Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(88)

“I imagine they have a great deal to think about. This news must have hit them pretty hard.”

Peter kept his head down. “I never knew how bad I’d feel disappointing my parents. I … I feel like I let Ava down, too, but I honestly didn’t know. I would have helped her if I had. I mean, I would have tried to help her.”

“I know you would have.”

She turned down his street and pulled up in front of his house. The porch light was on, while Ava’s house was completely dark. Libby would have stopped to check on her if there’d been any indication anyone was awake. Ava and Libby had talked several times since Ava’s release and the girl had revealed amazing resilience. She planned to meet Casey at the yarn store the following day.

“Thanks for the ride,” Peter said, before closing the car door.

“Not a problem.”

Libby drove away and headed home. It’d been a full, exciting day for her, filled with promise and potential.

First thing in the morning, Libby would schedule an appointment with the Buckleys and see how she might best serve them. She’d contact Martha Reed, too, and thank her for the referral. While she had the older woman on the phone, Libby would make sure Burkhart, Smith & Crandall had held up their end of the bargain and that Mrs. Reed’s expectations had been met.

Chapter 33

The following morning Libby woke with a feeling of expectation. She worked out at the gym, but Phillip wasn’t there, which disappointed her. The slouch had either slept in or been called to the hospital on an emergency. She’d find out later. Robin didn’t show, either, but she generally exercised only three times a week. Later, when she had a spare moment, Libby would catch up with Robin and find out how the rest of her evening had gone with the judge. From all outward appearances—at the fund-raiser and afterward—it seemed to be going very well. Very well indeed.

Libby arrived at her office and contacted the Buckleys and set up an appointment for later that same day. She was psyched. The Buckleys were eager to hear what she had to say and had already given her contact information for the friend they’d mentioned the night before.

Libby buzzed by the hospital an hour later and the first person she ran into was Phillip. He looked happy to see her, but no more happy than she was to see him.

“Hi,” she said, and hated how her voice sounded whispery and out of breath. “Missed you this morning at the gym.”

“You were there?”

She didn’t want to admit that her main motivation for gym time these days was that he might be there, too. “Yeah, where were you?”

“I overslept.”

“Likely story.”

Phillip glanced at his watch. “Got time for coffee?”

“Sure. When?” She probably shouldn’t sound so eager or so agreeable, but she couldn’t help it; she was eager and he appeared to feel the same way.

“A half hour?”

She smiled. “See you then.” Libby started to walk away when Phillip reached for her hand. He seemed surprised, as if he hadn’t realized what he was doing. Then he smiled, and raised her palm to his lips and kissed her there.

He shook his head and grumbled under his breath, “Some Heart of Stone I am.”

Libby stood in the middle of the corridor, paralyzed, staring at him. When she looked away she found Sharon Jennings studying her with her crossed arms. “I’m telling you, just seeing you two makes my heart beat faster. I’d forgotten what it was to be in love like that.”

Libby opened her mouth to deny everything and found she couldn’t. She was falling in love with Phillip. The problem was how busy they both were. They had to carve out a few minutes here and there when they could. Fifteen minutes for coffee, a late-night phone call, sailing when the weather permitted.

Even so, their relationship was moving forward, growing deeper every day. Up until now they had both been cautious, careful for fear of getting hurt yet again, of making a mistake. That had changed.

At the prescribed time Libby met Phillip in the cafeteria. He’d already taken a table and bought their coffees, waiting patiently for her to join him. Libby slid into the chair and reached across the table for his hand.

“I’ve had the most wonderful morning,” she said, still on an emotional high. The latest word was that it might be possible to bring Amy Jo home over the weekend. Libby could hardly wait. She was more than ready to be a mother.

“I’m meeting with the Buckleys at three,” she told him and glanced at her watch, making sure she’d allotted herself plenty of time to get ready for the appointment.

“Anything else happening I should know about?” he asked, his mouth quirking sideways in an off-center grin.

Libby realized she’d been chatting nonstop for several minutes. “Oh, Phillip, I’ve done it again. I just can’t seem to stop talking. I’m so sorry. How’s your day going?”

He broke into a wide grin that made him look almost boyish. “Much better now that I’m with you.” He squeezed her fingers. “Seeing how happy you are makes me happy.”

“Can I call you later?” she asked. “After I see the Buckleys?”

“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”

“Can I fix dinner for you tonight?”

“You’re on, sweetheart.”