Starting Now (9 page)

In fact, Libby and the physician hadn’t spoken once since their awkward encounter in the hospital elevator. As far as she was concerned he had issues. Yet in Libby’s mind she’d built it up to so much more. She didn’t want to think of him, but she found that he often occupied her thoughts, which irritated her no end. She couldn’t imagine what she’d done to cause him to be so curt with her.

“Dr. Stone asked when you were going to volunteer next,” Sharon said.

Libby wasn’t sure what the inquiry meant, but clearly it was not a good sign.

Sharon looked away and appeared slightly uncomfortable. “I might have mentioned you were on the schedule for today—hope that’s okay.”

“Oh.”

“I hope you don’t mind.”

“I … no, that’s fine.” If he wanted to clear the air then perhaps it was best to do it now.

“Usually I keep that sort of information to myself,” Sharon continued, “but it’s so unusual for Dr. Stone to express interest in someone here at the hospital that I was taken aback.”

Maybe the negative vibes coming off him hadn’t been directed at her.

Already Libby’s stomach was in knots. She had such little experience in male/female relationships that she wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this. Although she was in her late thirties, she felt so socially inept sometimes, and this was definitely one of those times.

Robin hadn’t given her any clues about her new love interest, either. The two of them were quite the pair. Libby suspected that was what made them such good friends. Robin had also been married, but her marriage had failed a couple of years after she learned that her husband had a gambling problem. She never spoke of Kyle or any of the relationships she’d had since the divorce.

“If I see Dr. Stone, you wouldn’t mind if I mentioned you’re in the nursery, would you?” Sharon asked.

Libby hesitated, unsure she was up to a showdown.

“What’s the matter with you two?” Sharon demanded. “The minute I mentioned his name you tensed up. What gives?”

“I’m not entirely sure. He doesn’t like me.”

Sharon frowned. “Don’t be ridiculous. He wouldn’t be asking about you if that was the way he felt.”

“Then by all means, tell him.” Libby rubbed her open palms together, incapable of hiding how nervous she felt.

“He does this, too, you know?” Sharon said.

“I’m sorry. Does what?” He’d intimidated other women?

“Every now and again Dr. Stone comes to the nursery and rocks the babies. Not on a regular basis. He would rather I didn’t say anything about it. He’s like that; it’s almost as if he’s afraid someone might find out he’s got a soft heart, but I’ve seen him with these families with infants at risk. He’s patient and gentle. Watch him for yourself and you’ll see what I mean.”

Dr. Heart of Stone rocked the babies? Were they discussing the same man? It seemed highly unlikely.

As though she felt the need to build him up in Libby’s eyes, Sharon shook her head and continued. “Every woman here would give her eyeteeth to grab his attention, which isn’t any big surprise. He’s handsome as sin, successful, and beyond that, he’s an incredible doctor and human being. That’s a combination that most women can’t resist.”

Libby might have been too hasty in judging him.

Sharon patted her on the shoulder. “It’s encouraging that he asked about you.”

Libby wasn’t the least bit encouraged. Her head buzzed as she entered the rows of hospital cribs. A nurse was there the same as before, walking back and forth, taking the newborns in to be with their mothers.

Settling down in the rocker with a fussy infant, Libby soon forgot
about Dr. Stone. She took pleasure and delight in watching the baby gradually fall asleep in her arms.

Sharon had been right about how peaceful it was to rock these little ones. Crooning softly, Libby sang another medley of soft-rock hits while brushing her hand over the top of the baby’s bald head. She told herself this baby boy would one day grow into a strong young man who’d steal hearts. He stretched twenty-two inches at birth, which told her he would be tall one day. Libby suspected both his parents were tall, but then that was pure speculation on her part.

As she rocked one infant after another, she couldn’t help wondering what their lives would be like. What potential she saw in each one. It felt good to hold these babies. Good in ways that were difficult to explain. Libby idly wondered at the emotions her mother had experienced holding her for the first time.

Then she sensed someone standing behind her. At first she thought it was the nurse, but no …

Dr. Stone.

“It’s Libby, isn’t it?” he asked when he realized she knew he was behind her.

