Ava wasn’t the only person Libby had abandoned since going back to the firm. She hadn’t chatted with Lydia in weeks. The first time she’d seen Abby Higginbotham since Scott’s birthday party had been when she’d gone in search of Phillip. Because she was distraught, Libby hadn’t exchanged more than a couple of sentences with the woman she’d once considered a good friend.
Sunday morning Libby climbed out of bed after a restless night. She had tossed and turned for hours. As she sat on the edge of her mattress, feet on the ground, she realized she had a huge decision to make. She could either move forward and take positive action, or spend the rest of her life a failure in every way that mattered.
Unsure of what to do first, she dressed and decided to attend church. Worship services were held just down the street from her condo. Libby wasn’t sure which denomination it was, but she wasn’t overly concerned. After losing Amy Jo she’d sat in the hospital chapel and ignored God, reaching out instead to her mother. Now she was willing to admit she needed God. Wanted Him in her life, guiding her.
The organ music greeted her as she ascended the church steps. She sat in the back pew and reached for the hymnal, hoping no one would notice her. Coming into the worship services her spirits were low, but gradually, as she bowed her head in prayer, a sense of peace came over her. It seemed as if God had been waiting for her to turn to Him all along. It’d taken these hits, these gigantic losses, for her to realize what she needed and how best to proceed with life.
Libby returned to her condo and sat down at her desk. She turned on her computer, and as she did so she noticed the withered plant sitting on the corner of her desk. The very plant she’d nursed back to health during her months of unemployment.
“You poor, neglected thing,” she whispered. Picking it up, she carried it into her kitchen, set it on a plate, and watered and fed it plant food. Then she set it in the sun, determined to love it back to health … if it wasn’t too late.
Chapter 40
Sunday afternoon, Libby typed out her letter of resignation to Burkhart, Smith & Crandall. How shocked Hershel would be. Actually, she was pretty shaken herself. It might be too late for her and Phillip, although she prayed it wasn’t. This was something she needed to do for herself … for her future.
As soon as she was finished, she signed the letter and placed it inside an envelope, then contacted Robin.
“You want to go shopping and to a movie?”
“Libby, is that you?” Robin repeated as if hearing a voice from the grave. “You aren’t working? I thought you worked twenty-four/seven these days.”
“Not anymore.”
“Starting when?” Robin asked with a skeptical lilt to her tone.
“Starting today. Now, about that movie: I am absolutely craving buttered popcorn.”
“Ah …” It seemed Robin was at a complete loss for words. “Sure, I guess.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up in thirty minutes.”
The two spent a glorious afternoon together and then later Libby stopped by Ava’s house and the two went out to dinner.
“I want to be a singer,” Ava confessed over taco salads. “I think I’m good. There are auditions at school for a musical and I was thinking I should try out. What do you think?” she asked Libby shyly, her gaze focused on her food.
“Absolutely.”
Ava smiled. “Then I will. Can I call you if I get a part?”
“You can call me anytime.”
“Even if you’re at work?”
“Of course. Use my cell phone number, though. Okay?”
“Okay.” Ava’s smile softened and she reached for her glass of milk.
Monday morning, Libby had never felt better. She strolled into the office and delivered coffee and doughnuts to the receptionist.
“Hershel would like to see you right away,” Lois said.
“Perfect,” she said, so happy it was all she could do not to waltz down the hall to Hershel’s luxurious office.
He motioned her inside as soon as he looked up. “Libby, Libby, come in.”
“Good morning, Hershel.”
“You’re certainly in a cheerful mood,” he said, smiling now himself. “And I’m about to give you a reason to be even happier.”
Oh, really? Libby doubted he could say or do anything that would match the sense of peace she’d had ever since she’d typed out her letter of resignation. It meant she was back to square one, but she would deal with that. Abby had mentioned a fund-raising position at the hospital some time ago; perhaps it was still open and she could apply for it.
“The partners and I have decided you’ve done such an outstanding job since your return that we’re moving ahead and making you partner even earlier than we originally intended. You’ve proven what an asset you are to the firm. Two new clients in three weeks. Amazing. Martha Reed is happy and we all know how much that sizable account means to this firm.”
Libby held up her hand, stopping him. “Before you say anything more, you might want to read this letter.” Stepping forward, she handed him the envelope.
Hershel frowned and tore it open. He quickly scanned the contents and as he did his eyes narrowed. “You’re resigning?”
“You said yourself I should go out and get a life, and I did. I really did, and I’ve discovered that I love my new life, the friends I’ve made, the family I’ve formed.”
Frowning, Hershel leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers beneath his chin. He motioned for her to take a seat, which she did. “What about your career?” he asked. “You’re an excellent attorney. Are you sure this is something you want to give up? What do you plan to do with yourself? Go back to your own practice?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t decided. The hospital may have a job opening for a fund-raiser.”
Hershel’s frown deepened, as if he couldn’t see her in such a position. “You’d enjoy that?”
