“This is the best date I’ve ever had,” Libby told Joe as they watched the stars and city lights from the overlook. His passionate kiss spoke his reply. They drove back to the lodge, back to a night filled with love and passion.
Lead, South Dakota, Day 19 - Saturday
Libby met Chuck the next morning in the restaurant. “Good mornin, Sunshine,” he called to her. “How was the big date?” he added, somewhat sarcastically.
Libby smiled as she picked up the menu.
“Ah, that good, eh?” he laughed. “Hey, I think I’m gonna be heading home. Thought I’d go see the folks, then head to Nashville. I need to figure out where the paycheck’s coming from—at least until Joe figures out what he’s doin’. It’s been fun hangin’ with ya though.”
“I wanted to talk to you about that...I have friends, Laura and Jimmy Scott, who have a bar in Las Cruces. I’ve invested in it; they’ve really made it into somethin’ special. I’m sure they’d love to have you come do some shows there. I know Laura’ll take good care of you—three squares and a bed. Hey, they’re both are great cooks, so you’ll never go hungry!
“Yeah, pass along the digits, and I’ll give ‘em a ring,” Chuck said. “You’ll put in a word for me?” he laughed
“Absolutely—I’ll call ‘em today,” she offered as she wrote down Laura’s phone number. “Laura and I have been best friends since we were little girls. I know she’d love to have you out there.”
The waitress interrupted the conversation, taking Libby’s order and pouring them both coffee.
“Well, you should know that we take care of our own, and I’m pretty sure my folks would call you family at this point. Anybody who can change my brother like you have in just weeks...well, Mama’s sure thrilled, is all I’m sayin’,” he laughed.
Libby blushed, “Your Mom’s great. You guys were sure blessed with great folks.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
“I’m gonna miss you, Chuck. Seems like you and I have spent more time together than I have with Joe!” Libby laughed.
“Well, big bro better take care of you, cause if he don’t, I WILL!” he laughed again. “And to think I had my shot and didn’t take it. DAMN!” he smiled at her with a knowing in his eyes.
“So, alright, changing the subject, have you thought about how you’re getting home? I feel responsible for messing up your plans, and I really want to make sure you get back wherever you need to go...so please, let me rent a car, buy you a plane ticket, whatever you need.”
“Well, I’ve been wondering how that was gonna happen, actually, and considering you’re [he whispered] LOADED, okay...sugar-mama me!” he laughed. “No, seriously, I appreciate it...I can pay you back, or whatever. I was gonna get Dad to wire me the money, but I hate to do that.”
“Nothin’ doin’!” Libby mocked Chuck. “Let’s go out to the RV, and we can make the arrangements, and I’ll check with Laura. We’ll see what we can make happen!”
After breakfast, the two made their way to the RV. Chuck confessed to Libby, “I could see that you and Joe connected when that truck almost ran you down...you know the ‘speedbump’ incident? I felt the heat...saw the sparks fly. I’ve been hopin’ nobody was gonna burn from it. I have to tell you, I never saw Joe connect that way before. I also need to tell you, Libby, that I’m glad you two found each other. You’re good for him...he needs you.”
Libby smiled, “Thanks, Chuck. That really means a lot. And I hope you’re right! Joe means the world to me, too. You just need to start thinkin’ that YOU deserve that too. Life’s gotta be worth more than one-night stands, darlin’.”
Chuck smiled at Libby and put his arm around her shoulder as they made their way through the parking lot. “Now, you wanna see if you can make him find us another agent? One that won’t piss him off so badly?” he laughed.
As she slipped her arm around his waist, Chuck murmured, “Ya know, I always wanted a little sister.”
Libby looked into his face, smiling, and gave him a squeeze.
Lead, South Dakota, Days 20 – 28- Sunday-Monday
Libby and Joe settled into a routine, waking early for breakfast together, and either going to the set, wandering through town, exploring the trails of the Black Hills, or visiting nearby attractions. Libby would often run lines with Joe. Her attempts at trying on the different characters’ voices always made Joe laugh.
