Chapter 15
15
B ennett wiped his brow with the back of his arm, careful to keep the varnish on his brush from dripping onto the deck. The afternoon sun glinted off the ocean waves, and the air was fresh. He loved being on the water. Rubbing his shoulder, he put down his brush.
His nephew Logan had helped him today on the boat before his parents picked him up a little while ago. He’d asked Ivy if he should return to the inn with him, but Ivy told him to take Logan out on the boat. Kids didn’t like packing. He appreciated that.
The rumble of an approaching engine caught his attention. He glanced up to see Mitch’s charter boat easing into its slip across the dock.
“Hey, Mr. Mayor,” Mitch called out, waving at him.
A group of about ten people talked and laughed as they disembarked. Many stopped to shake Mitch’s hand or clap him on the shoulder. Bennett could hear fragments of happy conversation carried on the cool breeze.
“Best day we’ve had so far. Glad we found Summer Beach.”
Bennett nodded to himself. Between Java Beach and his coastline charters, Mitch was good for Summer Beach and tourism. After helping the last of his customers onto the dock and pointing them toward the parking lot, Mitch secured his craft and headed Bennett’s way.
“Looking mighty good,” Mitch said, gesturing to the freshly varnished wood.
Bennett set his brush across the top of the can. “Successful charter today?”
Mitch’s grin widened as he stepped onto Bennett’s boat. “Small family reunion. Good people.” He leaned against the cabin. “You know what they were talking about for half the trip back? Libby’s bookmobile.”
Bennett groaned. “Not you, too.”
“I know you’re probably tired of hearing about the bookmobile and our lack of a library, but you had to see it all day. People just kept coming, and many came back today with friends. Word got around fast.”
Bennett sighed and sat down on the bench seat. “All of this has been a sore subject at my house.”
“Ivy’s still pushing for the library?”
“It’s been a source of contention between us,” Bennett admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “I wish the city had the budget to build and staff it properly, but we just don’t. Even with funds the state and federal governments would kick in, which isn’t much. The numbers don’t work.”
“What about donations?”
“That’s a big ask.” He shook his head. “Most of our community donors have committed their budgets for the year. So I feel twice as bad about those old architectural plans. That building would have been perfect for Summer Beach. Ivy would love it.”
Mitch nodded, commiserating with him. “Shelly told me about it. Man, I wish the Ericksons had built that. You have no idea how much Shelly has been talking about it.”
“I can imagine.” Ivy had drafted Shelly into the library effort. Bennett scraped his stubbled chin in thought. “What if the city could host the bookmobile more often?”
Mitch bumped his fist. “That would make a lot of people happy.” His gaze shifted over Bennett’s shoulder. “But you should tell Ivy that. Here she comes. And I’d better get back to work.”
Bennett turned to see Ivy approaching on the dock. As sunny rays brightened her face and the highlights in her hair, his heart tightened with admiration for the woman he’d married. She went after what she wanted and had a knack for figuring out how to make it happen. If only it were within his power to approve what she wanted.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said, reaching for Ivy’s hand to help her onto the bobbing craft.
“I was nearby.” She told him about Libby’s revelations. “Now we know what she was hiding and why.”
“Glad to hear it. She seems like a smart, decent person.”
“Maybe I was being too protective of Reed.”
“Family looks out for each other.”
She started to sit down, but Bennett scooped her into his arms. “Wet varnish,” he said, kissing her.
She laughed. “Best excuse I’ve heard to steal a kiss. You know you can kiss me anytime, right? We’re doubly married.”
“No, really. That section is wet.” He showed her his work. “I’m getting this craft shipshape for the summer.”
“I’m glad you’re taking the time to do that.” She dipped her head. “By the way, thank you for helping me pack at the house earlier today. I know it’s my responsibility to manage my team, so you don’t have to pick up the slack, but I appreciated it.”
“It’s being with you that’s important. If that means helping you at the inn, then I’m all in. No pun intended.” He grinned and smoothed a wisp of hair from her face.
He led her to another area where they could sit and look over the ocean. Putting his arm around her, she settled beside him.
She inched closer and touched his hand. “It’s been a long time since we were out on the water together.”
“Too long. We’ll take the boat out soon.” Bennett felt a pang of regret. Between his mayoral duties and her renovation projects, they’d both been busy.
Ivy drew her eyebrows together. “Are we settling into that marriage routine where people stop doing the fun things they once did?”