Again she was uncertain. “I believe I would. The hours would be more reasonable.”
“It would mean a substantial cut in pay.”
She grinned and crossed her legs. “If nothing else, seven months of unemployment taught me how to live frugally. And you know what? It wasn’t so bad. And Hershel, one lesson I’ve learned through all this is that money doesn’t buy happiness. It really doesn’t. I thought making partner was the end all, and yet I’m willing to turn my back and walk away without a qualm because of what it will cost me in other ways.”
“I thought making partner was what you wanted,” Hershel said.
“I thought it was, too. But it all goes back to March fifth.”
“March fifth?” he repeated.
“That’s the day you called me into the office and let me go. I was devastated and angry. You offered me advice. At the time I didn’t want to hear it, but I heard enough and I’m grateful I did. You claimed it was an opportunity for me. I should broaden my horizons, make friends. Basically you told me how important it was to enjoy life. I took your words to heart, not right away, mind you, but soon enough. I volunteered at the hospital and fell in love and … and had the opportunity to adopt a baby. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out.” She faltered slightly when mentioning Amy Jo and paused long enough to regain her composure. “But she’s with a good family who will love her. When I lost the opportunity to make the baby a part of my life, I reverted back to everything that was familiar. The job offer from the firm couldn’t have come at a better time and I did what I’ve always done: I buried my feelings and focused on being the best attorney money could buy.
“Working hard hasn’t brought me fulfillment or lasting satisfaction. My career didn’t fill that hole of grief and loss I experienced, no matter how many hours I put in.”
Libby paused, half-expecting Hershel to comment. He didn’t, so she continued.
“Stepping back into the grind had exactly the opposite effect. Instead of helping me forget it made everything ten times worse. I realize now how important my friends have become to me. I ne
glected my relationship with Ava because I thought it was more important to bring in another client to the firm and earn my brownie points with you than spend time with her.
“That was another mistake. Ava reminds me of the girl I was at her age: motherless, bereft, frightened, and alone. I consider it my duty and my honor to be a mentor and a friend to her.”
“What about the young man you love?”
“It … may be too late for us. I don’t know yet; I hope not, but if so, I’ll recover and so will he.”
Hershel straightened in his chair, seemingly deep in thought. “You’re too important to the firm for me to let you walk away.”
She loved hearing it, but his rare praise wasn’t enough to convince her to change her mind.
“We can’t take the chance of losing the Reed account. Would you be willing to continue working with her? She’s difficult to please, and she’s obviously attached to you.”
Libby was fond of the older woman and she welcomed the opportunity to work with Mrs. Reed, but not if it would cost her everything that was important.
“And the Buckleys, if you wish, since you brought them into the firm,” he added. “And the new clients, if you want.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” Libby said, confused but eager to hear what he had to say.
“I come in at nine and leave at six every night,” Hershel said. “I had to make myself leave the office because my marriage was at risk. My children didn’t know me. I thought it was more important to work hard and give them the material goods they wanted than spend time with them. In the process I nearly lost everything I valued. I could see the same thing happening to you, Libby.”
“But I don’t know if I can slow down.”
“You can and you will. I’ll help you. From this point forward you aren’t to arrive at the office before nine and you are to leave at six. Your workload will be cut in half and you’ll still be a partner.”
“What about bringing in new clients?”
“You already have your client load.”
“Mrs. Reed, the Buckleys, and the new clients I brought in, but only if I want?”
“Exactly.”
“What will the other partners say?”
Hershel smiled. “They’ll be fine; I’ll make sure of it. I didn’t fight hard enough for you the first time around and I won’t make that mistake again. Besides, you’ve proven your worth. Go talk to your young man, have the family you want and your career, too. I’ll help you find the balance the same way a good friend helped me years ago.”
Libby sat in the wingback leather chair too stunned to respond.
“Oh, and Libby, congratulations, you’re a partner in the firm now.” With that he tore her letter of resignation in half and tossed it in the wastebasket.
He rose out of his high-backed leather chair and came around to the front of his desk. He stood directly in front of Libby and placed his hands on her shoulders.
“I wish you nothing but happiness.”
Too stunned to react, Libby thanked him and then headed into her office. The first person she phoned was Robin.
“Did you do it?”
“Hershel talked me into staying. The firm is cutting my hours and responsibilities. Basically I only have Mrs. Reed and a few other accounts.” It made sense that he’d want her to stay on for the Reed account alone. Martha Reed had already made her opinions clear. She preferred to work with Libby. If she left, then it was highly probable that the older woman would as well, and the firm couldn’t risk that happening. Not again.
“You’ll handle just a handful of accounts?” Robin made it sound too good to be true.
“Oh, and that’s not all.”
“You mean there’s more?”
Libby couldn’t have held back a smile for a million bucks. Her face actually ached with the joy that flooded her. “I was made partner.”
