Honoring Freedom (Cowboys of Sagebrush Rose #3)

Chapter Nineteen

Folks assembled around the pasture, making a wide circle to watch the scarecrow contest.

The air hummed with excitement and the golden reeds swayed as the contestants gathered.

Keller searched for Freedom and finally found her. She was heading in his direction, adjusting her floppy, straw hat. She smiled at him, and he felt the universe stop a minute. She had no clue that he’d fallen in love with her—again.

She was caught by one of the elderly members of Sagebrush Pine. She offered him an apologetic smile and stopped to speak.

He felt a jagged rock take up residence in the center of his chest.

He never intended to fall for her again. Reflecting, he realized proposing might have been a mistake, but the idea of someone else giving her a ring was intolerable. He was willing to confront anything to stop that from happening, making marriage seem like the lesser of two evils.

Now he found himself stuck between a rock and a Rose.

What had he expected?

That she’d reciprocate his feelings?

That they would get another chance?

“Everything alright, cowboy?” Lanah Weaver asked with a cheerful grin.

“Absolutely.”

“You're still thinking about her, aren’t you?”

He looked at her. “Yeah, I suppose I am.” Why hide it? He was done and dusted with keeping secrets.

“Those Roses certainly sink their claws in deep,” Lanah sighed. “It's a shame she doesn’t notice a good thing right in front of her.”

“What do you mean?” Keller asked.

Lanah twirled a strand of her hair around her finger. “Oh, I just mean I've noticed how close she and Jinx are. I saw them having an intense conversation by the barn earlier. It looked like a lover’s quarrel to me.”

Keller felt as if he'd taken a blow to the chest. Jinx was a trusted friend, and even though Keller didn't think there was anything romantic between Freedom and Jinx, it was evident that they appeared quite close. All the while Keller stayed hidden behind a wall of secrecy.

He suspected he was envious.

Envy could drive a man mad if he let it.

Yet, he’d protect his wife against anyone’s judgements.

“She and Jinx are good friends. Like we are—were,” he said matter of factly.

She looked up at him, smirking. “I remember. Now we’re not allowed to be friends.”

“That’s not true.”

“Oh?” She sighed “Freedom hasn’t said one kind word to me since that night…”

“Lanah, she had every right to be angry.” He scrubbed his fingers over his jaw.

“I guess you probably still hold that event against me too.” Creases bracketed her eyes.

“No. Trust is important in a relationship.” He still watched Freedom. The sundress she wore fapped against her long legs, giving him a view of her toned thigh.

She squinted, looking from Lanah back to him. Even though she kept her face calm, he could almost see Freedom boiling inside.

She walked up to him and as she got closer, she gave Lanah a saccharine smile. “Hello, Lanah. I see you won the chili contest for the…what does this make? The fifth year in a row?”

“Actually, it's the sixth time, but who’s keeping track?” Lanah's smile was tinged with insincere sweetness.

Keller didn’t want to be in the middle.

“Will you be participating in the scarecrow contest?” Freedom directed her question at Lanah.

“I am. In fact, I’ve convinced one of Sagebrush Rose’s workers, Jinx, to partner with me.” Did Lanah’s eyes shine more brightly?

Keller chuckled. “Good luck.”

“We’re participating too,” Freedom said.

It took Keller a moment to realize she was talking to him. “We are?”

“Yes, silly. Remember I asked you earlier?” Freedom said saucily.

“Sure, I remember.” He remembered she wanted him to meet her here, but she didn’t mention participating. Or did she? He had no clue because he’d been wrapped up in his anger.

“Well, may the best…couple, win.” Lanah gave a flirty toss of her skirt as she turned and headed across the pasture to where Jinx was standing with a group of cowboys.

“So, we’re allowed to speak in public now?” Keller said in a lowered voice.

“Would you rather we didn’t?” she said in a clipped tone.

What reason did she have to be angry?

“I thought you and Jinx would team up,” he said with a bit of irritation. He knew he sounded jealous, but he just couldn't stop himself.

“Maybe he and I should have so you and Lanah could have partnered.” Anger flashed in her gaze. “And please tell me we’re not revisiting the conversation we had about Jinx?”

“Please tell me we’re not going back to the discussion that involves Lanah.”

Freedom rolled her eyes. “I just saved you from her. Did you see the way she was looking at you? Like a shark that caught the scent of blood.”

Before he could respond, the mayor came over the microphone announcing that the contestants should gather their items for their scarecrow and pick a spot.

“Come on before all the good things are gone.” She hurried over to the pile of flannel shirts, overalls, bottle caps, pipes, and tin cans. “I’ll pick and you carry.”

“What made you decide that you want to associate with me? Won’t people start talking?” he said in a lowered voice, but she still shushed him.

As she piled items into his arms, including a pumpkin, he bit his tongue until he tasted blood.

But the second they were near their straw station, he said, “Well?”

"Since you want to talk about this now, I wanted to show you that I'm not scared to speak up in public." She started stuffing the worn flannel shirt with straw. “I do need your help.” She looked at him through the thick fringe of her lashes.

He bent next to her, grabbed a handful of straw, and shoved it into the shirt. “Is this about us or about your hatred toward Lanah?”

She paused in stuffing the arms. “What? Why would I give a hoot about Lanah? I don’t think she can make up her mind which cowboy she wants to snag. If anything, she’s flirting with you just to ruffle my feathers.”

“She’s not interested in me,” he said on an exhale of breath.

