Starting Now (34 page)

Happiness stole over her. “Don’t fight it, okay?”

He grinned. “I don’t think I could if I wanted to.”

“Good.”

Late Wednesday afternoon Libby hurried back from the hospital, changed clothes, and struggled into a pair of panty hose. At one point nylons had been part of her daily routine, right along with crisp business suits and high-heeled pumps. These days it felt as if she was stuffing sausage, trying to squeeze her legs into the control-top hose. How quickly one forgets.

She opted for a slinky black dress and her mother’s pearls for the hospital fund-raising dinner. Phillip had asked her to sit at his table and, at Libby’s suggestion, he had invited Robin and Roy to attend as well. Abby Higginbotham from HR had managed to find the extra tickets at the last minute.

Libby had spent the majority of the day with Amy Jo at the hospital. Ava had been released and was back at home with her grandmother. Darlene Carmichael had apologized through Ava, although the shock of the birth of her great-granddaughter had yet to completely wear off. She was grateful Libby had agreed to adopt the
child, and that she wouldn’t be responsible for caring for anyone beyond Jackson and Ava.

Libby’s one disappointment was that she’d seen Phillip only briefly over the last few days. Today he’d been rushing down the corridor at the hospital when they happened upon each other.

“Tonight’s the fund-raiser,” he’d reminded her.

“Not to worry, I remembered.”

“Good.” They started walking backward, taking small steps, needing to be someplace else.

“You’re ruining my reputation, you know.”

Libby frowned. “Your reputation?”

“Yeah. They used to call me Heart of Stone. But ever since I met you that’s all changed.”

“I’ve changed, too.” It was important that Phillip know she wasn’t the same woman, either.

“You have,” he agreed, “but not all the changes in you have to do with me.”

“Don’t be so sure.” She pressed her fingertips to her lips and then held up her palm to him.

Phillip muttered something she couldn’t hear under his breath and pressed his hand over his heart. “See, you’re doing it again.” And then he added, as if all this sentimental talk was uncomfortable, “Do you want to meet outside the ballroom?”

“Sure. See you tonight.”

“Tonight.”

His eyes held promise, promise that Libby fully intended to collect upon.

Sharon had seen the hungry looks Libby and Phillip exchanged and slowly shook her head. “You’ve both got it bad.” Libby had flushed, embarrassed that her feelings for Phillip were so easily read by others.

Libby’s mind whirled as she headed into the bathroom to apply her makeup. She was running late because Abby had asked to talk to her before she’d left the hospital.

“I know you’ve recently rented your own office and struck out on
your own, but there’s a position here at the hospital that you would be uniquely qualified to fill.”

“Me? A job at the hospital?”

“We need another fund-raiser on staff. Robert Lopes, who heads the department, told me the young man who’s been working with him has taken a job elsewhere. Robert is set to retire in a few years and we’re looking for someone to step into his position when he does.”

“You want me to apply?” Libby hardly knew how to respond.

“Having worked in trusts and estates you have access to several wealthy families who might consider making a contribution to the hospital. We need someone like you to reach out to the business community as well.”

Instinctively Libby felt it wasn’t the right position for her, but she was highly flattered.

“Give it some thought,” Abby urged. “You’d be perfect.”

“I will think about it,” Libby had promised. More than anything Abby’s encouragement told Libby that her people skills had vastly improved.

Not wanting to drive to the function, Libby caught a cab. If not for her high heels she could easily have walked. The hotel ballroom where the fund-raiser was being held was fewer than eight blocks from her condo. Libby was anxious to see Robin and Roy, and of course Phillip, too. Apparently the other couple had decided to give their relationship a go after all. Libby was pleased for them.

The area outside the dining room was crowded for the cocktail hour. When Libby arrived, the first thing she did was look for Phillip, but she didn’t find him right away. Robin found her, looking stunning in her own slinky black dress. Roy smiled and offered to stand in line to get their drink order.

“So how’s it going?” Libby asked.

“So far it’s been wonderful. We’ve been together every night this week. He doesn’t need to work nearly this hard to sweep me off my feet, but I’m not about to tell him that.”

They both giggled like teenagers at a senior prom.

Phillip found her just before the doors opened for the dinner. He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her. With his hand on the small of her back, he guided her into the dining room and to his table. Robin and Roy were seated close by.

As the tables were being cleared after the meal, Abby approached her with one of the staff doctors. “Libby, I’d like you to meet Dr. James Buckley.”

“Hello,” Libby said, looking up at the physician. She knew his face from the hospital but they’d never formally met.

“If you have a moment I’d like to introduce you to my parents,” Dr. Buckley said. “They might want your help in some estate planning.”

“Of course.” Libby stood.

Phillip gave her hand a gentle squeeze and off she went. Dr. Buckley led her to the far side of the room. His parents, an elegant older couple, smiled as she approached. His father was in a wheelchair next to his mother.

“Mom and Dad, this is Libby Morgan, the attorney I mentioned earlier,” Dr. Buckley said. “Libby, my parents, John and Wilma Buckley.”

“I’m so pleased to meet you.”

James held out a chair for her. “Please, sit down.”

Libby did and the elderly couple leaned toward her. John spoke first. “I realize this isn’t a night to conduct business, but Wilma and I would like to discuss some estate planning at a time convenient for you.”

“I’d enjoy that very much.”

“We’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about you from our friend Martha Reed.”

“I’m honored to have worked with Mrs. Reed in the past,” Libby said.

“Our estate isn’t nearly as complicated as Martha’s,” Wilma went on to say, “but we haven’t been happy with what’s been done so far. We realize you’ve only recently started your firm but we’re comfortable with that.”

