Nick bowed his head slightly. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Roy. I hope to see you again soon.”
Bennett noticed how courteous and mild-mannered Nick seemed. Though the young man was also a little disheveled, so Bennett could see why Darla had been concerned.
While Ivy said a few more words to Roy, Bennett spoke with Nick. “How long will you be with us, Nick?”
“I’m staying through Christmas,” Nick replied.
“That’s a nice long holiday.” From the corner of his vision, Bennett saw Shelly cast a glance in their direction. He couldn’t help but wonder if Nick had rendered a form of payment for his room yet—though that was Ivy’s business, of course. It made him feel a little snarky for even thinking about that. Ivy hadn’t said much, but without many guests, she had to be concerned. “So, what do you do, Nick?”
Maintaining clear-eyed contact, Nick calmly replied, “I make life better for people.”
“That’s a noble cause,” Bennett said, flexing his jaw. “How exactly do you go about that?”
“Sometimes it’s complicated.” Nick’s gaze drifted off into the distance as if in contemplation.
“I’d sure like to hear more about that.” Bennett folded his arms. This guy was evasive.
Nick shook his head. “I wouldn’t want to bore you.” He looked up at the tree. “Besides, it’s the holidays. Seeing how different people celebrate is interesting, isn’t it?”
Before Bennett could reply, Ivy turned back to them.
“We’ll have a tree trimming tomorrow,” Ivy said. “Poppy just finished a marketing job in Los Angeles, so she’s returning. Some of the cousins will be here, and we’ll have such fun. In the meantime, will you two help us with other decorations? We’re finding so many beautiful items in these crates.”
“Work shared is never a burden,” Nick said.
“So true.” Ivy pointed to a crate. “Nick, you can start with that crate. And Bennett, would you help me with something in the kitchen?”
Bennett followed Ivy into the kitchen. She shut the door and turned to him.
“Why were you scowling at Nick and interrogating him?”
“Has he made arrangements for the payment of his room?”
Ivy recoiled. “And since when is that any business of yours?”
Instantly, Bennett realized he’d overstepped her boundaries, but he couldn’t help himself. “I’m the mayor. I’m interested in everyone’s business in Summer Beach.”
“And do you ask other business owners about their financial dealings with customers?”
“Look, maybe it’s not my place to ask you, but I’m concerned about you. I don’t want to see you taken advantage of.”
“What makes you think he’s taking advantage of me?”
“If he hasn’t paid you—”
“That’s none of your business, and I’m appalled that you would even bring this up. If you don’t start treating my guests with courtesy, even if you are the mayor, then you need to think long and hard about staying here. My business is my business.”
Bennett spread his hands in appeal. “Ivy, you’re taking this the wrong way.”
“Oh, now this is my fault?” Ivy’s eyes blazed. “Think about what you just said. What if Gilda or Imani were to ask me such a thing? Or what if I were to begin asking questions about how you’re running the city?”
“Well, as a citizen, that’s well within your rights.”
Ivy threw up her hands. “This is hardly the same thing.”
“Okay, but why are you so intent on defending Nick?” Bennett asked.
“It’s not Nick I’m defending,” Ivy said, taking a step closer and raising her finger to him. “I don’t like being second-guessed by you and Shelly on guest decisions. I trust what Nick told me, and that’s the end of it. No one has ever stiffed me on a room before. And if Nick is the first one who does, well then, I guess I will have learned my lesson. Until that time, I’d like to exercise my good judgment without being criticized for it.” She threw up her hands. “For Pete’s sake, it’s Christmas. Can’t you find some trust in your heart for a fellow human being?”
“Ouch. Guess I deserved that.” Bennett had never seen Ivy so angry at him. He reached for her hand.
Ivy drew back. “If you can’t join in the festivities without a scowl on your face or interrogating our guests, then you can go back to your room.”
From the doorway, a slow clap erupted. “That’s what Mom tells me, too,” Sunny said.
“That goes for you, too, Sunny,” Ivy said. She picked up a crate and sailed through the door.
Bennett stared at Sunny. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Maybe that’s none of your business, too.”
How did this evening go sideways so quickly? “Sunny, I’m only concerned about your mother. I don’t want to see her get hurt. But you and I need to talk, too. I thought we were getting along well.”
Sunny shifted her backpack. “That’s when I thought you and Mom were just going to date.”
“We’ve barely even gotten to that stage.” Bennett shook his head. Not by his choice, but due to his respect for Ivy and her process. He understood her need to prove herself. And she was. Patience, he told himself, though at times it was painful for him.
“Exactly my point,” Sunny said, putting a hand on her hip. “So why are you suddenly taking over like you’re my dad? Carving the turkey with Grandpa. Telling Mom who she can and can’t rent rooms to, nosing around in her money.”
Bennett held up his hands. “Whoa right there. I’m not interested in your mother’s money, only her financial security.”
“Kind of sounds like the same thing to me.”
“It’s definitely not.”
“Anyway, Dad was like that.” Sunny tossed her hair back in frustration. “Watching every penny in Mom’s household account while he spent whatever he wanted. She drove the ratty car while Dad whizzed around in his new Mercedes. She said she didn’t mind. Said they were saving for our college. Except she was the only one economizing—he wasn’t. But then, neither was I. Still, it wasn’t just about the stuff. I’ve learned that now. Mom cared for us and our home, while Dad just threw money at problems.”
Bennett had suspected that. Sunny seemed to have had a complicated relationship with her father.
Sunny threw up her hands. “I loved my dad, but he could be super old school, and not in a good way. I used to think it was because he was from France, but now I know better. I see things differently now. And Mom doesn’t deserve to be treated like this.”
Bennett considered this. It helped to understand how Sunny thought. “I’m really not like that. Your mother is a force, and I respect her and everything she has done.” As he said that, he realized he might have been in the wrong—but for the right reasons. “When my wife was living, we shared everything. Marriage should be a true partnership.”
“Hold it right there,” Sunny said, raising her voice. “No one said anything about getting married. You guys can date or whatever you call it at your age, but you’re not replacing my father.”