Page 33 of Bluebell Promises

Juliet’s eyes snapped up to Wren’s, pleading. Wren understood. She needed to go down to the convenience store and buy as much ice cream as she could carry, and she needed to do it now.

Wren was semi-relieved to leave the house and the sounds of Danica’s sobs behind. Out on the sidewalk, she walked slowly, enjoying the feel of the sun on her cheeks. Just beyond this line of houses, she could hear the ocean churning against the rocks. She could hear dogs barking in the distance and neighbors talking from porch to porch.

These were the sounds of a small town on the brink of autumn. This small town in Maine was saying goodbye to summer.

At the convenience store, Wren stood in front of the multiple flavors of ice cream, cursing herself for not knowing which was Danica’s favorite. What kind of aunt was she? She wondered if, years from now, when her own child went through his or her own breakup, she’d know what to say. Juliet seemed to have it handled. Then again, Juliet and Danica’s relationship had been completely revamped very recently. According to Celia, Juliet and Danica had hardly spoken when they’d arrived in Bluebell Cove last summer.

At that moment, the bell over the door jangled, bringing in another customer. Wren didn’t glance over to see who it was. But a moment later, she smelled the flowers. She turned to find Ivy standing beside her, carrying a bouquet of lilies and a bottle of wine from the store, which she planned to purchase for the party. It was clear she was on her way there.

Wren nearly leaped out of her skin. “Hi,” she said, rubbing the back of her neck.

“I didn’t expect to find you here,” Ivy said.

“There’s a minor emergency back at Juliet’s. Danica’s boyfriend met someone else,” she explained.

Ivy didn’t betray a moment of worry or panic or sorrow. “That’s too bad,” she said.

“Juliet sent me to buy ice cream,” Wren said.

Ivy narrowed her eyes. Her thoughts were difficult to read.

“But I don’t know what flavor she likes,” Wren said.

Ivy studied the packages: butter pecan, peppermint, dark chocolate chip, strawberry. “I think I’ve seen her enjoy a fair bit of Snickers ice cream,” she said. “That’s my best guess.”

“Snickers it is. But I’ll grab Oreo and cookie dough just in case,” Wren said.

“And strawberry shortcake,” Ivy suggested. “We’re having a party, aren’t we? Everyone will want some.” She smiled, and it lit Wren’s heart up.

After buying the wine and ice cream, they headed back outside. The wind had picked up, and it seemed to carry them the rest of the way to Juliet’s. Wren asked Ivy about her day, and Ivy explained that she’d prepared fifteen birthday bouquets. “September birthdays are here,” she said. “It’s one of the busiest months for that, at least here in Bluebell.”

“There isn’t anything else to do in wintertime save for making a baby, I guess,” Wren said.

Ivy laughed, throwing her head back. And then, her face settled, and she asked, “Was your baby conceived in Greece, then?”

“Yes,” Wren said.

Ivy clucked her tongue. “That’s pretty dreamy, isn’t it?”

“Yes. The baby is half Greek, too,” Wren said.

Ivy’s eyes widened. “Wow. How exotic!”

Wren half expected Ivy to ask again about the father, about whether Wren had gotten up the nerve to tell him about the baby yet. But for whatever reason, Ivy decided to lay off. At least for today.

At Juliet’s, much of the rest of the family had arrived. Sophie and Lily were exchanging their excitement about returning to their college towns, Sophie for grad school and Lily for another year of undergrad. Tyler was on his phone, eating cookies as though it were a competition. Celia and Landon were both there, as were Landon’s children. They were heading to college, too.

It was incredible to Wren that her own baby wasn’t even born yet—that these college-goers would be in middle age and probably with children of their own by the time Wren’s baby headed to college. What would be different about the world by then? Wren couldn’t fathom it.

Theo was out back, barbecuing their dinner. Eventually, they all went to the veranda to enjoy the beautiful air and eat appetizers. Landon found a seat beside Wren and said, “Ben was pretty beaten up about giving that dog back.”

“Oh, but he was so happy to be home,” Wren offered.

Landon grimaced. “I think Ben worries more than he should. He carries a lot in his chest. Sometimes I don’t think he gets enough sleep.”

Wren nodded, considering sweet Ben. She still didn’t know much about him, save for the fact that he’d once been married and lived in Boston for many years. He’d only recently returned.

“It must be nice to have your brother back,” she said.