Page 31 of Rock and a Hard Place

“You think?” Libby nibbled at her lip. She wanted him to love it as much as she did.

“Yeah.” He touched the tip of her nose with his. “Where’d you get it?”

“My mom gave it to me after a trip she and my dad took.” She liked how the leather cord lay against Peter’s skin.

Peter sighed, his tone serious. “Oh, Libby, are you sure?” His eyes searched hers. “It’s too important.”

“If you don’t want it, that’s okay, but if you do, I’d love for you to have it. I don’t think it’s very girly—I think it was actually meant for a guy—but Mom and I thought it was cool.”

“Yes, I want it.” He closed his hand over hers. “And it isn’t girly at all. I wondered why you always wore it.”

Libby squeezed his hand, glad to share this connection.

Her mom would have liked him a lot.

“Help me.” Peter leaned close.

She placed the thin leather cord around his neck and attached the clasp, then stood back. Satisfied, she nodded. “I like it.” Her neck felt bare without it, but on Peter the pendant looked perfect, as if created for him alone.

Peter touched the carving against his skin. “Me too.” He leaned down and kissed her, sending little thrills through her body.

They left the river behind and meandered down Main Street, his arm slung over her shoulder, and her head resting against him.

“The town is so quiet. Where is everybody on a Friday night?”

“At the football game. The town practically shuts down for Friday night football.”

“Would you rather go to the game?”

“No way. Those people mean nothing to me. Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting recognized. Everyone under the age of forty is at the game.”

“Why don’t they mean anything to you?”

“I wasn’t born and raised here, and my aunt is a total wack job, so that doesn’t help. They know about my family.” She stopped talking for a minute. Peter looked down ather, his face sincere. “They don’t know the details, just that Mom died and Dad left me here.”

Talking about her family hurt. She missed them so much. Her throat tightened.

“Hey, you’re not alone anymore. Okay?” He stopped, his eyes focused on hers.

“Okay.” They began walking again. Peter put his arm around her and held her close.

She slid her arm around his waist and hooked her thumb in the edge of his back pocket. It felt nice to belong again.

After the movie, Peter drove them back toward the stifling farmhouse. His gut ached thinking of leaving Libby with her aunt who apparently drank all day.

“Are you sure you’re okay there?”

“It’s fine. I’m used to it.” She sighed.

“Well, I’ve been thinking… Actually, there are two things. First, I think we need to get you out of here.” There, he’d said it.

“What are you talking about?” She sat upright and stared at him through the dark.

“It’s terrible for you here. You have no ties to anything except your psycho aunt. She sounds like bad news, and honestly, I’m surprised your dad would leave you with her.”

Libby sat silent and contemplated his words. He knew they struck close to home.

“I’m sorry, that was cruel. I’m sure your dad did what he thought best.” Peter couldn’t imagine how a father could leave his own daughter. If he ever lost Libby, he’d go insane.

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