What Goes on Tour(56)

"George tells me Piper Atkinson's interview with Emily was your work."  Adrian kept his eyes on hers and spoke quietly, almost as if he were  trying not to spook her.

"I asked Piper to talk to her, that's all."

Adrian took a small step forward. "The statement you wrote really impressed the judge."

Libby looked away. So he knew about her statement. She had poured out  her heart in that document. Had he understood what she hadn't said  –   that she loved him too? She swallowed. "I'm glad it helped," she  whispered. She couldn't look at him, she couldn't get her hopes up that  he might feel the same way about her. If she looked up and saw nothing  in his eyes, it would shatter her.

"It helped in a number of ways." He moved closer. "It helped convince  the judge that I cared for Kate, it helped convince Susan that I wasn't a  womanizer and it showed me what an utter fool I've been."                       
       
           



       

Libby's breath hitched but still she couldn't face him. His hand came up  and gently lifted her head. She met his eyes. They were earnest.

"I've treated you so badly," he said. "I was so scared of my feelings  for you and of losing Kate that I couldn't see anything else. I pushed  you away rather than face my fears."

Tears sprang to her eyes.

He lifted his thumb and wiped them away. "I'm sorry, Libby."

He still hadn't said how he felt. Dare she ask him? "Sorry for what?"

"Sorry for not believing in you, sorry for pushing you away, sorry for not telling you how much I love you."

She'd promised herself she wouldn't love again.

But she hadn't really stopped loving him.

The tears flowed over and she asked, "Do you really?"

Adrian pulled her close, hugging her to him, the dampness of his clothes  seeping into hers. "Yes, I do. I love you so much it hurts."

Libby hesitated.

Adrian stepped back, searching her face. "Your phone message gave me the  courage to confront my father. You were right, I was letting my  childhood rule me. I want to change."

Libby had heard all she needed to hear. She threw her arms around him  and kissed him. His scent filled her mind and his taste filled her body.

He broke away, his eyes hopeful. "Does this mean you forgive me?"

Libby laughed. "Of course." Her heart was so big she thought it might explode. "I love you too much not to."

"Thank God," Adrian breathed and pulled her back into his arms, kissing her like his life depended on it.

Libby's mind emptied and she clung on as she lost her heart all over again.

Finally he pulled away and took a small box out of his jacket pocket.

Libby stared at him.

He grinned at her, the lighthearted, mischievous grin she'd missed. He  opened the box to show her a diamond ring and took one of her hands.  "Libby Myles, will you marry me?"

Libby's free hand went to her mouth. She'd never expected this.

"I don't want to lose you again. These past few weeks have been hell."  He paused. "You know I come as part of a package. Kate is part of my  life and she loves you almost as much as I do."

"Yes."

Adrian widened his eyes. "Yes, you know, or yes, you will?"

Libby laughed, excitement, relief and love bubbling out of her. "Yes to both."

"Alright!" Adrian picked up Libby and spun her around before pulling the ring out and slipping it onto her finger.





Epilogue




Libby couldn't prevent the tingle of nerves thrumming through her body  as they pulled up in front of Adrian's house. It was a red brick house  with a high-pitched roof and a big wooden front door. The garden beds  out the front were full of flowers and it looked like a family home.  Kate would be inside waiting with her Aunt Susan.

"This is home," Adrian said as he turned to her, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.

She realized he was just as nervous as she was. "It looks lovely."

As they got out of the car, Kate's voice could be heard from inside. "They're here!"

Libby and Adrian shared a grin and seconds later Kate raced out of the  door toward them. "You're home!" She flung her arms around both of them.

Libby closed her eyes as she hugged Kate back. With that kind of welcome, it did feel like home.

"Come on." Kate broke away, grabbed their hands and started pulling them toward the house.

"We need to get the bags, kiddo," Adrian protested.

"They can wait," Kate said, not looking back.

Amused, they followed her into the house and into the lounge room.

"Surprise!" Kate yelled.

Libby's mouth dropped open at the room full of people and the homemade banner that said, "Welcome Home, Libby."

She scanned the faces and recognized George and next to him  –

"Piper!"

Libby's best friend grinned at her. "You didn't think I was going to miss this, did you?"

Next to Piper were Piper's parents and one of her brothers.

"We thought you might feel more at home if there were some familiar faces here," Adrian murmured to her.

"You knew about this?" she asked, turning to him.

He nodded, his eyes a little unsure as to whether she was happy.

Libby flung her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on the mouth while the others in the room cheered.

Adrian made the rest of the introductions. There was Aunt Susan, who  wasn't the uptight, prim and proper woman she was expecting. She greeted  Libby with a hug. "It's lovely to finally meet you." Susan introduced  her husband and children. Then Libby met Kate's grandparents and  George's parents, Hank and Marla, and one of his sisters, Isla.                       
       
           



       

Libby was overwhelmed as around her people chatted, each person wanting  to greet her and welcome her to Houston. Isla gave her a big hug. "I'm  so glad Adrian finally found someone to make him happy. Welcome to our  family."

Tears sprang to Libby's eyes. These people didn't know her, but they accepted her as she was.

Adrian walked over and put his arm around Libby. "I hope you're not upsetting my fiancée, Isla," he said, his tone light.

Libby shook her head, unable to speak.

"I was just welcoming her to the family," Isla said and smiled at him.

Adrian pulled Libby toward him, his eyes full of understanding. "It  takes a bit of getting used to, but they're your family now too."

Libby's heart swelled and she kissed him.

She was home.





Acknowledgments




This book wouldn't be what it is without the help of many people.  Firstly to my critique group both past and present; Anna, Teena,  Lorraine, Susy, Juanita and Leonie. Thank you for your insightful  critique, constant encouragement and good humor. Our meetings always  revitalize me.



To the people who helped me with the research for this book: Carla,  Rania, Rob, Nicki, Sarah and the members of ROMAUS. Thank you for taking  the time to answer my questions. Any mistakes are my own and for the  good of the story.



To the 2013 RWA conference team for their encouragement and support.  Particular thanks must go to Jennie who did such a great job reading out  my manuscript at the submission panel that Joel requested it.



Finally to the wonderful team at Momentum  –  Joel, Mark, Patrick, and  Tara, as well as my editor, Elizabeth, and cover artist, Jon. Thank you  for taking the chance on a first-time author, for your patience in  explaining the publishing process to me and for helping me make my book  shine.