Loving Miss Libby by Rosemarie Naramore Page A

up.  “I guess
I’m just feeling tired.”
    “Taking care of children is a tough job.”
    “Yes, but they are great kids,” she said.  “I love
them.”
    “And their father…?”
    “Mom!” 
    “Well?”
    Libby refused to answer.  She was mortified to admit
it, but yes, she had feelings for him. 
    “I’ll take your silence as confirmation,” her mother
teased. 
    Libby paused for a moment, and finally said, “I’d be
lying if I said I wasn’t attracted to him.  He’s a wonderful father and seems
like a terrific Christian man, but…”
    “What is it?”
    “I guess he broke up with a former girlfriend, but
it’s apparent he still has feelings for her.  He’s constantly on the phone with
her and she still stops by the house on occasion.”
    “Have you met her?”
    “No, I haven’t.”  She gave a self-deprecating. 
“Mom, it doesn’t matter.  I’m the babysitter.  Dan doesn’t see me as a
potential love interest, and the truth is, I’m not looking for a relationship. 
After what Tate put me through, I’m just not ready to give my heart away.”
    “I understand.  How much longer will you be
babysitting?  Aren’t you nearly done?”
    She sighed.  “Well, Doctor Mason isn’t coming back
to work until the end of summer.  His wife called me yesterday and told me.  He
really does deserve a break.  I can’t even recall him ever taking a real
vacation.”
    “He provides the bulk of your work, right?”
    “That’s right.  Right now, I’m earning less than
half of what I had been when Doctor Mason was still working.  The other two
doctors are doing their best to keep me afloat, but it’s not enough.  I need
the money from babysitting to make ends meet.”
    “You should have taken Dan’s mother up on her offer
to pad your pay,” she said chuckling.  “How’s her husband doing, by the way?”
    “I haven’t heard anything lately.  Originally I was
told they were taking three weeks off from babysitting, so that means they’ll
be back on the job Monday.”
    She gasped.  “This coming Monday.”
    “Yes.”
    “So you may be looking for a job.”
    “I may.”
    “If there’s anything I can do, will you let me
know?”
    “Yes, Mom.  And thank you.”
    “Oh, Libby, I did call for a reason.  Honey, I know
this is short notice, but your sister just surprised me by coming home
unannounced.  She plans on staying for the weekend.  We’re contemplating taking
a drive along the coast.  We were hoping you could join us.”
    Libby considered the offer.  Her mother only lived
an hour away, so getting there wasn’t a problem.  “Mom, that sounds…” 
    She suddenly heard a beeping sound in her ear,
indicating a call waiting.  “Mom, I have another call.  Can you hold on a
second…?”
    “Sure.”
    Libby switched calls.  “Hello.”
    “Libby!”
    “Yes?”
    “It’s me, Dan’s Mom.  I just wanted to call and
check in with you.  It happens I just spoke to my friend … Doc Mason’s wife… 
Anyway, she tells me he’s taking the whole summer off from work.”
    “I’m afraid so,” Libby answered.
    “I’m sorry.  I know that puts you in a tough spot.”
    “Thank you, but I’ll be fine.  I’ll probably start
looking for work Monday.  I know you plan on resuming watching the kids then.”
    Libby sensed her hesitation.  “That’s why I’m
calling actually.  I haven’t spoken to Dan yet, but I’m afraid my husband’s
surgeon has decided it’s time for his surgery.  He’s scheduled to have the
aneurysm repair on Tuesday.”
    “This Tuesday?”
    “Yes.”  She drew silent and once again, Libby sensed
her hesitation.  “Libby, I hope I’m not overstepping, but do you think you
could postpone your job search and continue watching the kids for awhile?  The
surgeon assures me that Luther will make a relatively quick recovery.  I’m
fairly confident we should be able to resume watching the kids within a month
or
so.  I just hate the idea