett sputtered and coughed as he took on saltwater. As the surf receded, Ivy clutched him around the chest. Using her weight as leverage and relying on her lifeguard training, she shifted him higher onto the shore and turned him over.
Bennett raised his hand, motioning to her. With a great cough that seemed as if it turned him inside out, he shoved himself to his knees.
The liquefied sand beneath them once again became terra firma.
“Don’t try to talk,” Ivy said, shivering in her wet shirt and jeans. Her slip-on loafers were gone, as was the jacket she’d draped over her shoulders.
With a great, hacking cough, Bennett pulled himself up. “I’m okay—” He stopped as another great cough seized his chest. “Let’s get in there…make sure guests are okay.” He glanced behind them in the dark. “Could be a big wave coming.”
A terrible thought seized Ivy. “A tsunami?” She knew it was possible; giant waves could sweep thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean, but local quakes could also trigger them. If the plates had shifted under the ocean, that action could generate high waves.
Bennett nodded grimly. “In 1960, the Valdivia earthquake in Chile sent a tsunami to Hawaii—my parents survived that.” With Ivy’s help, he crawled to his feet. “We have to get people to higher ground. The city has trained for this.”
“I need to call the girls, too.” As they raced toward the house, Ivy patted her pocket, but her phone was gone, ripped away in the waves—just like her shoes and their wine glasses. “Do you have your phone?”
“In my room,” he said. “We need to get people out first. Summer Beach has an evacuation plan, which Chief Clark and others are probably putting in place.”
They hit the terrace, which was wet. The water in the pool was still sloshing back and forth over the edges as if a great unseen hand were shaking it.
Bennett jerked open the kitchen door. Darkness enveloped them, with only shafts of moonlight through the windows lighting their way.
“Flashlights are under the sink,” Ivy said, pausing to slip her bare, sandy feet into Shelly’s garden clogs by the rear door.
“I’ll get them.” In the dark, Bennett rummaged in a cabinet. “Here we are. Torches, as Arthur and Nan say.” Flicking one on, he swung a beam around the kitchen.
Ivy crossed the room, dripping water as she went, glass crunching beneath her feet in the sturdy clogs. A commotion rang throughout the house. Taking a flashlight, she opened the door to the lower level. Pricks of light pierced the darkness. She shone the light down the stairwell.
“How is everyone down there?” Ivy called out. “Anyone hurt?”
Pixie’s frantic yaps greeted her, and Poppy’s nervous voice floated up to her. “Mostly okay, I think. Just shaken.”
Directing the light onto the stairway, Ivy gingerly made her way down, testing each step for stability. Bennett was right behind her. Poppy met them at the base of the staircase, her face a mask of shock.
Ivy glanced around the dimly lit space. Books had fallen, a plant had toppled over, and assorted items were strewn across the floor. She saw Paige on the couch with Geena beside her. One of their guests, Bettina, knelt beside Darla with her fingers on the older woman’s pulse. Ivy recalled that she was the nurse on vacation.
