Libby's Fireman Read Free Page A

answer. When the door opened, Libby
was standing in the doorway. She had a pretty little sundress on,
and her hair tied back with a blue ribbon. He smiled at her. “Oh,
I’m sorry, miss. I must be at the wrong house. I’m looking for my
friend Libby. She’s about so high and likes to climb trees. Maybe
you know her.”
    Libby giggled. “I’m Libby! Mommy! Jack’s
here!” Her little head cocked to the side as she looked at Jack.
“What’s in your hand?” She lifted up on her tippy-toes, trying to
peek into the bag in Jack’s hand.
    Jack lifted the bag in his hand and looked
at it. “Hmmm…I don’t know. I wonder where this came from.” He stuck
the bag out to Libby. “Maybe you should look inside and check.”
    Libby took the bag, happily. “Okay!” With a
turn, she darted into the living room and sat down on the floor,
dumping the bag out.
    Jack followed her into the house and shut
the door behind him. He stood in the living room doorway and
watched Libby with a smile on his face.
    Libby squealed and jumped up from the floor.
“Is this for me?” She bounced in front of him, with eyes dancing
with delight and a hopeful grin.
    “Oh, no. That’s for your mommy. I brought
you flowers.” Jack couldn’t resist teasing her a little.
    Libby’s nose turned up. “Mommy doesn’t like
dolls, Jack. And I don’t like flowers. But Mommy does!”
    “Well, then, I suppose I could give the
flowers to your mommy. Do you know someone who would like that
doll? She’s going to need a good home.”
    “Me! Me! I’ll take really good care of
her!”
    Jack nodded. “Okay, then. She’s yours.”
    Tara walked out of the bedroom, then.
“What’s all the squealing going on out here?” She smiled at Jack
and looked down at Libby.
    “Jack brought you a doll, Mommy and he
brought me flowers. But I told him you don’t like dolls, so we
traded.” Libby beamed at her mom.
    Jack chuckled and held the flowers out to
Tara. “Here you go. So, no dolls, huh?”
    Tara laughed with him and shook her head.
“I’d rather have flowers. Thank you.” She took the flowers from
Jack. “They’re beautiful. I’ll go find a vase.” She disappeared
into the kitchen, returning a few minutes later.
    “Are we ready to go?” Jack asked, looking
between Tara and Libby.
    Libby was on the floor, tearing into the
doll’s packaging, bound and determined to get her out. “I’m hungry.
Mommy wouldn’t let me have a snack. She said I’d spoil my dinner.”
She popped up from the floor and looked down at the doll's package,
half opened.
    Jack noticed where Libby was looking and
crouched down in front of Libby. “When we get back, I’ll help you
get your doll, okay?”
    Libby nodded, smiling at Jack. “Okay.” She
slid her arms around Jack’s neck and he stood up with his arm
around her waist. “C’mon, Mommy. Jack’s taking us to eat
dinner.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Tara’s heart did a little flip seeing Libby
and Jack so comfortable with each other. She shook herself out of
her awww moment and smiled. “I’m ready. Let me grab my
purse.” She picked up the purse that was hanging over the back of
one of the dining room chairs.
    The three of them walked out the front door
and over to Jack’s truck. After getting everyone settled, Jack
climbed in the driver’s side and started the engine. He backed out
of the driveway, steering the truck toward the pizza shop up the
road. He’d debated on where to take the girls for dinner, finally
settling on pizza. He figured it was a safe bet that Libby would
eat either pizza or spaghetti, while he and Tara could split a
pizza.
    Dinner was full of laughter and good food.
Libby ate more pizza than any little girl Jack had ever seen. She
looked so adorable with the napkin tucked under her chin, Jack
couldn’t help but take a picture of her with his cell. He couldn’t
wait to show everyone at work the next day. I’m acting like
she’s mine, he realized. Now, he understood why the fathers