Chapter Thirteen

Once Libby moved into the pool house, she rode in to school with Tully and the kids most mornings, then caught the streetcar to work. Things had changed after that day in Tully’s office: Libby approached Tully more easily with different concerns, and Tully reciprocated.

Every evening except the two nights Libby had class, they walked and discussed whatever came to mind, if she didn’t need help with her homework. Other than the one night a week that Jessica spent with Bailey and Ralph, taking them out to eat and then dropping them off without getting out of the car, Libby had time to get to know the kids when they helped her cook dinner.

While Tully never replaced the dining room furniture and other pieces Jessica had taken, she did move into the guest room to sleep. Initiating other changes, Bailey and Ralph had set a new rule that Tully was happy to go along with: from six to eight every night no one would work. As a family they’d taken up biking, and when Tully bought Libby a bike, she joined them.

Tully was sure pedaling around the neighborhood would kill her, just as she’d thought walking with Libby would. But with every mile they covered, she began to discover her lost stamina as well as a closer relationship with the kids. What she was having a harder time ignoring was just how big a part Libby had become in all their lives. She knew instinctively that no matter what, Libby would never turn her back on Bailey and Ralph and the bond they’d formed, but something much larger did make her fear for the future.

No matter what Jessica thought about her being an idiot when it came to feelings and what it took to be an exciting partner, Tully was smart enough to know just how wonderful Libby was. Libby’s life had been more than difficult, but she’d come through it with an incredible insight into people and a rosy outlook on the future. It was only a matter of time before those attributes, along with her beauty, would attract someone’s attention and she’d move on to the kind of relationship she deserved in order to be happy.

The day that happened, Tully was sure that the pain of losing Jessica would pale in comparison to watching Libby fall in love with someone else.

“Can I tell you something without sounding rude?” Libby asked Tully after they had dropped the kids off at school. During the ride, she usually read something for school and Tully talked on the phone with Roxanne, but today Libby caught her before she could dial.

“Sure, what’s on your mind?”

“Those pants look horrible on you.”

Tully whipped her head around and stared at her. “Excuse me?”

“You’ve lost a lot of weight. You have to have noticed that your pants are getting baggy.” When Tully stared at her until the light turned green and the driver behind them sat on his horn, Libby started to get nervous. “Never mind. Forget I said anything.”

“No. What else about me needs fixing?”

“New pants, new shirts, and new suits are a reward, not something that has to be fixed about you, Tully.”

“Shopping for new clothes is more of a penance than a reward,” Tully said, and visibly shivered.

“I’ll make you a deal.”

“Our last deal involved a lot of exercise, sweat, and giving up cigarettes.”

Libby laughed and leaned closer in. “That was a bet, not a deal.”

“There’s a difference?”

“Of course. Finish up early today, and I’ll take you shopping and help you get some new things.”

“You’re buying me some clothes?”

She pinched Tully’s side. “As if I could afford them, even if I don’t pay rent. No, I’m picking things out and you’re paying. I’ll be your personal shopper.”

“I see.” Tully grabbed Libby’s hand before she could pinch her again, and didn’t let go. “And what’s this service going to cost me?”

“Dinner at Le Jardin.” And one of the most romantic restaurants in the city, so hopefully the candlelight will make you notice I’m alive. Libby kept that thought to herself. “You know you want to, and the kids are having dinner with Jessica tonight so you don’t have an excuse.”

“Sure,” Tully said, blushing when her voice cracked on the word.

That afternoon the salesman at Brooks Brothers smiled broadly when Libby handed him Tully’s suit and pointed to a few more things for him to bring in to Tully, who was busy complaining in the dressing room. Unless she wanted to stroll out of the mall in her underwear, Tully would have to try on everything Libby picked out.

“How about this one?” He held up a navy pin-striped suit. “It should fit perfectly to wear out.”

“Good. She has a dinner date after this,” Libby said, loud enough for Tully to hear.

“Is this the last one?” A slimmed-down, tailored Tully stepped out.

As Libby looked her up and down, she was sure her feelings were written all over her face. This new Tully was a walking fantasy. Not that Libby hadn’t found her attractive before, but the weight loss had taken years off her face.

“Wow.” Libby couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“We’ll take all of it, I guess,” Tully told the hovering employee, who clapped his hands. “Come on, personal shopper, let’s take these to the car.” She bent her arm and offered her elbow to Libby.

After stowing their purchases they strolled through the French Quarter, since it was too early for dinner. When they were close enough Tully recommended the bar at the Bella Luna restaurant, and Libby agreed. Located in a large veranda to the side of the restaurant, it had a perfect view of the river. People talked softly and listened to the three-piece jazz band playing slow songs for their enjoyment.

“I’ve never been here,” Libby said after Tully handed her a glass of wine. The women at the table next to her had kept their eyes glued on Tully the whole time she’d been at the bar, and Libby was about to throw peanuts at them to make them stop.

“We’re breaking new ground together, then, because I’ve never been here either.” Tully sat next to her, her back to her admirers. The band swung into a familiar piece. “Do you dance, Ms. Dexter?” She put her drink down and held her hand out.

“Not well, but I think I can handle the slow ones.”

Libby followed Tully’s lead and spent the next four songs enjoying the feel of Tully’s arms around her and the sound of her heart beating. They swayed in place for the next song, still not talking as they watched the sun make its final descent.

“Your table’s ready, Ms. Badeaux,” said the host, sounding almost loath to disturb them.

“Thank you.” Without losing contact Tully stepped back a little so she could see Libby’s face. “How about dinner here, and I’ll take you to Le Jardin next week?”

Libby nodded and had to rein in the temptation to kiss her.

They fell into a more comfortable and normal conversation at the table, but as they walked back to the car Libby was sure of one thing. That night, both of them bathed in candlelight and enjoying good food, she had seen something new in Tully’s gray eyes—a little wanting and a lot of fear, which gave her enough hope to try.

When they arrived home, she helped Tully carry everything in from the car, then they walked together to the pool house. Tully kissed her forehead as they stood at the door and waited until she had let herself in locked up. But Libby didn’t move once the dead bolt slid into place. She wanted to watch through the French doors as Tully walked to the back door of her house, and was ready to come out again if she turned around.

“You might not be ready yet, but don’t run from me, Tully,” she whispered.

Tully made it to the house without turning back. With the summer break approaching for Bailey, Ralph, and Libby, and the information gathering for the Hebert case coming to an end, she was ready to draw her line in the sand. After only three short months she felt like a new person, ready to face her demons or slay them, depending on how others interpreted her actions.

With all she had going on, the one thing she strove for above all else was willpower. Young women like Libby didn’t fall in love with single parents in their forties, so Tully was determined to control her feelings. Libby deserved someone young and full of life to build a future with, not a cradle robber.

But Libby made it hard. Those blue eyes just about did Tully in every time Libby turned them her way.

“Be strong, Tully, or you’ll lose a good friend,” she said to herself.