Ivy placed a hand on Libby’s shoulder. “Imani, this is Libby. She’s been staying at the inn with her bookmobile.”
“You’re famous,” Imani said with a warm smile, extending her hand. “I’ve heard about you from half the town. They sure love your bookmobile.”
Libby shook her hand, looking slightly overwhelmed. “It was a good turnout.”
Deciding to be direct, Ivy said, “Libby has a legal question. I thought you might advise her.”
Understanding flickered in Imani’s eyes. Before becoming a florist, she had been one of Los Angeles’s most respected attorneys. Her keen observational skills hadn’t dulled with her career change.
“Legal questions are my specialty.” Imani’s smile widened as if Ivy had mentioned a fondness for cake. “I’m closing soon. Why don’t you wait, and we can talk?”
Relief washed over Libby’s face. “You wouldn’t mind?”
“Not at all.” Imani turned the sign on her stall toClosedand began to draw the plastic curtain.
Ivy and Libby helped her carry in the remaining buckets, filling the small space with even more fragrance and color. As Imani finished, Ivy leaned in close to Libby.
“Would you like me to stay with you?” she asked quietly.
Libby hesitated, then shook her head. “I’ll be okay now. Thanks for letting me unload my problems on you.”
“Are you sure?”
Libby blinked and nodded. “I need to do this myself. I’m long overdue.”
Ivy understood. The first step toward reclaiming power was to face the issues and ask for help if needed.
Imani approached, untying her apron. “All set. We can talk on the bench over there.”
“Just a minute,” Ivy said to Libby. “There is one more thing I should mention. I wanted to wait until after you met Imani. I received a call yesterday.” She went on to tell her about the conversation.
Libby’s face paled. “That had to be Dolph. I knew this was too good to be true. I don’t know if I can stay here.”
“You shouldn’t have to run,” Imani said. “We’ll figure it out together. Let’s talk.” She nodded to Ivy.
Imani would know what to do. Ivy gestured toward the marina, where Bennett had taken Logan earlier after picking him up. “My husband should be finishing his work on the boat, so I’ll join him now. Call if you need me.”
Imani lifted her chin. “Tell him I said hello. And I’ll take Libby back to the inn after we’ve had a chance to talk.”
Feeling lighter after talking to Libby and understanding what she wanted, Ivy turned toward the marina. Imani would advise her, and soon Libby could close that chapter of her life. She also admired the young woman’s ingenuity with the bookmobile.
In the distance, she saw Bennett on the deck of his boat, cleaning and repairing the craft for the season. His vintage yacht was his happy place, and they enjoyed taking it out on the water.
She would surprise him, she decided.
15
Bennett wiped his brow with the back of his arm, careful to keep the varnish on his brush from dripping onto the deck. The afternoon sun glinted off the ocean waves, and the air was fresh. He loved being on the water. Rubbing his shoulder, he put down his brush.
His nephew Logan had helped him today on the boat before his parents picked him up a little while ago. He’d asked Ivy if he should return to the inn with him, but Ivy told him to take Logan out on the boat. Kids didn’t like packing. He appreciated that.
The rumble of an approaching engine caught his attention. He glanced up to see Mitch’s charter boat easing into its slip across the dock.
“Hey, Mr. Mayor,” Mitch called out, waving at him.
A group of about ten people talked and laughed as they disembarked. Many stopped to shake Mitch’s hand or clap him on the shoulder. Bennett could hear fragments of happy conversation carried on the cool breeze.
“Best day we’ve had so far. Glad we found Summer Beach.”
