Honoring Freedom (Cowboys of Sagebrush Rose #3)

Chapter Five

Freedom loved the cabin.

The bedroom that was hers exuded rustic elegance.

She set her suitcase on the hand-stitched quilt covering the four-poster bed and dug out the first thing she came to, then changed her mind. She hadn’t expected to have dinner with Keller, but didn’t it only make sense that they would? Since they were grown-ups and business associates, she decided to pull out a cute dress she hadn't worn yet. She'd thrown it into her suitcase at the last minute while packing, just in case. The dress wouldn't make it look like she was trying too hard, but it would show off her curves nicely.

What she loved about the bedroom didn’t actually have anything to do with the room itself. She loved the bathroom that she’d designed herself. Daddy let each of his daughter’s design their own bedroom space. She’d wanted a rustic meets elegant sanctuary.

Pushing open the hand-crafted sliding door that had been made with reclaimed wood from an old barn at Sagebrush Rose, she stepped inside her oasis. The rough-hewn logs and ceiling beams had a story to tell because they were also repurposed from the barn.

In the center of the room stood the clawfoot bathtub, gleaming in porcelain radiance under the soft glow of the candlelight chandelier. The tub’s antique brass fixtures gave the rustic charm that she’d been looking for.

Turning on the faucet, she opened the lid of a delicate China container and sprinkled the infused herbal granules into the water. Instantly, the room was immersed in rose and eucalyptus.

While the tub filled, she undressed, pulled her hair into a shell clip, and stepped into the inviting warmth of the water which hugged her as she sunk into its embrace. Directly in front of the bathtub was a window that offered a view of towering pines and the craggy, snow topped mountains in the distance. Their tips kissed the sky that was bathed in orange and pink colors as the sun started to set.

She reached for the lighter and lit the row of candles along the bathtub and picked up a sponge from the basket. Using the chunk of soap that also smelled of rose and eucalyptus, she soaped her sponge, enjoying the feel of the rough and softer combination caress her sensitive skin. Keller had evoked emotion in her, and thinking of him made her nipples bead.

With each smooth glide of the soapy sponge, her body became more aware.

Keller wasn’t the same man she knew fifteen years ago. He’d grown into a confident, self-assured cowboy who had an irrevocable charm that could make a woman melt. He certainly did make Freedom weak in the knees.

Running the sponge over one leg, she gave a little giggle. She wasn’t sure where the sound came from within her, but she liked feeling…

What?

An unexpected excitement to have a conversation with a man. Butterflies in places that she hadn’t felt in a long time.

She laid her head back and closed her eyes, smiling to herself.

What harm could come just by simply enjoying his company?

Her cell phone beeped, and she craned her neck to check the screen. Seeing that it was from Keller, she read his message…

When you’re finished come to the back porch for a gourmet dinner. K.

I’m almost done. F. She hit ‘send.’

Using her toe, she lifted the drain. She couldn’t wait to see what he prepared.

She dried off and dressed in record time, applied mascara and lip tint, and made her way downstairs and through the set of intricate French doors. She was met with a nocturnal symphony of a howling coyote off in the distance and the hooting of a nearby owl. A fire crackled from the stone fire pit and overhead through the canopy of silk curtains the stars emerged like tiny pinpricks in the purple velvet sky.

The night was made for lovers.

But she couldn’t find Keller.

The lanterns were lit offering a glow onto the table that was set with two silver platters, the partially drank bottle of whiskey and a single lit candle.

“Hello,” came his voice from the darkness.

She squinted trying to get a better look at him. The shadows shifted and a silhouette appeared. It was Keller holding a yellow rose he must have picked from the garden.

“For you, madam.”

She accepted the rose and brought it to her nose. “Thank you, it’s lovely.”

“Would you like to take a seat?” He motioned for her to sit on the L-shaped sofa that surrounded the table.

“I’d love to.” She sat down and laid the rose next to her plate. “What’s under the lid?” she asked once he joined her. He scooted so close that their arms brushed.

“The best meal you’ll ever have in your life.” His eyes twinkled in the candlelight.

She lifted the domed lid off the plate and laughed. “Scrambled eggs and toast.” Some women might snub their noses at the meal, but Freedom loved it. As a kid Dolly would make her eggs for dinner. “This is…”

“Too rustic?”

“Charming.” She used her fork to stab a bit of the egg.

“Let’s not forget dessert.” He uncovered another lid to a brownie covered in whipped cream and sprinkles.

She felt her barriers of protection slip. “I would have never pegged you as a romantic, Keller.”

“I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Don’t let the calloused hands, dirty boots, and whiskers fool you.” He winked. “By the way, you look lovely.”

