Summer Beach: Seabreeze Inn by Jan Moran

Author:Jan Moran [Moran, Jan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sunny Palms Press

* * *

After lunch, Mitch showed up at the front door with a toolkit at his side and supplies in his truck. Ivy held the door open for him.

“Shelly called. Said you need help with that gaping hole.”

“Sure appreciate it. How much do you think it might be?” He doesn’t waste any time, Ivy thought. She liked that.

“No charge.” He grinned and ran a hand over his spiky, sun-bleached hair.

“At least let me pay for supplies.”

He just shook his head. “Is Shelly around?”

“She was working in the yard when I left.” Maybe that was the reason he was refusing to take any money, but he seemed like a good guy. Quite a bit younger than Shelly, though. She hoped he wouldn’t break his heart—or Shelly’s—when he found out how much older she was. Realizing how hopeful he seemed, Ivy added, “I’ll find her.”

She didn’t have to look, though. Shelly trotted around the corner of the house.

“Hi, Mitch. Saw your truck.”

A smile that Ivy hadn’t seen on Shelly’s face in a long time lit her eyes. With her long hair pulled back in a ponytail and wearing a T-shirt and cut-offs, her sister could easily pass for Mitch’s age.

Looking self-conscious, Mitch shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked on his feet. “Came by to help you clean up that mess in the kitchen. Did you guys go through the stuff downstairs?”

“A lot of it,” Shelly said. “There’s so much. It will take time to—”

Ivy shook her head and interrupted with a little wave to get Shelly’s attention, which was focused on Mitch. “I’m going to take care of that business with Bennett. See you later.”

Ivy left them and made her way to the Jeep. As she turned the ignition and steered toward City Hall, conflicted feelings swirled within her. She knew what she must do. And then there was Bennett to contend with, although last night he’d acted differently.

After arriving at City Hall, she walked inside.

Nan popped up from the reception desk. Her face flushed when she saw Ivy.

“W-welcome,” Nan stammered.

“Hi, Nan. Is Bennett—the mayor—available? I’d like to have a word with him.”

“I’ll check. Do you have an appointment?”

“Do I need one?”

Nan shook her head. “I’ll make sure he has time for you.” She glanced around and lowered her voice. “I’m so embarrassed. I didn’t mean to say—well, you probably remember what I said—about your husband. I could have been mistaken.” Her face reddened, nearly matching the Welcome to Summer Beach sunset poster behind her. “My husband tells me I talk too much—gossip is what he calls it.” Nan blinked back tears.

Ivy took the woman’s hand. Nan was so upset she was trembling. “It was a shock, but that’s what I needed to know.” Even after his death, Jeremy was still inflicting pain on others.

“I haven’t told anyone else that story.” Frowning, Nan gnawed on her lip. “At least, not since the Mayor told me who you were. I was shooting off my mouth again. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Ivy patted Nan’s shoulder.

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