Robin laughed outright. “Talk about having your cake and eating it, too. Congratulations, Libby.”
“Don’t congratulate me yet. I’ve still got to win back Phillip.”
“You will,” her friend said with utter confidence.
Libby sincerely hoped Robin was right.
Her next call was to Abby.
After Libby delivered her news, Abby said, “A little birdie told me Phillip Stone will be returning to the hospital on Wednesday.”
“Tell the little birdie that I appreciate the information.”
Wednesday afternoon, Libby stopped by the hospital to rock the newborns. Sharon Jennings did a double take and then greeted her with a warm hug.
“The babies have missed you,” the head nurse said. “And so have I.”
Libby donned a gown and entered the nursery, opting for the infant who was crying the loudest. Gently picking him up, she settled into the rocking chair and looked down at the baby with the deep red face.
“Now, now,” she whispered soothingly. “What has gotten you so upset?” She started singing to him as she gently rocked back and forth.
A little more than twenty minutes later, Phillip stepped out of the elevator. He walked directly past the nursery, glanced inside, and continued on for another couple of steps before he stopped abruptly and did a double take. He paused, continuing to stare at her and then after a couple of seconds, continued on his way as if he hadn’t seen her.
Ten minutes later he was back. This time he stepped into the nursery and his gaze went straight to Libby.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded, sounding none too friendly.
Libby placed one hand on her hip. “Rocking the babies. In case you’ve forgotten I was here two or three times a week for several months.”
“That was before you went back to the firm,” he argued. “What happened? Did they lay you off again?”
“No,” she said. “I made partner.”
He frowned as though he wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly. “Partner?”
“Yes,” she returned simply. “Actually, that came as something of a shock to me, too. I’d gone into the office Monday morning intent on handing in my resignation and …”
“You were going to resign?” He continued to stand several feet away from her with his back stiff and his shoulders tensed.
Libby returned the sleeping infant to his crib. “I tried to quit but Hershel talked me into staying with reduced hours. I’ll be working on a few accounts, but that’s it.”
“Why would you be so willing to walk away from a career you love?”
She shrugged. “There were far more important goals I wanted to achieve.”
“Such as?”
“Such as being a mentor to Ava and a good friend to Robin, Lydia, and Abby, and that’s only the beginning. I’m not an accomplished knitter but I’m fairly good and I have this sweater I’ve been working on for the longest time. It’s about time I finished it.”
“A sweater?”
“For a man I know.”
“A friend?”
“He’s that for sure. A very good friend, but I would like him to be so much more.”
Their eyes connected. Phillip’s gaze narrowed as if he wasn’t sure he should trust her. Libby’s heart pounded so hard it felt like a sledgehammer slamming against her ribs, to the point that she pressed her palm over her heart. This was it. Crunch time. Phillip either accepted or rejected her.
“What will make it different this time?” he asked.
“There’s a certain fulfillment in working with the law and being made partner, but I know what’s most important and it isn’t my career.”
He raised his brows but didn’t respond to the news.
“I’ve discovered I want so much more out of life.”
“Like what?” He crossed his arms as though protecting himself, standing guard over his own heart.
“A husband, for one thing,” she said, shocked at how low her voice dipped.
He cocked his head to one side. “That’s a possibility.”
“Children, too,”
Libby added.
Phillip’s mouth twisted as though restraining a smile. “That’s negotiable.”
“Oh, Phillip,” she whispered, “I couldn’t lose you; I just couldn’t.”
Dropping his arms, Phillip took two giant steps toward her. He locked her in his embrace and lifted her two feet off the floor. Libby’s arms circled his neck.
“I don’t want to face the future without you. I love you, Phillip.” Her voice choked with the sincerity of her words. “Nothing I’ve strived to achieve means a blasted thing if I can’t share it with you.”
He closed his eyes and nodded. “I didn’t make it easy for you, did I? I convinced myself we were finished. I thought it best for us to have a clean break but I couldn’t stop thinking about you, about the promise we have together. I love you. I thought I could walk away but it didn’t take long for me to realize I couldn’t leave matters the way they were. I couldn’t stop loving you.”
“Don’t try so hard next time,” she teased.
His gaze held hers for the longest time. “I love you,” he whispered huskily as he brought his mouth to hers.
Libby gave herself over to his kiss, slanting her mouth over his and opening to him like a blossom in the warmth of the summer sunshine.
They broke apart when Sharon cleared her throat.
Libby pressed her forehead against his. “I’m ready to spend my whole life with you, starting now,” she whispered.
“Funny,” Phillip joked, “I was just thinking the same thing.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
The John Adams Junior High School auditorium was bustling with students, faculty, and parents as the band members sitting to the far left of the stage tuned their instruments. Their discordant squeaks only added to the fun as Libby and Phillip made their way into the area of reserved seats. Libby entered the row behind Phillip, holding on to his hand. She did her best not to step on anyone’s toes as she maneuvered past parents and teachers alike.