Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(106)

“Absolutely.”

Ava smiled. “Then I will. Can I call you if I get a part?”

“You can call me anytime.”

“Even if you’re at work?”

“Of course. Use my cell phone number, though. Okay?”

“Okay.” Ava’s smile softened and she reached for her glass of milk.

Monday morning, Libby had never felt better. She strolled into the office and delivered coffee and doughnuts to the receptionist.

“Hershel would like to see you right away,” Lois said.

“Perfect,” she said, so happy it was all she could do not to waltz down the hall to Hershel’s luxurious office.

He motioned her inside as soon as he looked up. “Libby, Libby, come in.”

“Good morning, Hershel.”

“You’re certainly in a cheerful mood,” he said, smiling now himself. “And I’m about to give you a reason to be even happier.”

Oh, really? Libby doubted he could say or do anything that would match the sense of peace she’d had ever since she’d typed out her letter of resignation. It meant she was back to square one, but she would deal with that. Abby had mentioned a fund-raising position at the hospital some time ago; perhaps it was still open and she could apply for it.

“The partners and I have decided you’ve done such an outstanding job since your return that we’re moving ahead and making you partner even earlier than we originally intended. You’ve proven what an asset you are to the firm. Two new clients in three weeks. Amazing. Martha Reed is happy and we all know how much that sizable account means to this firm.”

Libby held up her hand, stopping him. “Before you say anything more, you might want to read this letter.” Stepping forward, she handed him the envelope.

Hershel frowned and tore it open. He quickly scanned the contents and as he did his eyes narrowed. “You’re resigning?”

“You said yourself I should go out and get a life, and I did. I really did, and I’ve discovered that I love my new life, the friends I’ve made, the family I’ve formed.”

Frowning, Hershel leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers beneath his chin. He motioned for her to take a seat, which she did. “What about your career?” he asked. “You’re an excellent attorney. Are you sure this is something you want to give up? What do you plan to do with yourself? Go back to your own practice?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t decided. The hospital may have a job opening for a fund-raiser.”

Hershel’s frown deepened, as if he couldn’t see her in such a position. “You’d enjoy that?”

Again she was uncertain. “I believe I would. The hours would be more reasonable.”

“It would mean a substantial cut in pay.”

She grinned and crossed her legs. “If nothing else, seven months of unemployment taught me how to live frugally. And you know what? It wasn’t so bad. And Hershel, one lesson I’ve learned through all this is that money doesn’t buy happiness. It really doesn’t. I thought making partner was the end all, and yet I’m willing to turn my back and walk away without a qualm because of what it will cost me in other ways.”

“I thought making partner was what you wanted,” Hershel said.

“I thought it was, too. But it all goes back to March fifth.”

“March fifth?” he repeated.

“That’s the day you called me into the office and let me go. I was devastated and angry. You offered me advice. At the time I didn’t want to hear it, but I heard enough and I’m grateful I did. You claimed it was an opportunity for me. I should broaden my horizons, make friends. Basically you told me how important it was to enjoy life. I took your words to heart, not right away, mind you, but soon enough. I volunteered at the hospital and fell in love and … and had the opportunity to adopt a baby. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out.” She faltered slightly when mentioning Amy Jo and paused long enough to regain her composure. “But she’s with a good family who will love her. When I lost the opportunity to make the baby a part of my life, I reverted back to everything that was familiar. The job offer from the firm couldn’t have come at a better time and I did what I’ve always done: I buried my feelings and focused on being the best attorney money could buy.

“Working hard hasn’t brought me fulfillment or lasting satisfaction. My career didn’t fill that hole of grief and loss I experienced, no matter how many hours I put in.”

Libby paused, half-expecting Hershel to comment. He didn’t, so she continued.

“Stepping back into the grind had exactly the opposite effect. Instead of helping me forget it made everything ten times worse. I realize now how important my friends have become to me. I neglected my relationship with Ava because I thought it was more important to bring in another client to the firm and earn my brownie points with you than spend time with her.

“That was another mistake. Ava reminds me of the girl I was at her age: motherless, bereft, frightened, and alone. I consider it my duty and my honor to be a mentor and a friend to her.”

“What about the young man you love?”

“It … may be too late for us. I don’t know yet; I hope not, but if so, I’ll recover and so will he.”

Hershel straightened in his chair, seemingly deep in thought. “You’re too important to the firm for me to let you walk away.”