Starting Now

by Debbie Macomber

  Ava smiled. “You like him, don’t you?”

  “I do,” she admitted.

  “Casey said the two of you are dating.”

  This wasn’t the direction she wanted to take their conversation in. “Dr. Stone and I have gone out a couple of times on his boat. The reason I mention him is because …”

  “He’s cute.”

  Libby agreed.

  “Does he really have a heart of stone?”

  “Not once you get to know him.”

  Not knowing what else to do, Libby stretched her arm across the table and gently set her hand on Ava’s forearm.

  “Ava, I realize you don’t know me very well, but I hope you will count me as your friend.”

  “Okay,” the girl mumbled.

  “If you are ever in any kind of trouble, I want you to know that you can come to me or talk to me about it.”

  Ava lowered her gaze to her empty plate. “Okay.”

  Libby reached inside her purse for a small notepad and a pen and wrote out her cell number. “You can phone me anytime, day or night, understand?”

  Ava looked away.

  “Now I’m going to ask you something and I don’t want this to embarrass you.”

  Ava continued to stare down at the table.

  “Could you be pregnant, Ava?”

  The girl’s eyes shot up. “No …” She stood and tossed her napkin on the plate. “I have to go now.”

  Libby tried to stop her, but Ava darted away in the opposite direction of the yarn store. She would have raced after her, but Libby had yet to receive the bill for their food. All she could do was watch helplessly as the teenager made her escape.

  Chapter 15

  “Are you all set for your interview?” Robin asked Libby Wednesday morning on her way out of the gym.

  “You’re joking, right?” Libby had such a good feeling about this job opportunity. She couldn’t be more prepared to meet the deputy district attorney. Not only was her résumé up to date, and her references top-notch, but Libby had had a gut feeling about this almost from the moment Robin had mentioned it.

  She might have blown her talk with Ava, but this was familiar ground for Libby. Her résumé was impressive, even if she said so herself. Robin had made a point of talking her up at the office, too. Nothing would please Libby more than to inform Hershel—if he were ever to want her back—that she already had another job and it was too late. But then, she’d been confident before and gone down in flames. One minute she was riding high and the next she was batting down doubts.

  Robin wasn’t the only one to offer her advice.

  “Morning,” Phillip said, meeting up with her in the gym foyer. Clearly he’d been waiting for her.

  “Hi.” She held on to her gym bag with both hands.

  “I wanted to wish you good luck with that interview this afternoon.”

  “Oh, thanks. I might be overly confident, but I have a good feeling about this one.”

  “You’ll do great. Call me afterward, okay?”

  “Sure.” They walked out together. Just outside Phillip glanced over his shoulder and when he apparently didn’t see anyone, he bent down and gently pressed his lips against hers in a long, slow, lingering kiss.

  “For luck?” she asked.

  He grinned. “You don’t need luck. You’re going to wow that deputy district attorney.”

  His encouragement was better than a weekend’s worth of motivational seminars.

  All at once, Phillip frowned. “That deputy is a woman, right?”

  “As a matter of fact, yes.”

  His brow relaxed. “Good. If you’re going to wow any man I want it to be me.”

  “I’ll take that under consideration.”

  “Do that, Counselor.”

  With that he was off and so was she.

  Libby arrived at the hospital an hour later. When she reached the nursery Sharon told her Abby Higginbotham from HR had asked to speak to her.

  “Should I phone or go down to Abby’s office?” Libby asked, wondering if there was something wrong. She’d been approved as a volunteer already and couldn’t imagine why the head of HR would want to speak to her.

  She’d best find out. Riding the elevator downstairs, Libby realized that she’d found a second home at Seattle General. Over the last few weeks she’d met several physicians and nurses plus other volunteers. Word had gotten around that she was dating Phillip Stone and people seemed to be curious about her and went out of their way to make an introduction.

  Human Resources was on the first floor. Libby stepped into the office and spoke to Abby’s assistant.

