“I understand. And you should have a profit. Lea Martin would insist.”
Forrest only shrugged. “When this project is finished, we’ll gain plenty of work from it.”
“Do you have plans for Thanksgiving yet?” Ivy thought her brother’s wife might welcome the invitation. “We’re planning a feast here, and you’re all invited.”
“That’s a big invitation for all of us,” Forrest said. “Angela will be relieved, so please count us in, thanks. We’re expecting Coral and Summer to come home for the holiday.”
“I heard. Poppy is excited to see her sisters.”
“Rocky and Reed might eat twice their weight, so we’ll bring whatever you need.”
Ivy chuckled. His twin boys were hard workers. Rocky spent many days at sea working in research, while Reed burned up energy in construction.
He swung out from the table. “I have to check on Reed’s job site, but I’ll be in touch.”
Ivy showed him out, thinking about the extra work ahead to preserve the bunker. She was convinced it would be worth it from a historical perspective, but it wouldn’t be without challenges ahead.
Shelly sauntered into the kitchen. “A guest stopped me, asking questions about the gardens. How’s Forrest?”
“Working on figuring out the project.”
Poppy pushed open the door behind them. “Mom just texted me with a turkey and happy faces.”
“Wow, word travels fast.” Ivy laughed. “Everyone is coming for Thanksgiving. Family, friends, and guests are welcome.”
“We have a couple that booked a holiday here from Italy,” Poppy said. “I don’t think they know what kind of holiday Thanksgiving is. Can we call it the Harvest Feast of Thanksgiving?”
“That has a nice ring to it,” Ivy replied. “I’ll ask Diya to help us plan a menu.” She loved the idea of entertaining a lot of people, even though a few weeks later, they would have their annual Christmas and holiday open house for the community.
But first, they had to prepare for Halloween.
Just when she thought she’d have a chance to relax after the high summer season, the fall was turning out to be nearly as busy.
17
Ivy balanced a tray of freshly baked pumpkin shortbread and chocolate chip cookies as she nudged the kitchen door open with her foot. “Does everyone have their costumes ready?”
Sweet aromas followed her into the grand foyer where Bennett was untangling string lights.
Her husband looked up, stole a shortbread bar, and winked at her. “I’m still not convinced a mayor should dress up as a pirate.”
“It’s Halloween. Even mayors get to dress up.” She set the tray on the entryway table and straightened the orange and black runner. “Besides, you look dangerously handsome with an eye patch.” She kissed him for emphasis.
“Hmm, maybe I will change,” Bennett said playfully. “I love your pirate wife outfit.”
She wore a flouncy skirt with a blousy top and large hoop earrings. She’d blacked out a couple of teeth and applied red lipstick.
The doorbell chimed, echoing through the foyer.
“Our first trick-or-treaters already?” Bennett checked his watch. “It’s barely twilight.”
“The little ones start early.”
Ivy picked up the bowl of individually wrapped cookies, each nestled in a cellophane bag tied with a Seabreeze Inn ribbon so parents would know where they came from. “Sunny spent all afternoon on these, and we need to finish packaging the rest.”
She opened the door to find three small wide-eyed children dressed as a purple dinosaur, a butterfly with colorful wings, and a tiny firefighter with a red hat. They giggled at Shelly’s makeshift ghosts, but they were uncertain what to do with their trick-or-treat bags.
Their mother stood behind them, showing them how to hold out their bags and whispering the words they’d forgotten in their excitement.