“I don’t intend to.” He took her hands and kissed them. “But we don’t have to do anything special to keep our love alive. I cherish every day with you.” He paused, recalling how quickly his first wife had fallen ill, and then she was gone. “But point taken. Carpe diem . Let’s plan a nice getaway after the construction.”
“I’d like that. Hearing Libby talk about her travels made me want to explore.”
Bennett took a deep breath. “About the library issue,” he began.
Ivy squeezed his hand and looked at him with a guarded expression. “Are you sure you want to talk about that?”
He kissed her forehead, reassuring her. “Libby’s bookmobile gave me an idea. We might not have the funds for a library yet, but I’ve reviewed the budget. The city has some discretionary funds, so we can likely manage a stipend for Libby to visit Summer Beach more often for our residents.”
A smile played on Ivy’s lips. “That would be a good start, and she would probably appreciate it. Is this your way of thinking outside the box?”
Bennett chuckled; he often said that to Ivy. “The idea of a private bookmobile is different, but it solves a need here. Do you think she would be open to the idea?”
Ivy’s eyes shimmered. “Her dream is to stay here. And I have another dream.”
Bennett knew what she was getting at. Although many libraries across the country were scaling back, this was still worth a try. Summer Beach needed this. “If we adjust budget allocations and raise private funds, we could make progress toward the end goal. Would you be willing to introduce Libby and present the bookmobile proposal to the council?”
The smile that spread across her face lifted his heart. “Of course I will. And I have all sorts of other ideas.”
Bennett laughed. “You have an inexhaustible supply, and that’s part of what I love about you. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“People were thrilled to visit the bookmobile.” Her words tumbled out in her excitement. “So, what if we create an annual book festival here in Summer Beach? Sort of like our art fair. In the beginning, we could build it around Libby’s whimsical theme. We could invite authors for book signings and have entertainment. Make it a real destination event.”
Bennett grinned at her enthusiasm. He recalled what Mitch said about the family treasuring the small-town experience. “I like the sound of it already.”
“There’s so much more we could do,” she said, her green eyes sparkling. “We could organize fun events for the kids and invite booksellers and food vendors. Nominal admission fees, booth rentals, and donations would go toward a permanent library. But we should comp Paige’s booth. She reopened her bookshop after the earthquake, and it’s the only one in town. We need to keep her in business, too.”
“These are good ideas.” Bennett thought a literary festival was particularly appealing. He imagined Summer Beach’s streets filled with book lovers and vendors. “This would bring more tourism into Summer Beach. The business community would be happy about that.”
“We’d start small, but I know it will grow,” Ivy said. “And it would fulfill the Ericksons’ vision for our town, even if it takes us a few years to get there. We should do it as soon as possible. I’ll pitch it to Shelly and Poppy.”
Bennett nodded in thought. “The council will like the tourism angle, and an annual fundraising event creates a path toward a permanent library without breaking the budget.” He leaned forward and kissed her. “You’ve got this, my darling. Put me down as volunteer number one at the book festival.”
Bennett felt the tension that had wedged between them for weeks finally dissipating.
She threw her arms around his neck. “I’ve always known we were a great team.”
“The best. Sometimes we just have to work through difficulties.”
“That makes the results even sweeter.” She threaded her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Maybe I haven’t told you I love you enough lately.”
Bennett thought his heart would burst at her words. “Same here. I know it, even when you don’t say it. I hope you do, too.”
Filled with love for his wife, he smiled at her, his mind filling with ideas on how they could make it all up to each other. “How about we take the boat out one afternoon this week, just the two of us? I have some time off I can take. After all, I am the mayor.”
“I would love that.” Ivy leaned her head against his shoulder. “I miss our private time together.”
“Then how about we have a gourmet platter in the treehouse tonight?” The balcony they’d added onto the rear of their over-the-garage, former chauffeur’s apartment was surrounded by palm trees that swayed and swished in the ocean breezes. He’d surprised her with an outdoor sofa and furnishing. “I can offer a lump of burrata cheese with aged balsamic vinegar, a loaf of crusty bread…”
“Mmm, I’d like that.” She ran her fingers along his neck. “I’ll add Marcona almonds in olive oil, mandarin oranges from our trees, and sliced veggies.”
Bennett’s heart thudded at the thought of this romantic evening alone with his wife. “I saw a bottle in the fridge of that sparkling rosé cava we had in Mallorca. Fancy that?”
Ivy nodded with a sigh. “It’s a date, darling.”
He leaned in to kiss her. They deserved this time together. Now, all they had to do was gain council approval and organize the festival. He was thankful their relationship was getting back on track because their lives were about to get even more complicated.