Chapter Four
“How’d this happen?” Wyler paced the sidewalk a piece down from the club.
“If you don’t know then you should go back to sixth grade health class.” Liberty thought he looked like he’d eaten a live frog as he continued to stare at her blankly. His hair was a bit shaggy, and the ends touched his collar. He’d grown a thick beard in the last four weeks, making him look older, rougher around the edges. The first time she saw him she’d been captivated by his rugged beauty, and later his intelligence. A man like Wyler had a wealth of knowledge.
“You know what I’m talking about, Liberty.” He rubbed his whiskered jaw as if stating the words had been an invisible hammer to the cheek.
“I’m about six weeks. Neither of us were thinking about protection.” She took a step back and leaned against the brick building, underneath the sign for Dorothy’s Wizard Books. “Wraps are only ninety-nine-percent effective if they’re on the penis.”
“I guess I assumed…” his words trailed off.
“That I was on the pill? I went off weeks before the first time you and I had sex. I’ve been meaning to go to my doctor over in Lonestar, but who has the time? How ironic because now I’ll have no choice but to keep my appointments.”
With a shake of his head, he braced a hand on the brick and leaned in as if he was holding the wall up behind her. “Was this part of the plan?”
“The plan?” she droned. “Because I stopped taking birth control?”
“You and Honor have always been in competition. Barrel racing. College grades. Fastest horses. Sam’s attention. Now it just so happens that you’re both pregnant?” He looked down his nose at her. “I should have listened when Sam said this would happen.”
His words both hurt and angered her. “Daddy said I would get pregnant on purpose?”
“He said you and Honor can’t do anything solo.” Wyler’s voice was low and thick. “He didn’t insinuate you’d do anything on purpose. That’s coming purely from my point of view.”
“Is that what you think? That I’d intentionally get pregnant so I can steal the spotlight?” Even as she voiced the words, she felt an invisible stab to the center of her chest.
“Steal the spotlight? Probably not. But maybe you got the baby itch seeing Honor pregnant.”
“Are you trying to be an ass or is it just coming naturally?”
“I have a right to question your motives.” He tilted his chin.
“You have a right to your opinion, and I have a right to discard it.” She started to take a step, but he caught her by her wrist.
“Uh-uhh, sweetheart. You searched me out and now we’re discussing this until I say we’re done.”
He was different, more assertive than she remembered. Impatient even.
“Let me remind you that you were the one who didn’t wrap it up that night! Or any of the other nights. Maybe this was your plan?”
He looked over at the traffic light that was squeaking annoyingly then back at her. His jaw was tight. “Plan for what? That I’d be stuck in a marriage of convenience for another six months? Yeah, because it has been so much fun so far.”
“You did say that you’d like kids eventually. Fathering a child would certainly put you in good graces with Daddy,” she said haughtily. He gritted his teeth and she smiled. “Oh? You don’t like being accused of secretly planning a pregnancy? This wasn’t what I wanted or planned, despite your opinion.”
“Unwanted. Just like this marriage. Those are your feelings.” His voice was laced with incredulity.
“Unwanted isn’t the word. A shocked pregnancy. I did want you, Wyler. But…” How could she find the right words. She swallowed hard. How could she have ever believed that she could have kept her emotions safeguarded? What they’d shared before they married had been fun, spontaneous, exciting…and when she said “I do” Wyler had become…a husband. A man who made her breakfast in the morning, brought her coffee, stopped by the ranch just to check on her. It had been enjoyable. And scary. Especially when she found herself depending upon him. “We both are responsible,” she said softly.
He pushed away from the wall but kept his gaze connected with hers. “The baby changes everything.”
“If you think I did this as some kind of plan to trap you, you’re wrong. I’m not ready to be a parent, and I’d never do this behind your back. I don’t think you did this as part of some kind of plan either.”
“And you think I’m ready to become a parent?” He rubbed his palm down his face, looking tired.
“If you want, we can still get the annulment.”
“If you think I’m walking away from my child you have another thing coming,” he said in a low voice. “When I say I’m not ready it doesn’t mean I’m some dipshit father who is willing to leave his kid. That’ll never happen.”
“If you want to be a father—”
His gaze turned steely. “I will be a father.” His glare left no room for doubt.
