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Rowdy whined again as he rubbed against her leg. Reaching down, she stroked his head.
Without another word, Logan guided them up the steps and into the house where Jake and Beth lived. The couple, plus Quinn and Abigail, sat at the dining room table. Other than nods to acknowledge her presence, only Beth spoke.
“Are you hungry, Sam?”
“No. Coffee would be good, though.” She headed toward the kitchen, stopping when Beth held up her hand. “I’ll get it. Cream and sugar are on the table.”
Logan pulled out a chair for her. As another wave of sadness washed over her, Sam didn’t think too much about the welcome gesture.
“Is someone with Amanda?” Jake asked.
“Margie is staying with her. Mark’s parents should arrive by morning.” Sam used both hands to cup the mug of coffee Beth placed before her. The gesture calmed her.
Rowdy stood, moving across the room to Sam. He rubbed against her leg, prompting her to run a hand over the dog’s head and back. Another gesture which comforted her.
Sipping the coffee, she met Logan’s gaze. The intensity of his emerald green eyes caught her off guard. He was as handsome as his older half-brother, Quinn. Squeezing her eyes shut, she gave a quick shake of her head.
“Are you all right, Sam?” Abigail leaned toward her, worry clear in the woman’s eyes.
“Just tired. It’s been a long day.”
“And not a particularly good one,” Quinn added.
“So true.” Finishing the coffee, Sam stood. “I’m going to head home. Thanks for the coffee.”
Logan met her at the door. “I’ll drive you back.”
“I don’t need you to drive me.”
“I know. Still, it’s going to happen.”
She looked past him to the others. The looks on their faces told her they sided with Logan.
“I’m too tired to argue.”
“Good.”
“Want me to follow you down?” Quinn asked.
He shook his head. “Thanks, but I’ll walk back.”
Opening the truck’s passenger door, he motioned her inside. For a woman used to long days of manual work, he watched Sam fumble with the seatbelt, too tired to latch it.
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll be at your place in five minutes.”
When he parked at Whistle Rock, the sight of a group of ranch hands caught his attention. They sat around a fire ring, along with a few guests.
He walked Sam to the door of her cabin, setting a hand on her shoulder. “Get some rest. My guess is tomorrow’s going to be another long day.”
“You’re right. Goodnight, Logan.”
“Sam.”
When the door closed, he debated a moment before joining the ranch hands at the fire. Lifting his chin at the others, he lowered himself onto a large log.
“You heard about Mark Swanson?” Barrel asked.
“I did. Sam was at the hospital with Amanda.”
