“So, Teach, where ya goin’?”
Libby turned around and found Tyler striding toward her.
“Since my day is over, I thought I would go home.” She leaned against her car door.
“How about some dinner?”
“Oh, I intend to eat dinner.” She waited a second. “Alone.”
He grinned at her lofty tone. “You don’t beat around the bush, do you, Teach?”
“When I want someone to understand what I mean I make it as easy as possible for them.” She kept her smile on her lips as she turned around and inserted her key in the door lock. She almost jumped when a gloved hand covered hers.
“Can I ask just one question?”
She looked up to meet his gaze. His eyes lacked their usual cocky arrogance.
“All right.”
He paused a moment before speaking. “You’re going to hear stories about me. I admit I’ve been reckless in the past, but there’s something about you—” He broke off and took a deep breath. “What I’m saying is, I hope you’ll give me a chance.”
Libby was surprised and touched by his statement. He sounded sincere.
“So I shouldn’t listen to any of the many stories circulating about the wild Tyler Barnes,” she said.
He shook his head.
“Or the rumors that you are already very close to a certain woman. I don’t believe in poaching on another woman’s property.”
He could feel those ribbons starting to tie him up and he panicked.
“It’s not an exclusive relationship.”
“Maybe it isn’t to you, but I’ve heard differently,” Libby said. “I wouldn’t dream of demanding you give her up. I’m just saying that I’ve never enjoyed being part of a crowd.” She reached for the door handle. “Good night, Tyler.”
He could tell there was no trying to reason with her right now. He stepped back and allowed her to pull her door open and climb into her car.
“I’m not going to give up, Libby.”
She finished fastening her seat belt before she looked up at him. “Something tells me you’re not the type to give up, Tyler. And I’m sure it’s a trait that’s stood by you for a lot of years. But I’d like a chance to get settled before you start your chasing. Fair enough?”
He grinned, clearly back to his old self. “You got it.” He touched two fingers to his cap in a salute and sauntered off.
Libby watched Tyler walk away. If nothing else, she could enjoy the way his body moved as he walked.
“I know I’m in big trouble now.”
Why didn’t you just jump the man while you had him in your clutches?
Libby started up the engine. “And why don’t you keep your opinions to yourself?”
Pleased with herself for having the last word, she drove off.
“YOU HAVE TO GET OUT and meet people,” Bonnie insisted the moment she had Libby on the phone. As soon as she’d suggested that Libby go out with her and her husband that evening, Libby had started making her excuses. Unfortunately, they sounded as weak to Bonnie as they did to Libby. “I’m not letting you get out of this, Libby. We’ll be by to pick you up at seven.”
“Bonnie!” Oh no, she was whining. She hated whining. Especially when she was the whiner.
“See you at seven. And be ready!” Bonnie hung up before Libby could come up with any more excuses.
Libby dropped the phone in the cradle and slumped against the kitchen counter.
“An evening out will do you a world of good.”
Libby looked over the counter. Matthias was comfortably seated in what she was starting to call “his” chair.
“Why? I’m already resigned to the fact that I’ll still be here when I’m an old lady. And Tyler will marry and have children—” she gulped, her voice catching on the last word “—with someone else. So why don’t you just go make another person’s life hell.”
His eyes widened. “My dear, I would never consign you to such a horrible place. Go out this evening with your friends. When was the last time you’ve gone out and enjoyed yourself?”
Libby looked down at the floor. It was easier to count the tiles than to answer him.
“That long, hmm? Then you truly need to go out. And being the gentleman I am, I will leave so you can prepare yourself.”
As always, he was gone in the blink of an eye.
“He wants to run my life,” she muttered, pushing herself away from the counter.
She dragged her feet as she walked into the bedroom. She stopped short when she noticed pieces of clothing lying across the end of the bed.
“Matthias, you are a very sneaky individual.”
She picked up the denim skirt and held it against her. The first thing she noticed was that it ended several inches above the knee. The red-and-white gingham blouse had a silky feel to it and the collar was edged with lace. A pair of red cowboy boots completed the ensemble.
A twinge of excitement started deep in her stomach. “I can do it,” she whispered, heading for the bathroom.
After she finished her shower, she took her time with her makeup. When she was done, she stood back feeling pleased with the final results. She’d used a smoky green eye shadow with a touch of gray to lend mystery to her eyes. A hint of bronzy rose blush added color to her cheeks, and she wore a matching color on her lips.
Needless to say, she discovered her new outfit fit her perfectly, showing her legs off to their best advantage. The red boots felt as comfortable as an old pair of slippers.
“Obviously, you were determined I’d get out tonight,” she said out loud. “Why? Are you planning a party here? Will I come home to an entity orgy?”
You should be ashamed for even thinking such a thing.
“Are you trying to say entities don’t have a sex life?” She found herself curious to know more about these beings that seem to enjoy dropping in and interfering with mortal lives.
We do not interfere. We strive to make lives better.
“Says you.”
She glanced at the window when she heard the sound of a motor, to see a red Blazer pulling up by the stairs.
“Be good, Matthias. Don’t make any long-distance phone calls. Or intergalaxy phone calls, or whatever you’d call them.” She grabbed her purse and ran out the door.
