Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey (26 page)

Johns Island, South Carolina
, Day 40 – Saturday

An hour from home, Libby called Megan. “Muggs! We’re almost home!” Libby loudly expressed to her cellphone. “When are you gonna come see us? Yes
us
...Joe’s with me. I can’t wait for you two to meet. Tell me you’ve got time in your busy schedule for your ol’ aunt! Okay, then, we’ll see you tomorrow afternoon. I just can’t wait to see you!” Libby exclaimed again before ending the call.

Eight hours after leaving Nashville, Joe and Libby pull into Libby’s driveway. Five large ivy-covered oaks stood in front of the large yellow-sided house with a wrap-around porch. “Let’s unpack tomorrow...” she said to Joe, weary from the journey. The long days had taken their toll on Libby, she craved her bed, “I’m tired of moving!”

“Great house!” Joe said in awe.

The quaint, two-story home had dormer windows on the second floor, surrounded by woods of live oaks draped with moss and ivy, long-needled pines, and fragrant magnolias. Joe stood in awe, looking around the property. Palmettos lined the rear semi-circled drive next to the house, and in the distance he could see a dock and creek.

Libby smiled sweetly, “Come on, let’s go inside. I’m really beat.”

Joe nodded as he put his arm around her shoulders and walked her up the stairs. Libby unlocked the door as Joe continued to survey her home. Whitewashed swings hung randomly around the large wrap-around porch, and whitewashed rockers shared the random spaces for seating companions. “I can see you sitting out here in the evenings singing with your family. This must’ve been a great place to grow up.”

“It really was. We struggled to keep the place after Dad died. It wasn’t easy, but we did it. I love this house.”

Libby found a take-out menu and ordered dinner for delivery. After showing Joe around the house, the two settled in the den in front of the TV until dinner arrived.

Libby happily crawled into her bed with Joe.
With Joe
...she thought as she looked over his handsome face. She laid her hand across his chest and the diamond sparkled reflections of lamplight. Libby smiled as she closed her eyes. Joe covered her hand as he sighed, sleep was close by.

Johns Island,
South Carolina, Day 41 - Sunday

It was late morning when Joe awoke. He looked around the feminine room, not exactly sure where he was for a moment. The morning sunlight slipped through the white wooden slats of the blinds. The pale blue walls held little distinction to the stark white furniture scattered around the room. Across the room the orderly white desk was contrasted above by the cluttered, colorful homage of Grand Canyon and hot-air balloon images that extended well beyond the bulletin board edges.

Libby looked so peaceful next to Joe; he quietly made his way off the bed without disturbing her. He slipped into yesterday’s shorts and out of the bedroom without a sound.

He studied all the family photos and mementos as he made his way down the hallway, stairs and foyer. Arriving at the kitchen, Joe put on a pot of coffee, then studied the photographs and books that lined the bookshelves across the cozy kitchen.

Joe poured his cup and stepped out the back door onto a deck. A sparsely wooded area surrounded the acreage that probably he assumed was part of Libby’s house. In the distance, he saw what appeared to be a creek with a dock.

Joe sat in a swing on the deck, enjoying the birds, squirrels and Atlantic breeze. Half an hour later, Libby joined him with her coffee. “I’ve been spoiled by the coffeemaker in the RV. This doesn’t seem hot enough!”

“I’ll bring it in, if you want,” Joe whispered as he kissed her temple and snuggled her next to him. “This place is amazing. It’s so
peaceful
!”

Libby smiled at him, “It’s
home
.”

* * *

News of Libby’s return spread like wildfire. As the two tried to unpack the motorhome, Libby was routinely answering the phone with well-wishers and friends excited about her trip and homecoming. “You planned that, didn’t you?” Joe teased her. “It’s alright...I’ll do the heavy lifting,” he said as he brought in the supplies and clothes.

Walking back through the den after his final load, Joe discovered Maggie’s guitar collection in the corner behind the piano. Amidst several beautiful and elegant acoustics, a Rickenbacher frying pan like Charlie Christian played with Bennie Goodman and an electrified acoustic Gibson ES150. Joe’s strum sent a harsh scream from the long-untuned strings. He chose Maggie’s favorite, a well-worn Martin guitar from the wall and retreated to the front porch swing. He tuned it, then picked a simple, upbeat melody, recalling Libby’s account of her family’s music sessions in the same space. Content with his modulated effort, Joe strummed the guitar.

