Page 96 of The Moment He Saw Her

“No offense, Mr. Caldwell,” Red said. He’d been drying glasses from a tray on the bar and shamelessly listening in to their conversation, which she guessed he could do, as it was his bar. “But you need to listen to your girl because she’s trying to tell you something, and from where I’m standing, which is right beside her, it doesn’t seem to getting through to either of you,” he said, looking from her father to her brother.

“It’s okay, Red,” Libby said.

“My father was an asshole, so I can spot them,” Red muttered.

“Go home, please,” Libby said to her family, suddenly exhausted. “I’ll be back soon, but I’m not ready yet. I want you to unfreeze my accounts, Father.”And then I’m opening another bank account and putting all my money into that.

“I’m sorry, but did you just say he froze your bank accounts?” These words came from Nina, who had clearly been thirsty if she was back for another drink so soon, or she’d been deliberately listening to their conversation and Libby hadn’t noticed. “I mean, who does that to their kid? Especially considering your family is worth kadrillions of dollars.”

“How many zeros in a kadrillion?” Red mused.

She really should have just stood outside on the street to have this conversation, and then anyone passing could have joined in, Libby thought.

“Tell me she’s mistaken,” Samuel said. “Tell me you didn’t cut Libby off, Father, when she was God knows where, alone and upset, with no money.”

“Is there any chance we can have the conversation without everyone interrupting us, Elizabeth?” her father snapped, not answering his son’s question.

“Not in this town, unless you drive out a few miles and find a field and then stand in the middle of it, but even then, the farm animals can be pretty nosey,” Red said, then winked at Libby.

“I have meetings, Elizabeth. We need to leave now and can continue this discussion on the plane.”

“Answer my question, Father,” Samuel said in a voice she’d never heard him use before.

“I needed to bring her home. This was the quickest way to do that,” Phillip Caldwell snapped.

“Well, shit. She broke down here, and freezing conditions forced her to sleep in her car,” Red said, standing beside Delores and glaring at Phillip Caldwell. “She had no money, no place to stay, nothing, and you just left her to survive on her own.”

“But that’s like leaving a newborn to fend for itself. Anyone can see Libby’s been raised gentle and with money—no offense, honey,” Delores said.

“None taken,” Libby said, swallowing another large mouthful and enjoying the slight buzz going on inside her head.

“Well, fuck!” Samuel roared.

“Samuel, watch your mouth!” their father barked.

“You should have called me, not Savannah,” Samuel added, looking at Libby. “I would have helped.”

“No, you wouldn’t. You do everything he does.”

“Everything all good here?”

And that was just what she needed. Dan Duke had arrived. Looking in his eyes, she didn’t see anger, so at least that was something. Maybe he wasn’t there to yell at her.

“Who are you?” her father demanded.

“Deputy Dan Duke.” He held out his hand.

“We call him Double D even though there are three. It’s one of many nicknames,” Red said. “You want a drink, Dan?”

“Cider, thanks, Red.”

“And that’s my cue. I’m done, so I don’t want you to follow me, nor do I want to see either of you again until I’m ready to do so.” Libby got off the stool and stumbled a few steps. Dan’s hand shot out to steady her. “Goodbye.”

“Libby, stay and let’s talk,” Dan said.

“No. I want to be alone.” She’d only taken one step when the music started outside. “You have to be kidding me,” Libby muttered. “I’m not doing it.”

“You know better than that, sweetheart.” Dan’s arm wrapped around her waist, and then she was being urged out the door behind the other patrons. “No need to get yourself arrested now, is there?”

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