Page 30 of Chasing Liberty

“You’re imagining things.” Freedom sighed. ”I wouldn’t sleep with him.”

“Who said anything about sleeping with him?” Liberty said with a giggle. “Time is ticking until Daddy’s demands become fruition.”

“Ever since the rumor has been floating around that we are looking for husbands, the hands walk a wide circle around us like we have the cooties.”

“Honey, it’s not a rumor. It’s a fact. Daddy’s not changing his mind on this. I’m telling you.”

Freedom rolled her eyes like a child who didn’t get her way. “You do realize this is also your fault, right?”

Liberty blinked, feeling a sock to the center of her being. Her mind wandered to the pictures and letter and Lacey’s demand. “Why?”

“Because you defied him. Every time he tried to tell you something you had to do the complete opposite.” Freedom tapped the toe of her boot.

“Oh? And you’re so innocent? You should be thanking me because Honor and I have been shielding you, and the others, since you were little.”

Freedom's demeanor lightened. "The two of you have constantly been at the center of attention."

Liberty was unsure if her sister's reply was sarcastic or sincere. "The spotlight isn't all it's cracked up to be."

Freedom dismissed the conversation with a shrug. "Seems like someone is enjoying themselves," she remarked, nodding towards Carter, the latest addition to the ranch staff, who was engaged in lively conversation with Lanah Weaver over by the pie stand.

Liberty didn’t know much about the young cowboy from California, except that he had the looks of a surfer wearing a new hat. “What’s his story?”

“What makes you think I’d know?” Freedom scraped the toe of her boot across the pebbled rocks.

“You pride yourself in knowing everything that’s going on ‘round here. We all know you’re a walking lie detector. That’s why you handle all the communication with the hands. They’ve gained trust with you. Carter hasn’t let you in on any details of his past? Why he came here?”

Freedom shrugged. “He’s different. Quiet. Respectful.”

Liberty believed in understanding the workers by observing their behaviors. Lanah, with her cheerful and vivacious blonde appearance reminiscent of a contemporary Marilyn Monroe, appeared quite keen on attracting Carter's attention, who seemed just as interested.

“He won’t stay long.” Freedom said, shooing away a fly that was buzzing around her last onion ring.

“You think? Why?” Liberty believed the new hand and Lanah would be doing more than talking by nightfall.

“We’ve seen it at least a dozen times. Wannabes come along, wanting to be a cowboy, and once they get a taste of the backbreaking work, they take off for a cushy office job. Carter keeps to himself and seems to have a small chip on his shoulder. Not enough to render a talking to with Daddy, but an awareness that under those pretty boy looks he’s got a story to tell. Right now, what’s happening between him and Lanah, that’s the most interaction I’ve seen out of him since he came to work here.”

“A sexy blonde has a lot of power.”

"Suppose so," said Freedom casually.

Liberty pushed Carter into the recesses of her mind. “And there’s one cowboy who apparently isn’t in the same boat as the others.” Liberty jutted her chin toward the ring toss booth where Keller blatantly stared at Freedom like she was the mirror image of perfection. “Maybe you should offer him a token of your time?”

“No, thank you. He isnotmy type.” Freedom gave another roll of her eyes and turned her back on the cowboy across the yard.

"You're only saying he's not your type because he's had a crush on you since you outran him at ten years old in a school race. Plus, you wouldn't need to go after him since he's not avoiding you," Liberty joked, yet she knew there was truth in her words. The Rose sisters were known for enjoying the thrill of the chase and breaking rules. Technically, Keller was off-limits as an employee at Sagebrush Rose, although he wasn't a ranch hand.

His gaze of admiration towards Freedom only served to diminish her interest in him further.

“Looks like our forced marriages aren’t the only rumor working its way through the gossip mill. Your husband seems to have gained a lot of attention these days from a collection of women since you two announced the separation.”

Liberty looked among the crowd of cowboys and cowgirls, frowning when she saw what her sister meant.

Katlynn was pinning the paper number to the back of Wyler’s shirt for the roping event. He said something to her, probably thanking her, and she batted her eyes like Snow White.

Her husband looked amazing. Broad shoulders were encased in a snug black T-shirt that fit him like a racecar hugging strong curves. The faded blue jeans showed off his tight bottom.

What had he said that made Kaitlynn laugh? A bit over-dramatically if Liberty was asked.

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