“Can I phone you tomorrow and set up an appointment?” Libby asked. “I’d be willing to come to your house if that’s easier for you.”

John nodded and patted the side of his wheelchair. “That would be helpful. Thank you for your consideration.”

He made it sound as if she were making a huge concession on his behalf, when in actuality Libby preferred it that way. If the Buckleys were to come to her office with the shared receptionist, they might have a change of heart. At this point her entire office setup was extremely low budget, though in time that would change, especially if she was able to attract other clients such as the Buckleys.

“We have another family friend who might also be interested,” John went on to tell her. “Would you mind if I gave him your contact information?”

“Not in the least.”

When Libby returned to Phillip’s table, it felt as though she was walking on air. The speeches that followed were filled with tidbits of hospital humor and good-natured joking. Although Libby laughed at the appropriate times her mind churned at the speed of light. One of the reasons Hershel gave as to why she was being let go was her inability to bring in new clients. Well, here was the potential for her to pick up one wealthy client, and if she worked hard she might be able to snag the Buckleys’ friend, too.

When the event was over, Libby saw that Robin and her judge were sitting close together. The judge’s arm was around Robin’s shoulders. Phillip’s gaze followed hers and he reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. His grip was firm and tight, as though he couldn’t bear the thought of letting her go. For her own part she wanted to hold on to him for the rest of her life. They hadn’t discussed the future. For now it was simply one day at a time. Phillip was everything she looked for in a man, and he understood her and her drive to succeed. He’d helped her broaden her horizons and take hold of life in new and unexpected ways; the sailing, the trip to Paradise Lodge, the long talks they’d had gave her a feeling of expectancy and hope that they might, at some future point, build a life together.

The two couples went out for a glass of wine following the banquet.
They chatted amicably for more than an hour, exchanging stories before Phillip struggled to hide a yawn.

“I’m not as young as I used to be,” he complained.

“Tell me about it,” Roy added.

“Is it past your bedtime?” Robin teased.

The two seemed to be getting along famously, Libby noted. For that matter, all was going well between her and Phillip, too. They parted ways in the hotel lobby and Phillip offered to drop Libby off at her condo rather than have the doorman call for a taxi.

She hesitated and then admitted, “Once I change clothes, I was thinking I’d stop by the hospital for a few minutes.”

“It’s late,” Phillip protested. “Can’t it wait till the morning?”

“I suppose, but I wanted to kiss Amy Jo good night and tell her what a wonderful evening I had with friends.”

“Friends?” Phillip asked, arching his brow. “Friends? Is that all I am to you?”

Libby grinned. “Oh, honestly, you make
friend
sound like a four-letter word.” The truth was, she feared suggesting anything more until Phillip claimed otherwise.

“I was hoping to be more than a
friend
,” he said.

“Actually, I was thinking earlier we could enhance our friendship,” she offered.

“Friends and lovers?” he asked. He cocked his eyebrows with the question, his gaze holding hers.

She smiled up at him. “Definitely. When the time is right.”

He looked disappointed and didn’t say anything for a moment. “Sounds fair. Let me see you up to your condo.”

“Okay.” She’d already told him she intended on visiting the hospital, but that could wait a few minutes, she decided. “Sure. Come on up.” She hoped she sounded casual.

He parked outside the building and helped her out of the car. He stood behind her, hands rubbing the curvature of her neck as they rode up the elevator to her condo. Neither spoke.

Once inside, Phillip didn’t wait for her to turn on the lights before he turned her in his arms and kissed her. This was hardly the first time
they’d kissed, but she’d always felt restraint on Phillip’s part … until now. Libby’s knees nearly collapsed as his mouth devoured hers again and again.

She sucked in a deep, calming breath when she could and pressed her hand to her chest. “Wow.”

“Wow,” he repeated, pressing his forehead against hers as he stroked her arms.

“Okay, Phillip, I’m going to need a bit of direction here.”

“How’s that?”

“Exactly where are we in this relationship?”

She felt the cool touch of his lips against her cheek.

“I’m falling in love with you, Libby.”

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his trim waist. “Really? Just remember I come as a package deal.”

“I can handle that.”

She kissed the underside of his jaw. They each came with the wounds of old relationships, and while it was frightening to think of becoming vulnerable again, she was willing and he seemed to be, too. She accepted that medicine would always be important to him and he realized she loved the law. They would help each other maintain a healthy balance between work and home.

His hands continued to stroke her arms and then he kissed her again, and again, before reluctantly breaking it off. “When the time is right?” he repeated. “And that isn’t now?”

She pressed her forehead against his chest and sighed deeply. “Not tonight.”

He kissed the top of her head. “Okay. I should go.”

The temptation to keep him with her was strong. Libby forced herself to retreat a step.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Phillip whispered and bounced his lips against her brow.

“Okay.”

Phillip left. After changing into jeans and a sweater, Libby grabbed her car keys. She was headed to the hospital to visit her daughter. Even now, thinking those words took some mental adjustment.

Little Amy Jo had been doing well, and while keeping her at the hospital was a necessary precaution, Libby longed for the day she would be able to bring her daughter home.

Humming softly to herself, Libby walked into the nearly deserted hospital. Amy Jo had been moved out of NICU and into the regular nursery. As she walked into the lobby, Libby saw a tall, lanky young man pacing the waiting room, hands stuffed in his pockets, clearly agitated.

Peter Armstrong.

Libby recognized Ava’s neighbor right away. While in labor, Ava had confirmed Libby’s suspicions regarding the baby’s father. Libby had explained that the state would require his signature before they could proceed with the adoption. Ava had seemed surprised that Libby had guessed correctly.