  “Abby asked to speak to me. I’m Libby Morgan.”

  “Oh, hi. If you’ll wait here a moment.”

  “Of course.” Libby sat and reached for an outdated magazine while the assistant went into Abby’s office.

  She emerged a few moments later and said, “Abby will see you now.” She held the door open for Libby, who walked into the office. Abby stood up behind her desk and extended a hand. “Sit down, please.”

  Libby did as requested.

  “Can I get you anything to drink?”

  “I’m fine, thanks.” Libby was more curious than thirsty.

  Abby looked uncomfortable. “I asked to speak to you in order to apologize.”

  “Apologize?” Libby repeated. “Whatever for?”

  “I understand that Sharon Jennings gave Dr. Stone your personal information. Phillip can be quite persuasive when he wants to be.” The corners of her mouth quirked just slightly with the beginnings of a smile. “According to hospital regulations Sharon should have contacted you first for your approval. I heard about it later and wanted to be sure there isn’t a problem …”

  Libby held up her hand. “No problem whatsoever.”

  Abby’s gaze held Libby’s. “You’re sure.”

  “Positive.” Libby stood, eager to return to her babies. “Is that all?”

  “That’s it,” Abby assured her.

  Abby escorted her to the door, opening it for her. “We have a huge fund-raising dinner coming up soon. I hope you’ll be able to attend.” She mentioned the date and time.

  “I’ll look forward to it,” Libby told her.

  When she arrived back at the nursery, Libby realized she was humming. She enjoyed singing to the babies. While knitting calmed her, she’d discovered that time with these newborns inspired and invigorated her. If anyone had told her as little as eight months ago that she’d be rocking newborns and singing Bob Dylan songs to quiet them she would have laughed them out of her office.

  Times, they were a-changing.

  When Libby entered the nursery she noticed Sharon looking harried. “Two sets of twins being born,” she told Libby. “We’ve got our hands full.”

  “Not to worry, I’m here.”

  “I thank the good Lord for that.”

  Every nurse on staff was in full gear. The first set, a boy and a girl, arrived in the nursery and the flurry of activity continued as the next set arrived less than an hour later. This time it was two boys, identical twins. All too soon Libby had four screaming and angry newborns demanding her attention.

  “Make that three multiple births,” Sharon said, stopping only long enough to take a short break. “This has never happened in all the years I’ve worked at the hospital. Three sets of twins born the same day.”

  Libby loved it. The babies filled the nursery and she was just as busy, showing off the newborns to proud grandparents and family members. One grandmother was so excited she started to weep, and when her husband hugged her, Libby saw tears in his eyes, too. This was pure undiluted joy … happiness that could be expressed only through tears.

  Libby found out from Sharon that the last set of twins had been born six weeks premature and there were multiple complications. Phillip was called in and the three-pound girls were sent to NICU, the neonatal intensive-care unit.

  Once the flurry of activity finally slowed down, Sharon stepp
ed into the nursery and nearly collapsed at her desk. She looked completely exhausted. “Oh, my, I can’t remember a morning like this in years.”

  Libby laughed. “There were some pretty excited family members here as well.” She looked up and happened to catch a glimpse of the wall clock. Twelve fifty-five. What? That time couldn’t be right. It just couldn’t.

  “Tell me that clock is fast,” Libby begged as she hurriedly untied the back of her hospital gown. Her heart was already in a panic. If she was late for this interview she’d never forgive herself. Robin wasn’t likely to forgive her either.

  Sharon glanced at her watch. “No, it’s right.”

  “My interview is today at one,” Libby cried. She raced out of the nursery and was halfway to the elevator before she realized she’d forgotten her purse. Her head and her heart were in total chaos as she tore back down the hallway and grabbed it. Unwilling to wait for the elevator, she took the stairs, racing down them as fast as her legs would carry her, bouncing from one step to the next with such speed that it jarred her teeth.

