Page 37 of Seabreeze Library

While listening to Poppy’s enthusiastic pitch about social media posts, ad campaigns, and submissions to travel bloggers, Ivy’s mind wandered back to the receipt. Something about it still disturbed her.

After Poppy finished, she asked if Ivy and Bennett had plans for dinner. “Mom and Dad told me to invite you for supper. They know you’re packing up the place.”

“Thanks, but I’d planned to stay at home since this is the last night we have guests. But we’ll take them up on that offer next week.”

After Poppy left to visit her parents’ home, Ivy turned her thoughts back to the mysterious address. She tried again but failed to find anything online.

Always worth a try, she thought, tacking the slip of paper to the corkboard behind her computer for inspiration.

When Ivy wokethe following day, Bennett had already left for his run on the beach. She rolled out of bed and stretched, taking her time. It was Poppy’s turn to lay out the breakfast buffet, and since they only had two guests now, it wouldn’t take her long. After dressing, she strolled across the car court, past Libby’s bookmobile, and into the kitchen.

Poppy wasn’t there, so she continued to the dining room.

Reed’s deep voice floated through the hallway. “These design elements are similar to this house.”

Ivy paused at the entrance to the dining room, where everyone gathered around the old set of plans for the library and art museum.

Libby looked particularly interested, but Poppy seemed upset, her lips pressed into a thin line.

“What architectural style do you call this?” Libby asked.

“A blend of Spanish Colonial Revival and Mediterranean styles,” Reed replied.

“I heard Amelia Erickson marked a large sum of money for the construction,” Libby said with a smile. “Do you know anything about that?”

Ivy stepped inside. “The estate was settled and closed several years ago.” No wonder Poppy was on edge.

Libby whipped around, clearly surprised. Her wide-eyed gaze looked innocent enough.

Yet, after her conversation with Shelly and Poppy yesterday, Ivy hadn’t slept well. She didn’t trust Libby until she knew more about her. Questions from strangers about finances and money were red flags. And from the looks that Poppy and her brother were exchanging, their talk hadn’t gone as planned.

Ivy gave Libby a pleasant smile; she was still their guest, after all. “You’re up early. Will you be getting on the road soon?”

“She couldn’t leave without seeing these plans,” Reed said. “I told her all about them last night at dinner. They’re incredible.”

Libby’s cheeks colored slightly, and she glanced down at her hands.

Ivy turned to Reed. “How nice of you to join her bookmobile readers at dinner. It must have been fun.”

Reed raised his brow in surprise. “Libby, I didn’t know you had plans.”

“Everyone understood once I explained why I couldn’t make it,” Libby said quickly. “They all know you, so once they learned you’d asked me out, they were happy for us. And they shared the sweetest stories about you.”

It was Reed’s turn to look a little embarrassed. “I’m sorry we disappointed them. Had I known, we could have joined them. And don’t believe everything they say about me.”

Her mind racing, Ivy headed straight to the coffee urn for liquid reinforcement.Not a good situation,she thought, slightly panicked for Reed.

She turned back to Libby. “Traffic can be heavy on Sunday returning to Los Angeles. You should probably leave sooner than you’d planned so you can be fresh for your interview tomorrow.”

“That’s true,” Reed said, touching her shoulder in a protective gesture. “I hope you’ll return soon.”

“I’m planning on it,” Libby replied, beaming at him.

Oh, dear, Ivy thought.Reed looks far too interested.She glanced at Poppy, who was clearly holding back her comments. Her niece would have plenty to say later.

Libby glanced at the time. “I should get ready for my visit to the village.”

“Are you parking by Java Beach again today?” Reed asked.

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