When Ivy raised an eyebrow, Bennett said, “They have permission to have a fire. It’s become an annual event. We could go, too, if you want. A lot of families and neighbors gather and share hot apple cider or hot mulled wine.”
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Ivy clapped her hands. “Let’s get those pies going.” They might as well have fun tonight. Tomorrow would be another day of work, but tonight was still Thanksgiving.
Bennett kissed her cheek. “I want you to know this was the best Thanksgiving I’ve had in a long, long time. And if you need my help over the holidays, I’m here for you.”
Ivy appreciated that, but she was determined to figure this out on her own. This wouldn’t be the only year she would face this situation. She turned to her sister and linked arms. “Come on, Shells, let’s have pie and go watch a bonfire.”
Shelly grinned. “You’re on, Ives.”
After dessert, Ivy and her family were in the foyer preparing to leave when a knock sounded at the door.
“Excuse me, that might be a new guest,” Ivy said, her heart lifting. She opened the door.
A thin young woman with a pale face stood at the door. “Happy Thanksgiving,” she said shyly.
“Paisley?” Ivy gaped at her. Of all the people she would’ve thought she’d see today, her late husband’s former mistress had not been among them. Paisley’s brassy blond hair was gone, as was her usually revealing dress. Now, her brown hair was pulled back from her face, and her plain dress grazed her knees.
The chatter in the foyer hushed, and Shelly and Poppy stepped beside Ivy, flanking her. The last time they’d seen Paisley, Imani had helped the younger woman escape from her abusive boyfriend, who was trying to gain control of the Seabreeze Inn through her by charging that Jeremy had bought it for Paisley. That had been a nightmare, but they’d come through it.
From the corner of her eye, Ivy saw Sunny and Misty standing beside their grandparents.
“I know I don’t look like I used to,” Paisley said. “At the women’s shelter, I went through alcohol withdrawals, so I was admitted into an alcohol treatment program. I had a lot of things to work through.”
Without hesitation, Ivy reached out to her. “Come in. We were just going to the bonfire on the beach, but I have time. We can talk in the library.” Away from Sunny and Misty in particular.
Paisley shook her head. “This won’t take long. I just wanted to tell you that I’m thankful for what you did for me this summer, even though I didn’t deserve it. And…” Her voice trailed off.
Ivy stepped closer and put her arm around the young woman. Six months ago, that would have been unthinkable, but that was before Ivy had learned how damaged Paisley had been. “Do you need help?”
“No, but I want to return these to you.” Paisley thrust out a shopping bag that held a lightweight, tan raincoat and a broad-brimmed sunhat that Ivy had given her that last summer evening. “I want to make amends and tell you how sorry I am.”
“You already did,” Ivy said as gently as she could. “You can keep those if you want.”
“I can’t keep them.” Paisley paused. “Is Imani here? I want to thank her, too.”
“She went to visit her sister, but I’ll tell her for you.” Ivy took the bag. “And I want you to know there’s help for anything you’re going through.” She thought about their empty rooms, and how much she had to be thankful for. Reaching out to Paisley, she asked, “Do you need a place to stay?”
Beside her, Shelly coughed.
“No, I’m much better now. But that’s kind of you.” Paisley went on. “I met a woman that I admire very much. She’s a social worker, and she helped me so much that I decided to become one, too.”
“Are you sure?” Shelly cast a swift, doubtful glance at Ivy.
Paisley nodded. “I start college in January. That’s been my dream.”
“Why, that’s wonderful,” Ivy said, truly glad for her. Shelly started to speak, but Ivy nudged her.
“My mother thought college was a stupid waste,” Paisley said. “She said they wouldn’t take trash like me, so I didn’t think I was good enough to be accepted. Ma told me I had to get out and do whatever it took to find a man to support me. But I know better now. And I’m ready.”
Paisley lifted her chin and smiled, which gave her now cosmetic-free face a luminosity that Ivy had never imagined. “Ivy, I wanted you to know how much you—all of you—helped me. Even when I didn’t deserve it.”
“You were ready to help yourself.” Ivy folded Paisley into her arms, smiling as she thought of what Jeremy would think if he could see them now. “I think it’s good that you’re following your heart. After all you’ve been through, you have a lot of wisdom you can use to help others.”
Paisley reached out to hug Poppy and Shelly before turning to leave. With a final, “Happy Thanksgiving,” and a shy wave, she got into a waiting car.
“Wow,” Shelly said. “That blows my mind. Paisley, a social worker?”
Ivy leaned against the doorjamb and watched the car leave. “I think she’s found her calling.” She laughed softly.
Carlotta stepped forward and asked softly. “What’s so funny, mija?”
Ivy grinned at her mother. “I was thinking about what Jeremy would have said if he could have seen us together.” Six months ago, she couldn’t have imagined saying that. She would always love the good times she’d had with her husband, but she’d learned that anger and regret were bitter desserts.
Ivy turned and clasped Bennett’s hand, which felt warm and sure in hers. “Let’s go watch a bonfire.”
A dark expression crossed Sunny’s face, and she stepped forward. “That was Dad’s girlfriend, wasn’t it?”
Ivy’s heart sank. “Yes.” What else could she say? Sunny had seen Paisley once before, but that was when the young woman had long, bleached-blond hair, heavy makeup, and a short skirt.
The edges of Sunny’s mouth drew down. “So is this thing with Bennett just you trying to get back at Dad?”
“Hey, Sunny,” Misty said, stepping in between Sunny and Ivy. “You don’t mean that.”
“Yeah. I do.” Sunny motioned to her mother and Bennett. “This makes sense now.”
Misty shrugged. “And so what? Bennett’s a good guy. Come on. Let’s go meet our friends.” Casting an apologetic look back at Ivy, Misty pulled Sunny outside.
Ivy turned to Bennett and her family. “Just when I thought we’d get through this holiday without any fireworks. I’m so sorry about that.”
Flint chuckled and threw his arm around Ivy. “Wouldn’t be a family celebration unless something happens that we can all talk about next year.”
Ivy poked her brother. “I’m concerned about Sunny.”
“She’ll come around,” Carlotta said. “She reminds me of you when you were young. You had a mind of your own. Moved clear across the country for school, if you recall. Now, who’s ready for a bonfire?”
Her mother had a point, Ivy thought. She took Bennett’s hand and followed her mother and father out the door.