“What a great way to grow up...so serene,” he mumbled to himself as he began picking a tune while he admired Libby’s home. It’d been a while since he’d had pappy in his hands; it felt good to play once again. The squeak of the screen door brought Joe out of his musical meditation as Libby joined him with another cup of coffee.

“You found Mom’s guitar...she’d approve. That one was her favorite—she loved the depth in the tone,” Libby smiled. After a kiss, she settled in beside Joe on the swing with her toes tucked warmly under his leg.

“I can see why…it’s great.” He played for her for a long time. Without words the two enjoyed the peace and tranquility of home…and the simplicity of being still.

Megan’s call broke their tranquility, as she called to announce her impending arrival. “Guess we better get dressed for company, you hungry?” Libby asked. Joe nodded, and the two went in to prepare.

An hour later, Megan burst into the house, screaming with excitement “Libby!”

“Kitchen!” Libby called out, and the two met in a crash/hug in the entrance hall.

“You’ve lost so much weight!” Megan frowned. “You’ve wasted away! What...you couldn’t find food out west?”

Megan shoved Libby’s shoulders away from her to offer her official unapproving glare, stopping only when she grabbed Libby’s left hand. “HOLY COW! What’s THIS?” Megan shouted.

Joe appeared from upstairs to see what the fuss was about.

“Wow,” Megan exclaimed loudly as she caught a glimpse of him. “Flar-fle-bloo-homina-homina.

Libby smacked her backside, “Behave!” she laughingly warned.

Joe was laughing as he joined the ladies, “Hey, Megan! I’m Joe.”

As he extended his hand, she walked past it and into him, throwing her arms around his neck in an exaggerated hug. “Ah, we’re southern girls: we’re huggers!” She giggled as she squeezed.

“Okay…” Joe laughed and hugged her back. “I’ve heard so much about you, I feel like I know you,” he mused.

“Well, that makes you one up on me, so we need to spend a lot of time together, I haven’t given my approval yet,” she winked at Libby as she wrapped her arm in his and walked him into the kitchen, chatting excitedly the entire way.

“Okay, Joe. Tell me your intentions…I want all the details, Joe. Like, when I’m gonna be an aunt…come on now, don’t be shy.”

As with most of Megan’s ideas, she squealed with excitement and raised the energy in the room even more as she turned back to Libby and announced, “We should have a cookout! Let everyone know you’re back in town! Maybe then they’ll quit calling
me
! Honestly! It’s like I’m your bloo-ey secretary or somethin’!”

Joe stood bewildered, eyes wide, with the most recent and sudden change in Megan’s demeanor. He looked helplessly back at Libby, who laughed at him.

“Sounds like a plan. Why don’t you call ‘em, Joe and I will go to the market and get some steaks and stuff.” She added under her breath, “He looks like he could use the break.”

“Nothin’ doin! I’m goin’ too! I can call ‘em from my cell. Come on, let’s go!” she replied authoritatively as she turned on her heels and grabbed Joe by the arm, pulling him past Libby.

Joe smiled and shook his head at Libby as he passed her, “She’s so meek,” he laughed out loud and grabbed Libby’s hand, pulling her along. Megan flashed him a grin as she opened the door. “There’s that family resemblance...now I see it—it’s in that smile,” Joe mused.

* * *

Around 7:00 o’clock, friends arrived at the house, most with dishes to add to the feast. Libby greeted each at the door with a hug. She was so glad to see her friends again. After introducing Joe to each new arrival, she joined him in the kitchen as he prepared dinner.

“Most of these folks have seen us through some of the toughest times. You can really tell who your friends are when...” Libby’s voice trailed off before she finished the thought.

He kissed her cheek as he passed by with his arms full of food. “You’re so easy to love,” he smiled.

Without looking at him, she, too smiled. “Right back at’cha,” she called as he stepped out the back door.

Will stepped up to help Joe with the steak platter. “Thanks, Will,” Joe said.

“So, Joe, how’s Libby doing? We really haven’t heard much from her. She looks kinda...frail.”

“She’s good. At least, she says she’s good. Did she ever call you back? I was in the room the day she asked you about her net worth. I’ll tell ya, had I known what she was gonna do, I’d have stopped her flat.”

“No, she didn’t. Several times I started to call her, but I knew she’d been in touch with my wife, Jane, so I knew she was okay. I didn’t bother her.” Will replied.

