Page 94 of The Moment He Saw Her

A leg brushed hers, and then Samuel was sitting beside her, and her father next to him.

“Here you go, Libby.” Red lowered the glass mug down before her.

“You never drink,” her father accused.

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, but I guess that’s on both of us.”

“You her dad?” Red asked.

“I am. Phillip Caldwell,” he said.

“And I’m her brother, Samuel Caldwell.”

“Your name doesn’t mean anything here, so just first names would have done,” Libby said, sounding bitter.

“I was being polite,” her father gritted out.

She ignored that and took a large mouthful of the cider, enjoying the spicy taste as it steadied her.

Goodbye, Libby, I won’t be seeing you again.

Did Ryder mean that after what they’d just shared in his office? That—the lovemaking—had changed her for life. No man would make her feel like Ryder Duke had today, and she knew that deep in her soul.

“No offense, but she doesn’t look too happy to see either of you,” Red said, placing ciders before her family even though they’d not asked for them.

Libby watched as Samuel picked his up and sniffed, then sipped; beside him, their father did the same.

“This is good,” Samuel said, looking at Red.

“Not sure why that surprises you, Samuel. Just because this is a small town doesn’t mean what we serve is not quality,” Red said in his amicable way. He then winked at her and went to serve a customer.

“Hey, Lib, what’s happening?”

“Hi, Nina.” Libby looked at her friend.Friend?Were they that? She’d worked in the Gnat a few times, and they’d talked.Acquaintance?It was odd, now that she thought about it, that she really didn’t have friends back in Piedmont. Her siblings, sure, but not friends she was really close to. The type you text to say your day was crap and bring over wine and pizza, or so she’d read in books. Mind you, the Caldwells rarely ate pizza, but still.

“You okay, Libby?” Nina asked.

“I like your jumpsuit,” she said, not wanting to air her family disagreements here where everyone could listen. “The red looks wonderful on you.”

It was the truth; it did and was something Katie and Savannah would wear. Not her. Libby went for more muted colors.Because you’re a boring good girl.

“Elizabeth!”

She spun back to face her father.

“You walked in here, and I followed, so talk to me, and then we can leave this place,” he said.

“This place?” Nina asked, now standing at Libby’s side. “This place is the hub of my hometown, so watch how you talk about it,” she added. “Who the hell are you anyway?” Nina looked Libby’s father up and down, and then Samuel, who, granted, was a good-looking man, if a little pompous.

Who wears a suit to go travel in a private jet to pick up their wayward sister?

“You sure don’t look like you fit in here.”

“Nina, this is my father, Phillip Caldwell, and my brother, Samuel. I lied about my surname. It’s actually Libby Caldwell.”

“No way, I read about you guys! You’re Caldwell Candies!” Nina clapped her hands in excitement, her annoyance forgotten. “I love your new mocha truffles.”

Her father’s face softened. He loved talking about his business. “Thank you. The reviews have been good so far.”

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