“One more change,” Andrew said, stepping to Poppy’s side. “You should be in the photos, too. I’ll take them.”
Poppy’s face brightened at his offer, and she took a spot beside Shelly. “Okay, on three, let’s all wave our hands and say sea breeze.” On her count, the crowd erupted in a roar of laughter.
After they finished the photos, Bennett returned the shovel to Forrest while Ivy chatted with her friends and neighbors.
“These cupcakes look yummy,” Shelly said, returning with a cupcake that featured a gummy worm burrowed in the thick icing. Daisy reached for it, cooing with delight.
“What’s that supposed to be?” Ivy asked.
Shelly pinched off a portion for Daisy. “It’s fromThe Very Hungry Caterpillarbook we read to Daisy. And the rest of this is for the very hungry mommy.” She polished off the cupcake in a few bites.
As Ivy laughed, her daughters joined them. She was so happy they’d both made it today.
“I thought you might need something cool,” Misty said, handing her a bottle of water she’d brought from the food truck. “Marina’s menu is so clever.”
“She consulted with Libby on art and literary-inspired offerings,” Ivy said.
The newest resident in Summer Beach was settling into the community and making friends. Libby and Reed were seeing quite a lot of each other now, and Ivy was happy for them.
“I brought an assortment of goodies for us.” Sunny held up a plate of sweet treats, pointing to each one. “This is Bilbo’s Lemon-Glazed Caraway Seed Cakes fromThe Lord of the Rings, Peach Cobbler fromJames and the Giant Peach, and Fruit Tarts fromAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
“Delicious,” Ivy said, taking a tart and a miniature lemon bar decorated like a book. “It’s so good to see you together again.” Although she’d seen each of her daughters since New Year’s, they hadn’t returned at the same time.
Now, the inn was complete enough for them to stay in the guest rooms again this weekend. Once the final walk-through was signed off, the inn would open to the public with a grand reopening event.
As they were talking, Ivy overheard Andrew approach Poppy and ask her out for dinner for the evening. The smile that bloomed across Poppy’s face was answer enough.
Bennett excused himself and crossed to her side, slipping an arm around her waist with easy affection.
“Happy?” he asked.
“Beyond words,” she said, smiling at her daughters, who were circulating and enjoying themselves.
“They wanted to surprise you. I merely facilitated the conspiracy.”
At that moment, with her daughters and family nearby and her husband and community around her, Ivy understood the richness of Summer Beach wasn’t in buildings or bank accounts but in experiences that connected them. And soon, to every person who would walk through the library doors.
She leaned into Bennett and smiled. Some dreams were patient enough to wait for the right moment to bloom.
