Sam had to smile.
Once people realized he was short-handed and Vince and Max never appeared, everyone began to speculate. Sam said nothing. Libby had been through enough. The good news was everyone pitched in to help, so breaking down the camp after breakfast went faster than it usually did.
Sam left Libby to finish cleaning up and went to find Caleb. They needed to get the mules loaded, not a job for a novice. He found Big John there, already hard at work.
“I’m glad you made it back safely,” Sam said, relieved, though he knew how well John could take care of himself.
“Libby told you?”
Sam’s hand unconsciously fisted. “She waited till this morning. She figured I had responsibilities here, and you could handle Vince and Max on your own.”
Big John grunted. “Smart woman.”
“I don’t know whether to be pissed off or thankful.”
Big John just looked stoic, as if Sam would eventually figure it out. He thought of what Vince Nolan had tried to do, and his jaw clenched hard.
Sam forced his muscles to relax. “She said you got there before Vince hurt her.”
Big John spat on the ground. “I was watching him. I saw the way he looked at her. When I noticed she was gone and so was he, I followed.”
“I’m damned glad you did. Thanks, John, for looking out for her.” He owed his friend a debt he could never repay. Just thinking of what could have happened made an ache throb in his chest.
“We need to get back,” Big John said. “He could still cause problems.”
Sam nodded. “I’ll round up the rest of the gear. We’ll ride out as soon as you’ve got the mules packed and ready.”
As he headed back to camp, Sam thought again of what Vince Nolan had done, and a shot of anger hit him so hard perspiration rose at the back of his neck.
He wasn’t done with Nolan.
Not by a long shot.
Chapter Twelve
They arrived back at the ranch late that afternoon. Tired, needing a shower and a nap before supper, everyone headed for their cabins. Big John and Caleb tended the animals while Sam strode toward Wolverine Cabin.
Libby hurried to catch up with him. “I don’t see their car,” she said, searching for the older Ford Fusion that had been parked in front. Sam opened the door, which wasn’t locked, and found the cabin empty. He checked the bedroom, looked in the closet, and checked the bathroom.
“Their gear is all gone.”
“Good riddance,” Libby said, her hand touching the scab that had formed on the spot where Vince had pressed his knife against her throat. She suppressed a shiver.
Sam’s gaze went around the empty cabin, and his jaw tightened. “I almost wish they were here.” He urged her back out the door and closed it behind them. “Clara will have supper mostly done. Why don’t you go upstairs and shower, maybe catch a nap?”
She didn’t protest. She was exhausted, and after her fight with Vince, her body ached all over.
“How’s your head?” Sam asked. “You haven’t had any nausea or blurry vision?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“Still have a headache?”
“I took some more Tylenol. That helped. Mostly, I’m just tired.”
“All right, then.” He reached out and touched her cheek. “Go get some rest. I’ll check on you in a while just to make sure you’re all right.”
Libby nodded and hurried toward the house. She was eager to see the kittens, make sure they were okay. Her overnight bag was still packed in one of the mule panniers, but she had plenty of clothes, makeup, and everything else. Funny, she didn’t seem to need all that stuff anymore.
She sighed. She probably shouldn’t get used to not wearing makeup. It was part of her life in the city, an essential part of her job. She’d done magazine ads for Revlon, L’Oreal, Maybelline, all the big cosmetic firms. She felt kind of guilty when she went au natural.
In truth, wearing a little makeup made her feel feminine and pretty. She enjoyed looking pretty, especially for Sam.
Memories stirred of their encounter in his tent, but she forced them away. She thought about Sam way too much. She didn’t want to get hurt, and there was every chance she would if she fell for Sam.
Libby paused as she walked into the kitchen. She must have looked awful—dark circles under her eyes, her hair a rat’s nest, and a bump on her forehead—because Clara hurried over and hugged her.
“You must be exhausted. What in the world did Sam do to you?”
A faint smile touched her lips. Not enough, she thought. “It was a hard trip but mostly good.” Except for Vince Nolan attacking her. “I...umm...hit my head.” She touched the lump on her forehead. “Sam said it would be okay if I went upstairs and took a nap.”
“Oh, honey. Of course it’s okay. I’ve had all day to get supper ready. You just run along now and don’t come down until you’re feeling better.”
“What about the kittens? Are they all okay?”
Clara smiled. “They did just fine. Their box is still in my room if you want to check on them.”
“Thanks, Aunt Clara.” It was the first time Libby had ever called her that, but everyone else did, and in the moment, it felt right.
Libby headed down the hall to check on the kittens, who looked bigger already, and healthy, their gray fur shiny and beginning to fluff out. She didn’t want to wake them, so she continued upstairs, stripped off her dirty clothes, and took a hot shower. As soon as she climbed into bed, she fell asleep.
Morning sunlight streamed through the windows when she awoke. Shocked she had slept through the night, she grabbed her clothes and hurriedly dressed. Glancing out the bedroom window, she spotted a black-and-white SUV parked in front of the house; Eagle County Sheriff was painted on the door.
Dread rolled through her. Libby steeled herself for the conversation ahead, but by the time she got downstairs, the sheriff’s car was driving off toward the gate.
“I’m sorry,” she said as she walked into the kitchen. “I can’t believe I slept so late. I should have set my alarm.” Breakfast was over, everyone gone.
Clara tossed aside the potholder in her hand. “Don’t you worry about it. You needed the rest or you wouldn’t have slept so long. How are you feeling today?”
“Good. No headache.” Libby smiled. “I slept straight through. I feel great this morning.”
“A good night’s sleep can work miracles,” Clara said.