Chapter 14
14
“ I should start with my real name,” Libby said, walking beside Ivy on the beach. “It’s Elizabeth. In school, I went by Elizabeth or Beth, but my mother always called me Libby. After she died, I just wanted to hear that name again, so after I left Phoenix, I became Libby again. Libby the librarian seemed to flow better. I also reverted to Becker, my mother’s maiden name, because my father never wanted anything to do with me.”
“I’m sorry you lost your mother.” A thought occurred to Ivy. “Isn’t there a library app by that name?”
A small smile tugged Libby’s lips. “That makes it even easier for people to remember me.”
Ivy slowed her pace and waited for Libby to continue. Rushing the young woman wouldn’t help.
The tide was going out, leaving patches of wet sand that gleamed in the spring sunshine. Nearby, families with children worked on sandcastles, and seagulls glided above receding waves.
Finally, Libby spoke again. “I haven’t been completely honest with you.” Her voice was quiet, almost lost in the sound of the waves. She stopped walking and faced the ocean. “I’d like to find my people in Summer Beach and help the community with library services. But that’s not the reason I left. It was personal, and that’s why I’ve kept moving.”
“I sensed that. Many people move for personal reasons.”
“I left Phoenix because I broke up with my boyfriend,” Libby said. “I was studying for my master’s degree in library sciences when I met him. It wasn’t long after my mother passed away in an accident, and I guess I needed someone. All my friends were getting married and having babies, so I figured we would, too.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Dolph was fun at first, but he would go off on emotional tangents. He would get so angry that it scared me. His anger wasn’t directed at me, at least not initially. Looking back, I think he began to change when I gave up my apartment and began planning our wedding. First, he blamed his outbursts on me and then on the stress of his job. Or the person who cut him off on the highway, or the overworked waitperson. It was never his fault.”
“Did you ever seek counseling?”
“Dolph wouldn’t go, and I didn’t want to go without him. He became more and more abusive. Emotionally at first, then physically.”
She winced and twisted a strand of hair around her finger, a nervous gesture Ivy had noticed. “I filed a restraining order against him and left. I couldn’t stay there anymore.”
Ivy’s heart ached for the younger woman. “That must have taken a lot of courage.”
“I don’t feel brave,” Libby said, shaking her head. “Most days, I just feel scared. I’m afraid he’ll track me down. He’s been trying.” She kicked at the sand lightly. “That’s why I bought the bookmobile. It wasn’t just because I love books, though I do. It was a way to keep moving, to not stay in one place too long.”
“That was smart.”
“I bought it on a whim from a bookstore chain that used it for promotions. They were closing and auctioning everything, including the bookmobile, which they had trouble selling because of how it was outfitted. But it was perfect for me, and I had a little money my mother left to me.”
“Do you think Dolph is still looking for you?” Ivy asked. She thought of the call she’d received. She would tell Libby, but she wanted to hear her story first.
Libby shrugged. “Maybe. I blocked him on social media and later changed all my social accounts, along with my phone number. I don’t like to post my photo anywhere. Still, my friend who knows him says he’s obsessed with getting back at me. That’s the friend who painted the bookmobile for the bookstore. I don’t want to put her in an awkward position, so I don’t tell her very much.”
Libby slid off her flip-slops and dug her toes into the sand. “Even though I have a few friends in Phoenix, I don’t want to return. Too many sad memories there. I want to start a new life, but I wonder if it’s too late.”
“Too late?” Ivy echoed, surprised.
“I turned thirty last month,” Libby said as if that explained everything. “All my friends back home are married with kids. They have careers, houses, and husbands. They have goals and direction.” She wiped tears from her eyes. “Five years of my life with Dolph, gone. I made a terrible mistake in waiting, thinking he’d turn around.”
“You were also grieving and needed to feel loved.”
They had reached a large, flat rock. Ivy sat down and patted the space beside her, inviting Libby to join her.