Please do not try to be amusing. It doesn’t suit you.
“YOU LOOK GREAT!” Bonnie gushed as Libby climbed into the back seat. “And here I haven’t seen my feet in weeks!”
“I don’t know why she worries,” Gary, Bonnie’s husband, said. “They’re still there.”
Bonnie rolled her eyes. “You can tell he has a lot of sympathy for me, can’t you?”
“You’re not the one who has to go out at midnight to find brownie-chunk ice cream.”
“Cravings are very important to a pregnant woman,” Libby told him.
“Maybe, but why do they always show up in the middle of the night?” He backed down the driveway, honking a greeting when Cyn appeared at the back door and waved at them. He glanced at his wife. “Cyn didn’t want to go out with us tonight?”
Bonnie shook her head. “She said she was going to relax with a good book, but I think she has a hot date and doesn’t want us to know.”
Gary raised his eyebrows. “Oho. Raymond?”
“He was last month.”
“Then who?”
She flashed an impish grin. “Harold Lutz.”
“Harold Lutz? That’s a joke, right? He’s not at all her type.” He shook his head, then looked into the rearview mirror toward Libby. “In case you haven’t guessed, Cyn is the town’s wild woman. She figures her age shouldn’t hold her back.”
“She’s also said she doesn’t want to get married again because divorce is a nuisance and she doesn’t want to bury anyone she loves,” Bonnie explained. “She had been going out with Raymond for about three months, but she said the bells just weren’t ringing for her, so she said goodbye to him and hello to Harold.”
Gary laughed. “Poor Harold. He’ll never have a peaceful moment now.”
“Bonnie, are you going to tell me where we’re going, or am I supposed to trust you?”
“We’re going to the Outpost,” she replied. “Part of it is a restaurant and the rest is a bar and dance floor. They always have great bands there. They don’t play just country and western, either. Most of the bands also play a lot of rock and roll.” She grimaced. “I’m not supposed to dance until after the baby comes, but I can sit there and listen to the music. Ha! There’s no fun in that.”
“So she pushes me onto all the ‘unavailable’ women to dance,” Gary interjected. “I’m not allowed to go anywhere near a woman who’s truly available. Bonnie’s promised to sit on anyone who gets too close to me.”
“I did not say that!” She punched him in the arm. “I just said I’d make them sorry for coming close to my honey,” she cooed.
Libby laughed at Bonnie’s antics, but a part of her felt regret as she recalled similar byplay she used to share with Tyler.
There had been a lot of Friday and Saturday nights when they had gone out for dinner and dancing. They both enjoyed dancing, especially when they were in each other’s arms.
That was when a disturbing thought occurred to her. What if Tyler was there with Renee? Libby shifted in her seat and wondered if she could think up a logical excuse to go back home.
Then it was too late. Gary pulled into a partially filled parking lot and stopped the car. He walked around the front to help Bonnie down, then assisted Libby.
“I have no sense of balance,” Bonnie confessed. “Actually, I feel like one of those blowup punching clowns. If you try to tip me I’ll just rock back and forth on my feet.” She laughed.
Libby put her arm around Bonnie’s shoulders to console her. “Think how you’ll feel when you can see your feet again.”
“More like how I’ll feel when I don’t have to visit the bathroom every five minutes or have the kid playing basketball inside my belly.” She grimaced as she rubbed her taut abdomen. “I swear he hears every word I say and gets even with me one way or another.”
Libby smiled, remembering the days of never seeing her feet. Of wondering if she would ever get past the morning sickness. Of wondering if she would ever have another peaceful night’s sleep without the baby turning somersaults. Of course, there had been no peaceful night of sleep after Sara was born, either, since she’d seemed to enjoy waking her parents up several times a night. Libby was still smiling as she realized she was thinking about her daughter and not feeling the shafts of pain she usually felt. She had an idea she might be finally healing.
Gary opened the door for the women. The minute they stepped inside, loud music assaulted their eardrums.
Libby looked around. It was the same as she remembered—even the bartenders and waitresses. She saw many familiar people and grieved that they didn’t know her. For a moment she wanted to run away.
You aren’t the type of woman to run away. You’ll fight for what you want, Libby.
She made a face. Thanks a lot.
“Isn’t it great?” Bonnie shouted over the music. Her eyes were bright with excitement as she bounced to the beat, looking a little like a colorful penguin with her waddle.
“I’ll tell you after I get my hearing back,” Libby shouted back in reply, getting a grip on her fear and pushing it down.
“C’mon, I found us a table.” Gary took each woman’s hand and led them over to an unoccupied table. “What do you want?” he asked Libby.
She wrinkled her nose as she thought about it. “Whatever beer they have on tap. I’m not too fussy.”
He nodded, then looked at Bonnie.
She sighed. “I know, I know. I can’t have beer or wine, so I guess I’ll settle for club soda.”
Gary bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I’ll let you be designated driver.”
“You try driving with the steering wheel jamming into your belly and see how you feel about it,” she retorted. “Go get our drinks, slave.”
Gary performed a mock salaam and sauntered off.
