Despite her husband’s faith in her, she had no idea how to begin.
11
Ivy sat at her desk by the open door in the library, the sun slanting across the room as she reviewed the monthly financial accounts. With the latest discovery still on her mind, she could hardly focus, but the work still had to be done.
The inn’s finances were improving, but there was still a long way to go before she would breathe easier. The renovation had to stay within her detailed budget. She made a few notes to discuss with her bookkeeper when the phone rang.
“Seabreeze Inn, this is Ivy speaking.”
“Hello, Ivy,” a pleasant male voice replied. “Please connect me to Elizabeth Carter’s room.”
“I’m sorry,” Ivy said. “We don’t have anyone by that name staying with us.”
“You didn’t even check.”
“Excuse me?”
“Do you memorize every guest’s name?”
“I don’t need to. We are closed for renovations.”
“How about Beth Becker?” His tone was still casual but insistent. “Has she stayed there recently?”
A slight prickle of unease traveled up Ivy’s spine. “No one is here by that name either. You might try the Seal Cove Inn.”
There was a brief pause before the man asked, “Is there a bookmobile in town?”
Ivy’s radar went off immediately. The question seemed oddly disconnected from his search for this Elizabeth person and was now related to Libby.
The coincidence was too strange to ignore.
“I have another call I need to take. Goodbye.” She hung up before he could respond.
Ivy stared at the phone, feeling unsettled. She’d been borderline rude to the man. Perhaps he was only looking for information about local services. Yet, she was trying to trust her intuition more, and something about that conversation wasn’t normal.
The hours passed in a blur of invoices and billing statements, yet the strange call lingered in the back of her mind.
Later that afternoon,Ivy heard someone singing. She stepped out of the library and onto the veranda. Libby was walking to her room, singing as she went.
“You sound like you had a good day,” Ivy said, grateful for the distraction from her bookkeeping. “I’d love to hear about it.”
“It was wonderful.” Libby’s eyes shimmered with happiness. “The bookmobile was packed all day. I helped so many children and adults find books. That’s the most gratifying part of my work.”
Ivy smiled at Libby’s natural enthusiasm. She radiated joy, and it was contagious.
“You love your work, don’t you?”
“I do,” Libby said. “I love meeting people and interacting over books. It’s the only time when I feel myself. I’m usually one of those awkward people who gets picked last for sports teams.”
“That’s not who I see in front of me. I see a beautiful young woman, strong and capable.” Ivy was genuinely pleased that Libby had found such happiness in Summer Beach. “I’m glad you’ve enjoyed your visit and that we could accommodate you. I hope you return soon.”
Libby’s smile faltered. “I told people I would be back next week. Could I stay here again? I don’t mind the noise.”
Ivy hated to disappoint her. “I’m afraid we’ll be closed for construction starting Monday. But Los Angeles is close enough for you to make a day trip, isn’t it?”
“I wish I didn’t have to leave,” Libby said. “Summer Beach is one of the friendliest towns I’ve been to.”
Bennett had shared his thoughts about having a bookmobile in the community, but that was only at the idea stage. There was nothing she could offer Libby with certainty.