“Each time he’d blow up, he would promise to make it up to me,” Libby said, sitting down. “He would do something lavish, change a little, and life would improve for a little while. But the next time he lost control, it would be worse until finally, I ended up in the emergency room one night.” She squeezed her eyes against the memory, and her voice grew softer. “I know he needs help, but I lost all respect for him. I couldn’t do it anymore.”
“It wasn’t your fault and that was no way to live.” Ivy nodded, understanding flooding through her. “You’re not responsible for his happiness, only your own.”
“I know, but I am so afraid that I missed my only chance at having a family.” She dipped her chin. “Even Reed is younger than I am. He doesn’t know I’m older yet.”
“A couple of years doesn’t make much difference.” While Ivy had been concerned about Reed’s interest in Libby, she wouldn’t judge the young woman anymore. She had been through enough.
Libby ran a hand over her hair. “Starting over by myself seems so hard.”
“It can be daunting if you’re used to having parents or a boyfriend who helps you.” Ivy turned to face her. “But you’re not alone. Summer Beach is friendly, and trust me, it’s never too late to start over. I did it in my forties. My husband died, so my sister and I moved here. We didn’t have many options, but we managed.”
Libby looked intrigued. “How long ago was that?”
“Just a few years. Summer Beach, Bennett, and the inn are all part of my second act.” Ivy smiled. “And don’t worry about being on a timeline. Life isn’t a race. You’ll know when it’s right. But I think you already know that.”
“I love my little bookmobile, but it’s fairly cramped to live in.” Libby gestured vaguely toward the neighborhood behind them. “I don’t know if I’ll ever find a home again.”
“You will,” Ivy said. “It might not be what you imagine, but if you’re open to possibilities, you might be surprised. Summer Beach has a way of helping people find what they need, even if it’s not what they were looking for.”
She looked down at her feet, wiggling her toes in the cool sand. “I love it here. The people are so kind and accept me as I am. An awkward librarian with funky thrift-shop clothes.”
“Everyone here has a story to tell. You’ll be surprised.” Those stories weren’t Ivy’s to tell yet, but if Libby stayed, she would learn them soon enough. “Someday I’ll take you to Thrifty Threads. It’s my favorite resale shop. Just steer clear of the prom dresses.”
Libby smiled at that. “I don’t know what I would do here.”
“Exactly what you’ve been doing with the bookmobile. I’ve also been thinking about holding a book festival here to raise funds for temporary library services like a bookmobile. And eventually, to raise enough to build a new library.”
Libby’s lips parted in awe. “I would love to help with that.”
Ivy’s mind was full of possibilities. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“If I stay here, what if Dolph finds me?” Libby asked suddenly, her voice small.
“You can’t run forever, but you won’t face him alone.” She reached over and squeezed Libby’s hand, still reluctant to tell her about the phone call. “I have good friends here who can help. Imani is an attorney who runs the flower stall in the village. She’s dating Chief Clarkson, our head of police. You can talk to them.”
A flicker of hope crossed Libby’s face. “Do you think they could help with the restraining order? Make sure it’s valid here?”
“I can introduce you to Imani now,” Ivy said. “She’s at her flower stall nearby. Why don’t you stay another night at the inn?”
“Are you sure?” Libby asked, sounding hopeful.
“The work won’t start until tomorrow morning. You might as well be comfortable tonight.”
Ivy gestured toward the village. “Come on. Let’s go look at some flowers.”
Libby brushed sand from her feet and put on her flip-flops. They strolled up from the beach onto Main Street.
“There it is.” Ivy motioned to a flower stall bursting with color.
Buckets of fresh flowers lined the sidewalk, their sweet fragrance permeating the air. A hand-painted sign read Blossoms .
A tall woman with dark braids twisted into a crown atop her head was arranging displays of sunflowers, roses, and peonies. Her tie-dyed sundress was as vivid as the flowers surrounding her. She looked up as they approached.
“You’re just in time,” Imani called out. “I was about to close.” She put down her clippers and wiped her hands on her apron.
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 to Closed and 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.