Loving Miss Libby Read Online Free Page B

direction.
    “Oh, he’s a good boy,” Libby said, smiling at Kate
now.
    “Oh, I know,” she said.  “He just gets on my last
nerve sometimes.”
    “It’s what brothers and sisters do,” Libby assured
her.
    “Do you have a brother?” Kate asked.
    “No, but I have a sister.  She’s several years older
than me, and we also fought sometimes, but we’re really close today.”  She
paused.  “Hey, honey, will you be all right for a moment if I go check on a few
things in my office?”
    “Oh, that’s right.  Somebody told us you work from
home.”
    She nodded.  “I do.  I’m not going to work today
since it’s a weekend day, but I do have to send a quick fax.  I won’t be long.”
    Kate nodded.  “I’ll be all right.”
    Libby hurried to send the fax, and upon her return,
found Kate sleeping too.  The little girl had snuggled against the side of the
couch, her head tipped against the arm.  Her throw blanket had fallen on the
floor.  Libby scooped it up and covered her. 
    She stood for a moment, watching the little girl’s
sweet face in repose.  Like her brother, she was absolutely adorable, with her
freckled face and upturned nose.  Both had strawberry blond hair.  She realized
that they must take after their mother, since their father’s hair was much
darker.
    She sighed.  How sad these children had lost their
mother.  It had been so difficult for her losing her own father.  Was it
equally horrible to lose a mother?  Or perhaps even worse?  Who but a mother
could show a child, well—a mother’s love?
    Libby left the family room and returned to her
laundry room.  She started a load in the washer, pulled a load from the dryer,
and walked quietly to her bedroom.  She began folding the laundry, and then put
the items away.  Once done, she did some light cleaning in her guest bathroom,
and then followed by heading to her home office, where she checked her computer
for personal emails.  After replying to those that required responses, she rose
from her chair.  She wondered how long the children would sleep. 
    Suddenly, she registered the sound of her doorbell. 
She dashed out of the room and hurried to the door.  Flinging it open, she
hoped to stop the visitor from ringing a second time.  She doubted the kids
would sleep through it.
    She found Dan standing on the small front porch,
dressed in his uniform, and looking tired.  He smiled.  “Hi.  I’m sorry I’m so
late.”
    Libby gave a dismissive wave and stepped aside,
indicating to him to come inside.  She held a finger to her lips, gesturing for
him to be quiet.  He walked into the foyer and she closed the door behind him. 
    “The kids are sleeping,” she whispered.  “We had a
busy day.”
    He nodded.  “I’m sure they’re tired.  We got up
early this morning, since we had plans to spend the day together. 
Unfortunately, I got the call into work.”
    “Were you called out to a bad crash?” she asked him.
    He nodded.  “I’m afraid so.”  He gave her a
speculative glance.  “The kids told you about my job?”
    “Yes.”
    He nodded again and gave a weary sigh.  “I’ve been
doing this particular job for almost four years.  In a few months, I’ll be going
out of the unit and I’ll be handing over my pager.”
    “I imagine it’s difficult—being on call, when you
have small children.”
    “It is.  Inevitably, I’m called out when we have
plans.”
    “Do you get called out a lot at nighttime?”
    “Yes.  More than I’d like.”
    She considered his words.  She wondered who watched
the kids when he was called out.  It was as if he’d read her mind, since he
responded.  “My folks don’t live too far from here.  When I’m called out at
night, either my mom comes here or I take the kids over there.”
    “It must be nice having your parents so close.”
    “It is,” he said.  “But I’m afraid they won’t be at
my beck and call much longer,” he added wearily.  She wondered why,