Page 81 of Samuel

No. He would find a way to fix it. There was no other option.

He might have walked away from her closed door the night before, but there was no way he was letting Evie walk away without setting the record straight now that the light of day was upon them.

Sam marched from the house to the barn, filled with resolve.

“Hey, Boss.”

“Zeke. You got the horses out already?” It had been less than an hour since the sun hit the horizon, but Derrick and Zeke were always on top of things around the ranch. They didn’t need to wait for him to micromanage everything. And for that, he was grateful.

“Yeah. I was a little surprised Evie wasn’t down to watch this morning. I don’t think there’s been a single day since she got here that she missed it. Derrick told me he brought her home from town and she was pretty upset. You think she’s okay?”

Dread pooled in Sam’s stomach. Had she been so upset that something happened to Jellybean?

“I’m going to go up to the apartment to check in.”

“Let me know, yeah?”

Sam’s eyebrow quirked.

“What? She’s a sweet lady. I… I care about her.”

“I didn’t even know that was an emotion you could feel.”

“I’m a big fucking teddy bear. Piss off.” Zeke turned back to his work.

Sam whistled at Shep. The goofy dog was busy sniffing at the edge of the barn like a lunatic.

“Come on, pup. Let’s go see Evie.”

Sam wasn’t dumb, he knew he had a better chance of seeing Evie with his dog tagging along. He was pretty sure that the dopey guy was Evie’s favorite animal on the ranch, although Jasper would probably try to trample Shep to get the title.

“Evie?” Sam called out her name as he knocked on the door. “I know you don’t want to talk to me after yesterday, but I’d really like to explain. Please answer the door.”

Silence. Shep pawed at the door, whining.

Shit.

The hair on the back of Sam’s neck stood up and his stomach bristled. She could just be sleeping. All of these little things that were setting his nerves on edge could just be him overreacting.

But Evie hadn’t missed a single day of work since she first started, and she’d always been up and around the ranch before the guys got the horses out. What if something was really wrong and she couldn’t call out for help?

“If you don’t open the door right now, I’m going to kick it down to make sure everything’s okay.”

He winced. Maybe more aggressive than he should have started out with, but he didn’t want to waste time. If she was sitting on the other side of the door just being stubborn, they’d cut to the chase. If she was hurt, he’d get into the apartment a few minutes faster, which could be the difference between something bad turning into something tragic.

Christ. He needed to get a grip. Sam wiped his sweaty palms on his denim-covered thighs.

“I’m serious, Evie. Open the door now. I’m coming in one way or another.”

“I’m fine. Please, Sam.” Hearing her voice did nothing to ease the worry in his stomach.

“If this is about what happened at the bar, I’m so sorry. I want the chance to explain better. Please, Bluebell.”

“It’s not. I understand. I’m just going to work from up here today. I don’t… I’m not feeling well.”

She was sick? “Please, open the door and talk to me. I’ll take you into town if you’re sick. Have you called your doctor?”

“No, Sam. I can’t.” He heard her inhale sharply from the other side of the door.

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