Ivy cut her off again. “Shelly, I forgot to tell you our guest is looking for you.”
“I saw Dr. Kempner at the bookmobile,” Bennett said. “She’ll probably be there a while.” He glanced at the plans Ivy held. “Those look old.”
“We just found them concealed in that section,” Reed replied, gesturing toward the wall. “Not for this house, but for something else.”
“Let’s have a look.” Bennett held out his hand, his expression curious.
With a sigh, Ivy handed him the plans, watching as he unrolled them on the table. The paper crackled slightly.
“Would you look at this,” he said, his voice full of appreciation. “Plans for a library and art museum.”
Ivy stepped to his side, their shoulders nearly touching as they leaned over the detailed drawings.
“They seem to have been prepared after the Ericksons built this property,” she explained, pointing to the date in the corner. “Looks like they were interested in building out the town.”
Bennett nodded thoughtfully. “They were very civic and philanthropically minded.”
His fingers traced the outline of the building, and Ivy found herself watching his hands and waiting for his reaction.
Reed peered over Bennett’s other shoulder. They began discussing the space, pointing out features and dimensions.
“Doesn’t look like a large library,” Bennett said. “Though it’s big enough for Summer Beach, even now.”
Ivy looked over his shoulder, trying to imagine the building as it might have been and might still be. “I bet she planned todisplay some of the art we found downstairs in the museum. Or maybe showcase pieces from their private collection.”
The possibilities unfolded in her mind. “Just imagine what a beautiful addition this would have been to the community.”
“Sure wish it had been built.” Bennett rolled the plans up and handed them back to Ivy. His eyes met hers and drew her in. “These plans are important. Keep them safe.”
“I will.” Ivy took the plans, her fingers brushing against his. Whatever he thought of her efforts to create a library here, he clearly admired these plans.
Reed looked back at the debris in the music room. “I’ll have my crew finish the work and clean up.”
“And I’ll take the silver to the kitchen.” Poppy picked up a tarnished platter.
Bennett took Ivy’s hand, and they began to walk toward their apartment above the garage. “I was impressed with the community’s reaction to the bookmobile. There was a line waiting to get in, and everyone was so…”
Ivy smiled. “Happy?”
“Ecstatic. I’ve been thinking about what the city would need to do to offer a bookmobile until funds are available for a permanent library. That could take years, so a bookmobile could serve residents until then.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“And?”
She hardly dared to voice her thoughts.
“I know that look in your eyes,” Bennett said, catching her hand.
“What look?”
He squeezed her hand. “You want to build Amelia’s library.”
“Oh, imagine if we could, darling.” With her pulse pounding at the thought, she smiled at him, testing the idea.
He stopped to cradle her face in his hands. “This is what I love about you,” he said, kissing her. “Even the impossible doesn’t faze you.”
This idea was beyond what she’d ever imagined. Beyond transforming the old beach house into an inn. Beyond the current renovation and far beyond her fundraising efforts.