“We can work out some kind of an arrangement.”
He laughed but nothing about the harsh sound evoked humor. “Is that how you see this? As another arrangement? That’s just like a Rose to categorize a human’s life as an arrangement. Next, you’ll be talking about visitation like a business plan.”
“Wyler, I—”
“Not this time, Liberty. You’re not going to check off a list of rules and expect me to abide by them. The day you told me we were through you showed me the light.” He brushed past her and paced the sidewalk as if he needed to purge his body of restless energy. When he stopped, he faced her with an expression that she couldn’t read. “We’re done playing by your rules.”
“It’s important that we don’t lose our heads and react accordingly. That’d be a mistake. There’s no reason to be angry.”
His brows came together over his glimmering eyes. “Which part should I remain calm about? The fact that you came to me and told me our marriage is over, or the itty-bitty fact that we’ve created a baby?”
She twirled a piece of her hair around her knuckle, almost finding his troubled expression comical. “First, you and I had both agreed to getting married. You can’t tell me you didn’t see an opportunity when I offered Crescent Rose. And as for the end, one of us had to initiate it.”
“Then I guess the end will have to be put on hold.”
“This wasn’t the arrangement, Wyler.”
“You’ve got that right, sweetheart. Since the very beginning I’ve jumped through your hoops.” He rammed his hand through his hair. “What did you think would happen? That you’d tell me you’re pregnant and I’d want to cut all ties? Maybe you thought I’d be like my pa and have the deadbeat gene. Well, you were wrong. Believe it or not, sometimes even a Rose can be wrong. It’s high time you lose some of the arrogance.”
Liberty took a deep breath and found some compassion for his situation. She knew enough about his childhood and the regret he carried with him. “I didn’t think that far ahead. I just found out myself two days ago and I’m still trying to wrap my head around the news. Let’s keep in mind it takes two to tango and two to make a baby. You have Crescent Rose, at least part of it. Stop acting like I did you so wrong. The land is worth more than—””
“Then a hand will ever make in his lifetime?” he snapped.
“No! More than the value. It’s a legacy.”
“You should know my land is no longer Crescent Rose. You’re talking about Willow Wild,” he said proudly.
She nodded. “Right. Willow Wild.”
“Willow Wild is a dream come true, but there are things in life that are worth so much more. You probably don’t get that. You think I should take my gift and go stand in the corner like a good boy.”
“You’re twisting my words.”
“Problem is, you don’t stop and think about others and their emotions. Anything a Rose wants, they get. You’re right, I did agree to marry you to appease your father, to help you, but this…” his gaze fell to her stomach. “is all about us . I won’t walk away from this so don’t even think about asking me to.”
She folded her arms over her waist. “Then what do we do? What do you want?”
Wyler blew out a long breath. “We’re not getting a divorce, not yet. How that looks I don’t know but our baby isn’t going to pay because we can’t get our shit together.”
“You’re making a permanent decision based on your temporary emotions.”
“Said the woman who ended our marriage in a woman’s bathroom.”
“Do I have to keep reminding you of our agreement?”
He chuckled. “No, I have it tattooed on my brain. The baby wasn’t part of the agreement either and yet here we are. First, I’m coming home. I’m tired of living in the camper like some outcast. A man should be with his wife and child.”
“Didn’t you hear me when I said not to overreact?” She felt a sour taste in the back of her throat. Not because she entirely hated the idea of Wyler moving back to the Manor, but she wasn’t sure how she could manage her emotions. That morning she’d cried when she’d run out of toilet paper. She had no clue pregnancy hormones could make a woman cry at the drop of a hat.
He drove his hat over that head full of silky hair. “This isn’t overreacting. You’re just not used to how it feels when you lose control.”
She gave her head a decisive shake. “Don’t get too cocky. I haven’t lost any control.”
He took a step toward her and leaned in, so close she caught the scent of leather and his cologne. She wanted to wrap her arms around him. She needed a hug of reassurance. A modicum of security. To know she wasn’t alone. The second that Doc Lafferty confirmed her pregnancy, she felt like her world was blown off its axis.
“I think you secretly like when you’re challenged.”
