Honoring Freedom (Cowboys of Sagebrush Rose #3)

Chapter Twelve

Freedom might strangle Keller after he confessed their relationship to Sam. She needed to realize that Keller was a decent man who would always treat her and Sam with respect. A man resorts to lying only when burdened by guilt, and the only remorse Keller felt was for not expressing his strong feelings for Freedom sooner.

He reminded himself every time he saw her that he needed to move at her pace. Something about her got his body tied all in knots and his blood pumping like a river. No doubt, she aroused him, both mentally and physically.

Sure, he found her beautiful, with all those golden curls that framed her pretty face. Good thing she kept the wild tresses tamed in a braid on most occasions. He didn’t know if he could resist touching the silken mass. Like right now, he was waiting for her to finish speaking to a client on the phone and he had a strong urge to curl that one misbehaving strand that brushed her cheek around his knuckle. He had a controlled desire to pull the elastic out and watch her hair tumble to her shoulders.

As she talked, his attention was drawn to her lips. Kissable, amazing lips that were the same color as her nipples. When she bent over the desk to reach for a piece of paper on the other side, his body went into overdrive. Her backside looked enticing encapsulated in the snug riding pants. Wonder how she’d respond if he leaned over and playfully bit her firm cheek. He knew what she’d do. She’s knock him into yesterday.

He laughed, which gained him a curious glare from her. He pretended he was chuckling over something on the other side of the window. She must have fallen for it because she continued her conversation.

She stepped around him and he caught her fragrance, the one that no one could buy at any shop. It reminded him of the red-hot cinnamon candies he used to eat when he was a kid. Just like her, the candy set his mouth on fire, but he couldn’t stop himself from indulging.

Why had he chosen this path? A handful of women had clearly shown interest in him. Those he knew from the past had blossomed into stunning women, and he couldn't remember ever receiving so much attention. Yet, he wasn't biting. He was still finding his footing on the ranch.

He should just be honest with himself. He turned down all those dinner invites because, ever since he got back home, he couldn’t stop thinking about the feisty woman rummaging through a basket right now. Of course, he wouldn’t say it to her face—her ego was big enough already—but he really admired her bravery. She carried herself with confidence, and he’d seen her deal with angry clients and their unruly horses at the ranch.

As clear as if it were yesterday, he remembered the first time he and Freedom met. Sure, he’d seen her around, was curious about her and her sisters. They had quite the reputation around town, even back then, everyone knew about them, and every boy wanted to get to know them. But they were way out of Keller and his brothers’ league.

And then he officially met Freedom, but it wasn’t a normal introduction.

She’d been busily mucking out the stall, covered from head to toe in straw and manure as if she’d been rolling in it, her clothes sweaty and clinging to her, and when she caught him staring, she’d said with a lot of confidence for someone her age, “Are you going to help or are you paid to stare?”

He’d grabbed the nearest rake and jumped in. He’d been about as bashful as a newborn fawn seeking its mother. And when things turned between them, the chemistry had been on fire.

His body still responded like that young man who had lost all confidence in the presence of Freedom. His knees would knock and his heart would hammer his ribs every single time she smiled his direction. When that first kiss finally came, he felt like a worm on a hook, and he wasn’t mad. They spent hours together. Talking. Swimming. Grilling. Sitting around bonfires. And lots more in the bed of his rusted out old truck. She was gutsy even then and she’d kept him in a tailspin.

His tastes had changed in women though. Over the years he’d found himself gravitating toward the quieter ones, not the headstrong tomboys who loved to argue and compete. Everything had been a competition, between themselves and with the cowboys on the ranch. She worked harder than anyone, earning respect from the crew. The same respect she feared she’d lose if she wasn’t careful. Keller wasn’t a psychologist, but she said she wanted everyone’s respect, but she truly only wanted her father’s admiration. Sam had always been a strong man without a softer side. Yet, when it came to his daughters, he’d bite the head off a rattler if needed.

Keller had wanted Freedom since the day he watched her mucking the stall. What they’d shared had been beyond infatuation and a fun time. They had a connection he hadn’t found with anyone since.

How could she have been so na?ve to believe that he would want another girl, let alone kiss someone when he had everything he wanted in Freedom. She’d tossed him away over a simple misunderstanding.