“Thank you. It’s always a special occasion when there are eggs on the menu.” She took another bite. The eggs were perfectly cooked. She swallowed them down with a sip of whiskey. Refraining from more alcohol would be the best decision, but being alone with Keller, and in a romantic atmosphere, it only seemed natural to not allow logic to worm itself in. Sometimes a woman just needed to relax and allow the universe to take her where she needed to go.

She tucked her legs up under her on the cushion and watched him over the rim of the glass. He scooped up forkfuls of egg and when he scraped his plate clean, he used a napkin to wipe his face. When he realized she was watching him, a grin burst out over his expression.

“I still eat like a hungry cowboy,” he said.

In all honesty, Freedom didn’t mind.

“Tell me, Keller, why aren’t you married, or at least taken?” The wind caught the hem of her dress and lifted it. She tugged it back down.

He poured himself a small amount of whiskey and sat back, his hips brushing her knees. “Probably for the same reason that you aren’t.”

“You’re waiting for the perfect cowboy?” she teased.

“If you wanted perfect you should have said so. He’s sitting right in front of you.” That grin made her toes curl.

Freedom stretched her legs and when he wrapped his fingers around her bare ankles and led her legs across his lap, a tiny moan escaped her. He then took it a step further and began massaging one foot. She quivered in delight.

“Now what were we talking about?” She’d lost her train of thought.

“You were saying how perfect I am.”

His hand felt heavenly over her arch. “No, you were saying how perfect you are and I was about to tell you that you’re far from being perfect.”

He looked over at her, his gaze warm and inviting. “Pretty close though, right?”

“Ask me that when you’re not rubbing my feet.” She could barely think, let alone talk.

“So, is a massage like a truth serum? Be honest, why are you single? It certainly can't be because you don't have your pick of all the eligible bachelors in town,” he said as he switched to the other foot.

“I think it's quite refreshing to be alone in today's world.”

His soft chuckle echoed through the courtyard. “What you’re saying is you haven’t found a man who is strong enough to handle you.”

She found it harder to respond since his fingers were pressing more firmly into her foot. “Am I really that difficult?”

His hand paused. “Yes.”

“Why do men associate difficulty with independence?”

“So independence is what you’re calling it these days?” His fingers had traveled higher up on her legs, his thumbs caressing her calves.

“I’m not calling it anything. But if we had to put a label on it, I’d say it’s strength. Unfortunately, you’ve never had to work in a male dominated career.” She watched him closely.

“But it must be a bit more…easy considering you’re the boss,” he said matter-of-factly.

“The boss? Hardly. That’s Daddy’s title.” She swallowed the last dregs of her drink.

“But one day it’ll be yours, and your sisters’.”

She hesitated. “Maybe. I think he’d much rather have had a son to give everything to.”

“Or maybe he just wants for you and your sisters to act like ladies and think like men.”

This caught her by surprise. “What do you mean? Does that mean thinking as if we have a penis but being ladylike so we can still catch a penis?”

He leaned in. “You’re not getting what I’m saying.”

“Then please explain.” Tension was rising.

“This is a rough career, sweetheart. Right now, Sam protects his daughters from the true mess. He cleans up all the messes. What happens when, heaven forbid, he’s no longer here? Can each of you make the tough decisions? The not so pleasant choices? Can you each keep the boundaries between boss and employee?”

Freedom wanted to come back with something snappy, but she had no argument. Since the Rose sisters became adults the lines at the ranch had been blurred by temptation and attraction. Although there were strict rules and restrictions Daddy had put into place, his daughters were as stubborn and didn’t abide by rules as they should.

“I allowed myself a bit of rule-breaking once. It didn’t work out so well and I learned my lesson.”

Their gazes met and locked.

“Just once?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, just once.”

“I've heard rumors that you and Jinx are—”

“No, we're not,” she interrupted, placing her glass on the table. “Surely you don't amuse yourself with such foolishness.”

He was quiet for a moment. “I was hoping the talk was false.”

“Why is that?”

“You’re smart, Free. You feel the chemistry between us as strong as I do.”

His gaze burrowed into her, warming her blood with desire.

But she needed to stop things before they got out of control.

Lowering her feet to the floor, she stood and smoothed her skirt. “I should go to bed.”

“This early?”

“We have to get up at dawn. We should arrive at the auction grounds ahead of everyone else. You know what they say, the early bird catches the worm.” She hurried to the doors. “Thank you for dinner.” She was still breathing heavy when she stepped inside her bedroom and leaned against the door. Obviously, the chemistry hadn’t waned between them.

This working relationship had the potential to get very sticky.