She looked up at him through the veil of her lashes. “You’re angry. You need time to absorb the news and lose some of the bitterness.”
“I don’t need time. I won’t change my mind. You might want to stop looking at me like that because we both know where it’ll lead.”
“Like what?” her voice came out in a squeak.
“Like you want me to kiss you.”
Would he kiss her? Did she want him to kiss her? “Wyler…”
“Liberty,” he said her name as if he was sucking on a lemon wedge. “You can always move into the camper with me, but something tells me that sweet ass wouldn’t make it two days.”
“You chose to move there.” She wouldn’t cower under his heated glare.
“Was that before or after you asked for a divorce?” His lip curled.
“You keep saying those words as if we have a normal marriage.”
“Don’t worry. I might have misunderstood a lot regarding you and me, but not once have I thought anything about this marriage is normal.”
She cringed at the scorching pain of his words. “It’s possible I misunderstood a few things myself.”
“Like what? That you could walk all over me and I’d bow down because you’re a Rose?”
“That you understood the perimeters of a marriage of convenience.”
“And where is it written on that list of yours that you were going to get pregnant?” She opened her mouth but the only thing that came out was a hiss. “I’ve rendered you silent. Chalk that up as a new one.” He leaned in even closer.
“No one says you have to be involved.”
“Oh, but I will be. In fact, I’m thinking we should announce it to the family that we’ve decided to give this marriage another try. That I’ve had a change of heart and, how did you put it? Oh yeah, that you’re going to be a better wife. Let them get the taste of that and then we’ll publicize the news of the baby.” His eyes tunneled into her. “Since you’ve told everyone that I was the one ramrodding the divorce.”
She slumped her shoulders, losing her grit. “A baby isn’t enough to make a marriage last.”
“I didn’t say it would, did I? I’m going to be a part of this pregnancy. After the baby’s born, say a few months, you can decide what you want. I’ll sign divorce papers if I have rights to my child.”
“Is this revenge?”
“For what?” His eyes turned cold.
“Because I ended things.”
“Despite how you Roses operate, I’m not operating on that same wavelength. I wouldn’t use my child as some kind of leverage. This is me accepting my responsibility. I want to be a father, pull my weight. You should understand that considering Sam has always been there for you and your sisters and you show little to no gratitude to the man.”
“Don’t go there. You have no right to judge.” A cold breeze swept over her. She’d never been a crier, but she felt the sting of tears at the backs of her eyes.
“I do have a right, sweetheart. I’m part of the family. Not like…what was his name? Reggie? Is that the hand that you had a field day with then discarded him like a broken fence post?” She drew back her hand but before it connected with his cheek, he caught her arm, his fingers circling her wrist in a satin hold. “Did you think I didn’t know? That I didn’t hear the rumors about my wife?”
“I don’t give a damn if you knew, or what you heard. That’s another story that has been embellished by a few people. You have no idea how things unfolded between Reggie and I.” She wouldn’t dare cry in front of him.
“And you know what? I don’t care about the past. I’m not another Reggie, Liberty.” his voice was an octave softer. “Looks like you and I are going to be attached for a while longer so we should get used to it. We can be together and hate it, or we can put our differences aside for the baby. Your choice. But let me be clear, I’m not some backroad cowboy you can drive all over and not pave. Got it?”
“What if I choose to not agree with this?”
He shrugged and leaned back. “Don’t then, but what will Sam say?”
“What do you mean?”
“Think he’d agree on you and I getting a divorce when we’re having a baby?”
She took a deep breath and released it with a sigh. She knew the answer but didn’t want to say it aloud. “Just because you two have become buddies doesn’t mean he’ll choose you over me, Wyler.”
“Then contact your attorney and I’ll contact mine. You need to be aware that I won’t give up my child.”
She knew him well enough to know that any words he spoke were the truth. “So, explain to me exactly what you want then? What does this look like?”
He looked down the sidewalk, watching as a car slowly passed as if the driver was watching him and Liberty. He squinted to get a better look at both the car and driver. The streetlight flashed inside the car, but he couldn’t ascertain more than a glimpse of long hair. Once the brake lights disappeared down the street, he turned back to Liberty. “You’re not going to like it.”
“You have to say it before I have a chance to not like it.” Her chin tilted in challenge.