“Tell Cookie ‘ta rustle us up some vittles, Pete. We need to get a’move-on, quick as we can,” Libby mockingly spoke in an old-west dialect.
“Okay, when you did that yesterday morning, and Ol’ Bob blew his lines, you busted me up, too, you need to quit!” Joe laughed.
Libby loved it when Joe had early evening wraps. They would run some lines and spend the evening wrapped up in each other’s arms. Sometimes watching a movie and sometimes just making love all night long.
Libby wanted to continue the conversation from the wildlife sanctuary, but she couldn’t come up with a way to start. Since that day, Joe hadn’t mentioned his feelings at all. She knew how he felt, but just couldn’t bring herself to admit hers.
When Joe was on the set, Libby spent the days either watching the film production, hiking or photographing the areas surrounding the various locations. She emailed Laura and Megan often, sharing images from the day’s excursions. She continued to make journal entries and videos to share with Megan when she returned home.
Several members of the crew invited Libby on day-trips into town, hiking or hanging out at the lodge during their free time. Libby came to understand why Joe loved this life away from his stressful days on the road and from dealing with his management issues. The cast and crew became a family unit, and his pressure was minimal because nobody expected him to carry significant weight alone.
The week flew by as Libby connected with the cast and crew, chronicled her trip, emailed Megan, and photographed the area that she explored with her new-found friends.
Lead, South Dakota, Day 29 – Tuesday
Joe and Libby left around 6:00 a.m. for the set. Joe proceeded to makeup and wardrobe as Libby settled into a chair just off set where several cast members were drinking coffee. Forty-five minutes later, Joe appeared in costume with a lovely bruise air-brushed onto his cheek. At 7:00 Libby took a seat near Louie, the writer, and watched as production on the town’s main street began. The scenes shot that morning were of a significant show-down, where several cast members would be “killed” in the show. Retakes were high due to camera angles and stunts. They broke for lunch at 1:00 p.m. and returned to shoot at 1:30. They wrapped at 7:30 p.m.
Joe often stopped by Libby’s chair to check on her and steal kiss when he could. The dust seemed to add to the effect, so the layers of makeup and dust took its toll by the end of the day.
“I can’t wait to get a shower!” Joe whispered as they made their way back to the car. “It’s no point to try to wash this off in makeup...I just wanna spend an hour in the shower!”
“Hey, maybe you wanna...” Joe glanced at Libby as he put the key in the ignition, twitched an eyebrow with a wicked smile.
Libby laughed. After thinking a moment, “I might be tempted.” They both laughed as he grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.
* * *
Joe slid the room keycard into the door and stepped back for Libby to enter. As she stepped around him, she froze. Not realizing she’d stopped, Joe bumped into her.
“Hey,” he laughed, then his eyes followed hers.
Their room was trashed. The slashed mattress stood against the window across the room from the bed. Their clothes were torn and strewn around the room. Libby’s heart sank. Broken glass, bits of paper and chards of wood were scattered about the floor.
Through the doorway to the bathroom, Libby saw her toiletries splattered in pieces and puddles on the floor. The drizzle of the showerhead caught her eye, the horror
of what she saw caused her to fall back against Joe’s chest. She looked back at Joe, tears falling down her cheeks. Joe’s eyes seemed to be taking in the horror of the bedroom. Forcing himself to look at her, her face was tortured. Her eyes returned to the horror in the bathroom, and his followed.
Beneath the steady stream of the showerhead, a noose hung the head and neck of pappy under the showerhead. Grandpa’s precious hand-me-down guitar body explained the wooden fragments strewn about the room.
Joe put his hands on her shoulders and backed her out of the room. Holding her close to him with one arm, he grabbed his cellphone and called the movie’s assistant director. Within minutes two of the production security guards were in the hallway. Joe handed him the room’s keycard and the other escorted them into the AD’s suite down the hall.