He'd tried his best to get back with her, and when she refused to even look his direction, he knew he needed something major to happen. So, he joined the military. Now he was a soldier that had been through hell and back. Had the scars to prove it.

At the cabin, after he and Freedom had made love on the porch, they went to bed together. She’d rested her head on his shoulder, tracing the scars on his body as if uncovering a hidden map. She asked him about his time as a Ranger, not just out of curiosity but with real interest. He usually didn't like talking about those days and the things he'd witnessed, but with her, it felt natural to open that door, revealing a part of himself he’d never allowed anyone to see.

What he couldn’t tell her yet was about the night terrors he suffered from after he came back home. He hadn’t had one in a long time, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t return. Sometimes stress brought on sleep disturbances for him.

She hung up and settled her gaze on him, that lush bottom lip popping out slightly. “Feel better?”

Freedom’s question jarred him back to the present. “You spoke to Sam, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I spoke to Sam,” she said sarcastically. “Have you lost your mind?”

“Freedom—”

“Don’t Freedom me.”

“I wasn’t going to lie.”

“No one said you had to lie. You just don’t give away too much information.”

He swiped off his hat and held it against his chest. He wasn’t going to back down from making the right decision. “What’s the big deal? You’re an adult. You can choose who you want to see and how you spend your time.”

She massaged her forehead, as if trying to dismiss a troubling thought. “The issue is that Daddy has utterly lost his sanity now.” In frustration, she raised her hands, scanning her desk like she was attempting to find her daddy’s aforementioned sanity. “Perhaps I’m also losing my sanity because the horse feed log charts have vanished. Completely gone. They were on my desk. Now, I have an upset client who urgently needs those charts.”

“Is Sam upset over us?” That wasn’t the impression that Keller got during the conversation with the man. He’d seemed happy.”

“He’s insisted that my sisters and I find husbands.”

Keller searched her face. After finding no sign that she was joking, he chuckled. “He did what?”

“You heard me. We must marry or give up our part of the ranch. He knows how much this place means to me and how much I've put into it. Just the boarding and breeding business alone is invaluable to me. Rebuilding everything would take years.”

“Maybe you misunderstood.”

“No misunderstanding. How could he do this?” She paced the floor, more agitation appearing in her expression.

“In his eyes, he probably feels he has every right,” Keller said.

She stopped and faced him, her gaze narrowing. “Whose side are you on?”

“I’m on no one’s side. There are no sides. I’m only playing devil’s advocate.”

She hooked her thumbs into her front pockets. “I blame you for this.”

“Me? He’s a smart man, Free. If I’d have lied, he would have lost all respect for me. As much as I wanted to protect you, this was the right thing for me to do.”

“What did that conversation look like? Did he tell you that he planned to demand that my sisters and I marry?”

“No, he didn’t. Why would he? I just think…”

“What?”

“That he wants what’s best for you all.”

“By forcing us to get married?”

“By forcing you into stop the sneaking around.”

“I’m disturbed that you see his point.” Her eyes sparked.

“I didn’t say I saw his point.” He sighed. He wasn’t going to gain any ground in this argument.

“You didn’t? Really?”

“He’s a man with traditional values. Maybe he’ll change his mind though.”

“Daddy never changes his mind.” She began pacing again. “Did he also tell you that someone snuck into the cabin while we were staying there?” She stopped again. “Probably even watched us…” Her eyes glazed like she wanted to pierce him.

“We discussed the rock through the window but what are you talking about?”

She pulled open a drawer, took out a plastic bag and dropped it down on the desk. “You know how embarrassing it is to have a woman’s father return her panties to her in a plastic bag? Apparently, we have a thong thief in our midst.”

He ran his palms down his face. “The man saw us together. He got angry and that’s why he threw the rock through the window.”

“That’s what it seems like.”

“Downs?” He’d hunt the man down.

“Although it might be tempting to blame him, even Kent wouldn't stoop to this level. This has a stalker vibe to it.”

Keller hated Downs but he had to agree with her. The little he knew about the man he didn’t need to sneak around watching couples having sex or stealing panties.

The door swung open and Jinx stuck his head inside. He looked from Keller to Freedom and back to Keller with a solemn expression. “Sorry to interrupt, but you need to come quick. We have a serious problem.”