Joe nodded. “Well, it’s a long story, but basically a guy was trying to say we rigged a singing contest. I’d met her a week before, but gotten her name wrong, I thought she said Lily. Anyway, this guy, Puckett, saw us backstage at a fair gig my brother and I was playing about a week later. She had entered a singing competition. Well, he complained to the promoter, who was not happy with the allegation. That’s when Libby called you.

“Looking back, I wished like hell I’d just handled it. I had no idea...what she was worth. It never came up, I didn’t know. Will, I know Libby means a lot to you, but I gotta tell you, I love her, man.”

Will studied Joe’s face carefully, nodding. He seemed to be sizing Joe up. “Sounds like you two are pretty serious.”

Joe smiled, “Yeah, you could say that...I love her. I’ve asked her to marry me. And before you think it, it has NOTHIN’ to do with her money. I’d marry her if she were living in a cardboard box. She’s amazing. It’s like the day I met her, someone turned on a light. I didn’t even know I was livin’ in the dark, man. I can’t imagine a day without her...don’t want to.”

Will smiled at Joe, “Well, alright then.”

Libby came out the door with another tray of food.

As the group sat at the picnic tables, satiated with good food and drink, Libby stood. “Everybody, thank you all for coming tonight, especially on such short notice. I’m so glad to be back here with you, I can’t wait to tell you all about my travels and show you pictures...we’ll be doing slideshows for months,” she laughed.

She put her hand on Joe’s neck, “You’ve all met Joe, I just wanted to let you know...Joe and I will be getting married,” Libby proudly displayed her diamond to the crowd. “Now, before you all think the wrong thing...[Joe kissed her hand], Joe knows all about the money, it’s not a big deal to him. There’s no ‘news’ or anything like that. I was blessed to take the journey of a lifetime and to meet the man, well, the man God put in my path, who’s the most perfect man for me. I only wish Mom and Dad were here,” Libby choked.

Joe stood and kissed her. “I know y’all don’t know me, but I promise you Libby’s happiness and well-being are all that matter to me. This is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. And I plan to! So I hope y’all come to know me, and know how much Libby means to me.”

Grace asked, “So, when’s the wedding?”

Jane chimed in, “Yeah, when?”

Both women shared conspiratorial glances and raised eyebrows with gleams in their eyes.

Libby looked at Joe, “Well, we haven’t set a date.”

Joe laughed, “What’re you doin’ tomorrow?”

The group laughed. Joe beamed at Libby, “No, I’m serious. The sooner the better as far as I’m concerned.”

Jane offered, “We have a friend with a beautiful company retreat island, it has cabins and large house, a pool, and a beach, let me see when it’s available. They’ll let us hold it there, I’m sure. How many people are we talking about? Less than, say, 200?”

Libby laughed, “I think we can keep it under 200. Family…God love ‘em,” she smiled at Joe.

Jane stood, “You boys clean up here...we’ve got some work to do! C’mon Grace, Megan. Libby, in the kitchen...now!”

Grace marched past Libby, grabbing her hand and urging her compliance. “Now, missy!”

Joe and Will shook their heads. Once the ladies were out of earshot, “You’re sure about this? It’s not too late...” Will whispered, laughing.

Joe grinned, picking up the plates and carrying them into the kitchen. “Are we always gonna get stuck with K.P.?” Joe asked Will as they walked into the house.

“Not if I can help it!” Will responded, setting dishes on the counter.

Johns Island,
South Carolina, Day 43 - Tuesday

Two days later, the ladies had created beautiful invitations for 20 friends and family, inviting them for a weekend party, hosted by Libby and Joe, held on a private island off the coast of South Carolina in just two-and-a-half weeks. Per Libby’s request, nothing was mentioned about a wedding.

“Let’s just surprise ‘em,” she insisted as she helped stuff envelopes.

“You’re not gonna tell Joe’s parents?” Jane’s startled look added the punctuation.

Libby smiled.

“He thinks they’ll be okay with it. I’ve met them, it’s not like they don’t know me. Tell the truth, I got the impression that Joe isn’t exactly the kinda man who takes women home to meet his parents. They sorta acted surprised to meet me. They were very gracious and accepting.”

“So you don’t think they’ll be surprised then?” Grace added.

Libby shook her head. “I think they’ll be fine.”

