Pete pulled up, parking beside Dalton’s truck. He shook Dalton’s hand, hugged Ivy, and kissed Talley and then Dani on the cheek. Pete had visited Talley several times, and the two had spent a good deal of time talking about the summer of 1950. The truth wasn’t always easy, but airing it had helped them both.

“You’ve outdone yourself, kiddo,” Pete said.

Dani grinned. “I know.” She leaned over and kissed Talley. “Let me give you both the grand tour.”

“I would like that,” Talley said.

Dani smiled, spun the wheelchair around, and pushed Talley with Pete in tow toward the first set of black-and-white photos.

“Dani looks good,” Dalton said. “More relaxed than I’ve seen her in a while.”

“She’s the one that made this night happen. She arranged the art and photos, and thanks to her, the limited-edition prints arrived two days ago.”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “How did the eye appointment in Norfolk go yesterday?”

“Not great. She’s lost a little ground. It could reverse, but no guarantees.”

Dalton’s expression remained stoic even as tension radiated through him. “I feel helpless.”

“She doesn’t,” Ivy said. “And so we’ll have to take that and run with it.”

He leaned closer, his lips near her ear. “Have I told you I love you lately?”

“It’s been ages. At least since this morning.”

“I love you.”

She kissed his lips. “Back at you.”

Dani moved to the front window and studied the collection of cars filling her lot. “It’s almost showtime, people.”

Matthew walked up to the door with a tall brunette in her late twenties. They were holding hands.

“This is going to be a hit, Ivy,” Dalton said.

Dani opened the doors, and Matthew and the others entered. Bella came to her dad and showed him the misty bottle of soda. He cringed only a little, knowing today was the kind of day rules got a little bent.

“Ivy,” Matthew said. “Looks terrific.”

“It’s all Dani.”

“More like a team effort,” he said as his gaze wandered to the food table. “I’d like you to meet Jennifer.”

Ivy shook the woman’s hand. “Welcome.”

“This is something,” Jennifer said.

“It’s all Dani.”

“I’ve been hearing about the menu from Bella,” Matthew interjected. “She says it’s fantastic.”

“She’s my taste tester.”

“It’s really good, Dad,” Bella said. “Come try it.”

“I will.”

As Matthew, Bella, and Jennifer moved toward the food table, Dalton took Ivy’s hand in his. “I think I can safely say the renovation of the cottage is done.”

“The countertops came in?”

“As of yesterday.”

She’d not seen the cottage in a couple of weeks and was excited to see all the pieces finally together. “Can’t wait.”

“The refinished furniture arrived yesterday. We now have a bed that faces the ocean.”

“We?”

“I’d like you to move in.”

“Really?”