Freedom’s laugh drew the attention of several bystanders. “Bull.”

“Be careful, sweetheart. Someone might think you like me a little,” he said.

“By the way, Lanah likes every cowboy in that way. Have you seen the way she practically slurps up Wyler through her red painted lips? And now she’s after Jinx.” She tilted her chin upward.

Keller looked over his shoulder and it did appear that Lanah was interested in Jinx. “Good for them.”

“He’s locked on Justice.”

“What?”

She swiped her hands together. “He’s in love with Justice.”

Keller had no clue. “Really?”

“Yes. Really.”

“As long as it’s not you.”

She shoved one last handful of straw into the shirt and stood. “I’ve told you there’s nothing between Jinx and me. You and I might not be a true married couple but I’m not a cheater.”

He stood and swiped off his hat, knocking it against his denim clad thigh. “I sense a lot of accusation in that statement.”

“If the shoe fits,” she said sassily.

“That’s funny.” He dropped the straw-filled shirt to the ground. The scarecrow contest was the least of his concerns at the moment.

“What?”

“You can’t seem to let go of the past. Is that why you keep me in the dark like your dirty little secret?”

Her mouth twisted. “This is what you and I agreed to remember? A secret marriage.”

“You’re right. We did.”

She began crafting eyes and a mouth on the pumpkin using bottle caps. "By the way, this is a timed contest."

He grabbed the ripped and torn jeans from the pile of items and half-heartedly fixed them to the torso of the scarecrow. “There’s never going to be an agreement. You’ll always see things as you want to see them. It’s your way or the highway.”

“People are watching,” she said through clamped lips.

“When do you stop caring what others think?”

"This isn't the right moment or spot," she said, placing the pumpkin head on the shirt. Right then, the bell rang, signaling the end of the contest. "I have a secret weapon." She swiped his Stetson and placed it on the pumpkin's head. "Now it looks just as grumpy as you."

“I’m not playing, sweetheart. I’m done keeping secrets.”

“Is that a threat?”

“To what? Expose that we’re married?”

“Shh, Keller.” She looked around.

“My, God. Can you really be so obtuse?” He blew out a long, frustrated breath.

“Could you be more irritating?” she said in a hushed tone.

He swiped his hat back and slammed it onto his head. “I’m done with this. Good luck with the contest.” He stomped off.

*****

Pok watched from the crowd. He seethed inwardly. Freedom and the doc were in an argument.

Pok sulked, thinking it should be him with her.

He’d been a good boy, laying low, but his patience had worn thin.

Kent Downs warned Pok to back off. After the plan to take care of the horse failed, there were too many risks involved. He couldn’t leave Sagebrush Rose, not now. He was stuck on the land, working day in and day out next to the doc who was busy sneaking off and fucking Pok’s woman every chance he got.

Earlier, he’d watched Freedom with Jinx. Saw them with their heads bent in deep discussion. Something had alarmed her. What had the hand said that bothered her?

Pok hated Jinx as much as he hated Keller. They both made Pok want to punch a hole in the wall.

Jinx had a watchful eye.

The other day, Pok had situated himself with a private view of Freedom and Keller who were unsuspecting that they were being watched going at it like rabbits near the lake. Pok thought Jinx caught him, but somehow Pok had outsmarted the dumb cowboy.

Pok had dreamt up a hundred ways to take the man out. No one would miss him because he didn’t have anyone who cared. However, Pok needed to tread carefully with Keller. He would be missed. His brother, Kiefer, had started at the ranch a few days ago. Also, all the cameras had been installed and the hands were being watched closely. Pok should have taken out the cowboys long ago.

Laughter caught his attention. Speak of the devil. Jinx was building a scarecrow with some pretty blonde who looked at the cowboy like he hung the moon.

Pok had always wanted someone to look at him like he was amazing. Someone like Freedom. She was the total package. Pretty. Smart. Built like heaven. And she didn’t take any shit from anyone.

No longer caring what that bastard Downs had to say, Pok itched to take back control of his own destiny. He couldn’t wait any longer to have Freedom. It was time he created a grand plan to move forward.

The judges were out evaluating the scarecrows, but Pok was barely interested when the lively lady and Jinx won first prize. Pok’s sharp mind was already racing. His dick was so hard he thought he’d bust a seam. He craved pussy. It had been too long.

He overheard someone call the lady Lanah. Pretty name.

As the crowd dispersed, Pok watched as Lanah strolled past him, leaving a scent of sugar cookies in her wake. Like a horndog, he followed her.

Keeping enough distance so no one saw him following Lanah, he watched her. Especially the sweet shake of her ass. She gained attention as she divided a circle of cowboys and smiled flirtatiously. So, she was a bit of a slut, Pok thought pensively.

She flounced up to the sno cone booth and placed her order. Pok stepped up beside her, pulling cash out of his pocket. “Here, ma’am. Let me take care of this for you.” He flashed a smile.

As he anticipated, she absorbed his kindness as a sponge soaks up water.

He grinned, carefully keeping eye contact for three seconds. Women liked when men stared into her eyes. She was no different. She practically slurped him up with her big blue eyes. Although she was pretty, and had a sexy innocence, she didn’t do much for him. She seemed too eager, unlike Freedom.

“Thank you, cowboy,” she said as she licked her icy treat.

They stepped away from the booth. “Lanah, right?”

She giggled. “Yes. I don’t think you and I have met before.”

After adjusting his hat, he winked. “Well, Lanah. It’s your lucky day. I’m Rigs Fletcher.”