allowed her to push aside mourning for her father, her three miscarriages, and her divorce.
“Well, welcome back to Bluestone,” she said. “I’m Molly.”
“Good to meet you, Molly.”
“Did your husband move back too? Someone told me you were expecting.”
The baby question still came up. When she and Jeremy had announced to the world that they were trying to get pregnant, the hunt for the emerging baby bump had begun. Each time she took a drink of wine, people noticed. When she did not drink, they noticed. When her first home pregnancy test had come back positive, Jeremy had bought a pint-size Nationals T-shirt. She had found the tiny shirt weeks after the first miscarriage.
“I’m afraid I don’t have the husband any longer,” Libby said. “No children. I’m going solo these days.” Challenge seeped out through the words.
“Good for you.” Molly nodded slowly, as if realizing her information on Libby was outdated. “Bless your heart.”
In the South, that phrase basically translated into “I pity your ass.” Libby kept smiling as she returned to taking pictures of the bridal party.
The next two hours moved quickly. She spotted Colton with his mother and two little boys who looked like mini versions of him. She guessed the kids were his—and about five and six. She was disappointed to think that there was a wife likely lurking among the guests.
She continued shooting, capturing a picture of Ginger feeding cake to her groom and then later snapping images of the groom dancing with his mother as Colton danced with his mother.
As the guests danced to “Y.M.C.A.,” Libby checked her list of must-have shots. Confirming they were all filled for now, she made herself a plate and slipped outside to the porch. The rain had stopped, but the air remained thick and hot. In the distance, mist rose up on the river as the sun peeked around the edge of a gray puffed cloud. It was an eerily beautiful sight that reminded her why this area was gaining popularity with out-of-town folks.
She watched as, in the distance, Colton strode into a large barn and seconds later drove out in a burgundy Model T car. Smoothly shifting gears, he pulled up in front of the steps. There was something about a man who could drive a standard. The engine rumbled, and the hood shook a little as he shut off the engine. On the back was a large sign that read JUST MARRIED.
Libby caught Colton’s eye as he came around the front of the car. “I haven’t had a chance to thank you yet. You were a lifesaver.”
“Glad to help.”
“Nice getaway car,” she said.
He had changed into jeans and a white shirt. His black hair was slicked back and damp from the earlier rain. “The car is part of the estate. There are several more vintage cars in the garage. How much longer before the big send-off?”
“Twenty minutes.”
“Great. I’ll be right back. Forgot to tie the cans to the back.”
“You’re going all out.”
“Big day for my big sister.”
She was smiling as she watched him jog off and did not notice anyone approaching until she heard, “Libby?”
The familiar deep voice had her turning her head toward the set of wide stairs. Her ex-husband, Jeremy, approached her, his smile a little sheepish.
“Jeremy? What are you doing here?” The half-whispered words were tinged with curiosity and dread.
“I went by your house. Your neighbor said you were shooting a wedding here. I took a chance you might have a break.”
Jeremy was an inch shorter than her. He had an athletic build that he kept lean by running and lifting weights several times a week. His light hair was starting to thin a little, and the frown lines around his mouth and brown eyes were deeper.
She almost leaned in to kiss him, but she caught herself. Their divorce had been civil enough, but divorce was divorce.
“I wanted to bring you some of your things you left behind in the Dale City house. I’m cleaning out the spare room and painting it and came across these.”
The spare room had been earmarked as the nursery. Made sense now to turn it into something more practical. When she had moved out of the trilevel in Dale City, he had bought her out. The cash had sustained her through the temporary move to Richmond and helped her purchase faster computers and more camera lenses.
“Getting that home office you always wanted?” she asked.
He shrugged and dropped his gaze to his hands and his naked ring finger. “I’m getting married