Starting Now

by Debbie Macomber

  “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.

  “Hello, Peter,” she whispered.

  He turned abruptly. “They won’t let me see her. I’d like to at least look at her.”

  “She’s beautiful,” Libby whispered. “Let me see what I can do.”

  Libby found a staff member she knew and explained the situation so that Peter would be allowed in the nursery area.

  “I didn’t know Ava was pregnant,” he said as they rode the elevator up together.

  That didn’t shock Libby, seeing as how Ava hadn’t known herself until she was eight months along.

  “She should have told me.”

  “It wouldn’t have changed anything,” Libby said, feeling sorry for the youth.

  “I suppose,” he murmured, but he didn’t sound convinced.

  The elevator doors opened and they stepped out. Peter went right away to the nursery window. His hands remained in his pockets. Libby noticed the sheen in his eyes. “Would you like to hold her?” she asked.

  Peter looked away from the nursery and then slowly nodded.

  Chapter 32

  Peter Armstrong, dressed in a protective gown, looked strangely out of place in the nursery. He wore ragged jeans and beat-up tennis shoes with untied laces. Tall and lanky, the fifteen-year-old’s prominent Adam’s apple wobbled up and down as Libby had him sit down and then handed him his daughter.

  The teenager looked down at Amy Jo for several seconds before he spoke. “She’s so tiny.”

  “She’s a fighter; she’s already gaining weight.”

  “How come she’s still in the hospital? Ava’s at home.”

  Libby stood behind him and looked down at her daughter. “Amy Jo had a few problems breathing on her own at first; that’s why the doctors are keeping her, to make sure her lungs develop more before she goes home. We can take her out of the incubator for short periods of time.”

  He twisted around to look up at Libby. “She won’t die, will she?”

  Life held few guarantees, but according to all the information Libby had received, the baby should do well. The fact that Amy Jo was an enthusiastic eater encouraged Libby. “She’s doing great, so you don’t need to worry.”

  Peter continued to hold the infant, although his arms were stiff and his back unnaturally straight. “I saw Ava. We didn’t talk. I didn’t know what to say.”

  “In time you’ll find the right words.” Libby hardly knew what to tell him.

  Peter rocked for a bit longer. “You named her Amy?”

  “Amy Jo. Ava liked it, too. How do you feel about her name?”

  Peter shrugged one shoulder. “It’s all right, I guess. I heard … you’re going to adopt her?”

  “I already feel that she’s part of my heart.” Libby placed her hand on his shoulder. She knew that the attorney she’d hired had already contacted Peter and his family.

  “I … I didn’t think I’d feel anything for her … but I do,” Peter whispered. “I want her to have a good life with a family who will love her.”

  “I love her, Peter. With all my heart I love her. She’ll be my daughter but she’ll always be part of you, too.” Libby felt it was necessary to assure the youth that she would tell Amy Jo one day about her young father and how she’d wrapped herself around his heart, too. Libby gently squeezed the teenager’s shoulder. He held Amy Jo for several minutes, and then very sweetly bent down and kissed her brow. He lifted the newborn up and Libby took her daughter and gently set her back inside the incubator. When she looked up she saw that Peter had tears in his eyes.

  Reaching out, she hugged him and patted his back several times.

  “I … I should go,” he said, sniffling. They broke apart and he ran his forearm below his nose. “I didn’t tell my parents where I was going and it’s past my curfew.”

  The irony of that caused Libby to smile. This young man was old enough to father a child and he had to hurry home because of a curfew. “I’ll drop you off,” Libby told him.

  “You don’t need to do that.”

  “I’m headed that way myself.” Not true, but she wanted to see him home.

  Once in the hospital parking garage, Peter climbed into the car and closed the door. Libby sat beside him and started the engine. They rode in silence for a couple of blocks before Peter spoke again.

  “Before Ava could even tell me about the baby, her grandmother came over and started shouting at my mom and dad and said she was going to have the police arrest me.”

  “You don’t need to worry.”

  “I know. My dad called a friend of his who works on the police force and he assured my parents that Mrs. Carmichael could threaten us all she wants but she can’t legally do anything against me.”

  “Were your parents upset?” Libby asked. She could only imagine how they must have felt, finding out this way that their son had fathered a child at fifteen.

  “My mom started to cry and my dad sat me down and we talked, you know, about really serious stuff. He said he regretted the fact that we hadn’t talked like that a lot sooner.”

  “That’s important.”

  “Yeah,” Peter agreed.

  “How’s your mom doing now?”

  He shrugged and lifted his shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “She’s still pretty upset. Most of the time she’s been on the phone with her mother and older sister.”

  “Moms need time to process things,” Libby told him, knowing how important it’d become to discuss matters with her own support system, especially with all the life-changing decisions she’d made lately.

  “I guess. Her and Dad have been talking a lot, too, but they haven’t said much to me. I guess I should be glad they didn’t ground me or send me away to live with relatives, but, you know, I sort of wish they had.”

  “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.”