Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(89)

“Call me if you’re going to be late.” She took one sip of the coffee and hurried to her feet. Kissing his cheek, she rushed from the cafeteria and noticed that nearly everyone in the room had stopped to watch her go. It flustered her until she realized she wasn’t the one who interested them. It was Phillip. Seeing Phillip with her.

The meeting with the Buckleys couldn’t have gone better. Libby was thrilled to accept their retainer. The appointment with their friends was scheduled for the following week. Life was certainly on the upswing.

She had just gotten into her vehicle when her cell rang. It was Mark Williams, the attorney she’d hired to complete the adoption. “Where are you?” he asked.

“In my car, why?”

“I think it might be a good idea for you to head over to the hospital.”

Libby swallowed hard and alarm gripped her. “Is everything all right with Amy Jo?”

“Yes, she’s fine.”

“Then what’s this about?”

He hesitated. “I got a call from an attorney representing the Armstrong family.”

“Peter is going to sign the paperwork, isn’t he?” He’d certainly given her that impression the night before. Naturally he was confused and uncertain. What fifteen-year-old wouldn’t be?

“That’s what they want to talk to you about,” Mark said. “It would be best if we talked once you get here.”

Libby’s heart slowed almost to a standstill. “I’m on my way.”

Within a matter of minutes she pulled into the hospital parking lot and then rushed up to the maternity ward. Sharon caught her eye and then quickly looked away. Libby’s pulse was already racing double time, as if she’d climbed three flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator.

The next person she saw was Peter, with a man she could only assume must be his father. Mark was there, too, talking to another man who Libby felt sure must be the Armstrongs’ attorney. They stood outside the nursery. Looking through the glass partition, Libby saw a woman she assumed was Peter’s mother with Amy Jo. She sat in the rocker and was cradling the infant in her arms.

As soon as she saw Libby she made eye contact with her husband.

“Hi, Libby,” Peter said, and quickly averted his gaze.

“Hello.” Libby stepped forward and extended her hand to Peter’s father. “Libby Morgan,” she said.

“Ron Armstrong. That’s my wife, Marlene. We’re wondering if we could all sit down and talk, preferably someplace private?”

“Of course. This floor has a small conference room; we could talk there if you’d like.”

“That would work.”

Ron, Peter, and Libby, plus the two attorneys, waited until Marlene joined them and then they all went into the conference room. Once inside Ron closed the door. He waited until everyone was seated around the table before he spoke. “Marlene and I asked for this meeting today because we wanted to talk to you about the baby.” He looked to his attorney, who nodded for Ron to continue.

“Of course,” Libby said. It was perfectly understandable that they would want to meet the woman who was adopting their granddaughter. “I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.”

“We understand you were wonderfully helpful to Ava,” Marlene said. “She told us everything you did for her and we want you to know how very grateful we are.”

“Ava’s a sweet kid, a bit lost since the death of her mother, and confused about life. She’ll be fine given time.” Because Libby felt it was important that they understand the emotional connection between her and Ava, Libby explained that her own mother had died when Libby was the same age as the teenager.

Marlene, Ron, and Peter listened and then Marlene spoke. “When we learned about the baby, well, you can imagine that we were more than a little shocked.”

“Of course,” Libby said.

“We understand you want to adopt the baby.”

“Yes.” She glanced at her attorney.

“We also understand that you’re currently unemployed,” Ron said, reaching for his wife’s hand.

“I’ve recently started my own law practice,” Libby said, stiffening.

“Do you have the financial resources to support a child?”

Libby could see where this was headed and she hesitated. Her savings account was dangerously low but she had investments. “I do,” she offered without explanation.

“You’d be a single parent.”

“Yes.” She yearned to mention her budding relationship with Phillip, but they were nowhere close to making a full commitment to each other.

“I see.” Ron and Marlene exchanged glances.

“As you can imagine, it’s taken us a few days to get our bearings and make a decision about what is best for our son and his child,” Ron said, holding her gaze.

Libby tensed, unsure of what was about to happen next, although she had a gut-wrenching feeling she knew. “And?” she asked, anxiety gripping her throat to the point she was barely able to speak.

She had every right to be worried.

Marlene looked to her husband, who spoke on their behalf. “My wife and I have decided that we want to raise Peter’s daughter ourselves. This child is our child, too. Marlene has always wanted a daughter, and despite several attempts we were only able to have Peter. This baby is our blood. We have the financial resources to care for her properly and the advantage of a two-parent home. We’ve already spoken to an attorney, who has contacted your attorney. Legally you can’t follow through with the adoption …”