“Alright, next month it is.” Ivy gazed around the table at faces mirroring her excitement. Sometimes the best things happened when you didn’t overthink them.
“Let’s do this,” Shelly said, swaying with Daisy.
Ivy opened the calendar on her phone. “Poppy, will you check the community calendar and find a date that doesn’t conflict with other events?”
“On it.” Poppy pulled her computer from her bag.
Ivy flipped to a fresh page in her notebook. “Let’s brainstorm fundraising ideas. What else could we do besides charge nominal admission and vendor booth fees?”
“What about a read-a-thon?” Libby suggested. “It’s like a marathon or a walkathon. People pledge donations for pages read. Teachers might even give kids class credit. That way, everyone feels involved.”
“I love that.” Ivy jotted a note to contact the principal and teachers she knew in Summer Beach. Her mind was racing with possibilities. “How about a Blind Date with a Book sale?”
Shelly rested her chin in her hand. “Reminds me of my dating app disaster. What is that?”
Poppy laughed. “People wrap up their favorite books with a few tantalizing clues on the outside and sell or auction them. Buyers choose based on the description without knowing the title.”
“I like it,” Shelly said between bites of her croissant breakfast sandwich. “That’s way better than my blind dates were. At least with a book, if you don’t like it, you can close it and walk away.”
“Got it.” Ivy scribbled more notes, her handwriting growing messier with speed.
Libby leaned in. “A story time for grown-ups with beach blanket readings from authors.”
“Bookmaking for kids,” Shelly said, holding up a hand. “Not the betting kind. The coloring kind.”
Ivy made a face. “I figured.”
“How about a banned books trivia contest?” Libby added, “With books likeTo Kill a Mocking BirdandThe Great Gatsby?”
Ivy looked up in surprise. “On the list, for sure.”
Shelly drummed her fingers. “Everyone likes a bake sale.”
“Sounds good, too.” Poppy looked up from her computer calendar. “The last weekend next month is available. Should we go with it?”
They all compared their calendars and agreed. It was the only open date for months.
Ivy held up her hand. “All in favor of supporting the first annual Summer Beach Bookfest, raise your hand.”
Along with the others, Shelly shot up her hand. “The Bookfest is on.”
Optimism surged through Ivy.This will work.The festival would introduce people to the bookmobile and the library fundraising campaign. It was a step toward progress for the community. They could plan this while Reed and his skilled trades brought the inn into the new century.
Ivy read off at their growing list, and those around the table volunteered to manage different tasks.
As they were discussing more ideas, Ivy’s phone rang, interrupting their planning session. Reed’s name flashed on the screen. Her nephew rarely called unless it was necessary.
“Everything okay there?”
Power tools sounded behind Reed’s voice. “I found something you’ll want to see right away. Can you come now?”
“What is it?” she asked, her chest tightening.
“It’s better if you see it. How soon can you make it?”
“Give me ten minutes.” She closed her notebook. “I’m leaving Java Beach now.”
Poppy leaned forward. “Is everything alright?”
