Chapter Four #3
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.
[1]
This is Ralph the ex-military guy mentioned earlier right?
[2]
Earlier Kitty was used. So we might want to switch them around. I like Sammich though ??