Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(20)

“Every now and again Dr. Stone comes to the nursery and rocks the babies. Not on a regular basis. He would rather I didn’t say anything about it. He’s like that; it’s almost as if he’s afraid someone might find out he’s got a soft heart, but I’ve seen him with these families with infants at risk. He’s patient and gentle. Watch him for yourself and you’ll see what I mean.”

Dr. Heart of Stone rocked the babies? Were they discussing the same man? It seemed highly unlikely.

As though she felt the need to build him up in Libby’s eyes, Sharon shook her head and continued. “Every woman here would give her eyeteeth to grab his attention, which isn’t any big surprise. He’s handsome as sin, successful, and beyond that, he’s an incredible doctor and human being. That’s a combination that most women can’t resist.”

Libby might have been too hasty in judging him.

Sharon patted her on the shoulder. “It’s encouraging that he asked about you.”

Libby wasn’t the least bit encouraged. Her head buzzed as she entered the rows of hospital cribs. A nurse was there the same as before, walking back and forth, taking the newborns in to be with their mothers.

Settling down in the rocker with a fussy infant, Libby soon forgot about Dr. Stone. She took pleasure and delight in watching the baby gradually fall asleep in her arms.

Sharon had been right about how peaceful it was to rock these little ones. Crooning softly, Libby sang another medley of soft-rock hits while brushing her hand over the top of the baby’s bald head. She told herself this baby boy would one day grow into a strong young man who’d steal hearts. He stretched twenty-two inches at birth, which told her he would be tall one day. Libby suspected both his parents were tall, but then that was pure speculation on her part.

As she rocked one infant after another, she couldn’t help wondering what their lives would be like. What potential she saw in each one. It felt good to hold these babies. Good in ways that were difficult to explain. Libby idly wondered at the emotions her mother had experienced holding her for the first time.

Then she sensed someone standing behind her. At first she thought it was the nurse, but no …

Dr. Stone.

“It’s Libby, isn’t it?” he asked when he realized she knew he was behind her.

“Yes. Dr. Stone, right?”

He walked around and stood in front of her, looking tall and muscular, looming over her like a black storm cloud. Libby found it difficult to swallow, let alone talk normally.

“Phillip,” he offered.

So they were to be on a first-name basis. That was good to know, and probably some sign a twelve-year-old would be more adept at deciphering than Libby.

“I thought that was you behind me,” she said, hoping to sound cool and unruffled. She doubted that she’d succeeded. Far be it from her to let him know how easily he intimidated her.

“I apologize if I startled you. I heard you’ve been volunteering for the nursery.”

“Yes … I find I have time on my hands.” She didn’t mention the reason and regretted even saying that much. Being unemployed was hard enough on her ego. Admitting it to anyone else was even more so. The fact that she hadn’t found another position after all these months made it worse.

“I see …”

“I’m an attorney,” she blurted out.

“Oh. Okay.”

Libby couldn’t seem to shut up. “I specialize in trusts and estates … things are a bit slow at the moment. Bet that doesn’t happen to physicians, though, right?” she asked, half choking on the question, which she knew was ridiculous.

Thankfully he ignored it.

The infant in her arms squalled. For an instant Libby had completely forgotten she was holding a baby. She thanked God the newborn hadn’t fallen from her embrace and tumbled onto the floor. Her grip tightened slightly. She realized she should probably say something, but her mind went blank. In fact, she had become totally incapable of managing a single word.

“You’ve apparently been around babies before,” he stated conversationally.

“Ah …”

“You seem at ease with them.”

At ease? Her? With babies? The truth was that until last week she couldn’t remember the last time she’d even been close to a baby.

Six years ago. She remembered with clarity now. Juliette, one of the paralegals, had taken maternity leave. After her baby was born, Juliette had stopped by the office with her daughter in tow. Libby wasn’t even clear on how it had happened, but the baby was thrust into her arms and she’d held her for several minutes. When Juliette had taken her daughter back, Libby had been relieved.

Yet here she was volunteering at Seattle General to rock infants. Libby wasn’t sure what had changed. Could it possibly be her? Since she’d been let go—she cringed even thinking about Burkhart, Smith & Crandall—she’d lost a sense of what and who she really was.

“I’d like to speak to you privately,” Phillip said, breaking into her thoughts.

Taken aback, she stared up at him blankly, wondering what he could possibly have to say to her. “Why?”

He ignored her question. “Although the cafeteria isn’t an ideal location, it will do.”

She blinked. “What’s this about?”

“There’s a matter I wish to discuss,” he said, as if his answer was all the explanation that was required.