Chapter 10
10
W hile Reed worked on a cabinet hinge frozen by time, Ivy stepped back. “I want to see what’s behind this wall.”
“No problem.” Reed pried another section loose and inspected the framing behind it. “This entire section is a false wall. Non-load bearing and not uncommon. In building, we add them to create storage or give a finished look to big-screen televisions.”
Ivy paused as Shelly continued peeling off the drywall. “TVs didn’t even exist when this house was built.”
“That’s hard to imagine,” Shelly said. “Did they have phones?”
“We’ve found the old wiring,” Reed said. “Anyone who built a home of this size at that time had telephones.”
“Maybe they hid bars of gold in here,” Shelly said, laughing.
A peculiar sensation struck Ivy. “This time, you might be on to something.” Her heart raced with anticipation as the wall crumbled away, revealing more cabinetry.
Reed winced as Shelly attacked the wall with enthusiasm rather than technique. “Careful, you might?—”
A chunk of drywall crashed to the floor, sending up clouds of debris. They turned away, shielding their faces.
“Oops.” When the dust settled, Shelly grinned, not looking remotely apologetic. “At least we can see more now.”
“Hang on. You should use these.” Reed handed them painter’s masks from his tool kit. Ivy saw a smile tugging at his lips. “You two are worse than my demolition crew. There’s a method to?—”
“Finding hidden treasures,” Shelly finished for him, wedging her borrowed screwdriver into a seam. “And we’re experts at that.”
This time, Reed nodded. “Experts at making messes, like my dad says.”
Poppy laughed, nodding in agreement. “He warned you.” She stopped the recording to join in.
Reed chuckled as his sister and aunts dismantled the wall with gleeful abandon. All he could do was help them.
They worked in a flurry of dust and laughter, tearing away decades of debris to reveal the entire expanse of built-in cabinetry. The cabinets stretched nearly the entire wall length. The impressive built-in unit featured numerous compartments of various sizes.
“Just like old times,” Shelly said, brushing dust from her hair. “Remember when we uncovered the entry to the lower level?”
“That was the beginning of it all.” Ivy stepped back to survey their work. The cabinet doors were now exposed. “Reed, let’s pry these open.”
He nodded, already applying the lubricant to the hinges and working a putty knife along a door edge. “Stand back. No telling what’s inside.”
Shelly shuddered. “Like mice?”
“We don’t have mice,” Ivy said pointedly.
Reed winked at them. “Maybe because they live in here.” With a crack, the first cabinet door creaked open. “Aunt Ivy, take a look.”
With a tentative step, she peered into the cabinet and sighed.
“Ledgers,” she said, pulling out a leather-clad book. “Looks like old accounting books.” She opened one carefully, the brittle pages crackling beneath her fingers. “Household expenses. They’re all labeled by year. The last one ends in 1941. Maybe that was when this was constructed.”
Shelly had already moved to the next cabinet that Reed opened. “Hey, look at these.” She removed a tarnished silver frame that held a portrait of a distinguished couple in an early automobile. “Look, family photos. Here’s Amelia and Gustav.”
Poppy opened a third compartment. “This one is full of bank statements from First Golden State Bank of San Francisco. I wonder if that exists anymore.”
“And I wonder if the money is still there,” Shelly said, grinning.
Ivy shook her head. “Bank accounts were probably included in the estate. I’ve never heard of that bank, so it’s probably long gone.”
They continued exploring, finding more silver serving pieces like those they’d found when they first moved in.
Ivy sorted through more documents. “These must have been important once, but they’re meaningless now.” She paused, thinking about the things in her life that would also diminish in importance. “I’ll check the lower cabinets.”
“One more shot at the gold,” Shelly said.
“Here goes.” Ivy knelt, excitement still tingling as she pried open a lower compartment. Inside lay a long, cylindrical object wrapped in what looked like oilcloth.
Reed’s expression brightened as she carefully extracted it. “That looks like architectural plans. For this house, I’d guess.”
“We have a set of plans,” Ivy said. “Bennett gave them to me when I moved in.”
“Maybe this set had some secret rooms,” Poppy said. She gestured to a patio table just outside the open doors. “Let’s unroll the plans out there.”
They gathered around as Reed unrolled the architectural drawings. The wide paper was yellowed but remarkably well-preserved.
Ivy frowned as the drawing came into view. “That’s not Las Brisas del Mar,” she said, referring to the home’s original name.
