The Apartment

by Layne and Atonia

Libby, Richie, and Miss Peeg

Libby marched determinedly down the street toward Richie Roberts' office. Miss Peeg had told her about the apartment for rent over the office, and she was determined to find a place that she could call home. The bed and breakfast was nice, but it was too small, and there was no place to put the things that she needed to have brought up from her parents' home in Sydney.

Libby was still bothered over Dan Evans and what had happened between them after the Wade wedding, but she'd decided there was nothing she could do now. She needed to get on with other areas of her life and, hopefully, that one would either sort itself out or go away. Right now, she wasn't sure which one she'd rather have happen.

Opening the office door, she went in, trying to smile and be friendly, in spite of everything on her mind.

Miss Peeg looked up from the keyboard her glasses perched on the end of her nose, "Good morning Libby, how are you dear?"

Richie was at the coffee pot again his mind worrying over things that were fact and suspicion with a case he was working on. He glanced through to Miss Peeg's office and saw Libby come in. Walking cup in hand he wandered out.

"Hi Libby what's up?"

Libby tried to get her mind off Dan and put on a smile. "Well, I'm not sure which one of you I need to talk with-" She looked at Richie and Miss Peeg in turn. "-but I was interested in looking at the apartment upstairs."

"Oh good...I'll show it to you," Richie said going to the box and pulling out keys, "I need a break anyway." he led the way to the door that opened onto the street and up the stairs.

"There are two sets of keys one for the street door and one for the apartment," Richie unlocked the apartment door and stood back for Libby to enter. "Two bedrooms...one is kinda small...kitchen...living area and dining room combo so have a look around." Richie walked over and leaned against the bar that separated the kitchen and living area.

Libby looked a little startled at mention of the keys. "A key to the street door? You mean, your office? I'm not sure I'd want one for that. I mean, what if it were broken into or something, and there I am with a key?"

"As far as the bedrooms, I don't mind a smaller one. It would just be me, so I'd probably use the second one as a kind of office or something. Keep my laptop and books-things like that-in it."

As she checked out the apartment, Libby was aware she was chattering, but she couldn't seem to help it. "How's your wife doing, Mr. Roberts?"

Richie smiled, "oh no I won't be giving you a key to my office, I'm talking about the door at the foot of the steps that opens onto the sidewalk," Richie was married but he wasn't dead she was cute and blond and nervous.

"Toni's fine she's taken Mike to Coff's for a pair of boots so I came in to the office this morning to get a few things done." He shifted slightly on the counter, "so how's the news business...keeping you busy?"

"Constantly." Libby grinned. Talking about work was something she felt comfortable with. "When I came here, I never dreamed there'd be so much going on in such a small place!"

Being a good reporter, Libby had to wonder if there was anything to find out for the paper from Richie. "You have any news we should know about? Any interesting cases going on right now?"

"Nothing I could discuss work wise, I did hear something about some townhouses going up across the village square. I'm not sure anything is finalized yet...if they're built they will be nice...pricey. Probably a good thing since we seem to have so many single people moving in.I've been contacted about doing a title search...that's all I can say." He smiled crossing his arms."I had no idea this place would grow like it has when we moved here there was only Millie's"

"Really? Townhouses?" Libby made herself a mental note to find out about those and write it up for the paper. Anything to do with real estate was always news in the Glen at the rate people were moving in.

"Guess they're looking for single people with really great jobs!" She grinned at Richie. "Cal and Colleen aren't exactly paying me peanuts, but I can't afford a townhouse on my own either! Speaking of which, what are the terms on this place?"

"Very reasonable," Richie handed her a sheet he had printed up, "that includes gas, electric and water, there's a dumpster out back and you could use it for household trash. Plus you would be right in the center of things here on the main street...good place for a reporter." Richie smiled to himself he sounded like a real estate broker."I'd have no problem with a roommate if you wanted one," he added.

A quick image of Dan Evans flashed through Libby's mind again, but she squashed it immediately. Apparently, he was determined to have nothing to do with her. Besides, a little two-bedroom apartment over someone else's office wouldn't be his kind of place anyway. He obviously had money and would be more used to someplace like the Wades' house.

Hoping she wasn't showing any of what she was feeling, Libby smiled. "Nope. Just me. Abby, the other new reporter, and I had talked about sharing once, but I don't think that's gonna happen. Besides, I got used to sharing with college roommates. Might be nice to be totally on my own for a change!"

"I can understand that the Marine's took care of any desire I ever had for sharing space...except for Toni of course," he smiled "Well what do ya think ready to move in?" While she mulled it over he was trying to remember who he saw her with at the wedding...Travis...no couldn't be him...Dan Evans...ah hah.

She felt more than ready to move in but, jokingly, Libby said, "Well- I don't know- You think I should have a lawyer look this lease over for me first?"

Richie grinned, "I know just the one and he can have the lease ready in a few minutes...if you're ready."

"Sounds great!" Libby was enthusiastic. She actually had a place to move into now!

Richie was happy for her, "All right lets go get Miss Peeg to bring out a lease and you can sign on the dotted line and its yours." He moved toward the door and stopped to let her go ahead of him. "You can move in when you wish."

Well, at least she had one thing to be happy about now, Libby thought, as they went back down the stairs. A new home to move into. She had to see about getting her stuff sent up from her parents' house. She couldn't wait to let Abby know about this!