  Once outside she managed to flag down a cab, only to get caught in a funeral procession that ate up an additional five minutes. It seemed everything that could go wrong had or would. While in the taxi, Libby brushed her hair and freshened up her makeup. She’d intended to change clothes but it was too late for that now. Her hand shook so badly that it was a wonder the lipstick didn’t get smeared across her entire face.

  Once at the King County Courthouse, she paid the driver and told him to keep the change. Libby was breathless by the time she raced up the multiple sets of stairs that led to the inside of the building.

  Getting through security seemed to take a lifetime and then she was forced to wait for the elevator. She was late, so late. Libby couldn’t believe this was happening. Robin was going to be furious, but no angrier than Libby was with herself. Babies. She’d gotten so caught up with the newborns that she’d simply lost track of the time.

  Once she was on the right floor, Libby raced down the corridor and paused only long enough to take in a deep, calming breath before she opened the door. Her only hope, her one chance, was if no one noticed how late she was.

  “Hello,” she said, giving the woman at the desk her biggest, most charming smile. “I’m Elizabeth Morgan. I’m here for my interview.”

  The receptionist looked down at the clipboard in front of her. “Your appointment was at one. I’m afraid you’ll need to wait, as another applicant is with Ms. Rabe at the moment.”

  Libby groaned inwardly and glanced at the wall clock. She was fifteen minutes late. “I apologize for being late.”

  “Take a seat, Ms. Morgan, and I’ll call you when Ms. Rabe is free.” The receptionist disappeared.

  Despite the receptionist’s instructions, Libby remained standing at the desk, too nervous to sit down. She turned expectantly when the other woman returned a few minutes later.

  “Ms. Rabe will see you now.” She led Libby down a hallway and into an interview room.

  The deputy district attorney stood with her back to Libby when she entered the room.

  “Thank you so much for seeing me,” she said, doing her best to sound calm and professional, although her heart rate felt like it was racing at double time.

  “You’re not exactly starting off on the right foot, are you?”

  “No, and I apologize. The fault is entirely mine.” Libby was willing to accept responsibility; she had no one to blame but herself. She couldn’t even attribute the multiple births to a full moon. One thing was crystal clear: Ms. Rabe didn’t want to hear excuses.

  Unfortunately, the interview didn’t go well. Libby wasn’t able to regain the ground she’d lost by showing up late. She did her best to impress the deputy DA but it was clear that she’d blown it from the moment she walked into the room. She had as much chance of getting this job as a donkey did of winning the Kentucky Derby.

  With her head filled with self-recrimination, Libby left the building. Her cell phone rang a few minutes later. When Libby glanced at caller ID she groaned.

  Robin Hamlin.

  “Hello.” She was tempted not to answer, but she might as well get this over with now and be done with it.

  “So,” Robin asked, her voice bright and excited, “how’d the interview go?”

  “Not so good.”

  Robin sucked in a deep breath, or that was what it sounded like to Libby.

  “Why not?” her friend demanded. “You’re a perfect fit. I talked you up and so did Roy—”

  “I was a little late.”

  “You?” Robin cried. “You’re never late. What happened?”

  “I was at the hospital.”

  “The emergency room? Are you okay?” Her voice softened considerably.

  For just an instant Libby was tempted to make up a wild story that would excuse her and at the same time garner Robin’s sympathy. If she were a better liar she might have attempted it. Anything not to have to listen to Robin’s irritation … not that she blamed her.

  “I was with the babies and they had three sets of twins born this morning. Time got away from me and—”

  “Hold on,” Robin said, cutting in. “Are you telling me that you were late for the interview because”—she paused as if she found it so unbelievable that she couldn’t even say the words—“because you were rocking babies?”

  No way to deny it. “Yes.”

  A shocked silence followed and then just as Libby was about to speak, Robin said, “I don’t know you anymore, Libby. I don’t know what happened to the woman I once knew, but that person isn’t you. Listen, I have to go, and frankly it’s a good thing.” Having said that, the line was disconnected.

