Loving Libby Formerly Liberty Blue

Loving Libby Copyright © 1995, 2005 by Robin Lee Hatcher Previously published as Liberty Blue by HarperCollins Publishers Requests for information should be addressed to: Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hatcher, Robin Lee. Loving Libby / Robin Lee Hatcher. p. cm. Originally published as Liberty Blue. New York: Harper, 1995. (revised content) ISBN-10: 0-310-25690-9 ISBN-13: 978-0-310-25690-8 I. Title. PS3558.A73574 L68 2005 813'.54-dc22 2005010117 All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other-except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher. Interior design by Michelle Espinoza Printed in the United States of America 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 /?DCI/ 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 One May 1890 Blue Springs Ranch, Idaho Territory "Not again, Bevins," Libby whispered to herself as she peered at the horseman's approach through the latticework of sunlight and shadows. "Not as long as I've got breath in my body." Obscured by the thick grove of cottonwoods and pines, the rider stopped his horse. Libby had difficulty keeping track of him as dusk settled over the barnyard. Whatever he was up to, it wasn't good. It never was with Timothy Bevins. She stepped back from the window until certain she couldn't be seen, then moved to the front door, checking to see if it was tightly latched. It was. A small sigh of relief escaped her. But her relief was shortlived. Bevins wouldn't break into her house. No, that method was too direct and could get him in trouble with the law. He would take an underhanded approach. Well, you can't scare me off. She pressed her lips into a determined line. She wasn't going anywhere, frightened or not. And she wouldn't wait for Bevins to make the first move either. She wouldn't give him a chance to do his dirty work. Not this time. She grabbed the double-barreled shotgun that rested against the wall. Then, fortifying herself with a deep breath, she walked to Sawyer's bedroom, peeking inside at the boy lying on the bed. "Sawyer, something's got the horses worked up. Probably another coyote. I'm going out to run it off. If you hear anything, don't be scared. It's just me." "I don't scare so easy, Libby." He raised his scabbedover chin to a brave tilt. "I know you don't." And neither do I. She hurried through the kitchen to the back door, opened it silently, and stepped outside. Evening had changed the colors of the earth and sky into varying shades of gray and black. The trees were threatening silhouettes, looming overhead, their scraggly arms reaching toward her. Bevins could be anywhere. Perhaps he watched her even now. She sidled along the side of the house, making her way toward the wide clearing at the front, searching every shadow. You can't scare me, you yellow-bellied snake in the grass. You can't run me off my land. Libby quit running over six years ago. This was her home, her land. Aunt Amanda had entrusted the ranch to Libby, and she meant to protect it and everyone on it. She wouldn't let Timothy Bevins run her off, no matter what he did, no matter what he threatened to do. And he wouldn't get another chance to hurt Sawyer either. Spooking the boy's horse was the last straw. Absolutely the last straw. She heard the snap of a twig off to her right. Startled, she turned and, in the waning light, saw him stepping out of the trees. More important, she saw thHatcher, Robin Lee is the author of 'Loving Libby Formerly Liberty Blue', published 2005 under ISBN 9780310256908 and ISBN 0310256909.