Once the loan papers arrived from Max, Ivy’s world shifted into fast forward. All her time was spent on getting the grocery ready. She had hardly seen anyone outside of contractors and vendors for weeks. Permits, inspections and deliveries in an seemingly endless stream, it took all her energy trying to keep up with it all. The few precious moments spent with Jim were usually those just before her head hit the pillow at night.

Never had she been so thankful for Jim. He had taken full responsibility for all decisions concerning the house. In fact she hadn’t even seen a sketch now that she thought about it. Jim made the arrangements for all their belongings to be shipped from New Jersey and stored until the house was finished. He even took care of the details concerning her Uncle Ian's impending arrival. She knew she would be overwhelmed without Jim's help but she couldn't help but feel guilty. It was at her suggestion that they moved to Australia and took on the grocery. She felt she should somehow be doing more to take care of him.

It was early evening and everything pressing was done; she decided to call it a day. Locking the grocery door she was thankful it was almost all together. Uncle Ian would be arriving next week to help with the last of the details before opening. She sincerely hoped Max was right about people wanting to shop someplace more local. "Enough planning for tonight" she scolded herself as she walked back to Millie's. "Now it's time to spend some much needed quality time with Jim." She smiled as she approached the porch and found him waiting with flowers.