Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(75)

Hershel’s eyes held hers. “I tried,” he admitted.

Libby nodded, letting him know she understood. Managing a weak smile, she whispered, “Congratulations. I think Linda will do a great job.”

Hershel smiled back encouragingly. “Starting your own practice is a big challenge, Libby. I don’t doubt that you’ll make it a success.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re a good attorney.”

Libby looped the purse strap over her shoulder. “My best to the other partners,” Libby murmured.

By the time Libby was outside the Four Seasons she felt like kicking something. It was apparent that Sarah, the paralegal she had once considered a good friend, had been more than willing to relay information to one or more of the partners. No wonder Libby hadn’t heard from her.

When she checked her messages later that afternoon, Libby saw that she had a missed call from Martha Reed. She phoned back right away.

“I’m so sorry to disappoint you, my dear,” the dignified woman apologized. “I talked over the decision with my children. They all know how much I’ve enjoyed working with you. However, they’re concerned, as I am, that you don’t have the backing of a larger firm.”

“I understand,” Libby said, although it was difficult to hide her feelings.

“And then several of the partners and Hershel came to the house and made their plea.”

“What made you decide to go back to the firm?” Libby asked, curiosity getting the best of her. She couldn’t imagine what the partners could have promised. Mrs. Reed had been adamant that she was ready to move on. The firm had already failed her twice.

“Frankly, they made me a very attractive offer.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, and really, they made it impossible to refuse. They agreed to cap my fees.”

Libby had guessed that the incentive must have been something along those lines. Considering the money Mrs. Reed brought into the firm, the partners must have been desperate not to lose her. Losing clients was never good, especially influential ones like Mrs. Reed.

“I do wish you the very best, my dear,” the charming lady told Libby.

“I know you do. And if you ever feel that you want my legal advice please feel free to contact me.” Libby enjoyed Mrs. Reed and would do anything she could to help her.

Right away she called Phillip, but his cell went straight to voice mail. Thankfully Robin was available. She met her at the Starbucks closest to the courthouse. They each ordered a skinny vanilla latte and sat in the corner with their heads together.

Robin listened intently as Libby relayed the events of the afternoon.

“You’ve got to be kidding.” Her friend was outraged on Libby’s behalf when she told of the meeting with Hershel and what she’d learned about Sarah. “I hardly know what to say.”

“I thought of her as a friend.” Libby remained stunned. “Sarah’s the only one who knew I intended to speak to Mrs. Reed. It had to have been her.”

All Robin could do was shake her head.

Libby was tired of all this. It’d been a busy week. It seemed like more had happened in this one week than in the last five months combined.

“How are you?” Libby asked her friend. Her true friend. She knew it’d been difficult for Robin to return to work, especially when it meant seeing Roy Bollinger every day. Only later did Robin tell her about Roy’s visit to the condo the day she’d phoned in to work sick.

“I’m okay,” Robin said without meeting Libby’s eyes.

Libby cocked her brow, unsure she should believe her.

Robin lowered her voice. “I saw Roy at the office.”

“Did you speak?”

Robin shook her head. Her eyes softened as she spoke. “But I wish we had.”

“Oh, Robin.”

“It’s better this way. I just never believed he’d be interested in me and now that he is …” She left the rest unsaid.

“Just remember what you’ve told me all through this long period of unemployment.”

“What?”

“That eventually everything will right itself.”

“I said that?”

Libby grinned. “Any number of times.”

Robin smiled, too. “I didn’t know I could sound so wise.”

But she was wise, wonderfully so, and Libby treasured her.

Chapter 28

Libby sat in her small office and arranged her desktop. Everything was neat and orderly, just the way she liked it. She’d already gotten two business calls. One she’d rejected outright. It was from a friend of a friend who was looking for an attorney to get him out of a speeding ticket—his third that year. Libby happily referred him to another attorney.

The second call showed promise. The referral had come from Abby Higginbotham at Seattle General. Libby made an appointment to visit the couple the following afternoon to talk about estate planning and setting up a trust fund for their two grandchildren. They had already talked to a number of financial advisers but were looking to get advice from someone who didn’t have anything financial to gain from their investments.

Libby phoned the hospital to thank Abby.

“Hey, no problem. They’re friends of my husband’s family. Really wonderful people.”