“Yes. Dr. Stone, right?”

He walked around and stood in front of her, looking tall and muscular, looming over her like a black storm cloud. Libby found it difficult to swallow, let alone talk normally.

“Phillip,” he offered.

So they were to be on a first-name basis. That was good to know, and probably some sign a twelve-year-old would be more adept at deciphering than Libby.

“I thought that was you behind me,” she said, hoping to sound cool and unruffled. She doubted that she’d succeeded. Far be it from her to let him know how easily he intimidated her.

“I apologize if I startled you. I heard you’ve been volunteering for the nursery.”

“Yes … I find I have time on my hands.” She didn’t mention the reason and regretted even saying that much. Being unemployed was hard enough on her ego. Admitting it to anyone else was even more
so. The fact that she hadn’t found another position after all these months made it worse.

“I see …”

“I’m an attorney,” she blurted out.

“Oh. Okay.”

Libby couldn’t seem to shut up. “I specialize in trusts and estates … things are a bit slow at the moment. Bet that doesn’t happen to physicians, though, right?” she asked, half choking on the question, which she knew was ridiculous.

Thankfully he ignored it.

The infant in her arms squalled. For an instant Libby had completely forgotten she was holding a baby. She thanked God the newborn hadn’t fallen from her embrace and tumbled onto the floor. Her grip tightened slightly. She realized she should probably say something, but her mind went blank. In fact, she had become totally incapable of managing a single word.

“You’ve apparently been around babies before,” he stated conversationally.

“Ah …”

“You seem at ease with them.”

At ease? Her? With babies? The truth was that until last week she couldn’t remember the last time she’d even been close to a baby.

Six years ago. She remembered with clarity now. Juliette, one of the paralegals, had taken maternity leave. After her baby was born, Juliette had stopped by the office with her daughter in tow. Libby wasn’t even clear on how it had happened, but the baby was thrust into her arms and she’d held her for several minutes. When Juliette had taken her daughter back, Libby had been relieved.

Yet here she was volunteering at Seattle General to rock infants. Libby wasn’t sure what had changed. Could it possibly be her? Since she’d been let go—she cringed even thinking about Burkhart, Smith & Crandall—she’d lost a sense of what and who she really was.

“I’d like to speak to you privately,” Phillip said, breaking into her thoughts.

Taken aback, she stared up at him blankly, wondering what he could possibly have to say to her. “Why?”

He ignored her question. “Although the cafeteria isn’t an ideal location, it will do.”

She blinked. “What’s this about?”

“There’s a matter I wish to discuss,” he said, as if his answer was all the explanation that was required.

Libby frowned. Perhaps something had shown up on her volunteer application, but that seemed unlikely because she had already been approved.

“It’ll only take a few minutes.”

She hesitated.

“It’s important.”

“All right,” she agreed, with some reluctance. “I finish at three.”

“That’s what Sharon said.”

She realized she was staring, and that he was waiting for her reply.

“Three,” she repeated. “The cafeteria.”

Without another word he left. As soon as the nursery door closed, Libby released a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. Phillip Stone was abrupt and demanding. What irritated her most was the fact that she’d let him intimidate her. Just because he was some hotshot doctor didn’t make him any better than anyone else. Yet she couldn’t help wondering what he found so important that he had to talk to her privately about it.

Sharon returned a few minutes later. “Was that Dr. Stone I saw in here?” she asked. The smile that curved up the edges of her mouth said she couldn’t be more pleased by this unexpected turn of events. She all but rubbed her hands together with glee.

“Yeah, he stopped by.” Libby tried hard to hide how uncomfortable the physician made her.

“Well?” Sharon continued, her dark brown eyes wide and expectant as she eagerly awaited the details of their short meeting. “Are you going to make me torture it out of you? What did he want?”

“He said he had something private to discuss with me,” Libby said, thinking Sharon might know what this was all about.

Sharon’s look of surprise told her the nurse was in the dark as much as she was. Then gradually a smile came into play. “I thought he might be romantically interested in you and I was right.”

