Page 15 of Chasing Liberty

“Then I guess the end will have to be put on hold.”

“This wasn’t the arrangement, Wyler.”

“You’ve got that right, sweetheart. Since the very beginning I’ve jumped through your hoops.” He rammed his hand through his hair. “What did you think would happen? That you’d tell me you’re pregnant and I’d want to cut all ties? Maybe you thought I’d be like my pa and have the deadbeat gene. Well, you were wrong. Believe it or not, sometimes even a Rose can be wrong. It’s high time you lose some of the arrogance.”

Liberty took a deep breath and found some compassion for his situation. She knew enough about his childhood and the regret he carried with him. “I didn’t think that far ahead. I just found out myself two days ago and I’m still trying to wrap my head around the news. Let’s keep in mind it takes two to tango and two to make a baby. You have Crescent Rose, at least part of it. Stop acting like I did you so wrong. The land is worth more than—””

“Then a hand will ever make in his lifetime?” he snapped.

“No! More than the value. It’s a legacy.”

“You should know my land is no longer Crescent Rose. You’re talking about Willow Wild,” he said proudly.

She nodded. “Right. Willow Wild.”

“Willow Wild is a dream come true, but there are things in life that are worth so much more. You probably don’t get that. You think I should take my gift and go stand in the corner like a good boy.”

“You’re twisting my words.”

“Problem is, you don’t stop and think about others and their emotions. Anything a Rose wants, they get. You’re right, I did agree to marry you to appease your father, to help you, but this…” his gaze fell to her stomach. “is all aboutus. I won’t walk away from this so don’t even think about asking me to.”

She folded her arms over her waist. “Then what do we do? What do you want?”

Wyler blew out a long breath. “We’re not getting a divorce, not yet. How that looks I don’t know but our baby isn’t going to pay because we can’t get our shit together.”

“You’re making a permanent decision based on your temporary emotions.”

“Said the woman who ended our marriage in a woman’s bathroom.”

“Do I have to keep reminding you of our agreement?”

He chuckled. “No, I have it tattooed on my brain. The baby wasn’t part of the agreement either and yet here we are. First, I’m coming home. I’m tired of living in the camper like some outcast. A man should be with his wife and child.”

“Didn’t you hear me when I said not to overreact?” She felt a sour taste in the back of her throat. Not because she entirely hated the idea of Wyler moving back to the Manor, but she wasn’t sure how she could manage her emotions. That morning she’d cried when she’d run out of toilet paper. She had no clue pregnancy hormones could make a woman cry at the drop of a hat.

He drove his hat over that head full of silky hair. “This isn’t overreacting. You’re just not used to how it feels when you lose control.”

She gave her head a decisive shake. “Don’t get too cocky. I haven’t lost any control.”

He took a step toward her and leaned in, so close she caught the scent of leather and his cologne. She wanted to wrap her arms around him. She needed a hug of reassurance. A modicum of security. To know she wasn’t alone. The second that Doc Lafferty confirmed her pregnancy, she felt like her world was blown off its axis.

“I think you secretly like when you’re challenged.”

She looked up at him through the veil of her lashes. “You’re angry. You need time to absorb the news and lose some of the bitterness.”

“I don’t need time. I won’t change my mind. You might want to stop looking at me like that because we both know where it’ll lead.”

“Like what?” her voice came out in a squeak.

“Like you want me to kiss you.”

Would he kiss her? Did she want him to kiss her? “Wyler…”

“Liberty,” he said her name as if he was sucking on a lemon wedge. “You can always move into the camper with me, but something tells me that sweet ass wouldn’t make it two days.”

“You chose to move there.” She wouldn’t cower under his heated glare.

“Was that before or after you asked for a divorce?” His lip curled.

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