The other woman nodded. “Vanz is happier than he has been in years. I’d like to find work right away so we can have a small place of our own.”
While they were working in the kitchen, Bennettreturned. As he walked in, his phone buzzed. He stepped away to answer it, his expression growing more concerned with each passing second.
“Looks like the electricity will be off all day and maybe until morning,” he announced when he returned. “The damage to the electrical grid is more extensive than previously thought. It’s a wide-scale outage.”
Sunny appeared in the doorway, wrapped in an orange sweater. “Is Thanksgiving canceled?”
“Not canceled, just reimagined.” As Ivy spoke, an idea occurred to her. “We can fire up the grills on the patio. Let’s talk to Mitch.”
When everyone gathered in the kitchen, Bennett filled them in. A chorus of disappointment swept across the room.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” Ivy said, looking for hope in the situation. “Mitch, we can cook on the outdoor gas grills, can’t we?”
Mitch brightened at the idea. “The large grill has hoods. I can probably roast the turkeys and anything that needs to be covered and baked. We can use the open grill for everything else. Then there’s the grill at Java Beach. We could butterfly the turkeys or cut them up and cook by lantern light if needed. So yeah, we can make this work. No one will starve tonight.”
Bennett stroked his chin. “Great ideas. There must be a lot of families with half-cooked turkeys. Some may not have gas stoves or outdoor grills.”
“I could get mine from the house,” Mitch said. “We can fire it up on the patio, and anyone who wants to come by can use it.”
Ivy liked the idea. “We have plenty of seating inside oron the patio under heat lamps. Everyone is welcome to bring what they have and cook here.”
Poppy spoke up. “I can ask Dad to bring his grill when he comes. He has one he uses for football tailgate parties. Uncle Flint, too.”
Bennett put his arm around Ivy. “Shall we spread the word and make it a community barbecue on the beach?”
She grinned. “You bet. Let’s save Thanksgiving.”
Poppy pitched in. “We can call people and check on them. They can bring their food, and we’ll finish cooking it together.”
“I’ll call my staff and see how they’re doing,” Mitch said. “They can open Java Beach if they want.”
Vanz’s mother raised her hand. “I can pitch in. I worked in a restaurant.”
Mitch shook his head. “You’re family. You’re with us, and I’ll spread the word for you. I know a couple of places that might be hiring.”
“The weather isn’t that cold,” Ivy said. “I don’t think our new gas heater will come on without electricity, but we have plenty of duvets we can use tonight. And fireplaces. They’re all original.” She’d planned to light the large fireplace in the grand ballroom tonight.
They talked about lanterns and candles, and Bennett put people in charge of those. He grinned. “We have a plan. Let’s all go to work.”
While everyone scattered, Bennett caught Ivy’s hand. “Sweetheart, has anyone heard from Emilie and Tristan? I’m concerned about them making the drive with the streetlights out.”
“They’re used to living in the country where it’s dark,” Ivy said. “But I worry about the other drivers who aren’t. Itried to reach Emilie on Shelly’s phone, but my calls go to voicemail. They might be in an area where the calls drop.”
Bennett furrowed his brow. “If they decide to come, I hope they’re okay.”
“They might have stayed at the vineyard, given the power outage. But I’ll let you know if I hear from them.”
While others checked the rooms to make sure each one had flashlights and lanterns, Ivy helped Mitch in the kitchen.
She was at the counter preparing miniature potato stacks with rosemary from the garden when she saw her nephew Reed’s large work vehicle pull into the car court. She called out to Poppy, “Your brother is here. Maybe he brought a grill with him.”
Poppy hurried outside. Suddenly, she screamed.
“What’s going on?” Ivy dried her hands and followed her.
When the doors to the vehicle opened, Ivy caught her breath as her parents emerged.
“Grandma!” Poppy raced to greet Carlotta.
