Rock and a Hard Place - By Angie Stanton Page 0,78
wait to hear more about your darling boys. I have experience on how to handle three head strong youngsters.”
“What’s that?” DarLynn asked. “Put ‘em in a band?”
“Exactly.”
While the women chatted like old friends, she and Peter filed their plates. They huddled together at the granite counter and ate.
She had never expected to see him again, and sitting so close was a fantasy come true. He seemed to agree as he picked that moment to kiss her. She knew their time would go fast and parting wouldn’t be easy.
They spent the day hiking beautiful Granite Peak just outside of Denver. Roger found a trail off the beaten path, free from hoards of hikers. Thankfuly he stayed in the parking lot so Libby and Peter could spend the day alone.
It took a couple hours to hike to the top of what seemed like a mountain, but was probably just a bluff or foothil by Colorado standards. Surrounded by the scent of pine and a light breeze, the outside world fel away as if only they existed. Huge outcroppings of rocks, sprinkled with occasional brush and trees covered the peak. They sprawled against a warm boulder and enjoyed a spectacular view of the nearby mountains. Libby lifted her water bottle, took a long drink, then passed it to Peter. He offered a bag of GORP in return.
A strong August breeze cooled their warm skin. Libby leaned back and turned her head to Peter. He wore his basebal cap backwards, presenting his devilishly handsome face. She could stare at him forever.
“What are you looking at?” His bright eyes seemed to smirk.
“You. I can’t believe this is happening. I never dreamt I’d see you again.” She meant it. Life had been so cruel. Reuniting wasn’t something she ever expected.
“Al this time apart and you didn’t even dream about me?” he teased.
“Stop it. You can’t be that dumb.” She took his hand and laced her fingers with his.
“I never stopped thinking about you.” He kissed the top of her hand.
“Realy?” She couldn’t believe he cared so much. How could she be this lucky?
“Realy.” He said.
“So tel me about your dreams?” Libby wanted to know everything.
“Now that I have you, there’s not much left.” She snuggled closer. “Realy, I want to know. You’ve accomplished so much, more than most people do in a lifetime. You can’t be done dreaming at eighteen. That would be tragic.”
“Let’s see, where do I begin?” He shifted to a more comfortable position with Libby’s back against his chest, his arms wrapped comfortably around her. “Our last album went platinum in a week and our upcoming tour sold out in minutes. That’s al great, but I want to write the kind of music that lives on for decades. I’d like to move people with the power of my lyrics and music.” Libby lay against him, the sun beat down on their bodies as his breath tickled her neck like a feather.
“Then I’d like to take al the success I’ve enjoyed and do something realy good with it. I’d like to help kids and sick people.” She listened to the low timber of his voice, feeling it vibrate in his chest as she rested against him. He would do al these things.
She knew he would.
“I’d also like to get my own place. You know, travel when I want to and not necessarily with my family. I love them, but it’s time to grow up and live my life. At least as much as possible.” She contemplated al he said. Reality began to seep into their perfect world.
“And what about you?” He nipped the edge of her ear. “I’ve been blabbing away. Now that you’re legaly independent, what do you want to do with your life, besides hang out with me?” He caressed her palm with his thumb.
She’d been plotting and planning for months and it seemed everything clicked al at once. “First I want to go to school and become a graphic artist. I’ve been drawing ever since my Mom gave me my first box of crayons. It’s the one thing I’ve always loved. I’d never make much money as a regular artist, but as a graphic artist I could always take care of myself.” Peter rested his chin in the nook of her neck. “I’l take care of you now.”
She nestled in. “That’s sweet, but I’ve left my fate to others too many times and it didn’t work out, to say the least. I won’t ever do that again. Now I need to