“The Summer Beach Library and Art Museum,” Shelly read from the title block.
They all fell silent, staring at the detailed drawing of a building.
“Was this ever built?” Reed asked.
Ivy shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’ve never seen it.”
“Why would these plans be stashed away?” Shelly wondered, tracing a finger along the elegant facade of the proposed building.
“Amelia had her reasons for everything,” Ivy replied softly. “Remember, this would have been right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. She probably sealed this the same time as the lower level, fearing an invasion from the Pacific Ocean. As people volunteered for military service and went to war, there wasn’t much building going on here.”
“Was invasion a real threat?” Reed asked.
“It was,” Ivy said, recalling a conversation with Nan and Arthur and accounts she’d read. “A few enemy submarines cruised the California coast, attacking merchant ships and an oil field. That was probably before Amelia Erickson converted the house into a rehabilitation facility for wounded people who served.”
“What an incredible history.” Reed studied the plans with professional interest. “These are remarkably detailed. The design is amazing. You’d have to update the plans to current building codes, but the bones are exceptional.”
Across from Ivy, Poppy peered at the drawings. “Dad will love to see these.”
“Imagine if this structure had been built,” Ivy added.
Her brother Forrest appreciated fine architecture. A bittersweet feeling washed over her as she admired the beautiful building that never came to be. She looked up at Reed. “I wish you and your father could build this for us.”
“No budget, though.” Shelly sighed, echoing Ivy’s thoughts. “Bennett’s made that clear enough.”
“Wait,” Poppy said suddenly, pointing to the corner of the drawing. “Look who designed it.”
Ivy leaned in. “Julia Morgan.” Her breath caught. “The architect who designed this house and Viola’s home in San Francisco. And Hearst Castle. No wonder these plans are gorgeous.”
“I’ve been there,” Reed said. “If she worked for William Randolph Hearst, these plans might be valuable as a historical document.”
“Yes, but because of her efforts.” Ivy had read quite a bit about her. “Julia Morgan was a pioneering architect. She grew up in Oakland and graduated from Berkeley with a degree in civil engineering. She was also the first woman to earn her certificate in architecture from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. And became the first female architect licensed in California in 1904.”
“That was before women even had the right to vote,” Shelly added, pressing her lips together.
Poppy shook her head. “Julia Morgan designed hundreds of buildings in her lifetime.”
“Now I’m even more impressed,” Reed said. “These plans have historical significance.”
Ivy recalled what Libby had said about Amelia’s rumored plans for a library. “Libby told me about an old article, an interview with Amelia Erickson. She mentioned her plan for a library for Summer Beach.” Nan had showed her an article, too. Ivy ran her hand across the rendering with reverence. “Maybe we haven’t been thinking big enough.”
As she studied the elegant design, possibilities stirred within her. These plans had lain dormant for decades, waiting for the right moment. Perhaps this discovery wasn’t just a glimpse into Amelia’s goals but a blueprint for the future.
Shelly quirked a grin. “Don’t you think it’s interesting that you wanted a wall of cabinets right where Amelia had covered these up?”
“No, it makes sense.” Ivy knew what Shelly was driving at. “It’s what the room needs.”
“Maybe Amelia’s spirit led you there,” Shelly said. “I wonder if she’s in here with us right now, saying, ‘you go, girl.’” She bumped her sister’s shoulder.
Ivy laughed. “I don’t think she’d put it quite like that.”
“I bet she’s picked up a few phrases having hung out with us.” Shelly bounced on her feet. “Did I tell you there’s a new clairvoyant in town? Maybe we could talk to Amelia, sort of like having a conference call with the dead.”
“Shelly, stop. You’re freaking out Reed.” Ivy noticed their nephew’s face had paled.
“It’s not me,” Reed said quickly. “I don’t actually believe in ghosts.” He exhaled and drew a hand over his forehead. “But it’s my crew. Some are superstitious. There was one old house they wouldn’t work on. The guys felt weird cold drafts on hot days. A couple of them thought they saw a shadowy figure. I had to hire a different crew.”
“Then I wouldn’t let him in Amelia’s old suite,” Shelly said.
Reed looked doubtful. “Which one is that?”
“My old room,” Ivy replied. “And it’s perfectly okay. I slept there and didn’t sense anything.”
“Much,” Shelly added with rounded eyes.
Ivy poked her sister. Shelly didn’t need to add that, even though Ivy had sensed something.
