Bennett reached for her hand and kissed it. “We both know how that feels, don’t we? Your heart is in the right place.”
“I hope she’s not insulted that I didn’t invite her sooner. I wish I’d thought of it, but I knew the shelter was planning a feast.”
“You had a lot on your mind.”
In a few minutes, they arrived. Bennett parked in front of the shelter. Inside at the desk, they asked for Adelina.
“I don’t think she’s with us anymore,” the younger woman behind the counter said.
Ivy’s heart sank. “Do you know where she might havegone?”
“I’m sorry, no.” The volunteer shook her head and returned to her work.
They were just about to leave when Ivy glanced through an open door. She saw the other woman, sitting alone. “She’s here,” she cried.
The younger woman looked up. “Oh, you mean Addie. I’ll get her.”
When Adelina emerged, she looked pleasantly surprised. “I thought you’d be with your family.”
Ivy quickly explained. “Would you like to come to the inn for our harvest feast? It’s a little chaotic, but it’s turning out to be a lot of fun. And I would love for you to meet our friends. We also have an open guest room and would love to have you for the weekend.”
Bennett interjected, “I have to warn you, we have no power, but we have lanterns, candles, barbecue, and fireplaces.”
“It’s quite cozy,” Ivy added.
“What a generous offer,” Adelina said, happiness blooming on her face. “I appreciate your thinking of me, but this is rather sudden.”
Ivy touched her arm. “Art is often about the unexpected, isn’t it?”
The silver-haired woman smiled at that. “It won’t take me long to gather my things.”
After Adelina left, Bennett turned to Ivy. “This is one more reason why I love you.”
“I feel like she belongs with us this weekend. I want to show her the logs from the bunker and the photos we took. If her father kept those logs, they’ll have special meaning to her. Imagine if she recognizes his handwriting.”
“You’re a wonder.” He kissed her on the cheek.
Adelina returned with a small bag, and Bennett carried it for her. He helped her into his vehicle, and soon they were on their way.
When they arrived at the inn, the rooms were lit with lanterns and the glow of the fireplaces. Inside, Ivy introduced Adelina to her parents, thinking they might have things in common to talk about.
“My parents have just arrived,” Ivy said, leading her to where Carlotta and Sterling were seated by the fire.
Carlotta stood with an expression of surprise on her face. “Why, Adelina, how nice to see you. Sterling, you remember Adelina. We represented her glasswork and mosaics to some of the finest stores.”
Ivy was pleased they knew each other. Her parents were well known among artists for placing original arts and crafts with high-end department stores and galleries before they retired.
“You’ll have plenty of time to catch up,” Ivy said. “Adelina will be staying with us for a few days.” And in that time, she hoped they could figure out a way for the older woman to revive her career and leave the shelter.
Emilie and Tristan arrived shortly afterward with a wine bag, a selection of cheeses, and winter vegetables from their garden.
“This is part of our harvest,” Emilie said, handing Ivy a lovely gift bag.
“And how was the drive?” Bennett asked.
“Without glaring lights, except for other cars, everything is soft on the eyes,” Tristan said as he opened the wine and poured glasses for them and Ivy’s parents. “It reminds me of being in the country in France.”
Sunny came by with appetizers from the grill, offering stuffed mushrooms, zucchini, and shrimp on skewers.
