“You could have a concussion. Any blurred vision? Anything like that?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“We’ll get you checked out as soon as we get home.”
She touched her forehead. “It hurts, but I don’t think I hit him hard enough to do any real damage. I think I might have helped Big John a little, kind of gave him an opening, so I guess itwas worth it.”
Sam’s jaw clenched. “Vince Nolan assaulted you. You have the right to press charges. Is that what you want to do?”
“No. Oh, God no, Sam. Please. I don’t want to talk to the sheriff. I only have a short time left here. I don’t want to spoil it.”
He swallowed, pulled her close. “A guy named Glen Carver is the Eagle County sheriff. He plays things close to the vest. I’ll let him know what happened. Glen can check on Nolan. If Nolan tried that with you, maybe he’s done it to someone else. There may even be some kind of warrant for his arrest.”
Libby glanced away.
Sam didn’t push it. They still had to get back home. “In the meantime, I’ve got some things I need to take care of so we can get out of here. Then I have to cook breakfast. Why don’t you go lie down while I take careof everything?”
Libby shook her head. “No way. I’ve been lying there staring up at the canvas half the night. I need something to do.” She glanced toward the portable camp kitchen. “I’ll peel the potatoes and start breakfast while you handle whatever you need to do.”
“Are you sure you’re up to it?”
“I’mokay. Really.”
Sam watched her walk away, and feelings he didn’t know he had welled up inside him. He had underestimated Libby Hale from the moment he watched her getting off that fancy jet airplane. His feelings swelled, mixed with the anger he felt at himself for not being able to protect her. His jaw hardened. No one, he vowed, was ever going to hurt Libby again.
Dragging in a steadying breath, Sam forced himself to concentrate on the work that had to be done. Heading for Caleb’s tent, he found the dark-haired man ducking through the flap in his boots and jeans, his cowboyhat pulled low.
“Morning, Sam.” Caleb finished popping the snaps on the front of his plaidWestern shirt.
“Caleb, we had some trouble last night, and Big John had to make a trip down the mountain. I could sureuse your help.”
Caleb’s head came up. “Is he okay?”
“Far as I know. John plans to come back. Just not sure when he’ll get here.”
“Anything you need me to do, I’mglad to help.”
Sam nodded. “You’re good with livestock. Think you could manage to water the horses and mules and get them saddled and ready to leave?”
“You bet.”
“Thanks, Caleb.”
“No worries.” Caleb grinned, clearly in his element. “I’ll take careof everything.”
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 thanit 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.”