Joe never left Libby’s side as the inquiry began with the hotel manager, local police, and security for the crew. He either held her hand or touched her protectively during the grueling interview.
They were repeatedly asked:
“Who might have had reason?”
“Can you identify anything missing from these photographs?”
“Have you seen any suspicious people or activity?”
Several hours later, Joe and Libby were taken to another suite, where all salvageable belongings had been placed.
Libby looked at Joe with tears in her eyes, “I’m so sorry, Joe. I know what your granddad’s guitar meant to you. Why would somebody…”
Joe shook his head, then hugged her tightly.
The hotel manager provided an in-room, complimentary dinner with wine for the couple. A notecard on the tray read:
Please accept my sincerest apologies for this intrusion. I can assure you this isn’t the kind of thing that happens in our lodge. I and my staff will continue to work with the police to try to hold accountable the person(s) who are responsible. Security will be considerably increased to ensure this doesn’t happen again. If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Glen Minor, Manager.
Joe and Libby’s relaxing evening plans were squelched by the intrusion. After they cleaned up and ate dinner, both decided to retire from their exhausting day. Neither fell asleep quickly, as the idea of their violation clouded any hope of rest.
Lead, South Dakota, Day 30 – Wednesday
When Libby awoke at 6:00 a.m., Joe was sitting with his back against the arm and his feet across the sofa cushions studying his script. She slipped out of bed and ran her fingers through his hair as she circled the sofa to sit on the edge beside him. He lay the script in his lap and pulled her close for a good morning kiss. She snuggled into his neck as he wrapped his arms around her.
After a few moments of quiet snuggling, Joe whispered, “I’ve been thinking. Why don’t we move your RV to the set? That’ll give you some place to hang out while you’re up there.”
Libby nodded against his chest.
“Good. Cause it’s already up there. [Joe laughs] And, you know, I’m thinking that it might not be a good idea to wander around by yourself anymore. I don’t mean anything by it...but if anything happened to you.”
Libby sat up and looked into his eyes. She put her hand on his cheek and kissed him. Without a word, she nodded, then left him to shower.
As the water ran down her hair, Libby thought of how much Joe cared. How he worried about her well-being, and tears filled her eyes. She smiled as she stuck her face underneath the water for a moment. She reached for the shampoo and lathered as she whispered, “Oh, Joe...if you only knew how much I loved you.” She took a deep breath and looked out the doorway. “But where will you be in another month…or year? Will you tire of me and move on?”
Over breakfast, Joe mentioned, “Hey, several of the crew wanted to go into town today—you wanna go? There’s some things I wanted to take care of.”
Libby nodded as she poured another cup of coffee. “Sounds good. Anything you need me to do?”
“Nope. Just have fun! Well, keep your eyes open, but have fun.”
With Joe behind the wheel, the carload of women hit Main Street, chattering about plans for town.
“You girls go do your shopping thing. I’ve got some errands to run, and we’ll meet for lunch around 11:30 at that cafe over there...sound good?” Joe asked.
The excited chorus of agreements caused passersby to look.
“Hey, you girls watch out for each other...right?” Joe called out.
With waves to Joe, the gabby girls dashed into a vintage store while Joe drove down the street. Libby stood at the door and watched him drive away as long as she could before one of the girls grabbed her arm and pulled her into the store.
Joe was waiting at one of two Main Street Café’s alfresco tables as the boisterous girls made their way up the street with the day’s haul.
“I hope the trunk’s big enough!” he called out upon their arrival. He tossed the keys to the only free hand in the bunch. The group passed by the trunk one at a time to place their bags, then Libby closed it carefully and slipped the keys into her pocket.
The group languished the afternoon with laughter and lunch before heading back to the lodge.
* * *
Libby and Joe arrived at the lodge’s small, private dining room in time to join several other cast and crew for a late dinner. Just after the meal was served, Libby’s phone rang.
“Muggs! Hey!” Libby was excited to see Megan on her caller ID.
