“It was Thaddius who took them down, I suspect. When she died, he changed, and not for the better either. I think he loved her more than she knew, and her death left him a little bit unhinged, you could say. If you want to know more about her, I can help you.”
“I’d love that. Thank you.” Libby reached out and touched Joan’s arm. “It’s kind of an eerie feeling knowing we’re so alike, and I didn’t even know she existed, yet here I am.”
“I’ll get the ball rolling if you like. Being as how we are a close community here in Charleville, everyone will have something to show you or tell you about her. There’ll be photos of the family in just about every house, I reckon.”
“That is so sweet of you. I really appreciate it.”
“Think nothing of it.” Joan leaned closer. “Now, I don’t mean to be indelicate here, but I have to ask. Is there anything between you and Nathan? Don’t fuss yourself, my girl, and think I’s speaking out of turn.”
Libby sat back in her chair, a little bit shocked that Joan was being as forward as she was.
“As I say, we’re a close community, and we all know Nathan’s history. I just don’t want to stand on anybody’s toes when the gossip mill is already running rampant about you two.”
“What’re they saying?” Libby’s back stiffened.
“Just that a few people noticed the heat between the two of you at the dance, and then Nathan seemed to be ready to kill anyone who looked in your direction. Tongues started wagging. I know there’re a couple of young bucks who’re looking forward to seeing you again at my party. I just wanted to warn you, that was all. You don’t need to tell me anything if you don’t want to.”
Libby felt heat rise into her face, and she rubbed her hands down her thighs before she responded. “I wish I could tell you there was something there, but I don’t know if there is. I have what he wants, and he’s not going to get it by giving me a quick roll in the hay. That’s basically the story, I’m afraid.”
“I never would’ve thought Nathan was the type to treat a woman like that.” Joan frowned and grasped her hands together. “I grew up with him, and he always treated the girls well. But that was before his fiancée took off with that city fellow, I guess. Things could’ve changed. I know he’s kept to himself the last few years. I figured he was hurt so bad he didn’t want to go down that road again.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Libby tried to act brave but it still cut her up inside. “I’m a big girl, and I can take care of Nathan. I don’t care if folk talk about it. I can take it. Now, what can I make for your party?”
They talked and scoured cooking books until Libby had been allocated her recipes for the night. She put the books to one side and walked Joan out to her car.
“It was lovely to see you, Libby. I think you and I are going to be great friends. If there’s anything I can do for you, please ask.”
“I will. And it means a lot to have someone to talk to.”
She did care what the locals were saying, regardless of what she’d said to Joan. It hurt her feelings they would gossip about her and Nathan like that when they didn’t know anything of what happened, but that was the way of small towns. She understood that. It didn’t mean she had to like it though. What did amuse her was the fact they’d noticed the heat between her and Nathan and the way he’d glared at the young men who had tried to cut in on their dancing. He was going to be at the party, so she would take care to look her best and be the friendly ehaviour. See if that makes his blood boil and his interest in me rise.
Libby set to work in the office going over the sheep and cattle charts she was working on before the kids got home from school. Tom was working on the tractor and didn’t need her help. She promised herself she would sort it out so she could get in touch with Aaron and start improving the herd.
Between her and Tom, they’d separated the stock they wanted to get rid of, and the local stock agent had already made Libby an offer she’d accepted. But Tom warned her they would still have to throw in a good amount of cash in order to get the good bloodlines they needed to bring the quality of their wool and meat up to scratch.
They had a load of young ewes being delivered in the next few days that would be ready for breeding next season. Bill McNally was pricing another herd of older ewes that were already pregnant and due to drop their lambs next month. This kind of deal didn’t come up often, and it was the main reason she wanted to get it down on paper for Aaron’s approval.
Once they had the sheep situation under control, she’d work on getting more heifers for her new bull.
On the afternoon of the party, Libby carried the salad, and Tom took the cheesecake as she herded the kids out to the truck. She was looking forward to seeing her new neighbors again and the kids were keen to get out and about.
When they arrived, she placed the gift for Joan and Bill on the table already piled high with brightly wrapped presents and made her way into the house to put her food in cold storage, keeping an eye out for Nathan among the other guests as she went.
“Libby.” Joan cried out a greeting when she walked into the kitchen and gave her a hug and a quick
