But the class had sparked an interest that remained. She thought of the hard-sided travel case up in her bedroom that held a Celestron NexStar Evolution portable telescope, one of Uncle Marty’s most precious gifts. She planned to find a place outside to set up the scope as soon as she got settled.
She made another pass around the kitchen, paused to wipe up a trace of grease on the counter that she had missed. Clara had already gone to bed, but Libby feltoddly restless.
“The kitchen looks fine.” Sam’s deep voice rumbled through her, sending little flutters into her stomach. He had left right after supper, and she hadn’t seen him since. “You’ve had a long day,” Sam said. “Why don’t you go on up to bed? You’ve got an early start in the morning.”
She flicked a glance out the window. She had never seen a night sky so clear. The stars looked as if a huge crystal ball had exploded, scattering diamonds from one horizon to the other.
Libby nodded and untied the apron around her waist. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized how exhaustedshe really was.
She didn’t look at Sam as she crossed the room, but she could feel his eyes on her until she disappeared out the door.
Tomorrow would be her first official day. She groaned to think how many more days there would be until this nightmare was over.
* * * *
The first guests arrived just before noon, when a white four-door Subaru SUV pulled up in front of the cabins. The Dunbar family lived in Denver, a three-hour drive away. It was their second year at the ranch, which Sam considered a sign of approval for ajob well done.
As a young man, Caleb Dunbar, the father, had nursed a secret yearning to rodeo. Instead, he’d married, taken an accounting job in the city, and had a couple of kids. Though the man was clearly happy and crazy about his family, being at the ranch revived a little of hislong-ago dream.
Sam heard the crunch of sneakers on gravel behind him and knew Libby had joined him. The scent of orange blossomsgave her away.
“Libby, this is Caleb and Jenny Dunbar.” A lean, lanky, dark-haired man, and his wife, a petite woman with curly, light brown hair. Sam looked down at the couple’s ten-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter, miniatures of their parents. “These guys are Jordy and Suzy.”
Libby smiled. “Nice tomeet you all.”
“Libby will be helping with chores while you’re here,” Sam explained. “She’ll be taking care of Cougar Cabin. If there’s anything you need, justlet her know.”
Libby’s features tightened. Housekeeping definitely didn’tappeal to her.
Too bad,Sam thought. Everyone carried their weight atBridger Ranch.
Sam gave the Dunbars their keys, and the family went to work unloading their gear. Cougar Cabin was the largest, comprised of a living room with a fireplace, a kitchen, two bedrooms, and two baths. There was a queen bed in one room and twin beds in the other.
“We’ll see you at supper,” Sam said.
Caleb gave a wave, and parents and children hurried away.
“Cute kids,” Libby said.
Sam cast her a glance. “You like kids?”
“Sure. But they’rea lot of work.”
“True enough.”
“Animals are a lotless trouble.”
Sam just smiled.
The next guests to check in were a pair of older women, both widows, Alice Weeks and Betty Spurgis. Alice was short and plump, Betty slightly taller and thin. Both had short-cropped, iron-gray hair. They were staying in Badger Cabin, a smaller accommodation. It was their first time on a guest ranch, and both were excited.
Betty glanced around. “Oh, it’s just beautiful here.”
“We think so,” Sam said, his gaze automatically going to the range of mountains surrounding the pastures, rising toward the endless blue skies.
“We’re especially looking forward to the pack trip,” Alice said, following the line of his gaze.
Betty smiled. “I haven’t been on a horse since I was a little girl.” But she was dressed in jeans and boots, readyto go anytime.