“Libby, I’m so glad you answered.” Megan’s voice sounded stressed.
Libby replied with great concern. “What’s wrong?” Joe’s eyes were immediately drawn by her question.
“I hit a deer. I’m okay, but the car’s a mess.”
“Where are you?”
“About two miles from home. I was going to check on things. Thought I’d stay out there for the weekend—I don’t have class again until next week. She came from out of nowhere, Libby! I...killed her.” Megan began to cry.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Libby’s stressed voice concerned Joe as he listened intently, trying to discern information from her part of the conversation.
Libby took the call out the side door onto the empty patio.
“‘Scuse us, folks,” Joe offered the table. He followed quickly behind.
“So, you’ve called for help? Megan...have you called for help?”
As Megan gained composure, she finally replied, “Not yet.”
“Call 911, baby. I’m too far away...I’ll come home—I’ll get the next flight. But you need to get help now. You hang up and call 911, I’ll call Will. Okay?”
“Okay. You’ll call me back though, right?” Megan replied with fear in her voice.
“Yes...I’ll call you back. No, wait, you call me when you get off the phone with the dispatcher,” Libby’s calm reply was deliberate.
“Okay, Libby.”
Libby took a deep breath as Joe put his arm around her.
“She’s okay, right?”
Libby nodded as she held the phone to her ear.
“Will, hey, sorry to bother you so late, but Megan hit a deer...she’s a couple miles from the house. I’m in South Dakota...can you help her?” Libby looked intently into Joe’s eyes as she spoke. He’d become a rock for her to lean on. She clung to him as she completed her call with Will.
As she hung up the phone, Joe hugged Libby tightly. “She’s okay. That’s what’s important...right?”
Libby nodded against his cheek. As she regained her composure she realized how weak her knees felt and looked around for a seat. Joe followed and sat beside her.
Libby waited for the ring. Ten agonizing minutes later, her phone rang.
“I’m okay. Someone’s on the way,” Megan answered before Libby could speak.
“Will’s on the way, too. I should come home.”
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“No, that’s not necessary. I don’t want you to come home,” Megan began to cry softly. “Just talk to me until somebody comes, please.”
Libby asked Megan questions about school to get her mind off the deer and her mangled new car.
“Hasn’t anybody passed by her yet?” Joe asked softly.
Libby shook her head, then covered the mouthpiece of the phone. “We live out near...nowhere. I don’t imagine anybody would.”
Libby smiled, “No, Joe just asked if any cars had passed you that could help.” Libby looked adoringly at Joe. “Hey, you made her laugh...yeah...the boonies.”
Libby again held the mouthpiece, “The cops just arrived. No, baby, I’ll stay on the line...go ahead and talk to them.”
While Megan spoke to the police, Libby explained to Joe. “She was driving about 45 and the deer ran in front of her car. I’m glad she wasn’t going faster—it would’ve probably flipped over the vehicle—or worse--through the windshield.”
Turning her attention back to the phone, Libby continued, “Oh...it’s Scott? Good...I know he’ll take care of you. Oh...okay, put him on. Hey, Scott. I’m glad you got the call. Is she okay?”
Pausing for the other side of the conversation, Libby continued, “Well, I can fly home—I’m in South Dakota, so driving would take too long. But, if she needs me...yeah...the RV. Been...well, all over the place. Yeah, it’s been a blast. Do you think she’s okay?” Libby listened intently then nodded. “Okay...let me talk to her one more time.
“Muggs, you’re sure you don’t want me to fly home? Oh...great! Will’s there. Okay...well, call me when you get to the house, please. Promise...okay?” Libby closed the phone and collapsed onto Joe’s waiting shoulder with a hard sigh.
“She’ okay then...right?”
“Yeah.”
“I know who Will is...but who’s Scott?” Libby smiled as she sat up. “My old high school beau...he’s a deputy. He had issues keeping his lips to himself. That’s old news, though.”
Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey Page 23