“Forrest and Flint. Maybe we can cook there.” Shelly tapped their numbers.
Chaos ensued as everyone began talking at once, suggestions overlapping into a rise of increasingly desperate ideas.
After speaking with their brothers, Shelly shook her head. “They’re also without power, and they have electric ovens and cooktops. They’re on their way over, and we’ll figure out something. This might be the feast of cold salads.”
“Not without refrigeration,” Mitch said. “Keep the doors shut, or we’ll lose everything if the power doesn’t come back on in a few hours.”
Everyone grumbled at that.
Misty and Caleb came into the kitchen. “We heard the noise. What happened?”
“An equipment malfunction in Arizona took down the grid from there into Southern California and down to Mexico,” Bennett replied. “That blew out a local transformer. The grid and equipment will take a while to repair, so the city is issuing an emergency alert. The hospital has a backup generator, and we’re recommending people go there if they have medical devices or health needs. The shelter also has a generator for power, so that’s another place people can go for food and warmth.”
Ivy was glad to hear that. She thought about Adelina and the others she’d met at the shelter. Now she wished she’d invited the older woman, but perhaps she had madefriends there. Still, they’d had a connection, and she wanted to get to know her better and try to help her if she could. Guilt twisted in her chest.
“This sounds serious.” Mitch pushed a hand through his hair. “Even if the electricity comes on within three hours, dinner will be late. Any more than that, and we’ll be eating at midnight.”
“And if it’s later?” Ivy asked.
Mitch raised his hands. “We’ll get very creative.”
Everyone groaned, but Shelly stood and raised her hands. “How about some Sea Breeze cocktails while we wait? I’m willing to sacrifice some ice cubes.”
22
Ivy stood in the kitchen, staring at the cold oven as if willpower alone might resurrect it with a jolt of electricity. Bennett’s latest conversation with the electric company had confirmed her worst fears. There would be no power until much later.
Their fabulous harvest feast was rapidly unraveling.
“We’ll figure out something,” Bennett said, sliding his phone into his pocket. “We always do.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll take a quick shower and be right back.”
Ivy watched him go, and as she did, she saw a strange car pull into the car court.
She stepped outside to see a woman with auburn hair emerge from the back of a dusty car. The woman held her arms out to Vanz.
The teenager raced toward her. “Mom, you made it.”
His mother wrapped her arms tightly around her son. “I couldn’t miss this day with you, honey. I love you so much, and I’m sorry for all you’ve hadto endure.”
Tears sprang to the boy’s eyes. “I wish I could have protected you.”
“That wasn’t your job,” she whispered. “But things will be better now.”
Vanz blinked back tears and turned to introduce everyone. “I guess you figured out this is my mom.”
Mitch stepped forward. “It’s good to see you again, Melinda.”
“You were awfully young,” she said, hugging him. “We all were. Thank you for taking him in while I worked out that mess. It means a lot to me. To us. I hope we’re not imposing too much.”
“Not at all,” Shelly said, embracing her. “You’re welcome to stay with us, too.”
Vanz hovered near his mother, looking more protective than Ivy had ever seen him.
Ivy saw fatigue etched into Melinda’s face, and her eyes mirrored her son’s. Their eyes were kind but haunted, as if they’d seen too much. “We’re happy to have you. Unfortunately, we’re without electricity now. It’s not too cold, and we have fireplaces throughout. We might be cooking in them later.”
She invited Melinda inside to relax and have a bite to eat in the kitchen while they continued with food preparations, despite the uncertainty about the electricity.
“I understand you’re thinking about relocating to Summer Beach,” Shelly said to Melinda as they walked through the rear door.
