Page 15 of Seabreeze Library

“This is for Summer Beach, isn’t it?” Darla clasped her hands. “I knew you and Bennett would work out something for us.”

“Why, it must be.” Louise’s face lit. “I can hardly wait to tell everyone. Will it open tomorrow?”

Ivy’s heart fell at their excitement. “It’s really not?—”

“I can open it.” Libby emerged from the driver’s side, smiling. “I’m an itinerant librarian. Tomorrow, I can park somewhere in Summer Beach and open for checkouts. You can follow me on social media to see where I’m stopping and when I’ll return.”

“So you’re just passing through?” Louise’s elated expression faded. “Couldn’t you stay a while? We haven’t had a library since the fire, and the children will be thrilled.”

Ivy touched Louise’s shoulder. “Libby’s our guest. She just checked in for the weekend.”

Libby’s face flushed. “I could stay a little longer if people would like to check out books.”

Although everyone would like that, Ivy didn’t want to trouble their guest or cause a construction delay. “Don’t you have a job interview in Los Angeles?”

Libby pressed her lips together for a moment. “I could probably reschedule it.”

“We couldn’t let you risk that position.” Ivy shook her head. “As I explained, the construction level will escalate next week. We must close to guests due to liability concerns.”

“Oh, sure,” Libby said quickly. “I understand. I could return to Summer Beach in a couple of weeks. On the weekend, I mean. If I get the job.”

Something in Libby’s voice struck Ivy as odd, but their guest’s business was none of hers.

Shelly stepped closer to admire the vehicle. “I’ve never seen anything like this. Those colors are extraordinary. That ocean blue there, it’s practically luminous.”

“Whoever painted this is incredibly talented.” Ivy had an idea. “I have a friend whose business is food trucks. There aren’t many people who work at this level of quality. I’m sure she’d love to see this so she could recommend your person to others.”

“It was just someone I knew back home.” Libby seemed a little nervous. “I think they moved away.”

“Maybe they have a website?”

“I don’t think so.”

Ivy noticed the way Libby’s fingers twisted together, and the slight tension in her shoulders. There was a story there, but clearly not one their guest wanted to share.

“Well, it’s magnificent,” Ivy said, steering the conversation. “How many books do you carry onboard?”

Libby’s posture relaxed slightly. “I’ve never counted. The books come and go. I take donations of new titles, and when Ihave too many, I sell a few. I try to have something for everyone. Children’s books, bestsellers, classics. Even large print editions.”

“Sure wish you could stay a while,” Darla said, looking disappointed. “When Mayor Bennett sees this, maybe he could work out something for the community.”

Libby’s eyes flashed at the perceived opportunity. “I’d be open to that, as long as it paid what the job in Los Angeles does.”

Ivy sent Darla a warning glance, though she understood the other woman’s impulse.

Darla edged closer and touched her shoulder. “Maybe you could talk Bennett into it.”

“Just because we’re married doesn’t mean I have influence over his city business.” Many people in town assumed that. Bennett made the separation clear, and Ivy respected that. Although admittedly, she had overstepped the boundary on the library. “Besides, we can’t hijack Libby’s personal vehicle.”

Libby adjusted her backpack. “In the meantime, where could I set up tomorrow?”

“You should park by Java Beach,” Darla offered. “I’ll talk to the owner about it. He’s like my son.”

Shelly brightened at the suggestion. “Books and coffee. Mitch would like that.”

“You might need city approval to park there,” Ivy said.

Knowing how Bennett felt about this, she didn’t want to take any chances. She’d mention it to him. Maybe not tonight, though. Early in the morning should give them enough time, and he was always in a good mood after a morning run that flooded him with feel-good endorphins, or whatever they were.

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