Page 52 of The Moment He Saw Her

Taking a deep breath of cold country air, she stepped up and into the RV and tried not to think about Ryder’s lovely house. The soft bed and warm running water. Or the smell in there that was all him. The spicy, forbidden scent of a man she never thought she’d want but couldn’t deny she did.

He was the exact opposite of Andrew. What you saw with Ryder was what you got. She hadn’t known him long, but from what she’d seen, Libby could tell he wasn’t a fake. He had no sides, like her ex-fiancé. If he said he would do something, he did it. The towns' people liked and respected him too, which spoke volumes as to his character. Libby was sure Ryder had his own demons—everyone carried some of those—but he seemed comfortable in his own skin…unlike her.

He hadn’t hesitated to approach those two bikers that day she’d been hiding in her car because he believed it was the right thing to do. A brave, if not stupid, thing. After all, he could have been hurt. Libby had never thought herself brave until that day she’d walked out on her wedding.

Looking around her she knew it wasn’t bravery that had her staying here, it was desperation. At least all her shots were up to date so hopefully she wouldn’t catch anything.

There was a bed, a small hand basin, and a Porta Potty. The place was dirty. Curtains hung in big loops from hooks spaced too far apart. The bed covers were thin, and she’d be shivering all night under them.

One night, Libby. You can do this for that long.Tomorrow she’d find somewhere else. She’d sleep on a sofa if she had to, but not here.

Libby hadn’t believed herself to be an entitled snob, and yet since she’d left her life, she’d faced the fact she was that and more. Perhaps she wasn’t a snob, but definitely entitled because she’d always had what she wanted materially. If her mother saw the interior of this RV, she’d have a fit. In fact, it was unlikely she’d have even entered the main street of Lyntacky.

Looking around her again, it was then Libby realized she’d forgotten her suitcase. She’d have to walk there and grab it. Maybe if Ryder wasn’t home, she could take a quick shower and come back here. It couldn’t be far, as the drive had only taken a few minutes.

Stepping back out the door, she still clutched the Rollaway’s accounts—no way was she leaving them here for anyone to find. Libby knew by the time she returned, it would be pitch-black, but she felt safe walking around in Lyntacky.

Her life had gone from perfect to complicated, and she wasn’t sure that was going to change anytime soon.Had it been perfect, though, Libby?

“You leaving already?” Fox now sat around a fire with three other men.

“I left my luggage. I’ll be back.”

“Come and sit. We can go get that later,” Fox said. “These are my cousins.”

The men all nodded politely.

“I’ll just get my things,” Libby said.

“Have a drink. Plenty here, and I’ll drive you back to get it,” one of the men said, getting out of his seat and waving for Libby to take it.

“I don’t think so.”

Those angry words came from the man striding around the house toward her. Ryder Duke looked like his face was carved in granite, his expression menacing. No longer in his gi, he wore jeans and a gray sweater.

“Let’s go,” he said, reaching Libby. His fingers wrapped around her wrist.

“She’s staying here, Ryder, so you don’t need to worry,” Fox said. “You want a beer?”

“No, I don’t want a fucking beer! What the hell, Fox? You can’t think staying in that RV is good for anyone. Now, let’s go, Libby.”

“I don’t like what you’re saying, Ryder. We, my ma and I, offered Libby hospitality?—”

“That RV is full of mold. It’s not insulated and freezing. She’d be lucky to come away without a respiratory disease.”

“What?” Fox frowned.

“I told him not to drop out of school before he at least understood some big words,” Ryder muttered. “You ever slept out there, Fox?” He glared at the man.

“Well now, not sure why I would seeing as I have a bed in the house.”

“I can look after myself, Ryder,” Libby said, trying to shake free of his grip.

“You cannot be serious? You’re like a foal who just left its mother. Bad decision after bad fucking decision.”

“I am not!” Libby felt her own anger rise. “And who are you to tell me that?”

“Exactly. You tell him, Libby,” said one of Fox’s cousins whose name she didn’t know. “You can’t come in here and insult my cousin, Duke.”

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