“Most of my holiday memories have been good ones,” Ivy said. “Except for the last couple of years after Jeremy died.”
Carlotta reached out and touched her hand. “You had a rough time of it, but I’m glad you’re close to the rest of the family now.”
“So am I, but I learned something from that experience.” Ivy sipped her tea before going on. “Being alone during the holidays is a special category of loneliness, and one that I don’t wish on anyone.” She told her mother about what Leilani had said about ʻohana. “Mom, remember when you used to go to the spa in Ojai? You formed friendships with women who became like sisters to you.”
“We would meet there every year,” Carlotta said, her eyes lighting with memories. “The first time I went, you girls were young, and we were on a budget. So I signed up to share a room with another woman. Although she was a stranger, we were good friends by the end of the week. It was like being in college again. And it was so affordable that way.” Carlotta laughed. “We had such fun and became like family. You know, I saw Marilyn and Dolores just last week. What dear friends they are.”
Ivy leaned forward. “That’s what I’m talking about, Mom. There are a lot of people who have nowhere to go during the holidays. Maybe they go to the spa, maybe they take a cruise—or they could come here. We could do something similar for the holidays.”
Shelly’s eyes widened. “You mean, like Christmas for one?”
“That’s brilliant,” Ivy said. “Something like, come alone, leave as family. I’m sure Poppy can come up with a better tagline.”
Carlotta leaned back in her chair and lifted her teacup to her lips, ruminating on the idea. “You might have something there. Many women are alone during the holidays, either through divorce or death of a partner—or because they are quite happy on their own. During the holidays, they might feel a little left out. Oh, they might spend Christmas Day with their grandchildren, but quite often their grown daughters and sons alternate family visits with spouses’ families, which leaves them alone or with friends.”
Ideas coursed through Ivy’s mind. “I think we have a real opportunity—not only to fill the inn but also to provide a unique experience where we come together as a surrogate family.”
“If that had been available in New York, I know people who would have loved it,” Shelly added with enthusiasm. “Let’s do this.”
“And if it works for Christmas, we can plan other similar events. Think of Valentine’s Day. We could throw a Gal-entine’s Day weekend.” Ivy felt good about this track. “We could offer special rates and plan all sorts of activities. From yoga to beach walks, painting classes, cooking classes with local chefs, and chartered outings on Mitch’s boat. I’m sure we can find all sorts of activities for people to share and meet each other. We could have couples events, too.”
Carlotta reached out to hug Ivy and Shelly. “I have the most creative daughters. I always knew that you would do wonderful things here at the inn.”
Ivy was growing excited as more ideas bubbled in her mind. This could mean more than merely filling rooms. They could touch people’s hearts, maybe change lives.
“Amelia and Gustav Erickson built Las Brisas to bring people together and celebrate life,” Ivy said, feeling the heat of anticipation rising in her cheeks. “Over the years, this house has sheltered many people. It’s given hope to those who despaired of life. It’s time we continue the tradition.”
“That’s a noble thought,” Carlotta said, nodding.
Ivy spread her hands as she spoke. “Like those men and women who served in the Second World War and underwent rehabilitation here, breathing in the restorative salt air—a new generation could discover the magic of old Las Brisas del Mar. And not only during the summer. Once again, a visit here would be a time to relax, recharge, and make friends. The winter beach is perfect for such a respite.”
Ivy couldn’t wait to begin.
The three women worked until lunch when they stopped to make a salad and heat butternut squash soup that Ivy had made the day before. After lunch, they continued unpacking crates and moving furniture to create room for the tree. In more wooden bins, they found velvet ribbons rolled into balls, a richly embroidered tree skirt, and stacks of silk cloths they could use for the tabletops.
Through it all, ideas for the holiday season percolated in Ivy’s mind, and she couldn’t wait to talk to Poppy about a new marketing campaign. Besides simply filling rooms, she wanted this season to be one of making new friends that would become family. She was more determined than ever to put this new concept into action.
Chapter 7
“A little to the left,” Ivy said, directing the tree placement.
“Again?” Bennett groaned while Roy only grinned. Still, Bennett knew better than to question Ivy’s artistic eye. “Okay, whatever the lady wants.”
Positioned on either side of the tall pine tree, Bennett and Roy shifted the tree again. Bennett loved seeing excitement in Ivy’s face again. The ballroom—the entire house, for that matter—had erupted in happy chaos, and laughter rang out alongside the roar of the ocean in the background.
Crates and baskets of ornaments stood ready to adorn the tree. Shelly was busy winding red velvet ribbons around the smooth wooden railing of the staircase. In the ballroom, Carlotta was creating a vintage village scene on a tabletop with miniature houses and shops reminiscent of Currier and Ives, and a trio of wooden reindeer was stationed by a sofa.
“Stop right there,” Ivy cried. “That’s perfect.”
Bennett and Roy crawled out from under the tree and stood, brushing long, soft pine needles from their shoulders.
“Roy, I can’t tell you how much we appreciate this,” Ivy said. “We’re going to fill this house with Christmas magic and invite the entire town to visit.”
“Leilani and I are happy to help you share the joy of the season with our community,” Roy said, gazing around. “Everyone’s pleased to see the old Las Brisas estate transformed into the Seabreeze Inn. They’ll all want to see it.”
Ivy looked around, her gaze resting on Shelly. “My sister will do an amazing job. She is so talented, and what we found in the storeroom is more than either of us could’ve imagined.”
Bennett loved listening to Ivy talk, and he saw the pride in her eyes for her sister. That was the way he felt about his sister, Kendra. Her son Logan would be amazed at these decorations. His nephew had only known the Seabreeze Inn as the local haunted house.
Just then, a slender young man with longish dark hair pulled back into a ponytail appeared in the entryway. A streak of prematurely white hair ran from his forehead. Bennett nodded toward the front door. “You’ve got company.”
Ivy turned around, and a smile lit her face. “Nick, come join us. I’d like to introduce you to the mayor of Summer Beach, Bennett Dylan. He’s a guest here, too.”
Nick ambled over, weaving his way through crates of decorations. He stopped in front of Bennett and Roy. “How do you do?” he asked, shaking their hands.
Roy greeted him and said, “Glad you like the tree, Ivy. I’ve got a couple more deliveries to make, so I’d better get going.”