“Like I said, we stay married until after the baby is born. I want the baby to have my last name and I want to be there through the delivery, through the sleepless nights, and I want to be there for you. We need to do this together.”
“Babies need things,” she said in a hushed tone.
“Like I don’t know,” he scoffed.
“You move in with me until the baby is born and then what? You don’t have a home. Do you plan to put a crib in the corner of a camper?” She knew it was a low blow, but she considered it pretty low that he was cornering her. She pulled in a deep breath, hoping to relieve some of the friction in her body. Doc had told her she needed to take care of herself because she was low in iron and working too hard. She’d never been one to slow down, until lately, as well as taking a daily supplement.
“Real funny,” he said in a relaxed drawl. He swiveled on his boots and strode down the sidewalk.
She had to jog to catch up to him. “I’m not joking. How will you help raise this child?”
He stopped and turned his narrowed gaze at her. “What game are you up to now?”
“No game.” She felt a little woozy. “All your life you’ve flitted from one job to another. What do you know about being a daddy? Before you start demanding rights, think about what a child requires. A twenty-four-seven presence. Nurturing. Stability.”
“And you think you’re ready? What do you think Willow Wild is? A homestead, Liberty.”
“You don’t have the love for that place like I do.” She immediately wanted to kick herself. Why was she being so rude?
“I didn’t ask for the property. You offered it freely if I accepted the terms of the arrangement you cooked up.” Creases appeared around his eyes.
“I don’t regret offering the land, but this…a baby…is different.”
He snorted and his face softened some. “This is not a competition to see who a better parent can be. We need to work together on parenting. This isn’t about you, or me. It’s about a baby. Our baby. We had sex, we knew the risk, and here we are.” He shook his head as if releasing a thread of emotion. “You want the land back? Then take it, but it won’t change things. I’m here. I’ll be here. I’ll find a spot. I’ll build a home with my bare hands if I must. Like it or not, I’m your husband. We’re connected.”
“Do you think I’ve forgotten?” She rubbed her temples. “Daddy should have never demanded that us girls get married.”
Wyler’s laughter echoed off the brick buildings lining Main Street. “Sweetheart, Sam knew exactly what he was doing. Stop pretending you didn’t read between the lines. You thought you were teaching him a lesson by marrying me, but it blew up in your face. When he accepted me as his son-in-law you lost the leverage. When that happened, you lost interest too. I’m assuming it was because it was no longer fun sneaking around.”
His words stung, but they did hold some truth. “You don’t know me as well as you think you do.”
His frown deepened. “That’s one thing we can certainly agree upon.”
“I don’t want the land back. It’s yours. It was part of the agreement that I made.” Bile rose in her throat. She’d had dreams for the property, but it was only a drop in the well when it came to what she had to lose if she wasn’t in her father’s will. Everything she’d worked for. All the prized horses. She enjoyed training horses, and teaching young girls barrel racing, seeing their faces light up when they accomplished their goals. As a kid, she’d strived to make her father happy. The quickest way to do that had been to learn to win at something. That’s when she developed a love for barrel racing, and she’d been damn good at it too. One of the best in the country. It had been something that separated her from Honor, even though she also competed. Being twins, they’d always been in competition with each other. Honor had been the sweet, smart, and “good” sister and Liberty had been known as the wild, untamed one who was a magnet for trouble. But when she was on the back of a horse with the wind in her hair, she was just Liberty. Not the labeled woman who people enjoyed spreading rumors about. Not the feral version in a ladylike world. Just herself and she made her father proud.
He stared a long few seconds before he said, “A child is forever.”
“Yes, it’s forever. I want you to be at Willow Wild and make something wonderful of it. There’s potential there for a cowboy like yourself. You can build a home there. Buy some horses, livestock, and be independent.”
He looked a bit confused. “I told you what I want.”
She paused a moment to gain her thoughts. There were things she couldn’t tell him—wasn’t ready to tell him. She did care for him. He was a good man with a kind heart. Which only made her feel guiltier that she’d brought him into such a tangled mess.
“You want a marriage. A family.” He was a man who wanted a family to call his own. “I don’t know if I can give that to you.”