“I don’t think so.” Libby didn’t know where Sharon had come up with that idea, but she sincerely doubted Dr. Stone was in any way attracted to her.

Sharon’s smile didn’t waver. “Mark my words.”

Libby rolled her eyes. “Oh, please,” she said, “I don’t think you should make more out of this than necessary. I’m sure he probably has some innocuous question or something he wants to ask.”

“Think what you like, dearie.”

At three, Libby removed the hospital gown, and then spent the next few minutes repairing her makeup and combing her hair. If she was going to confront the devil then she wanted to look her best. The fact that she cared irritated her all the more.

Grabbing her cell on the way to the elevator, Libby waited until she was in the lobby and texted Robin. DR. STONE ASKED TO SPEAK TO ME PRIVATELY. DON’T KNOW WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

After pushing the “send” button Robin’s message came back within seconds. DR. HEART OF STONE?

Libby texted back. FROM THE GYM.

HOT STUFF.

Libby scowled back at the text message. She didn’t know what women saw in Phillip Stone. Oh, sure, he was easy on the eyes, but he had the personality of a snapping turtle.

Walking into the cafeteria, she dropped her cell into her purse and then paused in the doorway, drew in a calming breath, and looked for Phillip.

He sat in the back of the room in an area that would grant them privacy. Libby started toward him with all the energy and enthusiasm of a condemned prisoner heading toward the hangman. Her one optimistic thought was that he was probably on his break and didn’t have long. She noticed the two cups of coffee on the table.

She managed a half smile as she pulled out a chair and sat down. No way was she going to let him know how badly he intimidated her.

“I wasn’t sure how you took your coffee,” he said, and handed her a mug.

“This is fine. Now what’s this about?” Libby gripped the mug with both hands.

He glanced at his wrist as if to say he didn’t have much time, which was great by her.

“Mainly I wanted to know about the baby.”

“The baby?” she repeated. “The one I was holding when you were in the nursery?” She couldn’t imagine what she could tell him other than the sex of the child and his parents’ surname.

“No, no.” He frowned and shook his head as if irritated with her for not being a mind reader. “When is the baby due, or do you even know?”

Did he seriously think she was pregnant? It wasn’t humanly possible for her to be pregnant at this point. She hadn’t been with a man since … well, there was no need to drag up that frustrating subject.

“No way am I pregnant,” she said, speaking distinctly and clearly. “And if I were, let me assure you that it wouldn’t be any of your business.”

His eyes flared and he stretched out his arms and gripped the mug. Neither of them had even tasted their coffee. “I’m not talking about you.”

Libby stared at him blankly. Frankly, he wasn’t making any sense, but nothing about him had from the beginning, so she wasn’t surprised.

“You’re right … this isn’t my business and I hesitated to say anything, but then felt I should. I realize I might well be out of line even bringing this up.”

She raised her right hand, at a complete loss. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

“Your daughter,” he snapped.

“I don’t have a daughter.” She flattened her hand against her breast. “I’m not even married.” Not that being married was a prerequisite for having a child. Oh dear, she couldn’t seem to speak coherently around this guy.

“The girls who were with you the other day when you dropped off the preemie hats.”

“Casey and Ava?”

“One of them is pregnant.”

Libby automatically shook her head. “You’re wrong.” He had to be. “They’re just thirteen.”

His face tightened and he grew more insistent. “I strongly suspect the dark-haired one is pregnant.”

That bit of information wasn’t the least bit helpful. “They both have dark hair.”

“The one who wore jeans, then.”

“They both had on jeans.”

He shook his head. “Okay, the one on the right.”

Libby blinked and searched her memory, trying to remember where they’d stood in the elevator. “Your right or mine?”

“Yours. No, mine.”

An announcement came over the public address system asking for Dr. Stone to return immediately to the neonatal unit.

Phillip stood. “I’ve got to go. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful. I felt I should mention it because that girl needs to see a physician. She needs proper health care for her and her baby. I wish I could be more specific about which girl it was. If you aren’t the mother”—he hesitated and then shook his head as though he was frustrated and regretful—“I apologize that … I assumed. Well, never mind, I’m sure you’ll do what you can.”