Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(100)

As for keeping up with Ava, they’d talked at least twice this week. Ava was back in school. Everything seemed to be going okay, although the teenager didn’t often mention her classes. Libby worried that there was something Ava wasn’t telling her. This weekend Libby planned to take her to lunch so they could chat one-on-one. She suspected word had gotten out at the school that she was the mother of the baby Peter’s family had adopted.

“You’re frowning,” Phillip commented, glancing away from the road. “Anything wrong?”

“Nothing; I was just thinking about Ava.”

“What’s going on with her?”

“I’m not sure, but something.”

“When did you last talk to her?” he asked.

“Tuesday … I think.” She’d meant to call her again, but the week had been hectic with one demand after another. Thankfully Libby’s new paralegal seemed to be a good fit, but settling into a working relationship required time and patience.

“You’re frowning again,” Phillip said, chuckling softly.

“Oh, sorry … I was thinking about Sarah.”

“The new paralegal is working out?”

“Melinda’s great.” Libby turned her head and looked out the window to hide a yawn. Phillip saw it, though.

“You’re exhausted.”

“I’m fine,” she countered. “Really.”

“Close your eyes for a few minutes,” he suggested. “It’ll take another twenty minutes in this traffic. I want you to have a good time tonight.” He patted her thigh.

Following his suggestion, Libby closed her eyes and leaned her head against the window. It did feel good to relax. Although she didn’t want to admit it, she was bushed. It’d been a difficult week. She was out of practice with working these hours, and everything seemed to be hitting her at once. It’d taken time and effort to convince the Buckleys to come on board. The Nyquists had decided to take their business elsewhere. Despite Libby’s reassurances that they wouldn’t be lost in a large firm, and her promises to give them her personal attention, they’d decided against it.

Hershel, however, was a man of his word. In a matter of a few months she would be welcomed into the firm as a full partner. Every time Libby thought about seeing her name added to the letterhead, her heart did a small bee-bop of satisfaction.

Libby deserved to be partner and it gratified her that her role in the firm had finally been acknowledged. It’d taken the loss of Mrs. Reed’s account to show them her worth. Well, they were making it up to her now.

The car slowed and Libby opened her eyes, shocked to discover that she’d slept nearly the entire drive there. They were in Woodinville, at the Busbee property. Because it was a surprise party, Phillip had to park his vehicle in a vacant field out of sight of the house and road. They walked toward the house hand in hand. Julie Busbee had arranged for everyone to hide in the barn. She planned to tell Scott his present was in the outbuilding. He’d assume it was the quarter horse he’d wanted. Julie had gotten him the horse, too, but when he walked into the barn all his best friends would be waiting there with the horse.

Julie’s plan worked beautifully and Scott was more than just surprised—he seemed completely stunned. The party was well planned. One of the women Libby had met at the yarn store, Bethanne Hamlin, Robin’s former sister-in-law, owned a party business and had assisted with the arrangements.

The buffet dinner was wonderful, followed by live music, and a hootenanny-style songfest. After the meal the birthday celebration continued with a horse-drawn hayride. Everyone was having a wonderful time and there was lots of teasing and laughter. As the evening wore on, Libby did her best to disguise how tired she was. She knew almost everyone from the hospital and mingled with Phillip and Scott’s friends easily. It was good to see everyone again, especially Sharon Jennings.

Instead of the traditional candles on the birthday cake, Julie had arranged for a large bonfire in the middle of the pasture. Everyone roasted huge marshmallows in Scott’s honor, with a lot of good-natured joking about his advancing age.

After the traditional singing of the birthday song, Libby swallowed another yawn, hoping no one noticed.

Unfortunately Phillip caught on right away. “I need to get you home before you fall asleep on your feet.”

It was early yet and she hated to spoil his fun. “In a bit,” she said, linking her arm with his. Without question they were considered a couple now, and there were several joking comments about when they were going to make it official. Phillip easily laughed off the good-natured teasing. Not so with Libby. She wanted to marry him, yearned to start a family. Once she achieved her goal and was made partner, she’d feel free to take the necessary time away from the firm. Her position would be secure.

After the first few couples departed Libby agreed it was time for them to go, too. On the ride back into the city, Phillip seemed unusually quiet.

“Tired?” she asked him, struggling to stay awake herself. The warm car, the fun evening, and simply being with Phillip had eased the tension from her shoulders.

He didn’t answer right away. “Not particularly.”

Libby sat up straighter. Then there was another reason for his silence and she had a good idea what it might be. “What’s on your mind?”

Again he was quiet for several moments. She noticed that his hands tightened around the steering wheel and he stared straight ahead, not chancing a look in her direction.