He kicked up a pebble with the toe of his dirty, worn boot. “Looks like we’re shoved between two rocks then. I guess you have some decisions to make.” He held her gaze as several expressions flitted across his handsome face.
Sweat beaded her upper lip. “This doesn’t have to turn into a battle.”
Then he shrugged, and the faded shirt tightened over his bulky shoulders. “Anything dealing with a Rose turns into a battle in some way or another.”
The door creaked open to the club, and Wyler grabbed her hand, dragging her into the shadows just as Jinx came wobbling out, followed by the rest of the crew. They were laughing and carrying on about Jinx getting a private dance.
Wyler gently pressed her against the rough brick wall. He lowered his head and waited for the men to pass on the sidewalk.
“I should have been a good buddy and given the woman Wyler’s number. It’s time he got over that snobby bitch.” She recognized Billy’s voice. She and the lazy, arrogant cowboy never did see eye-to-eye.
Wyler growled and started to take a step, but Liberty grabbed his shirt in her fists. She gave her head a shake.
“That’s jealousy if I ever did hear it. The Roses are good people, especially Liberty.” It was Jinx that came to her defense. “And you let Wyler hear you say something like that and you’ll lose what’s left of your teeth.”
“I’m just saying, he’s sniffing around that rich pussy like he’s one of them. We all know he fucked that piece of land right out of her,” Billy slurred.
“Shut the fuck up, asshole, or I’m going to shove your teeth down your throat myself,” Rigs piped in. “You don’t like where you’re at on Sagebrush, then take a walk, or you’ll find yourself at the train station. Get my drift?”
The men’s footsteps could be heard fading on the sidewalk.
“You should have let me have a talk with him,” Wyler said. His anger was showing in his harsh frown.
“He was drunk. I don’t put much stock in what Billy says.” She’d never liked the man. She could fire him tomorrow and be happy, but she lived by the saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
“Just so we’re clear, I’ll be keeping a close eye on him,” Wyler said as he lifted his head. “He just made a grave mistake.”
“Thank you, but he’s not worth it.” Liberty stared up at him, feeling a familiar zing inside her. He hadn’t been the first hand she’d found herself involved with, but there was something about him that set him apart from the others—something apart from the fact that he was her husband. He was tall, muscular, and had the deepest dimples she’d ever seen, the same ones he now flashed at her along with that infectious smile. Although she liked those things, something else got her every time. Not once had he tripped over himself or pretended to be something he wasn’t simply to gain her attention. She could think of far worse men to be married to—to be having a child with.
“Are they gone?”
“Yeah, I think so.” Wyler made no move to put some space between them and she wasn’t in any hurry to enforce distance.
“I guess the baby news was the last thing you expected when you came out tonight,” she said.
He blew out a heavy breath. “You can say that again. What’s it going to be, Liberty?”
“You’re not leaving me much choice, are you?”
He then stepped back as if the question jerked him back to reality. “Up until this point I’ve played by the rules, your rules. I won’t force you into anything, but I won’t walk away.”
“You want us to live together as a married couple?”
He grimaced. “We are a married couple. We’re no longer the hand and the boss’s daughter sneaking around in a hay loft, or in a marriage of convenience to satisfy your father. We’re on an even keel. We’re going to be parents. Money doesn’t make a man or woman a parent. Don’t take this away from me.”
“I’m not cruel, Wyler.”
He blinked. “You can be heartless.”
Her heart flittered. “I don’t want us to be angry with one another. That’s not my intention.”
He planted his hand on the back of his neck. “Is it possible for us to be partners in this?”
“That wasn’t part of the deal, cowboy.”
“No, it wasn’t, but neither was a baby. I want Willow Wild, but I want it to be rightfully mine. Not earned because I signed a marriage certificate. I want to be someone our child can be proud of.” He blew out a ragged breath. “I don’t want anyone being able to say that I kissed ass to get the place.”
She sighed, understanding where he was coming from. All her life she’d heard her father preach about pride in land and working hard to make a place your own. He never took any handouts. Never asked anyone for anything. People respected him and knew of Sagebrush Rose because Sam had made it what it was today. He’d instilled in his daughters the same value of hard work and pride in the land they called home. She guessed that was why he liked Wyler. He could see his strength and ethics.