The invitations included specific instructions to “RSVP ASAP” in order to arrange a private plane to pick up each attendee at their hosts’ expense. Grace had many friends through her travel agency that she made available to Libby. Jane had scored the island retreat for three full weeks, which gave Libby and Joe an opportunity for a private honeymoon, as well.

Time flew by as plans were made for catering and decorating. Lucky for Libby, she had two powerhouses backing her. She and Megan followed directions well. Libby also appreciated these two ladies listening to her requests for a simple wedding.

Libby stated matter-of-factly, “I don’t want a formal gown. I want a simple, white cotton dress. I think Joe would be comfortable in a white, cotton shirt and white cotton pants. If we’re getting married on the beach, we don’t even need shoes, or maybe simple sandals or flip-flops.” Late fall in South Carolina always meant comfortable temperatures, leaving the only potential problem…rain.

Jane offered, “Let me contact my best caterers, Will always has functions relating to his law firm, we’re one of the best customers around!”

Libby asked, “Please, can we keep decorations for the ceremony simple? I’d like two poles—how about tiki torches--wrapped with strands of red roses. And, in keeping with the “theme” of weekend party, I’d like the food to consist of an evening buffet, so folks won’t be tipped off to the surprise. I’d like to have invitations or maybe “agendas” placed in their cabins or rooms, and among the list of things we’ll be doing is a seafood buffet – and then as everyone is there, we’ll just get married. I
really
want this simple, guys. I don’t want any gifts, and I don’t want anyone to feel obligated to bring anything.

“You know, to make things easier, all meals should be buffet style. That way, we won’t have so much fussing over plates at a sit-down meal and the wait staff can be kept at a minimum. NOTHING should be said about wedding to caterers. If Joe’s name gets out... we might have a free-for-all. The only mention of wedding should be for a cake, and promise me it won’t be anything ridiculous. Something tasteful, and tasty: That’s all we need.”

“What about a band?” Grace asked.

“You’re kidding, right?” Megan asked, laughing.

Grace’s blank expression indicated she wasn’t.

Megan replied in a near whisper, “Half the guest list are musicians or singers!” The laughter roared through the kitchen as they continued working on the plans, meals and logistics.

In the midst of the merriment and work, the phone rang. Libby answered to find Will on the phone. “How’s the nuptial planning?” he laughed. “You’ve got quite the planning committee. Nobody in town could ask for more firepower than Grace and Jane!”

Libby laughed, “Reining them in takes more effort than just agreeing. I’ve managed to win a few debates. Hey, I’m glad you called, we need to talk...when’s your next available appointment?” Will checked his calendar and scheduled Libby for Monday at 9:00 a.m. Having concluded their business, Libby passed the phone to Jane and went back to the planning table.

Joe’s new-found sanctuary, formerly known as the front porch, had offered solitude for writing songs and melodies with Maggie’s guitar. “I can’t remember when I’ve had this much uninterrupted free time to write songs. Shame Chuck’s not here,” Joe leaned over and kissed Libby on the forehead. “How’s schemes, ladies?”

“Simple!” Libby announced, sitting back in her chair. “I hope you’re alright with that...there’ll be no fluffy, pompous stuff. No ties, no suits, and most importantly, no shoes!” The gang laughed at the image.

“We will be dressed though, right?” Joe asked sarcastically as he pulled the chair out next to Libby and sat.

“How do you feel about white cotton?” she asked.

“You mean a white cotton suit?” Joe replied.

“No, I mean pants and shirt.”

“Seriously? That’s it?” Joe asked with uncharacteristic enthusiasm. “See why I love this woman!” he replied excitedly. “Ahhh, baby, you were meant for me!” Joe kissed Libby on the cheek. Rising, he crossed the room to grab a celebratory beer from the refrigerator. “Wait, what about that whole ‘white after labor day’ thing?” he asked, returning to Libby’s side.

Libby laughed...I’m throwing out the whole wedding gown thing, you think I’m gonna let some dumb rule like that stop us from being comfortable? I
really
don’t want the fuss, Joe. I hope you’re okay with that. This is a
party
, with friends and family! We just happen to have a wedding scheduled in the middle of it.”

Joe sighed, looking adoringly at Libby. “You’re perfect!” He added, pointing at her, “Don’t ever change!” With his most charming smile, Joe added, “Ladies, I’ll leave you to your schemes, er...plans. Call me if there’s any ‘heavy lifting,’” Joe laughed as he returned to his songwriting solitude on the porch swing.