  Libby stared down at her cell phone and wanted to crawl into the nearest gutter and disappear. Not only had she let her friend down, she was deeply disappointed in herself.

  Libby decided to walk home. It was well over a mile, but the physical exertion was bound to help. If ever she needed endorphins it was now. Unfortunately, the only thing the walk did was give her a blister on the heel of her left foot.

  Limping into her condo she headed for the kitchen and poured herself a glass of iced tea. She called Phillip, and when he didn’t answer, she left a message on his voice mail.

  “I … I didn’t get the job. I lost track of the time and arrived late for the interview. Robin is furious with me but no more so than I am with myself.”

  The day she’d run into Joe had been traumatic, but losing the opportunity of this job was almost as harrowing. Her once orderly life felt unfamiliar and completely out of control.

  She wanted to cry and shout at the walls. Stamping her feet was out of the question with that blister. Her throat felt parched and her head throbbed. Her friends were few and she feared she was about to lose one she really needed.

  Her knitting sat on the coffee table but Libby was too agitated even for that.

  What she needed, what she wanted, Libby realized, was … her mother.

  Chapter 16

  Robin paced the confines of her compact office with such determination that she nearly walked straight into the wall. In all her years as a prosecutor she’d never asked for favors from anyone, but she had gone out on a limb in order to help Libby. And now her friend had squandered the opportunity.

  Libby had lost track of the time because she was rocking babies? Unbelievable. She’d noticed the subtle changes in her friend over the last several months. It was as though Libby’s priorities had gone askew, as if she had lost sight of what was important. Although they hadn’t spoken of it, Robin feared Libby’s finances weren’t in the best shape. Now this. Nothing added up.

  Then there was Libby’s budding relationship with Dr. Stone. Perhaps the root cause for these subtle changes had nothing to do with the hospital, after all. Perhaps this was what romance did to a person. Romance … oh, the two of them were such dorks when it came to men. Libby’s prospects were certainly looking up, while her own were stall
ed. With her arms folded around her middle, Robin looked for a way to vent her frustration.

  Roy had been wonderfully helpful in connecting Libby with his contact, but she hadn’t heard from him since and wasn’t sure what her next move should be, especially given what had just happened.

  Because she was due in court in a few minutes, Robin did her best to concentrate on the case before her. It should be a slam dunk but she needed to stay focused and let go of her irritation with herself and with Libby. Otherwise, she might easily make a mistake, and in her job, a mistake could mean a defendant got off scot-free.

  On her way to the courtroom, she passed Judge Bollinger. His face lit up in a smile when they walked by each other in the hallway. He appeared to be leaving for the day. She longed for an excuse to speak to him, but she couldn’t think of a solitary thing to say. Thankfully, he didn’t stop to ask how the job interview had gone for Libby. Robin wouldn’t have known what to tell him. The fact was, she didn’t know how to let Roy know she was interested in him, and she feared any attempt would only embarrass them both.

  It didn’t help that every time he was close she grew so tongue-tied she could barely speak. Put her in a courtroom and she was never at a loss for words, but with Roy, she felt like a schoolgirl all over again.

  Like Libby, Robin had dedicated her entire life to the law, so much so that she had little experience with men. Over the years there had been an affair or two, one in college and another following her divorce. But both had ended badly and left her determined not to repeat her mistakes. With Roy it was different. She’d admired him from afar for a long time, fearful of making a move.

  Robin had joined the gym, hoping to lose a few pounds and make herself as attractive as possible. She thanked Libby for that. Without her fellow attorney spurring her on, Robin would have dropped out long ago. When they first started exercising together they’d been casual friends. Gradually Robin had grown closer to Libby, but not so much that she felt comfortable sharing her feelings about the judge. Still, she could tell Libby had guessed there was a man behind Robin’s interest in losing weight.