Honoring Freedom (Cowboys of Sagebrush Rose #3)

Chapter Twenty-One

Freedom had made her mind up.

She wanted to shout it out to the world that Keller Abbott was her man…her husband.

She loved him. He was the most amazing person she’d ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Hurrying toward the lake, she’d received his note to meet her there. This would be a perfect time to reveal her feelings and decide how they would reveal that they were a couple.

The sun was starting to settle on the land and the surrounding area was exceptionally quiet as he pushed through the tree line and scanned the shadows. “Keller?”

No answer.

When she approached the water, she heard muffled noises that sounded out of place. It sounded like someone was trying to speak, but their words were hard to make out.

Following the soft sounds, she came to a sudden stop when she saw a silhouette on the ground. Freedom gasped when she saw that it was Lanah. She had a scarf around her mouth and her hands and feet were tied. Fear was unmistakable in her eyes.

Hurrying over, Freedom knelt beside Lanah and pulled the scarf away. “What happened?”

“Freedom, listen, we don’t have much time. Get help!” Lanah whispered in a shaky voice.

“Who is it?” Freedom felt a crippling fear.

“So, you’ve found my gift to you,” came the male voice from the thick row of trees.

Freedom scanned the dark woods. “Who’s there?”

“Untie me! Please!” Lanah urged as tears fell down her cheeks.

Freedom started to work at the rope around Lanah’s wrists, but the snapping of twigs under foot made Freedom search to see who was there. Rigs Fletcher stepped from the shadows. “Thank goodness, Rigs. Help me with her,” Freedom cried out.

Something in Lanah’s expression made Freedom’s stomach lurch.

“He did this?” Freedom whispered.

Lanah continued to stare as she imperceptibly nodded. More tears streamed down her dirty face.

“Stop right there,” Rigs warned as he came closer. Freedom saw that he was holding a gun aimed at her.

She slowly stood, hands raised. “What’s happening here?”

“She’s your gift.”

Freedom squinted. “My gift? I’m not following.”

“You hate her. I don’t blame you. She’s easy.” He chuckled.

“Rigs, I don’t know why you’re doing this. I don’t hate her. Keller will be here any second. You should do yourself a favor and walk away so this doesn’t get messier than it already is.” Unfortunately, they were away from the reach of the cameras but she hoped her movements were caught by the drone before she got to the lake.

All humor left his face. “Aren’t you going to at least say thank you? I did this to show you how much you mean to me. This is a sign of my love and admiration. Lanah despises you. She wants Keller to herself. And that spineless bastard Downs. I took care of him for you too. That brought me so much pleasure.”

Freedom attempted to focus. “That’s not true. Lanah and I have made up. We’re friends,” Freedom stretched the truth a little, but she had to get Lanah to safety.

An expression of confusion poured over his features. “Why would you do that?”

“Because Keller and I are married. She’s not a threat.”

His brows furrowed. “Married?”

Freedom nodded. “So let me untie Lanah and let her head on home. This is unnecessary.”

He lowered the gun slightly, appearing shaken. “That can’t be possible.”

“I’m going to untie her now.” Freedom bent while keeping her gaze settled on Rigs. She loosened the rope on the woman’s wrists then whispered, “Untie your ankles.”

Lanah frantically untied the ropes. She finally got free while Rigs seemed lost in an internal battle that raged inside him. When Lanah was free, she stood up and said, “Let’s get out of here.”

Freedom began to move, but Rigs’ stern voice halted her. “No, not you, Freedom.”

“Rigs, think about what you’re doing. Let us both go and you’re free to go too,” Freedom stayed calm although her heart slammed against her ribcage.

“Be quiet!” he hissed. “You’re like all the rest.” The gun was aimed directly at Freedom.

"You go ahead," Freedom softly told Lanah.

“No. Come with me.”

Freedom didn’t take her eyes off Rigs. “Go get help.”

Lanah nodded and dashed into the woods.

“Why are you doing this?” Freedom needed to keep him talking. Keller would be there soon.

“I love you. You mean everything to me,” he said in a calm, steady voice.

“Rigs, I didn’t know you cared that way.”

“That’s because you look straight through me as if I’m not even there.”

“I don’t. We’ve had conversations.”

He snorted. “Once.” His grip tightened on the gun. “Now we’ll make up for all those chances. You’re coming with me. You will have to get your marriage annulled.”

“Rigs, don’t do this. We won’t get far. You know my family will find us. Keller will find us. There must be an explanation for why you’re doing this. Can you tell me why?” Keep him talking.

“I do love you. I want to protect you from—”

Bang.

Rigs dropped to his knees, all the life leaving his eyes as he fell face first onto the ground.

Freedom stared in disbelief.

The man was bleeding from the back of his head.

*****

Keller ran so fast that his lungs were parched.

He’d heard the gun shot reverberate around the lake.

Lanah had found him and told him Freedom needed him. He had no idea what he’d find when he got there. Thankfully, he could pull up the camera footage on his phone. He saw her slip through the tree line at the lake. The drone didn’t cover that area and there were no cameras at the water so he could see what she was doing there. Lanah had been so frantic, he didn’t wait around to get information.

With the blast, the area would be crawling with cowboys soon.

He burst through a row of trees and he saw Freedom. She was alive.

Another man stood over Rigs who appeared dead. As Keller approached, the bulky man with a shaved head and a cross tattoo on his cheek said in a stone-like voice, “Good riddance.

Keller quickly moved toward Freedom, who continued to gaze at Rigs' body.

Pulling her into his arms, Keller turned her so she couldn’t see the grisly scene. “What happened?”

“Rigs is dead,” she muttered against his chest.

“I shot him,” the man said proudly. “Bastard shot Kent. I followed him here. Good thing I did. He was about to shoot her.”

“And who are you?” Keller felt Freedom’s shoulders shaking. She was coming out of shock.

“I’m Kent’s bodyguard. Tribe.”

“Thank you,” Keller said. He looked down into Freedom’s face. “You’re okay. You’re safe.”

She nodded. “Is—is Lanah…?”

“She’s fine. She’s calling the sheriff.”

“Rigs…he was sick. He had tied Lanah up.”

“Shh. It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve got you, I’m right here.” He pulled her back into the safety of his arms.