Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(94)

It was almost eleven by the time Libby stopped by the office and read over the adoption paperwork before driving over to Ava’s to review everything. She purposely chose a time when Darlene Carmichael would be away from the house. This discussion was one she wanted to have without Ava’s grandmother close at hand. Ava would do anything to appease her grandmother, and Libby wanted to take that additional pressure off her.

Ava sat on the front porch steps waiting for her. She stood when Libby parked at the curb in front of the house and ran to her.

Libby hugged her. “How’s it going?” she asked, tucking her arm around the girl’s waist as they walked down the cracked sidewalk toward the house.

“I’m feeling better every day.”

Libby was extremely proud of Ava. “I knew you would.”

“Peter and I talked. He told me how sorry he was and that he would have helped me if he’d known … only I don’t know what he could have done. He wanted to tell me his parents will love our baby.” She raised questioning eyes to Libby, as if seeking her approval.

“They will be good parents to Grace,” Libby said, brushing the hair from Ava’s forehead in order to get a better look at the girl’s eyes. She nearly stumbled over the words, but she was determined to be positive for Ava’s sake.

“I … I wanted you to adopt her.” Ava frowned as though unsure what to think.

Libby swallowed against the tightness that gripped her throat. “I would have loved nothing better. But sometimes life throws us a curveball and we have to deal with it as best we can.”

Ava lowered her head.

“What’s important to me is that your rights regarding your daughter are clearly spelled out.”

“I … I don’t understand.”

“Let’s sit down and talk this out,” Libby suggested.

The two of them sat on the front step. The concrete slab was narrow, so their hips pressed tightly against each other’s. “Remember when I explained to you about an open adoption?”

Ava nodded. “Yes, but I think it might be easier not to see the baby again. Ever.”

Libby wouldn’t discount that. “The thing is, Ava, Grace is going to be living right next door to you. Of course, Peter and his family could move one day, but until then you won’t be able to avoid seeing her.” Libby suspected the family already had plans to make a change—for one thing, they would need a bigger house now that they were enlarging their family.

“I … guess you’re right.”

“You’ve already lost your mother,” Libby reminded her. “I don’t want you to look back someday and regret that you gave up your child without any provisions to be part of her life.”

Ava considered Libby’s words, a thoughtful look scrunching her forehead. “This will allow me the chance to see my baby if that’s what I want later.”

“Exactly.”

“Then I think an open adoption would be best if you do, too.”

“I do. I’ll contact the attorney as soon as I get back to the office and make sure everything is drawn up so you have that option. Before you sign anything, I want to read it over, understand?”

Again Ava nodded. “Okay.”

Libby hugged her briefly. “I’m going to be at the yarn store later this afternoon. Will you be there?”

The teen broke into a wide grin and nodded. “Casey asked me to come to the shop today and I told her I would after I saw you. I thought I would knit myself a vest for school. I start classes on Monday.”

“What color?”

“I like purple,” Ava said. “Bright, bright purple.”

“Purple is one of my favorite colors, too. I’m going because I decided to knit Dr. Stone a sweater.”

“In purple?”

Libby laughed. “If that’s what he wants. I’m going to let him decide on the pattern and the yarn.”

“Cool. You must really like him.”

“I do.”

They spoke for several minutes and then Libby had to go. “I’ll see you later this afternoon,” she promised.

Ava nodded excitedly.

Once more Libby marveled at how resilient this teenager was, though she understood that Ava was far too young to fully appreciate what she was going through. That was why Libby found it important to protect Ava’s interests with regard to her baby.

Libby returned to her office. She had a long phone conversation with the Armstrongs’ attorney. Within minutes of hanging up Marlene Armstrong phoned to thank her for the offer of the baby furniture.

For the rest of the afternoon Libby worked on the Buckley account, and also on the trust funds for the Nyquists. After her meeting with them, Lois and Jamison Nyquist had given Libby a retainer. They were both in their mid-sixties, retired, and seriously looking at their financial future. As much as possible they were hoping to protect their assets and put something away for their children and grandchildren. Libby had proposed several options.

Phillip stopped by her condo and she fixed a Cobb salad for dinner. Actually they made it together, chopping and assembling the ingredients next to each other. Phillip brought along a bottle of merlot, which he deftly opened and poured while she set the table. He helped her with the few dishes afterward.

“I’ve decided to knit you a sweater,” Libby said as Phillip dried the frying pan she’d used for the bacon and set it on the stovetop. “But if I’m going to put that much work and effort into the project, I want to be sure you’re going to like the pattern.” Margaret had been of the opinion that Libby shouldn’t even consider such a time-consuming project without a ring on her finger first. When a woman decided to knit a man a sweater, the relationship had to be serious. Libby was serious about Phillip and growing more so with every passing day. Knitting a sweater for him felt right.