Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(108)
“Yes,” she returned simply. “Actually, that came as something of a shock to me, too. I’d gone into the office Monday morning intent on handing in my resignation and …”
“You were going to resign?” He continued to stand several feet away from her with his back stiff and his shoulders tensed.
Libby returned the sleeping infant to his crib. “I tried to quit but Hershel talked me into staying with reduced hours. I’ll be working on a few accounts, but that’s it.”
“Why would you be so willing to walk away from a career you love?”
She shrugged. “There were far more important goals I wanted to achieve.”
“Such as?”
“Such as being a mentor to Ava and a good friend to Robin, Lydia, and Abby, and that’s only the beginning. I’m not an accomplished knitter but I’m fairly good and I have this sweater I’ve been working on for the longest time. It’s about time I finished it.”
“A sweater?”
“For a man I know.”
“A friend?”
“He’s that for sure. A very good friend, but I would like him to be so much more.”
Their eyes connected. Phillip’s gaze narrowed as if he wasn’t sure he should trust her. Libby’s heart pounded so hard it felt like a sledgehammer slamming against her ribs, to the point that she pressed her palm over her heart. This was it. Crunch time. Phillip either accepted or rejected her.
“What will make it different this time?” he asked.
“There’s a certain fulfillment in working with the law and being made partner, but I know what’s most important and it isn’t my career.”
He raised his brows but didn’t respond to the news.
“I’ve discovered I want so much more out of life.”
“Like what?” He crossed his arms as though protecting himself, standing guard over his own heart.
“A husband, for one thing,” she said, shocked at how low her voice dipped.
He cocked his head to one side. “That’s a possibility.”
“Children, too,” Libby added.
Phillip’s mouth twisted as though restraining a smile. “That’s negotiable.”
“Oh, Phillip,” she whispered, “I couldn’t lose you; I just couldn’t.”
Dropping his arms, Phillip took two giant steps toward her. He locked her in his embrace and lifted her two feet off the floor. Libby’s arms circled his neck.
“I don’t want to face the future without you. I love you, Phillip.” Her voice choked with the sincerity of her words. “Nothing I’ve strived to achieve means a blasted thing if I can’t share it with you.”
He closed his eyes and nodded. “I didn’t make it easy for you, did I? I convinced myself we were finished. I thought it best for us to have a clean break but I couldn’t stop thinking about you, about the promise we have together. I love you. I thought I could walk away but it didn’t take long for me to realize I couldn’t leave matters the way they were. I couldn’t stop loving you.”
“Don’t try so hard next time,” she teased.
His gaze held hers for the longest time. “I love you,” he whispered huskily as he brought his mouth to hers.
Libby gave herself over to his kiss, slanting her mouth over his and opening to him like a blossom in the warmth of the summer sunshine.
They broke apart when Sharon cleared her throat.
Libby pressed her forehead against his. “I’m ready to spend my whole life with you, starting now,” she whispered.
“Funny,” Phillip joked, “I was just thinking the same thing.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
The John Adams Junior High School auditorium was bustling with students, faculty, and parents as the band members sitting to the far left of the stage tuned their instruments. Their discordant squeaks only added to the fun as Libby and Phillip made their way into the area of reserved seats. Libby entered the row behind Phillip, holding on to his hand. She did her best not to step on anyone’s toes as she maneuvered past parents and teachers alike.
Robin and Roy followed her until they reached their assigned seats.
Libby heaved a sigh of relief as she settled into the folding metal chair. Not the most comfortable of seats but certainly adequate. She opened her program and felt a surge of pride when the first name she found was Ava’s. She was playing the lead role of Maria in The Sound of Music.
Robin leaned close. “This is a bit ambitious for junior high, isn’t it?”
“They have a wonderful music program.” The group wouldn’t be performing the entire show, but an abridged version. “Did you notice Ava is the lead?”
“I believe you might have mentioned it ten or twelve times,” Robin joked, elbowing Libby.
“What are you two muttering about?” Phillip leaned close to ask.
“Nothing, darling,” Libby returned ever so sweetly. Then, hoping Phillip had remembered, she asked, “You ordered the flowers for Ava, right?”
“Yes, love.”
Libby relaxed.
The school principal appeared onstage and the chatter died down as he stepped forward. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re honored to present to you this evening the talents of our students. We couldn’t be more proud of all the hard work that has gone into making this such a special performance. We’re blessed by a number of exceptionally gifted singers and musicians. You’ll soon see for yourself what I mean. Now, join me in giving these young people your attention and your applause.”