She put a hand on her hip. “Hey, Shells. Do you want Reed and his team to finish this renovation, or would you rather do it yourself?”
Shelly held up her hands. “Forget what I said. You know how I like to kid around.”
Just then, Ivy spied her husband entering the music room. “Bennett is back. Wait until he sees these plans.” She was excited to share their latest discovery.
“Not so fast.” Shelly shook her head. “He’s not going to like this. If Summer Beach has no budget for a small space, he’ll go ballistic over this.You know you’ll want it.”
Sensing some truth in what her sister said, Ivy hesitated. “I’m not asking for anything. I’m sharing what we found.”
“Wow, what happened in here?” Bennett stared at the debris in the middle of the room. “This place is a wreck. What are you all huddled about out there?”
As Shelly shook her head, Ivy rolled up the plans and tucked them under her arm. “You were gone a long time.”
“After my run, I stopped by Java Beach. You wouldn’t believe the crowd Libby has drawn with the bookmobile. There’s a line waiting to go inside.”
Shelly nodded. “Yeah, the community really wants a— ouch , that’s my foot, Ives.”
“Oh, sorry.” She shot Shelly a pointed look before turning back to Bennett. “How is Mitch?”
“He’s thrilled. Java Beach is having a booming breakfast run because of the crowd.”
Shelly snapped her fingers. “Next to Java Beach might be a good spot for a?—”
Ivy cut her off again. “Shelly, I forgot to tell you our guest is looking for you.”
“I saw Dr. Kempner at the bookmobile,” Bennett said. “She’ll probably be there a while.” He glanced at the plans Ivy held. “Those look old.”
“We just found them concealed in that section,” Reed replied, gesturing toward the wall. “Not for this house, but for something else.”
“Let’s have a look.” Bennett held out his hand, his expression curious.
With a sigh, Ivy handed him the plans, watching as he unrolled them on the table. The paper crackled slightly.
“Would you look at this,” he said, his voice full of appreciation. “Plans for a library and art museum.”
Ivy stepped to his side, their shoulders nearly touching as they leaned over the detailed drawings.
“They seem to have been prepared after the Ericksons built this property,” she explained, pointing to the date in the corner. “Looks like they were interested in building out the town.”
Bennett nodded thoughtfully. “They were very civic and philanthropically minded.”
His fingers traced the outline of the building, and Ivy found herself watching his hands and waiting for his reaction.
Reed peered over Bennett’s other shoulder. They began discussing the space, pointing out features and dimensions.
“Doesn’t look like a large library,” Bennett said. “Though it’s big enough for Summer Beach, even now.”
Ivy looked over his shoulder, trying to imagine the building as it might have been and might still be. “I bet she planned to display some of the art we found downstairs in the museum. Or maybe showcase pieces from their private collection.”
The possibilities unfolded in her mind. “Just imagine what a beautiful addition this would have been to the community.”
“Sure wish it had been built.” Bennett rolled the plans up and handed them back to Ivy. His eyes met hers and drew her in. “These plans are important. Keep them safe.”
“I will.” Ivy took the plans, her fingers brushing against his. Whatever he thought of her efforts to create a library here, he clearly admired these plans.
Reed looked back at the debris in the music room. “I’ll have my crew finish the work and clean up.”
“And I’ll take the silver to the kitchen.” Poppy picked up a tarnished platter.
Bennett took Ivy’s hand, and they began to walk toward their apartment above the garage. “I was impressed with the community’s reaction to the bookmobile. There was a line waiting to get in, and everyone was so…”
Ivy smiled. “Happy?”
“Ecstatic. I’ve been thinking about what the city would need to do to offer a bookmobile until funds are available for a permanent library. That could take years, so a bookmobile could serve residents until then.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“And?”
She hardly dared to voice her thoughts.
“I know that look in your eyes,” Bennett said, catching her hand.
“What look?”
He squeezed her hand. “You want to build Amelia’s library.”
“Oh, imagine if we could, darling.” With her pulse pounding at the thought, she smiled at him, testing the idea.
He stopped to cradle her face in his hands. “This is what I love about you,” he said, kissing her. “Even the impossible doesn’t faze you.”
This idea was beyond what she’d ever imagined. Beyond transforming the old beach house into an inn. Beyond the current renovation and far beyond her fundraising efforts.
Despite her husband’s faith in her, she had no idea how to begin.