“I’d say you have a real sweetheart.” Libby leaned over so Bonnie could hear her more easily.
She smiled and nodded. “I like to remind him how lucky he is to have me.” She and Libby chuckled.
“How did you meet him?”
“We’ve known each other since our first day in Miss Regina’s preschool. Gary once told me he fell in love with me that day. It took me a few more days, but we’ve been together since then. We tried dating other people in high school, but it didn’t work out. We always went back to each other.”
The roar in Libby’s ears sounded like a tornado. She was positive she was sitting in a wind tunnel.
Bonnie and Gary had met in preschool. There had never been anyone else for either of them.
“When did you get married?” she asked in a faint voice.
Luckily, Bonnie didn’t notice her pallor. “Six years ago. We wanted some time to ourselves before starting our family. And now—” she patted her rounded tummy “—we’re starting out with the acrobat here.”
“You’re very lucky.” Libby blinked rapidly to keep back her tears.
Bonnie looked at her and was about to say something when Gary showed up holding three glasses.
“Here you go, ladies. Tips are gratefully accepted.” He set a frosty glass filled with beer in front of Libby and an ice-filled club soda in front of Bonnie.
“Don’t worry, honey. I’ll tip you later.” Bonnie winked at him.
“She only has me around as a sex slave,” Gary confided to Libby. He adopted a mournful expression.
“I’d say you’re not suffering all that much,” Libby teased. She picked up her glass and sipped her beer.
“Gary, my love, take Libby out there and dance with her,” Bonnie ordered.
“Bonnie, you don’t have to—”
“All right, lady, let’s show ‘em how it’s done.” Gary grabbed Libby’s hand and pulled her out of her chair.
Libby didn’t have a chance to protest. Gary proved to be a dancer who kept her frantically remembering the steps. By the time the music stopped she was out of breath.
She laughed as Gary swung her around when a new tune began. “Not again!”
“Yes again. Hell, I usually can’t dance with a good-looking woman without Bonnie getting her hackles up.” He grinned, holding her hand over her head as he directed her in a fancy spin that made her short skirt flare even higher.
“I’m glad to know I’m considered safe.” Libby laughed again, not only because for some reason she found Gary’s comment funny, but also because she was finding out she was enjoying herself.
The people around her on the dance floor, the lively music and Gary keeping up with her step for step was freeing something inside her.
One more twirl sent her spinning, and when she slowed, she saw a familiar figure walking into the club. With another equally familiar person in tow. Libby froze for a moment, watching Tyler look for a table. Then he zeroed in on her. For one brief second there was no one else in the room as they stared at each other.
Then Renee touched Tyler’s arm to point out an empty table and the moment was lost. Libby was back in Gary’s arms, and all too soon the music stopped.
Libby would have preferred to stay out on the dance floor where she felt safe, but Gary started escorting her back.
“Thank you,” she told him.
“No, thank you.”
Libby looked at their table and saw Bonnie talking to a young woman. Libby recognized her as a clerk who worked at the post office, but pretended never to have seen her before.
“Oh please.” Gary moaned. He leaned closer to Libby. “That’s Liza Kelly. She has no idea what dancing is about. She has two left feet, is tone deaf and likes to sing while she stomps all over my toes.”
“There’s my honeybun,” Bonnie cooed when they approached the table. “Honey, Liza’s been dying to dance with you.”
Gary managed a pained smile. “Sure. Liza?”
The woman, whose complexion could be called pasty at best, brightened up. “I’d love to, Gary.”
“Liza, this is Libby Douglas. She’s taking my place at Miss Regina’s,” Bonnie said. “Libby, this is Liza Kelly.”
“Pleased to meet you,” the woman said shyly.
“C’mon, Liza, let’s burn up that floor.” Gary took her hand and led her out to the dance floor.
Bonnie’s and Libby’s eyes met.
“I know, it’s really mean,” Bonnie said without apology, “but Liza wouldn’t have a chance to dance if Gary didn’t dance with her first. She’s too shy to just go up to a man and ask him to dance like a lot of the single women will do.”
“Did you ever stop to think it might have something to do with her two left feet?”
“Good thing Gary’s wearing his boots.”
The two women laughed.
Libby picked up her glass and sipped the cold brew. She realized if she sat at an angle, she could see Tyler without appearing to watch him.
“Well, well, well.”
Libby looked at Bonnie. “What?”
“It appears you’ve caught someone’s interest.”
Libby shook her head. She doubted anyone would notice her that quickly. “Don’t tell me. He looks like a horse and dances like one, too.”
Bonnie leaned across the table. “Not this one. He’s tall, dark and very good-looking—a prime catch in this town. A lot of women have been trying to reel him in since high school.”
Libby leaned forward in turn. “If he’s that great why is he available?”
“Maybe it’s because the right woman hasn’t thrown her line in the pool yet.” Bonnie’s grin broadened. “And he’s coming this way.”
Libby didn’t have to turn around to know Bonnie was talking about Tyler. Nor did she need an announcement to know he was walking her way.
Every nerve in her body was vibrating more wildly the closer he came.
“So, Teach, are you brave enough to dance with me?”