“It sounds like you have a job waiting for you in Los Angeles,” she said.
She wondered if she should tell Libby about the phone call. The caller hadn’t asked for her, so it likely had nothing to do with her at all. And Libby was so happy right now.
“We’ve had quite a day, too,” Ivy said. “We found the plans for the library and art museum Amelia Erickson wanted to build. It would have been a beautiful addition to Summer Beach.”
Libby’s eyes widened. “So she was serious about it. I wish I could see it built.” Her expression grew wistful.
“I can show you the plans now.”
Libby looked tempted. “I met some readers who invited me out for dinner, so I should freshen up. How about later tonight or tomorrow morning?”
“Right after breakfast is fine.” Ivy paused. “Are you taking the bookmobile to the village again tomorrow?”
Libby nodded. “As a service to those who couldn’t make it today. Then I’ll be on my way.” She hesitated as a wistful look crossed her face. “Thanks again for letting me stay despite construction.”
“We’re glad to have you,” Ivy said, and she meant it. “It turned out to be no trouble at all, and you’ve made many of our friends very happy. I hope you’ll come through Summer Beach often.”
As she watched Libby cross to her room, she saw Reed catch up to her, and they chatted for a few minutes. Although she couldn’t hear what they were saying, they seemed to agree on something, and both hurried off in different directions.
Ivy wondered what that was about, and then she remembered how they’d talked last night at the family supper. She leaned against the open door to the veranda, enjoying the fresh air as she turned over ideas in her mind.
“You look like you’re plotting something,” Poppy said, appearing in the doorway to the library with two mugs of tea. “I figured this is one of the few times we can have a private afternoon tea. Shelly is right behind me.”
Ivy accepted the steaming cup gratefully. “It feels a little odd not to have guests to entertain.”
Shelly eased in with a chilled glass and plopped into a chair.
Ivy grinned at her juice cocktail. “Virgin or fully loaded?”
“Lightly loaded with just a whisper,” Shelly replied. “I have to keep up with Daisy. On second thought, maybe I should make it a double and let Mitch take over tonight.” She sipped a little and wagged her eyebrows. “Or maybe we’ll put Daisy to bed early.”
“You can hope.” Ivy laughed, knowing that Shelly had earned a break. She’d been working in the garden and greenhouse all day.
Shelly dangled her feet over the arm of the chair. “Mitch said Libby’s bookmobile was a huge success today. I hope she puts Summer Beach on her regular rotation.”
Ivy sipped her tea. “I’m pretty sure Libby would stay in Summer Beach if she could.”
“Really?” Poppy perched on the edge of the desk. “Maybe the community could hire her to stay on. She seems perfect for the role.”
“She does,” Ivy agreed. “But we don’t know anything about her training or background. And funding would have to be approved by the city. That takes time.”
Poppy’s eyes lit at the challenge. “I could write a proposal and research grant options.”
“That would be a huge help,” Ivy said, remembering how much time that took. “Bennett would appreciate that, too.”
Poppy turned to her computer. “Okay, let’s see where Libby worked before. I overheard her talking to someone. She let slip that she worked in Phoenix for the library system. I’ll bet we can find out what position she held. It would help to include her in our proposal, and it would be easier not to have to interview people.”
Sipping her drink, Shelly nodded. “Start sleuthing.”
Poppy tapped Libby’s name on the keyboard and pressed a key. She scanned the results. “There’s no record of her. Could Libby be a nickname?”
Ivy thought for a moment. With a sinking feeling, she said, “Try Elizabeth.”
Poppy tapped in the new name but still shook her head at the results. “Nothing except centenarian obituaries. It’s like she never existed in Phoenix, or anywhere in Arizona. Usually, there’s some trace of a person. Social media accounts, at least. Let me try adding bookmobile to the search.”
While Poppy searched in vain, Ivy told them about the phone call. “Maybe this is related, or maybe not.”
Shelly was quiet for a moment. “You should tell Libby about that, Ives.”