“I already signed the deed over. The place is yours. Don’t allow people to get under your skin. I’ve had townsfolk smile to my face and talk about me behind my back. The land belongs to you.”
That frown dipped deeper. “You’re a real piece of work, Liberty.” He took off at a jaunt on the sidewalk.
Catching up to him wasn’t the easiest task. But she was determined. “I’m a piece of work for what?”
He finally stopped and faced her. “You must have had some clue how this conversation would go,” he growled the words.
She opened her mouth to respond when she heard a shrieked…
“Liberty Rose!”
She recognized the voice. Kaitlynn Stewart.
“And as if on cue,” Liberty said quietly.
The last person on earth she wanted to run into at this particular juncture would be the bubbly character with the evil personality. As kids, Liberty was always in trouble in church for pulling Ms. Goody-Two-Shoes’ braids. Liberty was made to sit out of the Easter pageant one year because Liberty tripped Kaitlynn and she scraped her knee. Interesting enough that no one saw her picking on Tommy Wolford because he stuttered. Every time Liberty saw the twat, she wanted to punch her because underneath that sparkling smile was a snake waiting to strike. “Hold onto your boots,” she whispered to Wyler just as Kaitlynn stepped onto the sidewalk.
The brunette flounced toward them, her ironed blue dress barely fluttered from all the starch. She walked like she had a broomstick stuck up her bottom.
“I thought that was you, Liberty! Fancy seeing you here.” Kaitlynn came gliding up and gave Liberty a tight hug like they were best of friends. She supposed donating to the children’s church program last year helped erase the years of torment between the two. “Hi, Wyler.” Kaitlynn practically licked him with her eyeballs.
“Evenin’, Ms. Stewart.” He touched the brim of his hat.
She turned three shades of red. “Now, Wyler. Just like I told you at the parade. Call me Katy.” Her smile stretched like a rubber band being pulled by an angel’s fingers.
“Parade?” Liberty asked as she looked from Kaitlynn to Wyler.
“Oh? Wyler didn’t tell you that he built one of our floats for the Sagebrush Founder’s Parade? Modest and good with his hands.” Kaitlynn’s eyes sparkled as she looked up at him through her heavily mascaraed lashes.
“He must have forgotten to relay the information.” Liberty forced a laugh that sounded more like a grunt.
“Well, you’ve been out of town,” Wyler said with an edge to his tone.
“How naughty of you to keep this man all to yourself, Liberty. He’s such an asset to the community.” Kaitlynn laid her hand on Wyler’s bicep and gave it a subtle squeeze.
Liberty cleared her throat. “I know, what a shame.” She wanted to puke, and that wasn’t the morning sickness talking. “What are you doing outside of Sagebrush Pines, Katy? Oh, you don’t mind if I call you Katy, do you?”
“Of course not.” She finally released Wyler’s arm and excitement traveled over her pretty features reminding Liberty of a human Minnie Mouse. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to let you two in on my little secret. I’ve entered the chili contest for the annual Sagebrush Harvest Picnic. I’m trying a new recipe this year and I had to come all the way over here to find my secret ingredient.”
“I love a good chili.” Wyler rubbed his stomach.
Liberty wasn’t sure how Kaitlynn entering the contest was a surprise considering she entered and won every year.
“Then can I borrow your tastebuds and let you taste-test my recipe? I sure could use an honest man’s opinion.” Kaitlynn fluttered her lashes. “I can tell you aren’t a man who minces his words.”
“I never turn a home-cooked meal down, ma’am.” His smile fired up Liberty, but he didn’t seem to care.
Kaitlynn, as cute as a button, practically popped out of her heels. “Are you two…?”
“Talking? Yes,” Liberty said dryly.
“I was referring to…oh shoot. I’ll just spit it out.”
“Thank you,” Liberty muttered. “Spit away.”
“Are you two back together? I mean, not to be rude, but it’s been a known fact that you two are separated.”
Liberty wanted to tell Kaitlynn that she’d have to wait a while before she could sink her French tipped claws into Wyler, but Liberty didn’t want to send the sensitive Kaitlynn running off butt hurt. “We are—”
“Back together,” Wyler blurted and pulled Liberty close, kissing her on the cheek. “Right, snookums?”
She didn’t like being backed against the wall but the last thing she wanted, or needed, was the town talking about her relationship, or lack thereof. Planting a smile on her face, she patted Wyler’s cheek a little too firmly. “Right, buttercup.”
“How cute! Then that means you’ll be attending the Harvest Picnic together?” Kaitlyn appeared slightly shocked, or was it disappointment? Maybe a bit of both.
“Of course,” Wyler said.
“Since it is held at Sagebrush Rose and my sisters and I help organize the event together,” Liberty said, fully aware that she hadn’t participated in the effort as much as she should. For ten years the Rose family had hosted the event that both brought the community together for a day of entertainment and events.
Kaitlynn didn’t stay upset for long. Her smile reappeared full force like she was auditioning for a toothpaste commercial. “Then I expect you two will be entering the couples’ competitions. The ladies’ auxiliary and I have a few exciting new games up our sleeves this year.” There she was, placing that dainty hand on Wyler’s arm again. “Of course, you two don’t have to enter as a couple. I’m still available.”
“I’m afraid I don’t think—”
Wyler interrupted Liberty again to say, “We’ll be signing up. There’s nothing my wife loves more than engaging in a little friendly competition.” He winked. His grin wasn’t so charming.
This man!
“Oh, we wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Liberty cringed. She wasn’t the game player type.
“Better bone up on your pie baking skills then.” Kaitlynn beamed. “I plan to bake my special cherry pie. Cherries picked straight from my trees. Me and one of the girls from the auxiliary are teaming up this year and we’ll be hard to beat. My baking skills and her organization skills.”
“Doesn’t that sound…fun.” Liberty cooed sarcastically.
“I better be on my way. That pot of chili won’t cook itself. It takes days to prepare.”
“Enjoy the rest of your night,” Wyler said with a friendly smile.
“Thank you, Wyler. It’s always a pleasure seeing you. Both of you.” Kaitlynn’s smile dulled some. She gave her skirt a flirty flip and pranced down the sidewalk like a cat on the prowl.
"Oh, the nerve of that woman," Liberty said tightly, observing Kaitlynn hop into her red convertible and speed off with a roar.
"Couldn't tell you were not fond of her," Wyler remarked with a grin.
"She's deceitful, a fact you overlook, Mr. Adores-His-Chili," she replied, continuing down the sidewalk.
He followed her, remarking, “So that’s how it looks on you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Jealousy,” he said with a chuckle in his voice.
“Jealous of you two? Not at all,” she scoffed. “That's absurd.”
“Maybe it’s because she can cook and you can't?”
She stopped and faced him. “Just for the record, her “special” chili that she is so proud of sends people rushing to the portable toilets in droves. So go ahead and enjoy. I hope you’re happy. Now we’re locked in on competing…and making a pie of all things nonetheless!” She pivoted and continued toward her car.
He stayed on her footsteps. “This might be a bit foreign, but considering you and your family host the event doesn’t it seem a bit odd that you wouldn’tparticipate? Isn’t it supposed to build bonds between the godlike Rose family and the community?”
"Perhaps you could convince Kaitlynn—or is it Katy—to let go of her current partner so that the both of you could pair up?" Her insides churned. She had managed to avoid morning sickness for the entire day, yet the unfolding drama was beginning to make her queasy.
"You're envious, and there was no need to be that harsh to her regardless of your feelings."
Deeply affected by his words, she paused and regarded him with a sharp eye. "Of course, you'd see it like that. When did you start defending Kaitlynn? You two must have grown quite tight recently."
"I'm not her guardian. I'm simply stating the obvious. It's our responsibility to instill good manners in our kid."
"You quickly switched from being an irate father-to-be to a top-notch dad. Well done, cowboy." She wanted to end the discussion.
"You can't just ignore this, Liberty."
"Watch me." She moved briskly towards where she parked. When she was close, he blocked her path. "Step aside, Wyler."
"We haven't finished our conversation."
"You need to go."
"As I've mentioned, I won't be dictated to by you or your relatives."
A sense of discomfort crept into her chest and rose. Heat flushed through her and suddenly, without warning, her stomach revolted, resulting in the contents of her only meal that day spilling out over Wyler’s most cherished boots.